Acura V8 Luxury Sedan Rumors Return

by Justin Berkowitz

March 18th, 2008 3:58 PM

Back in July, we brought you news of Honda's plans to build a new V8 engine for its passenger cars. Once again the rumor mills are milling away, with Edmunds' Inside Line reporting that Acura will be bringing a 400+ horsepower V8 luxury sedan to market, with a speculative price tag of $70k. Acura's image problems aren't just that they don't sell a car that's truly competitive with the E-Classes and 5-Series of the world. It's that they aren't viewed as a truly top-tier luxury brand. Just because they price a car in that category, it doesn't mean they'll become part of the German trifecta overnight (see: Cadillac). The near luxury gig works well for Acura, and I argue that there's no shame in topping-out your model line at $45k (other than a future NSX)– and making money while doing it. Rather than another BMW pretender, most enthusiasts would probably prefer the return of truly enjoyable, affordable, and maintainable cars like the Integra and Legend.

Comments

Join the conversation

4 of 13 comments

Ihatetrees on Mar 19, 2008
guyincognito : Honda makes some sweet engines. I’d love to see what they do with a V8. And if you’re gonna put a V8 in something it should be rwd. I'll second that. Other than an I6, there's nothing like a V8. If Hyundai can do a V8, WTF is up with Acura? They ought to emphasize performance and lightness in an rwd sedan. Toss in some carbon fiber, and allow an MT option. Or a dual clutch. Think performance, performance, performance. Hell, give the safety crowd a veiled middle finger by making side curtain airbags optional.

Like Reply
Guyincognito on Mar 19, 2008

@ ihatetrees, Amen. I vote for the optional I6 as well.

Like Reply
Speedbrakes on Mar 19, 2008

Amen. I6 next gen NSX. And dear God please bring back the grand prix white Type R........

Like Reply
Orian on Mar 19, 2008

Honda does have V8's...just not in production cars. They have one in F1, but that's obviously unobtainium class, but would be a good start. The IRL engine was sourced from someone else, so I won't count it.

Like Reply