Originally posted by MPM77
This is exactly my point! Acura is known for its sport luxury and for the person who had a TL and would like a larger Acura with the same or similar road manners they have no choice but to go somewhere else. Looking at the two luxury marquis, BMW and Mercedes, you will find that if a consumer has brand loyalty (which Honda/Acura have a lot of) they have a car that will satisfy every need. For example, if an owner of a 328 came into a BMW showroom and he decided that he needed a larger car with the same fun and excitement that he experienced in the 3-series he could get a 525, 530, 540 or M5. Or if the guy drove a 5-series he could get a 7-series. Same with Mercedes C-class through S-class. Point is, the consumer has options and if he has brand loyalty he can find the car that fits his needs.
At the same time, most Honda/Acura customers also puts
value of the dollar and efficiency in their needs. BMW and MB customers don't care for value. They have excess monatary money they can just blow away and don't care for paying thousands more for just the higher status of the brand name. But I'm not doubting Honda loses many customers who goes for V8s in the RL's class. But how many does it lose? And does it really justify it business-wise to invest millions of dollars for development a V8 for this very low market yet? See Q45. I doubt the M45 will be successful, but the jury's still out on that.
An option, which creates choice for the consumer. People also mention IMA. No one wants a luxury car that tachs out at 8,000 and revs at 3,500 while cruising at 65mph. It's annoying and most likely has little low-end torque.
Please get off the high rpm and no torque bandwagon. The RL is old, the RL's 3.5L is dated. That is true, but the 260hp 3.5L in the MDX is anything from a high revving low tq motor. The peak hp/tq is near or identical that of some V8's in its class, if it was mated to the RL. Tq peak is at 3500rpm. Also keep in mind, this is a SOHC engine. Engineer it to a DOHC and there's more potential. Combined with a hybrid electric system powering the other set of wheels, it has possibilities to even rival the power of many V8s in its class.