Filed under, “probably taking out of context, but since it wasn’t denied, AcuraBoard.com will publish it anyway in hopes of stirring a little noise”. In a recent 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD review , Ezra Dyer of the NY Times got to spend some time hanging with Mike Unger, principal engineer in charge of total vehicle performance for the TL.

If we had that opportunity, we’d probably ask all we could regarding the upcoming 2010 6 speed TL SH-AWD, since Acura hasn’t yet divulged everything. Will it be considered a TL Type-S? Will the 3.7L V6 pumping out 305 ponies remain or be increased for production? Price? Ummmm…can ya give us the keys for a few laps?

Well, apparently Ezra had one question about the 2010 TL SH-AWD 6 SPD that he managed to pull out of his exhaust, “if the (2010) 6-speed TL SH-AWD could keep up with a 1991 Acura NSX… on a racetrack???”

We haven’t found record of any such claims or rumors regarding Acura using the 1991 Acura NSX as a benchmark for the upcoming 6 speed TL SH-AWD, however, Unger didn’t fold over in laughter, or deny the question. That leads us to believe that 2010 TL SH-AWD 6 SPD, the first vehicle Acura has ever created that includes both SH-AWD and a 6 speed manual, may actually be using the sorely missed NSX as a benchmark.

The notion that a presumably, sub-$50,000 four-door, producing more power, weighing more, and having inferior weight distribution, than that of the NSX, cannot be denied racetrack opponent to the NSX, speaks to how thoroughly Acura has overhauled the TL.

Honda has issued a press release announcing Takanobu Ito as the new President and CEO effective June 2009. Succeeding Takeo Fukui, Ito is currently serving as Senior Managing Director, has been with Honda motor since 1978 when he started as an R&D engineer.

Specific to Acura’s accomplishments, Ito oversaw the development of the first Acura NSX aluminum frame development (here’s hoping he sees the upcoming NSX as a pet project). Takanobu also developed the first generation MDX between 1998 & 2000.

[Source: Honda]

Full press release below Continue Reading

If enthusiasts get their way, Acura will be able to weather the economy and keep plans for the next gen NSX to arrive in show rooms some time in 2010. The NSX will play a critical role as the patriarch of the family to truly define what Acura is all about.

Focusing on brute force, daring styling and unprecedented technology, the new NSX will be more technologically advanced than the Nissan GT-R. According to source, the NSX will be stuffed with a V10 rumored at 5.5L and producing a spine crushing 560hp. According to sources, Acura has its sights set on the likes of the Ferrari F430, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911 GT3.

With a 0-60 at less than 4 seconds, the NSX will keep its rubber to the road thanks to Honda’s unbelievable SH-AWD. We still have another year to save, so coming up with the rumored $150,000 shouldn’t be too difficult.

[Source: Auto Express]