Acura Claim Uber Premium Status
Can they really take on Bentley and Maybach?
Honda’s US only (so far) luxury brand, Acura, has declared that they want to rival Bentley and Maybach for performance and design.
This comes after speculation that it’s front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder engine heavy range couldn’t really match the image of brands like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and Audi – despite that being their aim.
However, Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D Americas claimed that: "We want to rival Bentley and Maybach in performance and design."
We have no idea how they’re going to match the most premium of premiums, seeing as their range isn’t exactly brimming with potential – though the new NSX would make a good start.
Can you see yourself at a posh dinner surrounded by Bentley and Maybach drivers proudly proclaiming that you’ve got an Acura NSX? No, us neither.
Source: Leftlane News
They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
ETA: I am not saying it is possible, just that the competition are hardly "all that" - posher Mercs and VWs - so it isn't quite the task it may outwardly seem.
They'll end up in the hands of people trying to look rich for the sake of it. A bit like new Jag drivers
They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
ETA: I am not saying it is possible, just that the competition are hardly "all that" - posher Mercs and VWs - so it isn't quite the task it may outwardly seem.
i always liked the G35 - but then that was just the Skyline GT350 (which we didnt get) with leather seats.
Having been in an Acura Integra - it was exactly the same as the Honda we get over here - only over there no leather seat option on the Honda, only the Acura.
At least Lexus sold different cars (at least outside japan) with the premium badge.
Though I do belive if the Acura brand was launched worldwide with some original models it might have some success, as it's a relative unknown on euro shores, but it's too familiar in the USA to be taken seriously as a prestigous marque and contender to Bentley et al's throne.
I've no doubt they have the ability to make some truly unique and high quality cars with some great materials, they've certainly got the creativity and technology to do so, but wanting to take on established high end marques in their own territory is ambitious to say the least considering their current line up and concept portfolio.
If nothing else it's exciting to see the Japanese manufacturers stepping their game up and acquiring increasingly larger interest all over the world, and with Nissan bringing the Infiniti brand to Europe I'm sure others will follow.
Maybe they should concentrate on trying to at least equal Lexus first, a RWD platform would help for a start, even Hyundai recognise that is necessary in this segment.
I'd rather have a RWD euro chassis based drivers car. But know and respect some want a mobile luxury office, and couldn't give a flyin 747 as to what wheels put the power down.
I think Acura and Lexus has it's place. A different luxury - for a different customer. Bring it on I say, lets have some more creative approaches and innovation.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6215240/car-news/infin...
Honda, though they make good cars, are a conglomerate that has the ethos to make money. That means instead of "no expense spared", it's the oposite. Which is fine for most cars, but doesn't work if you're after "uber premium status".
It's very hard to explain isn't it? Lamborghini might have been bought out, but the name brings with it years of excitement, you think of the classics, the rivalry between them and Ferrari, the Countach in Cannonball Run...it's stuff you can't just make up by building something and selling it at a high price.
Another good example is the Koenigsegg and that american car, Saleen? They are good cars but I would choose a Ferrari over them every time, just for the sense of occasion, history...and all of those other difficult to express emotions a Ferrari makes you feel.
and anyway, we might not totally like jap luxury cars now, but give it 10/2o years, then i think the story will be different.
in the end, some people look for reliable cars,, and thats what the japs give us. so we can't complain. i would like to see them trying it out in europe. if it doesn't work than it won't. i mean even intially in the US, small jap cars were disliked. but once toyota brought out the corolla, everything changed. lexus seem to be doing well as a global brand, so maybe just maybe, b ut it will take time
Acura = Lexus = BMW = Merc etc, does NOT = Bentley etc
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