That was the Accord Coupe Concept, and Honda made it very clear that it was just to show what they could do and to raise brand interest. They regard this in totally different terms.

 

I find this news somewhat exciting. Emphasis on somewhat. While I'm sure the next NSX will own all ass, a 350HP Accord (which will probably be the TSX) won't be cheap with this kind of technology. Nor will it be able to compete (maybe "compete" isn't the right word...I simply mean that "M" cars and AMG models will go faster, stop quicker, and turn better than this hypothetical Super Accord...And that's the whole point of a 350HP Accord...To perform.) with the next wave of "M" cars or 500HP AMG models. I think it's a bit silly to believe otherwise.

I'm interested in Honda venturing into this territory, but they have a lot to prove with this new technology.

I believe a 350HP TSX would be answering a question nobody is asking.

The regular TSX will still own. :fawk: :woowoo: :driving:

 

You're right, if this car ever become reality, it'll have to deal with the next generation of M3 and Cxx AMG cars. Sure it'll be extreamly competitive w/ the current models, but in 3-4 years, the next wave of M3s will have even more power, more luxury, and more handling. It'll need much more than 350HP to dominate this area. I guess you gotta start somewhere. I'm glad that all these Japanese car companies are finally venturing into the high price, high performance luxury cars. More competition = more choices which can only benefit us, the consumers.

 

yeah, but let's see the next M cars get the same gas mileage as this car.....

The thing that gets me about this one, is that Honda is not only going to answer everyone's complaints about not having huge powerful cars, but that they're going to break out and do it with brand new technology, they are going to try something new, they are going to really wow people. I don't know about you, but a 350 horsepower AWD monster sedan that gets high 20's-30's MPG makes my jaw drop. I can't wait to see this thing, I think it will really shake up the industry.

 

Exactly. Maybe this is where the DN-X concept is going? After all, the original concept called for a four door sports sedan with a gas engine driving two wheels and electric motors driving the other two wheels for an effective AWD system. Coincedance? I wouldn't bet on it.

 

I can definitely see Acura becoming a PREMIER luxury brand if they apply this technology to most of the cars in their line.......they will totally destroy all of the competition. Who would want a Lexus with a V8 when they can get an Acura that has 50 more horsepower and gets at least twice the gas mileage.....If Acura can follow through with this, they have a very bright future.

Here's what I want to happen in the next 10 years:

1) Develop this IMA AWD system more and apply it to most cars in the line-up...create a new, more elite badging above the type-s for at least two different models ....(TSX and TL...maybe CL if it's around?).....these will be Acura's ///M and AMG fighters....make sure that they get the most potent version of the IMA AWD system possible. This will give the consumer 3 engine options....keep the base cars N/A FWD, make the type-s a watered down IMA AWD, and then the mother of all IMA's will be saved for the high-end elite models.

2) Increase the marketing for the company, sponsor everything, really get people thinking "must buy acura"......and tout the new IMA AWD technology as the newest standard in luxury performance.

3) Eventually launch Acura worldwide once US sales become strong and the line-up is solid.........this will give them more room to work with between the Honda brand and the Acura brand... It will allow Honda to take more risks with Acura, make the styling differences between the two brands more pronounced, and take bigger risks with Acura in general.....the problem with Acura styling right now is that all of it's cars are sold as Honda's in Japan. They have to look like a honda in Japan, and they have to look like an Acura in North America. If they split the two worldwide, they'd be able to really push the design on Acura's...which would also really help get away from the "but it's just a glorified Honda" mentality.

ANYWAY, sorry if this is off-topic....it just seems like this is a BIG change for Honda, this IMA technology, so I decided while we were on the topic of BIG changes, I would state a few others I would like to see while they're at it.

I want to wish Honda goodluck with all of this.......I was getting depressed with the way they were running Acura, but this gives me new hope. Don't let us down! :thumbup:

 

Very true, but I'm pretty most people who would and could afford to buy a M or an AMG car don't pay too much attention to gas. Gas money is probably spare change to them. One is either they buy it for performance, then gas mileage is kinda like a bonus but not a neccessity (sp?). Else they buy it for prestige which mean they don't really car about gas mileage at all because all they want is the name M3/M5 or AMG.

 

I know if I were buying a new expensive car, I would want the most high-tech car available......and this would definitely be one of the most high tech cars on earth. Sure they may not care about gas mileage, but I bet they do care about the technology involved in the car. I know I would.

 

Question is can you really feel the difference or is it something to brag about? Most people who has the money to buy those cars, they rather get the prestige of the M3 name, the speed/power, and the luxury interior of a M3.

Lets say that it does come here in around 2005ish. That's about the next revision of the M3. If they bump another 100HP to it like they did w/ the current one, then you're talking about 400+HP M3. Which would you rather have? A 350HP Accord/TSX or a 400+HP M3. Since they're the new comer, thet'll have alot more to prove. And if things go the way it is, 350HP won't be enough for the next wave of M3 type of cars.

 

I'd love to see a 350HP Accord kick the sourkraut out of the M3, S4 and C32. And their timing is right as well, a new NSX would have to debut before the "pedestrian" Accord made 60HP more than their $90,000 flagship model. :rofl: