Once upon a time, Acura used to make cars with their own unique charms. I miss those days, and that’s what this post is about. Acura dealerships opened their doors in 1986, with two very different cars for sale. Those were the Integra and the Legend, with names and body lines that could not be mistaken for one another. A few years later, the Acura Vigor came out. You know, Acuras with individual identities.
In the mid-1990′s, Acura started to phase out using words as model names and eventually gave them all alphanumeric identifiers. The Vigor became the TL, the Legend became the RL and the Integra became the RSX, In the mid-2000′s, Acura started to phase out originality and eventually gave them all a grille that looks the same. The “Power Plenum Grille” is on every single Acura produced nowadays.
What do Acura fans think of this? Well, I might draw a biased crowd, so I turned to a TempleOfVTEC.net poll to get my answers. I love that website, and other VTEC heads around the country do as well, so I figured it would be a great source to turn to. 3796 people responded and their votes were not really that surprising. Thanks to TempleOfVTEC for the poll results.
Now let’s check out the 2010 Acura lineup.
2010 model lineup Cliffs Notes:
Acura and Honda have always been about parts bin engineering, makings parts that can be used on more than one model to save on R&D costs. (That would be why Civics and Integras are so commonly stolen, but anyways.) I’m just wondering whether all of these grilles have the same part number, because it looks like they may as well. I miss when Acura meant a clean, contemporary and unique design.
I am an Integra girl at heart, so that’s what the examples will be. The Integras below aren’t the same years, but you would know one when you saw one. You wouldn’t have to wonder. These represent a day when Acura made beautiful cars that had a style all their own. Having your choice of things is nice. I mean, some people like blondes, some like redheads and some like brunettes. VIVE LA DIFFÉRENCE!
Thanks to MotiveMag, Generation 2 Integra Club, ITRSport and AutoWP for the pictures!
Acura/Honda needs to go back to racing sports again. Acura just wants to stay luxury to compete with BMW, which is a joke. The plenum grill is horrible. Yes, you can tell it’s a Acura now with this grill but like you mentioned all these new cars they’re coming out with all looks the same. There’s no more difference in styling anymore, seems like the R&D got lazy after 2001.
i see what your saying. and i agree. they need to find a balance of being “Acura” again and still being up in the ranks with bmw, benz and even audi. the grill is ugly imo. but with the way automotive styling is going there keeping up with everyone else. R&D needs to set it up if they want to continue with there wide following. on the last note look at the economy now to 10 years ago back even 5 years ago. take that into consideration as well. thats my .02
I entirely agree with the JDM up there. Acura/Honda has lost their touch. They no longer even have a “fun” car with the production being stopped on the s2k. All of their cars are “luxury” cars, and they are trying to keep up with other luxury brands like bmw, etc, but even BMW has the m3 for their “fun car” what does Acura have? Jack shit. And the Plenum Grill… >.<
Ya I agree that Acura is forgetting their roots. They are headed in the wrong direction trying to make their entire production line compete with luxury car companies. They can not forget how many sports cars like the integra/rsx they have sold over the past 2 decades, and the resale values are still holding steady on almost every model. I think by getting rid of the RSX and s2000, Honda is also cutting off one of the largest consumer groups they had once appealed to; sports car enthusiasts. By going luxury with every model they will most likely drop in sales because there is no sports car to replace the integra/rsx.
Absolutely, 100%, well said!
I couldn’t agree more and couldn’t have said it better.
I couldn’t agree more, They need to get back to their originality sportiness. Even the civic went from sport compact to mid size luxury. smh… I miss thse days.
All the Hondas are belong to Ami!
I agree 100%!
Yeah I agree. It makes me sad to think that in a some years the newest integras will still be pretty old. I like coupes but the change in suspension in the RSX has me shying away from it. The older TSXs before “the grill” are not to bad and what I’ve been eying the most. I agree with jdmspekoholic in that Acura trying to compete with German manufactures are a joke. I don’t think the customer base mixes much. I think German car people are German car people and Japanese car people are just that. I enjoy the driveability of BMWs but they fall APART after a few years! And not to mention their maintenance record…. Not a good choice if you are looking to buy used. I enjoy Honda/Acura for their mix of performance, styling and economy. It’s not 100% in any category but for me it’s a mix that works.