Acura will not introduce a rear-drive, V8-powered luxury sedan as the automaker doesn’t need one. At least that’s what Honda president Takanobu Ito thnks.
Ito told Automotive News that, “I don’t think we need a classic front-engine, rear-drive car.” Instead Ito believes Honda should chart its own course for Acura, which includes more fuel-efficient models, including hybrids. Acura’s use of all-wheel drive, however, seems somewhat contrary to its fuel-economy goals.
Ito did say that Acura has been experimenting with hybrid technology on mid- to large-size vehicles, but did not say when we might see a production model
Traditional German luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes set the benchmark for luxury sedans with front-engine, rear-drive vehicles like the 7 Series and S-Class and so far the only Japanese luxury automaker to truly establish itself at tier-one has been Lexus, which offers the front-engine, rear-drive LS. That being said, for Acura to establish itself as a top-level contender without such a vehicle seems unlikely.
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