Originally Posted by MrFatbooty
Yeah it'd be nice for the RL to have a V8, but the price point it will most likely be at is far lower than any of the V8 versions of its competitors. The cheapest of the bunch are the A6 4.2 and GS430, which are both over $50k. The 530i and E320 are also in that price range. If anything the RL competes against those cars, and the only one with a similar price, equipment level, and V8 is the GS430. Thought of as a competitor for the V6 models, the RL suddenly becomes much more relevant.
i think the TL competes more with the V6 models. the RL competes with the V8 luxury sedans. just because its a little cheaper doesnt mean its not a competitor. because it is acura's flagship model, i think it automatically competes with all the other luxury brands' top models. when you stack it up against the V8 competition though, that 3.5 liter V6 connected to its power-sapping AWD drivetrain looks pretty insufficient. for 50k you could have a 5.7 liter 400hp CTS-V. a little more power could help out. im not saying it has to be a V8, but just think what a $10,000 twin turbo option could do for the image, even if it only sold 500 a year. all of a sudden you would have magazines raving about the new RL instead of condemning its comparatively weak engine.
edit: (not trying to argue, just adding my thoughts)