Team Acura Parts Blog

Last December 17, 2007, American Honda President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura revealed that the next-generation Acura NSX will arrive in the year 2010. This is a year later than what was initially announced by Honda Motor Co. Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui in a speech he made on July 2005:

“We are now focused on the development of a new model to succeed the NSX for a new era. We would like to debut a new super sports car equipped with a V-10 engine in three to four years.”

This extra year of waiting only goes to show that art and marvelous engineering can’t be rushed.

The V-10 engine, by the way, will replace the V-6 one of its would-be predecessor; and so far, this has been the only detail released by Honda and only serves to pique interest and curiosity. Excitement abounds for this vehicle, as the first NSX was—and most probably still is—subject to much praise and awe back when it was released from the wild, racing roads and into the—shall we say, more “civilized”—streets. In fact, the Acura NSX is so good that its 1992 review got a reprint in the Greatest Hits issue of Winding Road Magazine (Nov. 2007, page 272).

One can only surmise that the iconic rear deck wing will remain, among many of its many engineering marvels such as the hood that, despite its length, virtually disappears from the driver’s view due to how it is sloped.

However, there is less—though not entirely eliminated—guesswork regarding whether the U.S. might get the NSX before Japan does. For one thing, Honda announced last summer that the Japan launch of the Acura brand would be delayed by at least two years due to inadequate market conditions. Secondly, Iwamura himself has hinted that Americans might truly have first dibs on this luxury sports car:

“In case of the introduction order, at this moment I can’t tell,” he says. “But the U.S., you know, has a majority of the (Acura) customers – that (is something) you have to think about.”

Indeed, that is truly something to think about. Or, to be more precise, the new Acura NSX is something to fantasize about…

Acura automobiles are a pleasure to ride; and the Acura Integra is a prime example of this. Its easy-breezy feel is cozy, especially this Christmas season; but time and time again we are shown that we must handle such pleasures responsibly and not let ourselves get carried away by them. Just yesterday, a news article from Star Exponent.com told a story about two young illegal immigrants in America, for whom Christmas presents came early last Sunday, December 23 - in the form of second chances. It echoed a rule that people do not take seriously until it’s too late: Never drink and drive.

In the article, Trooper K.B. Highland claimed that Aaron Ortega-Marquez and Fernando Marquez-Ortega were drunk driving in their 1990 Acura Integra at speeds between 80 to 85 mph northbound along U.S. 29 until they crashed onto a tree.

Highland said that the 26-year-old Ortega-Marquez overcorrected his car after veering off to the left side of the road, thereby causing the vehicle to run off to the right and hit a tree. Highland stated that initial breath samples taken from the 22-year-old passenger, Marquez-Ortega, revealed his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit.

Ironically enough, the immigrants’ apparent ignorance of safety rules seems to be the reason why they are still alive: both were ejected out of their seats as the driver did not wear his seatbelt, whereas the passenger only wore a shoulder harness.

Credit it to sheer luck, Christmas miracles, or perhaps even to the Integra itself, but both young men are still alive, albeit greatly injured. The driver was brought to Inova Fairfax Hospital in critical condition, whereas the passenger was brought to University of Virginia Medical Center in serious condition. Both hospitals have yet to release an update on the condition of their patients.

All of this goes to show that even if a car is loaded with safety features, we must never forget that the biggest safety feature there is is our brains. So think about it: If you have to drive, do not drink. If you have to drink, go with your friendly designated driver, or take a cab. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly, not the season to be tragic.

Source: Star Exponent.com

The 2008 Acura RL is geared with new features. It has grilles and headlights that blend smoothly into the hood as well as on the fenders. Unlike previous models, the 2008 Acura RL has these components with no bulging light clusters. This also rings true for the new model of Accord as well as with other new models. The chassis of the 2008 RL is free from already passé designs such as clear lens for taillights, having fender vents as well as “Bangelized” flame surfacing. It has roof-line that curves neatly from the front fenders up to the rear. As it has neatly-cut curves, there are no peculiar and out of line cuts even on the trunk lid. Its elegant design makes it timeless and one can seriously consider using it for decades so long as proper maintenance is done.

As for the interior of the RL, it is upholstered in remarkably soft animal hides that are cream-colored. This gives the vehicle a relatively relaxed feel to it. It has leather details and makes use of leather that looks new but has the texture of aged leather, the one that has a story on it. Similar with the Accord, the latest version of the RL has front seats protects its occupants. As the occupants take a seat on it, it seems to coddle the occupant providing ample comfort as well as support. What’s unique about the RL is that it has seats that do not confine the movements of its occupants. It allows for movement and because it does not hinder the occupant from acting the one he or she is being able to freely move, it is able to provide comfort that is simply beyond what other cars were able to give.

The Honda Motor Co. already has marketing plans to sell units from their luxury brand, the Acura, in Russia. The plan is to go about with it next year. This move would be taken by Acura so attend to the needs of the market as well as to steal consumers from its rivals like the Toyota Motor Corp. and the Nissan Motor Co.

In the coming years, Honda will open more sales offices in Russia. The plan is to put it up in Russia’s major cities such as Moscow and at the St. Petersburg. As the Russian demand for luxury brands increase, most probably due to the country’s increasing economy, many consider this move by Honda a good one. The automaker plans to boost their sales in Russia. The target is to sell 100,000 units by 2010. They were able to sell 15,723 units last year but with the additional sales offices, the target is not that hard to meet. Along with these plans, Honda will push forth the introduction of Acura to Russia.

Russian demand for new vehicles scaled up to 1.8 million units sold in 2006. Experts are projecting that the figures will continue to rise annually. Some are even speculating on the possibility of having a 20 percent increase of demands in the coming years.

Last year, Toyota was able to sell 106,000 vehicles in Russia. Nissan, on the other hand, was able to sell 76,000 units. With the coming of Acura in Russia next year, the statistics are likely to change.