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Never Be Too Rich or Too Good Looking

cars, Acura It's been said that you can never be too rich or too good looking. Here in Southern California, the pursuit of those elusive goals often takes place behind the wheel of a BMW 3 Series. For several decades now, the trimmest Bimmer has served its core constituents well. Driving the car with the twin- kidney grille signals you've arrived, while routinely assuring that your actual arrival occurs somewhat ahead of the rest of the tanned, caffeinated, 401K'd, and nicely pressed pack.

Who can blame Southern Californians for simultaneously seeking sporty driving fun and status? As a driving environment, the Golden State has it all. Break free of urban gridlock, and you can enjoy thousands of miles of great driv...

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


What's The Occasion?

cars, Acura We caught up with the Acura Motorsports crew in mid-April during the inaugural ALMS race through the streets of Long Beach, California, to take a closer look at the emerging program.

Acura's ALMS effort is headquartered roughly 60 miles from Long Beach at the Honda Performance Development (HPD) center in Santa Clarita, California. Founded in 1993, HPD was instrumental in developing Honda's Champ Car and IRL teams, and employs some 120 engineers, technicians and mechanics.

The HPD facility is where all the vital components that the ALMS teams will use are developed. It is equipped with five dynos, including a transmission dyno used to help develop electronic systems such as traction contro...

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


No Longer What You'd Call A Spring Chicken

cars, Acura having celebrated its 20th birthday just last year. Starting in 1986 with the sporty Integra two- and four-door compact coupe and sedan and its V-6-powered Legend four-door mid-sized sedan, Honda's upscale arm has blossomed into a key player in the U.S. automotive landscape.

In addition, as most motorsports aficionados know, Acuras have also emerged as a force on the sports car racing scene. Privateers have been campaigning Integras, NSXs, and RSXs to racing championships for years, although Acura has officially stayed at arm's length, preferring to leave factory-backed efforts to Honda, a worldwide brand.
Fernandez Racing's entry makes its way around Long Beach's fountain chicane.

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Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


Embellishments vary for each of these compacts

cars, Acura The RDX offers a Technology Package thar's highlighted by a voice-activated nav system with AcuraLink real-time traffic, upgraded 10-speaker/410-watt premium Acura/ELS DVD-A sound with XM Satellite Radio, and GPS-linked solar-sensing auto climate control as its sole extra.This supplemental goodies-set was fitted to our vehicle and, if Acura's projections prove true, will show up on about 40 percent of customer RDXs. Stepping up to Tech trim bumps the RDX's price of entry from $33,610 to a stout $37,110.
2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited V-6

Mazda's baseline front-drive CX-7 opens at $24,310, while a GT with AWD commands $28,560. The Moonroof/Bose Audio/6CD Changer Package on our vehicle brought that number to $30,145, with the other big GT option being a $4005 Technology Package that includes voice-activated navigation and keyless remote starting plus an excellent Acura Tl Starter


It's a different issue ith the RAV4. Toyota's ubiquitous mini-hauler ranges from an econo-oriented four-cylinder/FWD base model at $20,905 to our primo V-6/AWD variant which opened at $26,475. Augmenting its already bountiful Limited kit with extras like a moonroof, leather upholstery, premium JBL sound, side/side-curtain airbags, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, our tester bottomlined at $31,719....

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


How Does a carmaker reach out to young, active buyers?

cars, Acura There isn't an easy answer to this question, particularly when you're talking about one of today's hottest market segments--the compact SUV/crossover. From cool, urban designs to the latest in audio/video technology, Honda, Mazda, and Toyota each brings its own responses to the question. But will any of these offerings turn the heads of the jaded PlayStation generation? To find out, we borrowed each maker's latest entry and hit the road.

The newest member of the ad-hoc power trio presented here is Honda's premium division's first foray into small SUVs, the Acura RDX, which comes loaded with features, including a potent turbo-four engine--first ever in an Acura product--and a variation of the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system introduced on its flagship RL sedan.
2007 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring

Hot on its heels is Mazda's take on the cross/ute, the high-profile CX-7. It, too, is motivated by a ready-to-rock T-charged four, though buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel-drive configurations and base, Touring, or Grand Touring spec. Parity demanded we opt for the GT/AWD combo presented here.

To round out the mix, we tabbed Toyota's popular RAV4. A generational changeover for 2006 adds style, size, and sophistication to this evergreen entry--along with a killer V-6 engine option that can send power to the front or all four wheels of the base,cool Acura Tl Spoiler,Sport, or the topline Limited 4x4 (which we drove for this match)....

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


As Acura Calls It

cars, Acura At 5915 miles, it went in for its first service: the "A1," as Acura calls it. This included the oil and filter change, tire rotation, and the first fuse replacement, all under warranty. The second dealer service (the "B" service at 13,365 miles), also under warranty, was in Troy, Michigan, for its next oil/filter change, fluid-level check, and tire rotation, plus brake,cool Acura Tl Seat Cover and suspension inspections. For the third and final service, done when the RL had 21,124 miles on it, the Acura was back in sunny California and returned to the local dealer for an oil and filter change, plus inspections of the hoses and belts, fluids, and replacement of another blown fuse.

The RL is an improvement over the previous-generation flagship, but still has a long way to go before it can be considered a true sport sedan. The all-wheel-drive system is excellent and the cabin comfortable, but for $50,000, it needs to have fewer technical glitches and more power to compete with the likes of BMW....

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


The Biggest News!

cars, Acura Tl Seat Belt The biggest news for the 2005 model was the addition of SH-AWD, Acura's all-new all-wheel-drive system, which made its debut in the RL and later found its way into other vehicles in the line. The system, which sends torque to the front and rear when needed as well as between the left and right wheels, is designed to improve handling on twisty roads and inclement weather. The setup also helps offset the engine's shortcomings. Many staffers were impressed by the amount of grip the Acura had in switchbacks and enjoyed flicking the paddles while the AWD went to work.

The all-new styling for 2005-which some on our staff claimed their Dads love-merges dark leather on the seats and real wood on the dash with a...

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More


The 2005 RL was a big deal for Acura

Acura Tl Repair Manual, cars "It was to be the year its flagship was transformed from a car for older drivers to a sport sedan. Not only did it represent a dramatic change in the luxury sedan's styling-it went from being nondescript to one with angles and more attitude-but it was by far the most revolutionary redesign since the RL replaced the Legend. That, plus the addition of 75 horsepower, steering-wheel-mounted paddles, and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), made this a no-brainer for the Motor Trend long-term fleet.

Our Car
Base price: $49,470
MSRP, as tested: $49,470
Total mileage: 26,624
Avg fuel economy: 20.0 mpg
Problem areas: Accessory fuse, cigarette lighter, nav system
Mai...

Date: 15 December 2007, Saturday Comments (0) | Add Comment | More




Latest Entries

Never Be Too Rich or Too Good Looking
What's The Occasion?
No Longer What You'd Call A Spring Chicken
Embellishments vary for each of these compacts
How Does a carmaker reach out to young, active buyers?

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