REMINDER: Mugen once made a concept car that would have saved Acura

"PanchoVilleneuve ST" (PanchoVilleneuve)
10/29/2016 at 02:25 • Filed to: None

The Mugen Legend Max: A Honda Legend (Acura RL), converted to RWD, powered by a detuned 4 liter ALMS V8 putting out 500 horsepower, with a 6-speed manual and a bunch of Mugen suspension magic. Imagine if they sold us this as the RL Type-R. They would have instantly shed their “like a Honda, only more expensive” image and been a force to be reckoned with instead of a permanent fixture of the brand death watch list.

DISCUSSION (9)

Wheelerguy > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2016 at 02:29

Not with that retarded-ass front—

Oh, huh, never saw that kind of badging before. Neat.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Wheelerguy
10/29/2016 at 02:33

A concept car has to remain on-brand, and they still had to let you know it was a Honda.

TheHondaBro > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2016 at 02:38

Here’s what the next RLX needs:

Rear-bias SH-AWD standard on all trims: turbo-4, V6, turbo-V6 Type-S. GT coupe on the same platform with the same trims.

Doesn’t matter if no one buys it, it should prove a point. H A L O C A R

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2016 at 02:41

And it would probably be about as reliable as your typical vw offering.

Birddog > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2016 at 02:41

Is Acura on a hit list? Seems like they’re faring better than Scion.

Honestly, I don’t think the big H could afford to kill Acura. No matter how generic it becomes.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > TheHondaBro
10/29/2016 at 02:55

I’ve long thought about how Acura could save itself, and the only solution I could think of was to Type-R all the things and fill the brand with so much Because Racecar that they become known primarily as THE performance/luxury brand.

promoted by the color red > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2016 at 03:05

You know what would have saved Acura? Making more of these, but like, better, man.

Kinja'd!!!

TheHondaBro > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2016 at 03:08

The way I see it, Acura only exists to trick American buyers into paying a premium for softer Hondas with a bit more tech. Acura is actually doing really well in the US by sticking with the comfortable luxury car route. They outsell Audi and the MDX is the best-selling SUV in the country. Acura doesn’t need to be “saved” in any way. That being said, I’d love to see another Acura with a red badge.

NJAnon > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/30/2016 at 20:49

Pancho’s post is blasphemy according to current Honda “don’t care shareholders”!! RWD? V8? Honda would call Pancho a madman who cannot be trusted!

Honda exec: “Trust not the voice of reason who speaks of oppositelock! His lone voice can rouse many and must be snuffed out now!”