Originally posted by MrFatBooty
The RL is the only FWD car in the segment aside from the Cadillac Seville.
Volvo S80, Saab 9-5, Audi A6 3.0CVT.
If Honda wants to compare favorably to cars like the BMW 5-series, Audi A6, Lexus GS, Mercedes E-class, Infiniti M45 they're going to need RWD and they're going to need a V8. Otherwise whatever they come out with is just an expensive Japanese Cadillac. Honda tends to break into new segments non-aggressively but when they finally do they make a knockout product. Witness the Odyssey and Pilot. Hopefully Honda will figure out that the RL is woefully incomparable with the cars it's meant to compete with and make something really compelling.
The RL sells surprisingly steady for a 6 year old car. The reason is because of customers in the Northeast and harsh cold climate areas. Driving a RWD car in snow and ice is no fun at all. With Cadillac moving to RWD for the next Seville, the FWD choices for these mid level premium sedans dwindles. I can only wish the RL would move to an AWD system, but for now, FWD is ok with me.
As for the V8 issue. Please take a look at the sales number for the GS, 5 series, C class, and A6. The six cylinder trims outsells the V8 trims by about 5 to 1 or more in most cases. I'm not going to bring up the Infiniti Q45 sales again (eh hem...<270 last month).
The RL needs to stay in its place as a mid level premium car. No V8 needed. FWD is ok to fill in a niche for us harsh weather driving folks, but AWD is better. What Acura needs is a new model above the RL, if they're going to bring out a V8 model.
Seems like every month, the subject of RL, RWD, and V8 comes up.