Whether it's an undue, unfair stigma or not, if and when someone can plunk 50 large on a car, they are going to want torque. Period. I know I would. Power to pull you in to your seat off the line, and instant passing power on the freeway. Pretty much every car but the RL in the price range has it. The RL has horsepower in the upper rev range, but not a whole lot off the line.

Honda is going to have to develop a V8, or figure some way to generate at least 300 ft/lbs under 4000 RPM out of a V6. You can't sell the American public on fancy super handling all wheel drive alone.