Stiri despre alte modele ACURA

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http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1186873

Video: TOV member catches a TLX prototype on dashcam!

TOV member 'eneka' apparently has a dash cam mounted in his car and encountered this TLX test mule out on the freeway on Sunday evening. There's still a lot of tape on it but you can pretty clearly see that it's a TLX.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-sEWh7C248

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http://www.carscoops.com/2014/04/2015-acura-tlx-production-car-details.html

2015 Acura TLX Production Car Details Purportedly Leaked

We'll know all there is to know about the production 2015 Acura TLX sedan in a couple of days at the New York Auto Show (if not earlier), but if you want a head start, a member of the TLX forums claims to have attended a recent Acura TLX training session in Texas where the automaker shared fresh details.

Along with some other tidbits, Acura reportedly confirmed output numbers for the base 2.4-liter inline four at 206hp and 182 lb-ft, and the top-spec 3.5-liter V6 at 290hp and 267 lb-ft of peak torque, with the former paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with torque converter and the latter to a 9-speed auto.

In more detail, here's what forum member ChrisAP1 reported about the new TLX that replaces both the TL and TSX sedans:

Two engines:

    3.5L V6 with specs of 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. 9-speed automatic transmission is paired with this engine. Acura says that regular shifts will occur at a rate 25% faster than the TL, and paddle shift inputs will be realized up to five times faster than the TL. Regarding fuel economy, both the FWD and AWD models will see an increase of 5 mpg highway over the TL. For city fuel economy ratings, the FWD is up 1 mpg and the AWD model is up 3 mpg over the TL. The SH-AWD system weighs 75% of the weight of the TL's system, and because it's smaller, Acura engineers were able to add an under storage space in the trunk (like the RLX). The TLX V6 is about 0.5 seconds faster than the TL in the 0-60mph race.
    2.4L inline-four cylinder with 206 horsepower and 182 lb-ft. This powertrain features an 8-speed torque converter automatic (the new ZF box?). Expect fuel economy to increase by 2 mpg in the city and by 4 mpg on the highway

More info:

    Internally, Acura is targeting a sales goal of 45,000 TLX models per year. I am confident this model will make targets -- it's quite impressive in person.
    The TLX has about the same wheelbase length as the TL, but the overhangs are 4 inches shorter.
    Auto start-stop is standard (if it's like the BMW system, I'm turning it off every single time I get in)
    There's a new sport mode feature called Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) with an optional Sport Plus mode. It changes throttle response and steering feel. It also has an economy mode for when you feel like driving like a grandma.
    Siri Eyes Free is standard. I'm really excited for this!
    Electronic parking brake
    Rear seats fold down for cargo
    TLX FWD model is 150 lbs lighter than the TL FWD!

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http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/04/18/acura-turnaround/7859341/

New Acura boss maps turnaround

NEW YORK -- As tough auto industry assignments go, Mike Accavitti has one of the tougher challenges: turn around Acura.

The Honda luxury unit feels like it has lost its direction, unsure of what it is supposed to be. But in introducing a new TLX sedan, Accavitti thinks he has the car that can point Acura in the right direction.

That's because TLX embodies many of the two big qualities that Accavitti thinks will make the brand stand apart.

•"Superhandling." That's Acura's term for precise steering and handling. While many brands boast of it, Acura thinks it has the right technology to make it truly special. It's "incredibly quick and responsive," he says.

•Tech innovations. Honda is pouring some of its best engineering into TLX, starting with its 2.4- and 3.5-liter engines. The car is more rigid and drivers will "feel the torque" of its power right out of the gate. One innovation is a safety system that detects if the car is going off the road and steers it back on.

"We have to start somewhere," he says of bringing a renaissance to the brand starting with TLX," Accavitti says.

He wants to make one thing clear, though. He'd love to improve sales, but he says he's not unhappy with where he's starting. "There's nothing wrong with the brand," he insists. Customers and car buyers in general have positive, if not warm, feelings toward it. It has a reputation for making solid products.

If there's any confusion around Acura, it's concerning individual models. With names like ILX, MDX and RDX, it's hard to sort them out. Though they replace models that just about everyone seemed to know and like, like Legend and Integra, Accavitti says he's in no mood to change names.

He says Acura will just have to work harder and perhaps spend more money to get people to know the vehicles it already has.

He's heartened that its models are typically cross-shopped against Germany's finest when car buyers start looking for luxury models. "We're doing some things right," especially when it comes to the crossover lineup. "We need to take these learnings to the sedan part of the business."

He has one high-attention vehicle in the wings that could solve a lot of Acura's problems when it comes to creating excitement and being better known. It's the NSX supercar.

"It's our trump card," he says. "It's the epitome of superhandling."

The car business really isn't that complicated, he says. "The key to everything is great product."

Between performance machines like TLX and NSX, he thinks he's got them.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/acura-is-rising-to-the-top-of-cuv-and-suv-sales?cid=rss

Acura is rising to the top of CUV and SUV sales


Acura's luxury light truck duo, the 2014 MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the 2014 RDX luxury crossover sport utility vehicle, have been named as Top Rated Vehicles by Edmunds.com.

"This honor from Edmunds confirms what the sales records achieved by MDX and RDX already demonstrate; Acura has the best one-two punch in the luxury marketplace," said Mike Accavitti, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Acura Division. "With the five-passenger RDX and new seven-passenger MDX, Acura continues to deliver an outstanding combination of exhilarating performance, great fuel efficiency, extraordinary luxury and value."

March 2014 sales of the MDX and RDX were up nearly 46 percent from a year earlier. MDX set a record with March sales of 5,793 units, while RDX continued its remarkable string of 23 consecutive monthly sales records on sales of 4,580 units.

Edmunds.com evaluates about 200 cars each year. Each vehicle is driven on a standardized road-test loop and a test track where instrumented testing in controlled conditions is conducted. Edmunds.com uses its findings to grade how a car stacks up against competitors in respect to size and price class. Vehicles that earn an 'A' rating receive an Edmunds.com Top Rated Award.

About Acura:

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 275 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features six models including the RLX luxury flagship sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX Sport Wagon and sedan, the ILX compact luxury sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the all-new MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.

Submitted by: AcuraNews.com

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http://www.americanbankingnews.com/2014/04/20/2015-acura-tlx-driving-video/

2015 Acura TLX Driving Video

To achieve its dual mission of even sharper sports-sedan performance and increased luxury refinement, the TLX employs a host of new advanced powertrain and super-handling technologies. Powering the 2015 TLX are two Acura exclusive, high-output direct-injected i-VTEC® engines, a 2.4-liter 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine producing 206-horsepower1 mated to an all-new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (8DCT) with torque converter; and a 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 delivering 290-horsepower2 mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission (9AT). For handling prowess, the TLX features the latest iterations of Acura super-handling technologies – Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS), Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), and Agile Handling Assist (AHA). These new technologies, in combination with its all-new body and chassis design, make the TLX the most dynamically advanced Acura ever produced; quick and responsive in sporty driving, stable and sure-footed in emergency maneuvers, and calm and quiet during long-distance cruising.

“2015 Acura TLX Driving Video” is categorized as “life and leisure”. This video was licensed from Grab Networks. For additional video content, click the “video” tab at the top of this page.

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http://paultan.org/2014/04/18/2015-acura-tlx/

2015 Acura TLX taking the fight to Infiniti and Lexus – offers world’s first DCT with torque converter



Unveiled at the New York International Auto Show is the production version of the 2015 Acura TLX. The new sports sedan from Honda’s North American luxury arm – which replaces both the smaller TSX (a rebadged Euro-market Honda Accord) and the larger TL – was previewed by a concept car in Detroit earlier in the year.

It seems that the car revealed in Detroit was a “concept” in name only, the styling of the production car staying faithful down to the distinctive standard-fit “Jewel Eye” LED headlights. Only the wing mirrors, the rear valance design and some of the fancier chrome trim appear not to have made the cut.

The TLX is 97 mm shorter in length than the TL, sitting at 4,831 mm, while maintaining the same wheelbase (2,775 mm) and distance between the front and rear seats.



Those who step inside will be able to treat themselves to optional Milano leather upholstery as well as alloy and wood-grain trim pieces. A push-button gear selector array, as seen on the NSX concept, replaces the traditional gear lever, while an electronic parking brake with Automatic Brake Hold further simplifies the central tunnel.

Kit available on the TLX include a seven-inch touchscreen with AcuraLink (a version of the HondaLink cloud-based infotainment system with Siri Eyes Free voice activation), Bluetooth hands free, USB connectivity, navigation with 3D view and traffic rerouting, powered front seats with heating and ventilation, keyless entry and push-button start, a GPS-linked climate control system and a 455 watt, ten-speaker Acura/ELS Studio Premium Sound System.

Under the bonnet, the TLX comes with two powertrain options. The first is a 2.4 litre DOHC i-VTEC inline-four producing 206 hp and 247 Nm, mated to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the world’s first with a torque converter for smoother start-stop driving and “off-the-line torque multiplication” which Acura claims offers superior acceleration over a conventional DCT.



Stepping up to the 3.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC V6 nets you 290 hp and 362 Nm, an increase of 10 hp and 18 Nm over the previous 3.5 litre engine in the TL. The mill features Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which shuts down a bank of cylinders when not needed in order to save fuel, as well as stop/start. The new nine-speed automatic gearbox, which is significantly lighter than the six-speed unit in the TL, is the sole transmission option for the 3.5.

Both models get Acura’s Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS), but only the 3.5 gets the option of the next generation torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which is now 25% lighter. Lightweight construction makes the TLX lighter than before – the two-wheel drive 3.5 litre model with the Technology Package, for example, swings just under the 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) mark, about 145 lbs (66 kg) lighter than the equivalent TL.

Apart from the usual barrage of safety equipment, the TLX is also the first Acura to feature Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), which scans painted lane lines and cat’s eyes to determine if the driver is straying out of their lane, adding corrective steering input and braking force if necessary.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/22/2015-acura-tlx-launch-delayed/

2015 Acura TLX launch delayed



Last week in New York, Acura pulled the wraps off its all-new TLX sedan – a midsize model that replaces both the TSX and TL in one fell swoop. In a bit of behind-the-scenes full disclosure, we were originally scheduled to get our first drive of the car in early May. But an intrepid reader forwarded us an email to Acura dealers saying that the on-sale date of the TLX will be pushed back, and subsequently, the automaker confirmed to Autoblog that the official media launch has been postponed, as well. Acura spokesperson Chuck Schifsky tells us that the 2015 TLX will now go on sale later this summer.

"We don't view it as a major delay," Schifsky told Autoblog. The TLX is "the most technologically advanced Acura" yet – even more so than the original NSX, Schifsky says – and thus, there are "lots of systems to get sorted out." When asked if there is a specific component to point to regarding this delay, Schifsky told Autoblog that it's "not any one thing."

    "We have determined that it is necessary to modify the production schedule for the 2015 TLX, which will move the on-sale date to late summer."

"The TLX has more advanced and customer-relevant technology than on any other Acura model in our history, and we must assure that all systems are ready for mass production. Further, it is critical that we have a stable and sustainable supply of vehicles and components to support the strong customer response that we expect for this all-new Acura sedan," a company spokesperson wrote to its dealers. "To achieve these goals, we have determined that it is necessary to modify the production schedule for the 2015 TLX, which will move the on-sale date to late summer."

The 2015 TLX uses both a 2.4-liter inline-four and a 3.5-liter V6, and will be the first Acura to use two brand-new transmissions. The 2.4-liter engine features an eight-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, and the 3.5-liter V6 uses a nine-speed automatic. What's more, the TLX features a reworked version of the Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) that debuted in the larger RLX, and the company's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) is available, too.

"The 2015 TLX is the emotionally powerful car we've been longing for," Acura wrote to its dealers. So it goes without saying, the company has a whole lot riding on this all-new offering, and it's important to get it right from the start. Schifsky reiterates, "Don't put the car on sale until it's perfect."

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http://www.autoblog.com/2014/05/03/acura-nsx-remembered/

Reliving the Acura NSX debut, 25 years later

The Acura NSX might be one of the most important Japanese cars ever created. The Land of the Rising Sun had already established that it could make very competent performance vehicles when the NSX debuted in 1989, but Honda's two-seater was the first one that looked to the world like a true contender against Ferrari and Porsche, thanks to its cutting-edge technology. The Acura had an all-aluminum monocoque chassis, a beautifully low-slung body and a quick-revving V6 with an 8,000-rpm redline. This quintessential Japanese sports coupe celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and Autoweek recognizes it in a fantastic piece chronicling the model's US launch.

The story begins in February 1989 at the Chicago Motor Show where the car debuted. The day before the show opened, the concept still didn't have a name. The Japanese development team referred to it as New Sports, and the American Acura executives decided to add eXperimental to the end. The moniker NSX just stuck afterwards.

The article paints a fantastic portrait of the car and the company at the time. Honda had something to prove with the NSX. To succeed, the coupe had to be the best, and when the American press finally got a hold of it, they drowned it in accolades. Of course, Acura has a new American-built NSX on the way, and it has colossal legacy to live up to. This piece is definitely worth reading to understand why.

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http://www.inautonews.com/us-and-japanese-premium-brands-fight-the-germans

US and Japanese premium brands fight the Germans

While Mercedes and BMW have commandeered the top positions in US luxury sales, the Japanese and US brands try to play catch up.

Toyota’s Lexus brand, which some years ago had all the US luxury market for itself is now in third place, behind April’s sales of Mercedes-Benz (25,887) and BMW (25,202). The good news for it is that last month’s sales of 23,165 units tallied a 28% growth for the brand, bigger than what the German duo recorded. The Japanese brand managed to double its entry level IS sales, while deliveries for the RX SUV increased 15%. For the first four months, total sales for the luxury brand are up 18% to 88,250 cars.

Honda’s Acura brand is also behind Audi’s record 15,653 cars it sold last month, only delivering 14,122 – a very small 1.6 % improvement. The brand had great sales only for its SUV models – with big gains for both the MDX and RDX.

General Motors luxury brand – Cadillac – is close to outgrowing Acura, with a 5.1 % increase to reach 13,900 cars. Infiniti sales grew 17% last month to 9,170 cars.

Ford’s Lincoln brand is really struggling, with sales falling 11% to 6,803 cars. Its MKZ sedan went down even further, by 24% to 3,054 cars.

Porsche deliveries went up 1% to 4,702 cars, while British Land Rover sales were up to a record 28% growth to 4,533 vehicles. Meanwhile, Jaguar’s sales also faltered, sliding 9.3% to 1,035 units.

Via Bloomberg

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http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1347861/honda-canada-begins-second-quarter-with-fourth-consecutive-month-of-growth

Honda Canada Begins Second Quarter with Fourth Consecutive Month of Growth

Honda Civic continues to top competitors in the passenger car category
Acura RDX sails to all-time monthly sales record

MARKHAM, ON, May 1, 2014 /CNW/ - Combined April sales of 15,667 units by the Honda and Acura divisions of Honda Canada Inc. represented a 2% increase over last year's sales. The Honda Automobile Division reported April sales of 13,687 units, up 3% over last year. The Acura Division reported April sales of 1,980 units, down 5% versus last year.

"Strong Honda Fit, Odyssey and Acura RDX sales in April showcases Honda's strength in our utility vehicle line-up. The Honda Civic also remains on top of the competition in the passenger car category heading into the Spring selling season," said Dave Gardner, vice president of sales and marketing, Honda Canada Inc. "Additionally, it was an honour to have our Accord Hybrid recognized as the 2014 Canadian Green Car by so many of Canada's most respected journalists at the recent Green Living Show in Toronto.  Joining the award-winning Accord family and sharing the fun-to-drive performance, sophisticated styling and premium comfort features of the Accord sedan, the Accord Hybrid offers a no-compromise vehicle for the extreme fuel saver."

April Highlights:

    Honda Civic holds its position as the number one selling passenger car in Canada through the fourth month of 2014
    Honda Fit monthly sales were up 118% versus the same period last year (1,635 versus 751 units sold in 2013)
    Honda Odyssey sales increased by 44% versus the same period last year (1,072 versus 743 units sold in 2013)
    Honda Ridgeline saw monthly sales growth of 28% versus the same period last year
    Acura ILX set an all-time April sales record with 301 units sold versus 298 in 2013
    Acura business was led by 901 delivered units of the RDX, breaking an all-time monthly sales record set  in April 2013 (901 versus 750 units sold)

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TOV Video: 2015 Acura TLX discussion with Chief Engineer Mat Hargett (Parts 2 and 3 )

http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1189920



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-61boO0IlQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPXw6FnKac

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Video: Acura China’s “A+ Experience”

http://acuraconnected.com/2014/05/12/video-acura-chinas-a-experience/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcuraConnected+%28Acura+Connected%29

I’ll bet you haven’t seen the MDX or RDX driven like this before. Two wheel driving, burnouts and 180s were some of the stunts performed at the Acura China “A+ Experience” kickoff event last month. The “A+ Experience” is what Acura China has named their national test drive tour that will run throughout the year.

Check out the 2:31-minute video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq3g993kt5A


[Source: Acura China] 

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Transportation More: Ludacris Private Jets Acura Ellen DeGeneres
Ludacris Still Drives Around In A 1993 Acura Legend

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ludacris-still-drives-around-in-an-old-acura-2014-5#ixzz322olxEZX

Before the multi-platinum albums, the sold-out concert tours, and the Hollywood blockbusters, there was just Chris Bridges and his 1993 Acura Legend.

In spite of all of his commercial success, the rapper-actor, known to most as Ludacris, went on "Ellen" this week and revealed he still drives around in his 21-year-old Acura. 

Launched in 1990 as the flagship model of Honda's Acura luxury brand, the Legend is powered by the company's venerable 3.2 litre V-6 engine producing 230 horsepower.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the luxurious Legend sedan sold for a not-so-paltry $36,800 in 1993. After 20 years of depreciation, the car is worth considerably less today. Based on estimates by Edmunds, Ludacris' prized Legend would fetch no more than $2,000 in the used car market.  However, it doesn't look like the entertainer, who, according to Forbes, made $12 million in 2013, is looking to part with his Acura any time soon.

"I used to write music in the Acura. I still write music in the Acura," Ludacris told Ellen, " I will never get rid of this car."

In addition to his prized Acura, the "Fast And Furious" star also owns the private jet pictured with the car above. Based on the photo, the jet looks to be a British Aerospace HS.125-700, also known as a Hawker 700. According to Business Jet Traveller magazine, The Hawker 700 has seating for eight passengers and a range of 2,000 miles. Produced from the late 1970s through the late '80s, used copies of the aircraft can be had for as little as $1.5 million according the same magazine.

Here is a closer look at the Acura Legend and the Hawker 700 (not the models owned by Ludacris).

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ludacris-still-drives-around-in-an-old-acura-2014-5#ixzz322ozpgJd

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http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1092227_acura-nsx-and-honda-civic-type-r-concepts-headed-for-goodwood?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+motorauthority2+%28MotorAuthority%29

Acura NSX And Honda Civic Type R Concepts Headed For Goodwood

The latest iteration of the Acura NSX and Honda Civic Type R concept cars will be on show at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. next month, marking the first time that the two vehicles will be shown together. Both are due to enter production next year, though show goers will only be treated with static displays as there are no plans to race them in Goodwood’s famous hill climb.]



Fans will, however, be able to race remote-controlled versions of both cars around a specially designed track. A live leader board and race footage will run on a big screen on Honda’s stand throughout the Festival, with races also uploaded to YouTube.

As for their eventual production versions, only the NSX is due on these shores. In fact the car is being developed here and will be produced at a new plant in Ohio for worldwide distribution. Sporting a three-motor electric hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged V-6 at the top of the billing, the NSX could generate up to Nissan GT-R levels of power—or beyond—while laying it down through a dual-clutch gearbox and Acura’s through-the-road Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system.



Sadly, the Civic Type R is forbidden fruit for U.S. readers. Powering the car will be Honda’s new direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The engine will also come with VTEC variable valve timing and should deliver at least 280 horsepower, though more likely 300-plus-hp, through the front wheels. Prototypes are testing at the Nürburgring and are being benchmarked against the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.

The 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from June 26-29 on the grounds of Goodwood House in the south of England. Head to our dedicated hub for more coverage of the event.

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http://www.greeleygazette.com/press/?p=24002

2014 Acura ILX FWD Sedan Review by Stu Wright

The Acura ILX is the entry-level luxury car sold by the upscale division of Honda Motor Company.  It is based on Honda’s Civic, with luxury appointments to bring it up to the Acura standard.  It is the first luxury sedan sold by Acura in America since 2001 – that was the Integra.

    A month ago I travelled to San Francisco to test an ILX, with plans to both attend some Giant-Rockie games and also to drive it to Salinas, California.  Ruth, my wife, accompanied me there and our stay was at the Inn at the Opera on Fulton Street near Haight-Ashbury.  I mention that district because as a child of the 60’s, I served in Viet Nam, had a stay-at-home Mom, fell in love with cars, enjoyed reading John Steinbeck’s books, and watched scenes from Haight-Ashbury on television.  The hotel was also relatively close to Golden Gate Park, the Civic Center, AT&T Park, and Fisherman’s Wharf.  San Francisco is quite compact.

    As a little boy, I read those books written by Steinbeck, the Nobel- and Pulitzer- prize winner from Salinas, and I often fantasized about that area of California.  So Ruth and I drove there, about 100 miles away, in the ILX.  In Salinas is the National Steinbeck Center, the only museum in America dedicated to one author.  Between it, lunch, and driving the Acura down U.S. 101, it was a very pleasurable day.

    The test Acura was the 5-speed automatic with technology package, priced at $31,600.00 (base).  Freight, added to the M.S.R.P., brought the total to $32,495.00.  The 5-speed automatic had sequential sport-shift setup with paddle shifters on the steering column, and the engine was a 4-cylinder, 2.0 liter, 150 horsepower unit with EPA ratings of 35 mpg on the highway, 24 in the city, and a combined rating of 28 mpg.  Premium gasoline is required in the ILX, and the tank holds 13.2 gallons.  My observation of the gas mileage for the ILX was 27 mpg.

    Handling, guidance, and ride of the ILX were all suitable for the five-passenger sedan.  The road noise on our highway cruising was about average for a sedan of this size and caliber.  Acceleration to 60 mph reportedly occurs in ten seconds and top speed is 113 mph.  The fifteen foot car sits on a wheelbase of 105.1” and weighs 3,000 lb.

    The interior was leather-equipped, came in black, and featured the navigation (8” display), cruise control, backup camera, power locks/mirrors/doors, seven-speaker premium stereo with satellite radio, pushbutton start, and proximity keyless entry.  Ruth and I found the front buckets to be supportive and attractive and back seat legroom for our daughter was adequate.  We were able to just get by, luggage-wise, with the 12.3 cubic foot trunk.

    Acura manages to make the ILX look more expensive and attractive than its sister, the Honda Civic, and the five-spoke, 17” alloy wheels added to the allure.  Shoppers in this category would do themselves a favor by taking a long look at the ILX from Acura.                 


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http://www.autonews.com/article/20140523/RETAIL03/140529928/0?cciid=internal-anhome-mostright

Acura to sponsor Seinfeld's show for 4 more seasons

NEW YORK -- Acura has signed up to sponsor comedian Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" Web series for four more seasons.

Honda Motor Co.'s luxury brand said it will exclusively sponsor 24 new episodes, or seasons six, seven, eight and nine, on Sony Pictures Television's Crackle.com. Acura will also exclusively sponsor the fourth and fifth seasons, debuting online this summer and fall.

The popular Web series has featured Seinfeld talking comedy with a variety of entertainment figures including: fellow Seinfeld alumni Larry David, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards; late-night talk show hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno; shock jock Howard Stern; and comedians Louis CK, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock and Seth Meyers.

Talent agency Creative Artists Agency arranged the latest deal between Acura and Seinfeld. Since debuting in 2012, the Web show has drawn more than 40 million streams.

Acura has established a strong working partnership with Seinfeld.

Seinfeld even took a stab at copywriting, teaming with Hollywood director Barry Sonnenfeld to create a series of intentionally bad Acura ads produced by Mullen last year.

Previously, Seinfeld co-starred with Leno in a 2012 Super Bowl commercial for Acura.

In a previous interview with Advertising Age, an affiliate of Automotive News, Seinfeld described Comedians in Cars as a "different type" of content. His spoof Acura ads worked well within the offbeat concept, he thought.

It's "not a real show. There's no narrative story like 'Two and a Half Men.' It's not 'The Tonight Show.' It's a weird show," he said. "So if you have a show that's already a weird show, you want to have commercials that are weird. That's a good fit."

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http://jalopnik.com/cadillac-kills-planned-acura-mdx-rival-so-youll-buy-a-b-1580614834

Cadillac Kills Planned Acura MDX Rival So You'll Buy A Buick Instead

Those families waiting for Cadillac dealers to sell some three-row SUV that isn't an Escalade are going to be disappointed and directed to buy a Buick Enclave instead. Reports from GM now say a three-row Cadillac crossover, to do battle with the popular Acura MDX, is dead.

According to Wards Auto's sources, the Lambda-based Cadillac was supposed to be due around 2017. But that won't happen now, for fear it would take business away from Buick-GMC dealers which sell the upscale Acadia and even-upscaler Enclave three-rows. If you have to have a Cadillac SUV, they'd like to direct you to the 2015 Escalade and its ever-increasing price tag.

The idea behind the three-row Cadillac crossover was a good one. Acura does solid business with the MDX, as does Nissan Pathfinder-based Infiniti QX60. Even though they make the massively successful sleeping pill RX, Lexus is likely to release a three-row crossover soon.

But the Enclave is already positioned as an Acura/Lexus rival, so this is a wise move. Make the next Enclave a little more posh and powerful and you could probably argue its case against an Audi Q7. This shows great rebadging constraint by GM.

That is, until you find out Ward's sources also claim a Cadillac to rival tiny premium SUVs is reportedly in the works. Isn't that what the itsy bitsy Buick Encore was for? 1

Still, what would really be cool is a crossover based on the new CTS, similar to the first-generation SRX. I know, that old one didn't sell. But, but... twin-turbo V6...

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[tokyodream]

http://www.carscoops.com/2014/06/1992-acura-nsx-with-2209-miles-looks-as.html

1992 Acura NSX with 2,209 Miles Looks as Good as New [82 Photos]

No matter how many times we stumble upon barely used, low-mileage examples of decades-old sports cars, it continues to amaze me how some people can hold on to these gems for years on end without driving them.

I forget who said/wrote it, but I remember someone playfully saying that doing so, is like being married to a beautiful woman or man and not going to bed with them to save their purity for their next relationship…

Despite being 22 years old, this 1992 Acura (Honda for markets outside North America) NSX we discovered on eBay has only travelled 2,209 miles (3,554 km) or just a mere 100 miles a year since new! The current owner claims that the car is all-original, and the pictures appear to support that.

The car is listed on eBay with a starting bid of $66,000 and a "Buy it Now" price of $77,000.

eBay Seller's Description:

"I bought the car hoping to keep it for a long long time. I since have made a job change and am liquidating a few things. I acquired this from a local car collector/can am racer/business friend mine. He bought it new in Madison, WI. He drove it to Janesville, WI. Where he cared for it in a climate controlled environment. It has only been driven on sunny days and intentionally only around 100 miles per year.

This car is 100% original and nearly unused. All you would need to do is put the included original window sticker back in the window and back it on to the showroom. It sure would look nice next to a new 2015!

Every item functions perfectly. The car has never been scratched, scuffed, dented in any way. The wheels on this car are absolutely perfect, never curbed, pitted or stained. The tires are the original tires, which do not show any signs of age at all. The A022 tires are no longer made. Power antenna works perfectly. Original tool kit in trunk has never had a piece removed, let alone used."

[tokyodream]

Acura drops ILX Hybrid for 2015 

http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-drops-ilx-hybrid-for-2015.html

Acura appears to have discontinued the ILX Hybrid for the 2015 model year.

The company has announced the 2015 ILX lineup, which remains mostly unchanged save for the notable omission of a hybrid variant.

Buyers can choose from the same non-hybrid packages for Acura's entry-level sedan, starting with the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The upgraded model steps up to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The hybrid model was powered by a 1.5-liter engine and a 20-horsepower electric motor, which brought a combined output of 111 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. Efficiency gains were highest in the city, where the hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 39 mpg, though its 38-mpg highway figure was only slightly better than that of the 2.0-liter model.

The company has not officially announced the reasoning behind the move. The ILX Hybrid, introduced for the 2013 model year, may have failed to gain traction against other hybrids, particularly Honda models. The 2014 Accord Hybrid offers total output of 196 horsepower and much higher city/highway ratings of 50/45 mpg, for around the same price as its Acura-badged rival.

The 2015 ILX now starts at $27,945, a modest $150 increase over the 2014 edition.

Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-drops-ilx-hybrid-for-2015.html#ixzz34y1elcls

[tokyodream]

Rendered: 2016 Acura ILX

http://acuraconnected.com/2014/06/21/rendered-2016-acura-ilx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcuraConnected+%28Acura+Connected%29

Here’s another take on a refreshed ILX exterior from graphic artist Hondatalover. The render incorporates Acura’s Jewel Eye headlights and an updated, more aggressive front bumper. Overall I think these changes work really well for the ILX. We expect both exterior and powertrain changes for the 2016 mid-cycle model change.

[Source: Hondatalover]

[tokyodream]

2015 Acura TLX with Exterior Accessories:

http://acuraconnected.com/2014/06/23/2015-acura-tlx-with-exterior-accessories/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcuraConnected+%28Acura+Connected%29


An AcuraZine member has posted these unconfirmed scans of the 2015 Acura TLX equipped with genuine Acura Accessories. The images show typical Acura exterior add-ons: front, side and rear underbody spoilers, decklid spoiler, body side molding, and optional wheels.

[Source: AcuraZine]
- See more at: http://acuraconnected.com/2014/06/23/2015-acura-tlx-with-exterior-accessories/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcuraConnected+%28Acura+Connected%29#sthash.HlfPlH46.dpuf





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http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1092903_acura-ilx-recalled-for-too-hot-headlamps?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCarConnection+%28The+Car+Connection%29

Acura ILX Recalled for Too-Hot Headlamps

Acura is recalling some 2013 and 2014 ILX and ILX Hybrid sedans for headlights that are too hot.

Under certain conditions, the headlamps do not allow sufficient heat dissipation when the vehicle is not in motion. Add engine heat and ambient summer heat, and the headlamps could cause damage to the reflector unit. In extreme conditions, the headlights may overheat and could cause smoke, melting or fire.

ALSO SEE: 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI Video Road Test
The fix

On affected vehicles, Acura will replace both the left and right headlight assemblies with new, improved ones that dissipate and handle the heat better. Plan on leaving the vehicle for the day for the repair--it involves removing the vehicle's front bumper to gain access to the headlight assemblies.

Acura is managing this recall by VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and will be sending out notification letters to owners starting July, 2014.


To determine if a vehicle is involved in this recall, call local dealers with the vehicle in question's VIN. For more info or answers to questions regarding this recall call Acura Client Services at 800-382-2238 or the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) at 888-327-4236, and reference Acura recall # 14-018 entitled: Recall - Potential Headlamp Overheating, Fires.

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[tokyodream]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/honda-recalls-acura-ilx-and-ilx-hybrid-vehicles-070814.html

Honda recalls Acura ILX and ILX Hybrid vehicles

The headlamps do not meet federal standards

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 14,078 model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles manufactured January 16, 2012, to March 1, 2013; ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured January 12, 2012, to February 7, 2013; certain model year 2014 ILX vehicles manufactured May 2, 2013, to May 31, 2014; and ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 18, 2013, to February 19, 2014.

Excessive heat temperatures around the headlight bulb and reflector unit may diminish the output of the headlight and cause smoke, melting, and fire. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

The diminished light output may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the excessive heat coming from around the bulb and reflector could cause the headlights to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on July 28, 2014.

Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-862-2872. Honda's number for this recall is JE9.

===============

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140713/AUTO0104/307130007/-1/rss12

Honda's Acura plans second-half sales lift from TLX in U.S.

Honda Motor Co.’s Acura, struggling to boost U.S. deliveries amid competition from bigger luxury brands, should see faster growth from August with the arrival of a new sport sedan, the division’s U.S. chief said.

The mid-size TLX, priced from $30,995, goes into production at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio, plant this month and will reverse a slump for Acura sedans, Mike Accavitti, Honda’s U.S. senior vice president who leads the brand, said in a phone interview yesterday. Acura’s first-half U.S. sales grew just 1.3 percent as a 32 percent drop in sedan deliveries was offset by a 31 percent gain for its MDX and RDX sport utility vehicles.

“Finally the moment is here that we’re going to unleash that TLX sedan, and we’re very confident it’s going to bring us the same kind of success we’ve experienced with the MDX and RDX,” Accavitti said. “The TLX is going to be a volume contributor,” he said, without providing a sales goal.

Honda from April 1 elevated Acura to a division within the company, giving it dedicated management, marketing and other resources. The TLX and a promotional push are priorities for the brand as sales for BMW AG’s BMW, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus and Audi AG eclipse those of U.S.-based Acura, the first premium line by an Asian automaker in the world’s second-largest car market.

“Acura doesn’t have a big lineup, and sedans are not doing well,” said Takeshi Miyao, a Tokyo-based auto analyst at Carnorama Japan. “TLX has been positioned strategically in the volume zone so I expect adding the model will help it compete with German brands and Lexus.”

Deliveries for the brand should be higher than the current pace of about 156,000 units in the U.S. this year, Accavitti said. “I think we can do a bit better than that,” he said, without elaborating.

Acura’s U.S. sales were 165,436 vehicles last year. In the first half this year, sales were 77,951 units. BMW led the U.S. luxury segment with 157,382 deliveries, followed by Mercedes at 151,624, Lexus’ 138,689 units and 84,349 deliveries for Audi. General Motors Co.’s Cadillac also led Acura, with 82,117 units sold in the U.S.

Promotion of the U.S.-built TLX begins in August and will be “the biggest marketing campaign we’ve had in Acura history,” Accavitti said, declining to provide the amount to be spent.

June sales for Acura, down 19 percent from a year earlier, were hurt by limited inventory across the brand, and that won’t ease until August, Accavitti said. At that point, along with the TLX, Acura will begin selling a hybrid, all-wheel-drive version of its RLX sedan and have better supplies of MDXs and RDXs, he said.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140713/AUTO0104/307130007#ixzz37VnLTSMJ

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http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140711/CARNEWS/140719975

Acura MDX beats competition, according to Acura
It outsells all other 'luxury' SUVs with three rows of seats

Carmakers are always defining segments for their own purposes, and here's this morning's latest instance. Acura is touting its MDX as “America's All-Time Best-Selling 3-Row Luxury SUV.” It's certainly a nice SUV, we won't argue that. This morning, Acura put out a release stating that the MDX is not only outselling all other luxury SUVs with three rows of seating so far in 2014 (30,664 sales in the first six months, up 68.4 percent over last year) but that it has cemented its position as the all-time leader.

Sounds impressive, doesn't it? And it is. Bravo, Acura! But we can quibble, can't we? Hey, we're paid to quibble.

For instance, how do you define luxury? Acura listed the three-row luxury SUV segment as follows: Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, BMW X5, Land Rover LR3/Discovery, Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and GL , and the Lexus GX and LX. If you look up the first six months of 2014 sales, you'll see that MDX did, in fact, handily outsell those models.

But for 15 years? Three of those weren't even on the market 15 years ago.

And again, what's luxury, anyway? If you combine the three-row nine-seaters GMC Yukon and Yukon XL together, they outsell the MDX, and if you asked their owners if those rigs were in the “luxury class,” we bet they'd say yes. Chevy moved 50 percent more Tahoes out the door in the first six months of 2014 than Acura moved MDXs. The Ford Explorer looks a lot like a luxury Land Rover Range Rover, doesn't it? It sold three times as much as the MDX. Likewise, the Durango outpaced the MDX, too. And if you really want to expand your definition of luxury, the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Pathfinder all have three rows of seats and all outsold the MDX.

So what's the point here? Who knows? As Shakespeare said, “The devil can cite scripture for his purpose and so, too, can a carmaker define its segment.” We think that was in "The Merchant of Venice." Maybe we added the carmaker part.


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[tokyodream]

http://www.superstreetonline.com/featuredvehicles/1407_1994_acura_integra/

DC2 Acura Integra - 11 Years in the Making
NorCal’s ATS Garage finally unveils its masterpiece

This has been a long time coming—11 years to be exact. In this time, Ferd Natividad has gone through a full range of emotions with his '94 Acura Integra—he's loved it, hated it, forgotten about it and at one point, nearly trashed the DC2 altogether. Two years ago, Ferd was just crazy enough to think about destroying the shell because he couldn't fathom the idea of someone finishing what he started over a decade ago. Hence, the Acura Integra's nickname "ATS*Kranky" is an appropriate one. Ferd is a founding member of NorCal's famed Honda car crew, ATS Garage, and the temperamental nature of this Integra makes it "Kranky" (cranky). You wouldn't think that this Integra was such a pain in his ass because at first glance it appears to be as close to perfect as you can imagine. However, it is definitely not without its faults and headaches.


"The car started life as a black LS slammed on Mugen RnR wheels back in 2003," Ferd explains. "I had the DC2 resprayed a goldish/bronze tone a year later but still kept it very mild because builds just weren't that intricate at the time. More events started happening in NorCal and one event in particular, JDM Theory, really took off. Everyone started doing more to their cars and things got more competitive. I bought a Rev Hard turbo kit to make the Integra a little quicker, but what my friend Fred Chapman and I really wanted to do was tear the entire car down so we could build it from the ground-up. Fred sold me a '91 Civic so I could have a daily driver while we rebuilt my Integra, and he bought my LS motor from me to put into his own car. He also bought my brakes and I sold my turbo kit to my other friend so the Integra was essentially a rolling shell. My game plan was simple; I just wanted to put another motor in, do a five-lug conversion and install an entire JDM Type R clip. As you can tell by now, it didn't exactly work out the way I planned."

Back in the mid-2000s, the premier tuning shop in Northern California was RedZone Performance. It was such a big name in the Honda community that you would be hard-pressed to find a Honda from that area that didn't pass through RedZone. They did it all so Ferd trusted them with the task of converting his Acura Integra to right-hand drive. Being as busy as they were, he didn't rush them and so they worked on the car sparingly. Ferd occupied the downtime by tinkering with his EF hatchback. What was supposed to be a side project ended-up being a full-blown build. Eventually he got his now-RHD Integra back from RedZone, but it was put on the backburner while he continued his EF.


The DC2 Integra needed paint but since his funds were going into the Civic, he needed some financial assistance. He began seeking out a paint sponsor and found one with a body shop called Garage Inc. Typically, the thing with having sponsors is that you don't dictate when the car gets finished. Jobs that generate income for the business come first and so the Integra just sat. As Ferd explains, "They would do a little bit of body work here and there but then there would be long periods of inactivity. They just kept lagging and continued to make empty promises. There was a point when I would have rather paid and taken the car somewhere else. The car was half done so I just wanted them to finish it. I even sold my EF so I could fund the rest of the build. Months turned into years and I eventually bought another car and started another project."

The new project, an EG2 del Sol, was also built, featured and later sold before he finished this DC2. "Seriously, a couple years went by before I eventually got my Integra shell back." Ferd told us. "It took so long that I was actually surprised when I got the car home. You'd think that it was a good thing to get it back but I really started to doubt this project. It just seemed like there was nothing but bad luck with this car and with all the down time, I just got sick of waiting. I was at a crossroads; I could sell it because I had tons of inquiries, but I just couldn't picture someone finishing this project. It literally made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to crush the car because I didn't want to deal with it anymore and didn't want to worry about seeing someone else have the satisfaction of finishing it."


The turning point came when he acquired his K20A2 engine from Dan at R-Crew Racing. Seeing the heart of "Kranky" really gave him a new sense of motivation. Getting the parts to get the swap running became an issue since there was a particular way he wanted the engine bay to look. The negative thoughts came creeping into his head once again but his friend Fred Chapman became the voice of reason. He was with Ferd during the entire ordeal and wanted to see the build come to fruition as much as anyone. On a random night, Fred showed up at his doorstep and they installed the K-series that same evening.

Once the heart was transplanted, the duo was able to execute the cosmetic side of the engine bay in true ATS Garage fashion. As a Honda aficionado, you should already be familiar with their work, so it really needs no introduction. From the parts selection, color execution, to the smallest of details like the wrinkle black finish of his brake booster, you can tell this is a signature ATS Garage masterpiece. Everything was starting to fall into place until it came time to get the engine running. After all, it wouldn't be Kranky without some sort of dilemma. Ten years of build-up in the fuel tank and lines turned-out to be the issue. The metal lines were so corroded that the lines inevitably turned soggy and prevented fuel delivery to the engine. To make the Integra a little less "Kranky" the fuel tank was hot-tanked, cleaned and new fuel lines were plumbed.



"I'm happy to say that the car fired right up after that. We even got the car tuned by RedZone Performance and it made good power. This car has been with me for so long that I'm glad to see it finally completed. There were times when I lost my patience, nearly gave up and built other cars to occupy my time, but this DC2 Acura Integra will always be special," he added.

Despite us airing out Kranky's rough past, Ferd's build is honestly one of the best we have ever seen. It instantly captured our attention when it first debuted and we knew it was the perfect choice to grace the cover of this year's Honda Issue. ATS Garage builds are top tier and their builds continue to evolve with the times, almost to the point where they are the ones that set the precedent while still holding true to the old ways in which Hondas are built by a group of friends in tiny one-car garages.



Tuning Menu
1994 Acura Integra

Owner Ferd Natividad

Hometown San Jose, CA

Occupation Parts Professional for Honda

Power 233hp, 162 lb-ft; tuned by RedZone Performance


Engine 2002 2.0-liter K20A2; Hasport EGK1 motor mounts; Hayward Performance 54mm individual throttle bodies and fuel rail; Walbro high-pressure fuel pump; K-Tuned billet adjustable fuel pressure regulator, A/C and P/S delete kit; Acura RDX fuel injectors; R-Crew Racing K-swap exhaust manifold and exhaust system; NGK Iridium spark plugs; Griffin Performance aluminum radiator; Samco Sport RSX-S cooling hoses; A'PEXi coolant reservoir tank; J's Racing radiator caps; Vision Technica oil cap; custom oil catch, breather, black -AN lines and fittings; UNI air filters

Drivetrain K20A2 X2M5 six-speed manual transmission; Competition Clutch Stage 1 clutch and Ultra-lightweight flywheel


Footwork & Chassis Function & Form Type 2.5 coilovers; JDM ITR 24mm front and 22mm rear sway bars; J's Racing front and rear strut bars; Hardrace front lower control arms, front upper control arms, rear camber kit and rear toe arm; Function7 rear lower control arms

Brakes Spoon Sports four-pot Twin Block front calipers; Hawk HPS front pads; Goodridge Fluid Transfer lines; '96-00 Civic proportioning valve; Accord brake master cylinder; JDM ITR brake booster; Rywire brake tuck kit

Wheels & Tires 16x8" front, 16x7" rear Volk Racing TE37 wheels; 215/45R16 Falken Azenis RT-615K; Work RZ-S steel lug nuts; ARP wheel studs

Exterior Special Projects Motor Sports P1-Spec front lip; OEM ITR front end conversion, rear spoiler w/custom molded gurney flap; Shift Sports DC2 front fenders; custom PPG "Pole Position Blue" paint by Garage Inc.



Interior Safety21 7-point rollcage; Recaro RS-G ASM Limited Edition seat; Bride Super Low seat rails; Willans 6-point safety harness; MOMO 350mm suede steering wheel w/blue insert; Road Sailing Int'l steering boss, spline-drive quick release, shift knob; JDM DC2 ITR-X pedal set; Spoon Sports instrument cluster; K-Tuned billet shift box assembly; JDM Integra right-hand drive conversion; Carrosse aluminum floor plate


Electronics Rywire Mil-Spec K-series engine harness, custom one-off Integra chassis harness; AEM Series 2 Engine Management System; Odyssey PC-680 Battery

Thanks You my wife Nicole P. Natividad aka "ATS*FIRSTLADY" for your patience and support; ATS*JAX for hanging out in the garage; Fred Chapman aka ATS*FCB, Phil Sison, Ray Bautista, Mike Estebar, Jason Powers, and the rest of the ATS Garage family; Ryan Basseri, Ryan Der and the rest at Rywire; Jeremy Duarte and the crew at RedZone Performance; Ben and the crew at K-Tuned; Matt from ICB; Sunny from 515Autobody; Loreto Garcia; DPK Family; Phillip Trinh; Boris 5Star A/B; Ross and the JSpirit Brand; Joey Lee aka StickyDilJoe

www.k-tuned.com; www.rywire.com; www.icbmotorsport.com

Read more: http://www.superstreetonline.com/featuredvehicles/1407_1994_acura_integra/ats_garage.html#ixzz38YVZvjDf

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http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1198062

2016 NSX Spied at the 'Ring, Part II



A bonus set of shots has hit our inbox, including a decent glimpse of the interior. For more info, read http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1198056

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http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1198467

NSX prototype smolders at the 'Ring

It appears that the NSX prototype that was photographed testing at the Nurburgring earlier this week had a bit of a fire in the engine bay.

We received 2 sets of photos from the spy photo agencies showing the charred remains of the NSX prototype parked alongside the armco near the "Pflanzgarten" section of the Ring. It appears that the fire began in the engine bay area and spread forward a bit, burning out the passenger cabin. Reports from bystanders say the engineers parked the car after seeing flames emerging from the rear, and they escaped without incident before the fire consumed the prototype.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1198056

============

http://paultan.org/2014/07/25/honda-nsx-prototype-burns-ring/

Acura/Honda NSX prototype burns down on the ‘Ring




Yikes. Just a couple of days after we saw the Acura/Honda NSX prototype roaring around the Nürburgring, we now have pictures of the very same car burnt to a crisp on the side of the track. A bit too enthusiastic chasing that Mark IV Toyota Supra, perhaps?

Apparently, witnesses saw flames sprouting from the rear of the car as it was driving around the track. The NSX eventually pulled to a stop at Pflanzgarten and both occupants escaped without injury, before the fire swiftly engulfed the vehicle.

This shows that the advanced Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) might still need some time to get some teething issues ironed out. The system mates a mid-mounted VTEC direct-injected V6 with an electric motor and a dual clutch transmission to drive the rear wheels, while a pair of motors drive the front wheels and can provide instant positive or negative torque as needed when cornering.



As previously reported, the new NSX is slated to be unveiled before the end of the year and will be built at the new US$70 million (RM222 million) Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio in 2015, although whether this new development has set back Honda’s plans remains to be seen.

This NSX is just the latest in a string of supercars that are prone to catching fire – earlier this year, two Porsche 911 GT3s were set alight which prompted Porsche to replace all customer engines, while in 2010, a spat of Ferrari 458 Italia fires resulted in a recall involving 1,248 units of the Maranello exotic.

So I suppose the NSX has already started earning its supercar credentials even before launch day, eh?

Read more: http://paultan.org/2014/07/25/honda-nsx-prototype-burns-ring/#ixzz38YXePRQC

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[tokyodream]

http://acuraconnected.com/2014/07/31/spied-2016-acura-ilx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcuraConnected+%28Acura+Connected%29

Spied: 2016 Acura ILX ?

Spy Photographer Brenda Priddy & Company has posted 3 photos of a suspected 2016 Acura ILX test mule.

    “2016 Acura ILX – Lots of camo for a last update before the next generation arrives for the 2018 model year.”- Brenda Priddy & Company

The vehicle’s visible greenhouse and tail lights identify it as an ILX, but there are notable changes to the front bumper, and possibly the front fenders and rear bumper. Along with exterior updates, there have been rumors of powertrain changes for the 2016 mid-cycle model change.

See the rest of the photos on Brenda Priddy & Company’s Facebook page,

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Company via Facebook]

- See more at: http://acuraconnected.com/2014/07/31/spied-2016-acura-ilx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcuraConnected+%28Acura+Connected%29#sthash.lVUYWO0g.dpuf