Originally posted by DVPGSR
Yes there is a very likely reason that the 2003 Accord has more HP than the 2003 TL...it is a brand new design!:fawk: When the next generation TL comes out for the 2004 model year it will have more HP than the Accord. Honda doesn't need the extra HP to beat the Altima...it was merely being competitive. Is there anything wrong with this?
HP is not the deciding factor in determining a cars performance...look at BMW. They use a 2.5L V6 that puts out 180 HP in the 3 and 5 series...why? Because of the gearing, probably the lowest powertrain loss in the whole industry, and they do not need to get into a HP war with anyone...the cars speak for themselves. Nissan is always making the point known that they have "Class leading HP." I guess it is an inferiority thing? I don't know?
Is it sooooooooo uncommon that when a car compnay designs a new model to replace the old one that there is an increas in HP? Why is it such a bad thing Samson that "Honda thought it needed the extra HP to beat Altima." Don't all car manufacturers increase HP whith the introduction of a new model? The sad thing is that the Altima had a magical boost in HP when the Accord came out!
Why is the 5HP increase so magical? Could it possibly be a better flowing intake? It doesn't take much to gain 5 HP from a 3.5L.
Nissan always make the point that they have "Class leading HP" because they want to regain their image as a performance oriented company. Through the mid 90s, they were trying to be a me too Toyota.. i.e. bland. Before this period, their image has always been performance. Like the Z legacy, and the infamous SE-R in the early 90s (double wish bone suspension with a 140HP for a mear $11k). They're just returning to their root, which is performance for a bargain price. To do that, you need HP and good gearing. Either you spend more $$ on one or the other. BMW decides to spend it on tranny and Nissan decide to spend it in HP.