Honda to produce more RWD vehicles

[Robert]

If this is true I want a Honda for my next car. I guess what they say is true when you get older you want cars that just works.

that the long-awaited "Tier 1" program is moving forward on schedule. It's believed that the program is based around the large rear-wheel drive Acura that would go up against the best Germany has to offer. Also back on the table is a V8 engine to power this range-topping sedan from Honda.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/w...program-still/

[Endre]

Love some of Hondas engines, too bad most of them is FWD! So if they build more rwd cars maybe i will go for a Honda in the future. So far S2000 is the only i would consider but that has no roof.

[ptack]

I wouldn't get too exited. Honda almost has an obsession with staying in the middle of the road and focusing on making the best possible car for the middle of the road consumer. They do sometimes branch out in other directions, but never for very long. They had penty of chances to play the performance game and maybe the new NSX was a belated attempt to catch up, but with that being cancelled it's pretty clear they're not serious about joining the AMG-M-F-RS club. Even if they did an RWD RL, I can't imagine Honda giving it an engine with serious cajones. Most likely it would just be intended to be a better 5-series competitor.

[BioRage]

Hmm, I still like Honda,

Sad that they're not building any new models of the S2000's =(

[Heinzftw]

Driven an S2000 before along with a Prelude SH. Incredible handling cars

[singular]

I've had 5 Honda's and they've all been great. Just wish Honda would push the envelope a little more.

Thinking of keeping my '99 Accord even after the 135i arrives. Not a great time to sell a used car. On the other hand, I'll probably abandon that idea after a few rides in the 1'er.

[hector]

somewhat tangential to the topic but has BMW ever made a car more fun to drive and better executed as a true sporty car than the s2000?

[ptack]

The Zs would be the BMW equivalent, but I've never been in the market for either though I have driven an S2000 It's indeed a fun car, but more a fair-wheather toy than a DD in the northeast. Honda didn't make it to compete with Zs. They were thinking more Miata. It is, the sportiest car they still make, but they've never tried put it in league with more powerful sportscars.

[BForbes]

I'll believe this RWD talk when I see one on the road. Honda is sticking to what they do best right now. Small, efficient cars. Dont hold your breath if your much of a sports enthusiast.

The S2000 beat the Z4, 350Zconv, Porsche Boxter, and AudiTT when it went head to head with them in CarandD. That is pretty damn bold. Too bad they decided not to give the damn thing a proper upgrade.

I must respectfully disagree with the Miata-fighter ptack. A base Miata is well over $10,000 cheaper than an S2000.

[ptack]

I think when it was launched, the Miata was more the market they had their eyes on (volume) than at Porsche. You're right in that they've had ample opportunity to upgrade the car to make it a serious rival to a host of performance 2 seaters, but Honda doesn't seem to want to play that game. It's funny because Tom Williams from The Garage blog says the conservative perception of Honda in the US confuses the Honda people in Japan to no end because there they are seen as edgy mavericks. That just goes to show how vastly different the US and Japanese markets are.