siegen

Cadillac CTS 3.6L 255hp @ 6200 rpm and 255tq @ 3200 rpm Acura TL 3.2L 258hp @ 6200 rpm and 233tq @ 5000 rpm Acura TL-S 3.5L 286hp @ 6200 rpm and 256tq @ 5000 rpm Acura MDX 3.7L 300hp @ 6000 rpm and 275tq @ 5000 rpm The Honda engines are SOHC originally designed in 1996 (J-series engine), while the GM engine is DOHC designed in 2004. Who's playing catch up? Of course if we compare any of these engines to Toyota's new GR 3.5L engines, they would pale in comparison. But the GR engines are also new, designed in 2003, and DOHC. It's still unknown, but Honda may be coming out with a new V6 engine for 2008 (the j-series is getting long for this world). With the addition of A-Vtec, it seems like the perfect chance.

A-Vtec incorporates continuously variable valve lift and duration, in addition to continuously variable valve timing (VVT) which has been in Honda i-Vtec engines since 2000 (and others since before that). The only other manufacturer to have a system like this is BMW. Not only is the closing/opening event timing controlled, but the distant of the opening and duration are controlled now as well. Since 1989, Honda's vtec system has been able to control valve lift and duration, but only in two steps. This was still a huge improvement, as an engine could operate efficiently at low and high rpms, as if it had a camshaft dedicated to each rpm range. Now, the lift and duration are continuous.

Can you link me more info on the HF3.6?

The main advantage of this new system will be increased low/mid rpm torque. The increased efficiently throughout the entire RPM range will also increase fuel efficiency.

Nothing official from Honda yet, but the guys over at www.vtec.net posted an article concerning a patent Honda placed which definitely appears to be the new A-Vtec system they announced recently. There are some sketches too. The system seems to be very simple, at least compared to BMW's fully variable lift system. And there's a good chance it will make its debut in the 2008 Accord. Full Article

oh noes!

I like the blacked out a-pillar......................... and that's about it. Actually the design isn't that bad, it's kind of growing on me. I really don't like the head lights, they look like they don't fit and came out of the Camry's parts bin. And the grille is mis-placed. So other than the front face, this vehicle has (or had) potential. Oh and those wheels are downright hideous.

I don't like the head or tail lights, they look like they're straight out of a NFS game.

Following too close? Them Element's got good brakes! :AH-HA_wink:

As is GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, and every other manufacturer save for some Italian and German ones. Honda has horrible marketing, what are you thinking?

What makes you think that? Last time I checked, Honda made some of the most expensive economy cars. If Honda was concerned only with cost, why would they be incorporating their new ACE body structure into all of their new vehicles? It's more expensive to build and heavier, and its only advantage is improved safety in collisions.

This is a very possible rumor. Although I doubt the person knows anything and is probably just guessing like I am. The new Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept unveiled recently is front engined, AWD, and not MR like the last NSX. If it came to production (which it's supposed to), it may very well be called the CL rather than the NSX, do to this. Honda has been getting a lot of flack for ditching the mid-engined layout on this new super car concept, mainly because people don't want the next NSX to be heavy, front engined, and AWD. Honda does listen to people on forums like www.vtec.net (if you watch any of the interview video's over at www.vtec.net, you'll see), and pretty much everyone on their likes the new concept, as a CL, and not an NSX. The problem that Honda has to deal with is, making a completely new chassis (like they did with the original NSX) is expensive, specially if it can't be shared with anything. If they make a new FR chassis (like the AASCC), they can share it between the new super car/GT car (CL), the new RL, new TL, etc. This is assuming Honda will be making their new Acura chassis' RWD biased. I think they may go that route with the higher cars like the RL and TL, and keep a transversely mounted engine with SH-AWD chassis for the cars like the TSX and RDX. What I hope happens is that the AASCC will be a GT style car, named the CL, like an Aston Martin or M6, and then Honda comes out with a true NSX successor later, which will be mid-engined, light weight, and more exotic (rare). They do understand it, very well. They also understand the concept that FWD is better for mainstream cars. Cheaper to build, more interior space, less drivetrain weight. The TL and TSX have been nothing but a complete sales success, even with loads of RWD competition from Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, Cadillac, etc etc.

Neat. Here's the pic on my server, if it doesn't load for you. I had to type the URL in and refresh it.

miss-shift? lol

It's amazing how fast the Camry is with an automatic. It takes the Accord and Altima 6 speed manual transmissions in order to hit 5.9s 0-60. Btw, the Accord isn't on the list because it doesn't offer a 6sp Manual on the cheap SE V-6, only the more expensive EX V-6. The Aura is also very impressive. I think he said Camlee so Reg will understand.

It has a very nice stance and shape, and they got the headlights right on. The fender vents and hood vents make it look a bit tacky though. And I still don't (and never have) liked the Pontiac grille. Maybe it's because it's too tall on this car, and doesn't flow with the headlights. This is undoubtedly a step in the correct direction for Pontiac.

You want to know what's funny? A $42,200 FWD sedan with a 4 speed automatic transmission and 4.6L 275hp engine that requires premium fuel. Which is why Acura is moving to AWD on all of their cars (over half way there). Honda doesn't advertise the $h! out of AWD like Audi, Subaru, and everyone else with an AWD option does. Maybe they are waiting until their whole lineup is AWD before they start marketing it. I suspect the next NSX with V10 and rear-biased SH-AWD may give the system more attention, because as of right now they've only put it on a large heavy sedan and SUV's. How does it not have a real world benefit? I can't seem to find the videos, but they did a roller test with an MDX, an Audi, and another AWD car. The MDX was able to climb a hill even when one front and one rear wheel were both on rollers (on opposing sides). The wheels that were on rollers didn't even spin. The system instantly detected which wheels didn't have grip and transferred power to the two that did. The Audi couldn't move when both its back wheels were on rollers, they just sat there and spun, while the fronts did nothing.

YUCK! It looks horrible. I really don't like what they did with the front. The way the top of the grille and headlights line up, and the flat hood. It makes it look really bland, and it makes it look like the 1990 and earlier Taurus. What's sad is, the most recent gen Taurus has more style than this.

Wow, I'm amazed! Not for Cadillac coming in 1st, but for Acura coming in 3rd. Were there only 3 makes surveyed? Acura isn't known for the best dealer experience. It is more of a premium Honda dealer, they don't have any of the luxury frills or treatment that they should, and that is one small part of what's holding them back.

So you know exactly what a European car buyer is going to do with this car? Maybe the stock sound system is very good. Just because GM used a digital dash in the 80's and got blasted for it, means anybody who uses one now is "getting a free pass"? Multiple buttons that are the same size? What? How can you know how well the seats fit without sitting in them!? Maybe GM gets slammed for things because of poor implementation? Or like big blue said.

From the picture, the nav screen looks very well placed. What would obstruct it, the steering wheel? The button layout looks fine too. Most stereo's aren't at eye level. The red button looks like a hazard button to me, and not start. The push/pull button looks fine to me too. My Civic had the trunk and the gas cap levers right next to each other. This looks like it's just as easy.

As far as Civic sales go. The best reason I found is explained here. Fit sales are and have been capped by supply, that's nothing new. You'll be very lucky to find a Honda dealer with more than 2 on the lot. Just for comparison, using Auto Trader, I did a 300mi search around Seattle, and only found 21 new Fit's for sale. The same search for new Yaris' turns up 77, and for the Aveo... 494. Btw, if you want to do your own search, you can't go off of the number of listings, as a dealer with 13 cars on the lot is counted as one listing just as a dealer with 2 cars on the lot. You have to count the number of cars for each listing.

It'll be interesting to see how Nissan's system works, if it is really going to be developed in house. Nissan is just playing it safe by waiting so long to enter the hybrid game. They let Toyota and Honda do all the work and find the market for it, now Nissan can jump right in and have an approximate idea of what the sales will be (based off of the competition's sales). Of course the sales of the GS hybrid don't look that great, so I don't see why Nissan would start there.... This is any different than GM making sure their Corvette has more horsepower than the Viper?

The Civic has a similar engine, yet its acceleration is far from the back. It does have a 5speed auto though. Looking at the curb weight of the Opel Astra (which I think is 1230kg from a few sources I've found, don't know if that's 100% correct but it sounds about right), it is right around the weight of the Civic. However, that figure may have been with the 1.6L engine available in Europe. The Saturn may weigh more.

Looks like somebody held a Need For Speed Underground design competition!