Honda boss Takeo Fukui has confirmed that the Japanese carmaker is developing engines of capacity and cylinder count beyond its current V6 range-toppers. The engines it seems engine are destined for flagship models aimed at keeping pace with the likes of Lexus and Infiniti.
The company's current range-topper, sold here as the Honda Legend (pictured), but badged in the US as the Acura RL, currently uses a 3.7-litre V6 with outputs of 226kW and 370Nm. However, Fukui told respected US industry journal Automotive News: "I don't think that the Acura RL 3.7-litre is sufficient. We can't compete with other premium brands."
Acura is positioned in the US as luxury brand -- think of it as Honda's version of Lexus or Infiniti, but it doesn't enjoy anywhere near the same market shares as the latter two in the premium echelons.
Hence the desire to bolster the luxo credentials of the RL (read: Legend) via engines bigger than the V6.
US sources have hinted that the engine will be a V8 of around 4.8-litres and pumping out around 315kW. There's even suggestions details of the engine could be revealed as early as this year's Los Angeles motor show (which starts on November 21).
But the cylinder count flies in the face of the comments made to the Carsales Network last month by Honda Motor board member, President and CEO of Asian Honda Motor Company and COO Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Fumihiko Ike.
Speaking in Thailand, Ike-san was frank on the company's concerns about the Acura brand (more here), backing up Fukui's statements, but pouring water on the V8 story.
"Acura has been struggling [in the US] in a sense... Because we started not high-end, but near-Luxury simply because our engine was only V6 -- no V8; and no rear-wheel drive," Ike said.
"So from the very beginning our segment is rather limited -- we're not getting to the high-end luxury like a V8, V10 [or] V12
On the question on whether Honda would build a V8 to grow the Acura business and brand, he replied: "At this moment no... We have no plan [for a V8] yet... Instead of a V8 we will bring in [a] V10... In two years time -- the next NSX..."
-- with staff
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