Honda S2000 successor: the apple falls far from the tree
Filed under: Acura Author:
When wereported a month ago that Honda was working on a replacement for the S2000 roadster, we speculated that the new convertible could be positioned as an Acura. Such rumors are gaining credence as the S2000 replacement isn't shaping up to be much like the S2000 at all.
Emerging reports suggest that the new convertible could be badged as an Acura, which will likely mean it'll get a completely different name to fit into the premium brand's nomenclature – probably matching the "_SX" formula. (The brand issue is really only a consideration for the North American market – overseas Acuras are sold as Hondas, anyway.) It's also tipped to include four seats, whereas the S2000 is a strict two-seater. Rear drive remains a question mark, as the new convertible could shift to front-wheel-drive. Apparently a retractable hard-top is also being considered.
When all's said and done, a front-drive, four-seat, hard-top Acura doesn't sound like it would be much like the lightweight, rear-drive, two-seat, rag-top Honda at all. The S2000 was never a mass-market automobile, always consigned to the niche, but a luxury coupe-cabrio might be just what Acura needs to bolster its line-up. At that point, however, can you really call it an S2000 successor?
[Source: Winding Road]
Tokyo Auto Salon: Kei-NSX totally has it Beat
Filed under: Acura Author:
There's something to be said about cheap, mid-engine vehicles. Namely, there are far too few of them. Thankfully, a group of highly motivated and overly caffeinated students at the Nihon Automotive College in Japan brought two of Honda's greatest (only?) mid-engine offerings together.
The NATS Mini-SX is based off a mid-90s Honda Beat, that's had the headlamps and tail lamps grafted onto its body, along with some NSX-like aero pieces, to create a mini-homage to Honda's late mid-ship masterpiece. Granted, it's tiny 660 cc engine won't provide the thrust associated with the Ayrton Senna-tuned coupe, but simply being able to cruise in such wacky conveyance would be enough of a thrill.
Click on through to Winding Road's story for a rear shot and a pic of a stock Beat for reference.
[Source: Winding Road]
Separated at Birth? Acura Advanced Sedan Concept & the Littoral Combat Ship
Filed under: Acura Author:
Acura'sAdvanced Sedan Concept is supposed to be a pie-in-the-sky imagining of what a future flagship automobile could look like. As Damon stated when he posted on the car from the LA Auto Show, Acura may have taken the whole "flagship" thing abit too literally, as the concept incorporates some seriously nautical cues, such as its pointy nose and boattail rear.
In fact, gazing at the angular Acura made me think of an actual military vessel that's in development today. TheLittoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the bizarro Acura look as if they could be very distant cousins. Maybe a couple times removed. Anyhow, you get the point: that design language works a whole lot better on a naval vessel than something you're supposed to park in your garage.
LA Auto Show: Acura Advanced Sedan Concept
Filed under: Acura Author:
Acura wants you to imagine what the corporate bigwigs will be driving in 2020. They're answer comes in the form of the "Advanced Sedan Concept," straight from Acura's own LA-based design team.
When the concept was initially uncovered, our first reaction was shock and amazement, followed by a touch of nausea. Once we got past the distinctively un-Acura like front clip, we started warming up to the concept behind the concept. But overall, there seems to be too many nautical cues for our tastes. The combination of high creases flanking both sides of the front fenders and the boat-tail rear end give new meaning to the term "land yacht." The high beltline may thrill buyers at the turn of this millenium, but we're unsure if it will stir emotion in 20 years time.
Have we seen the future? Acura would like us to think so, but we're not entirely
convinced.
More pics and the press release are posted below the fold.
AJAC Test Fest Best for 2007
Filed under: Acura Author:.jpg)
At their late October gathering of over 100 Canadian automotive journalists, the AJAC (Automotive Journalists Association of Canada) worked tirelessly to thoroughly evaluate each and every new-for-2007 car and truck. Well, the tire smoke and brake dust have cleared, the votes have been counted, and unanimous winners have been anointed in each of the 13 categories. To see all of the winners and contenders in each category, keep reading after the jump.
Thanks for the tip Peter!
(See the complete list of winners as well as contenders after the jump!)
[Source: Auto North]
The 2007 category winners are:
Best New Small Car under $18,000
Honda Fit LX
The Contenders: Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa, Pontiac Wave and Toyota Yaris
Best New Small Car over $18,000
Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5
The Contenders: Dodge Caliber, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Suzuki SX-4
Best New Family Car $22,000 - $30,000
Toyota Camry LE
The Contenders: Chrysler Sebring, Kia Magentis, Nissan Altima 2.5L
Best New Family Car over $30,000
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Contenders: Kia Amanti, Nissan Maxima, Saturn Aura, Volkswagen Passat Wagon
Best New Luxury Car under $50,000
Lexus ES 350
The Contenders: Infiniti G35X, Lincoln MKZ
Best New Prestige Car
Audi S8
The Contenders: Jaguar XK Convertible, Lexus LS 460L, Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Best New Sports/Performance Car under $50,000
MazdaSpeed3
The Contenders: Saturn Sky Redline, Volkswagen GTI 2.0T
Best New Sports/Performance Car over $50,000
BMW 3-Series Coupé
The Contenders: Audi RS4, Audi S6, BMW M Coupé, Lexus GS 450h, Shelby GT500
Best New Convertible
Volkswagen EOS 2.0T
The Contenders: Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0T, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Pontiac G6 Convertible
Best New Pick-up Truck
Chevrolet Avalanche
The Contenders: Cadillac Escalade EXT, Ford Sport Trac Limited 4X4
Best New SUV/CUV under $35,000
Toyota RAV4 – V6 Sport
The Contenders: Dodge Nitro, Ford Edge, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Sante Fe, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Mazda CX-7, Saturn Vue Green Line
Best New SUV/CUV under $60,000
Acura RDX Technology Package
The Contenders: Chevrolet Tahoe, Chrysler Aspen, Lincoln MKX, Suzuki XL7
Best New SUV/CUV over $60,000
Mercedes-Benz GL Class
The Contenders: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Lincoln Navigator
The overall Canadian Car of the Year, Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, as well as the Canadian Truck of the Year will all be announced on February 14th, 2007, at the 2007 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Ontario.
VIDEO: Road-racing, Matrix-style
Filed under: Acura Author:
Computer animation studio FXNine has given us this jewel of a CG racing duel, pitting a red Acura NSX against a yellow Lamborghini Diablo, and it is one hell of a ride.
Called Overdrive, the video has a distinctive Matrix-like feel to it. The two supercars race down empty, fictitious, often pointless but entirely entertaining empty highways, going up and down ramps, underwater, around corkscrews and loops and through the air.
If you liked The Matrix and like cars (which we assume you do, otherwise you wouldn't be here), you'll love this video. Follow the link to watch.
[Source: FXNine via
German Car Blog]
OC Auto Show: Photo Recap
Filed under: Acura Author:
Although a relatively small auto show in the grand scheme of things, theOrange County Auto Show had until this year been known as the California International Auto Show. Made us wonder what they could possibly think the much larger and much more important Los Angeles show should be called. California Intergalactic Motorized Conveyance Show maybe? But the OC Auto Show has a lot going for it, and the new name for its 10th year was intended to put the focus back on the importance of this market. After all, there are nearly 11 million fairly affluent customers in this area and several auto manufacturers have design studios and headquarters within a stone's throw of the Anaheim Convention Center where this event is held. Although light on big debuts, this week's show saw the world premier of thefirst hybrid from Nissan, the West Coast launch of the Lamborghini LP640, as well as the introduction of a trio of "new" Lincolns. In addition, a fleet of fuel cell cars from various manufacturers was present for demonstration rides on Friday. We had it all covered and offer up some pics of some of the highlights. Click through for the whole gallery.
Parnelli Jones Mustang
Jaguar XKR
Lincoln MKX
Lincoln Navigator
Lincoln MKZ
Mazdaspeed3
Honda CRV
Acura RDX
Acura MDX
Saturn Sky Red Line
Saturn Outlook
Dodge Challenger Concept
Dodge Nitro
Jeep Compass and Wrangler Unlimited
Chrysler Sebring
Chrysler Aspen
Lamborghini LP640 Unveiling
Lamborghini Gallardos
OC Underground display
