In its latest push toward a solidified and coherent brand identity, Acura may be moving toward a lineup that is totally made up of all-wheel drive vehicles. This news comes from a statement made recently by Acura head Koichi Fukuo:
“Looking at Subaru, I felt that we have to have a strong, clear direction as a brand… What’s important is to have the technology, styling and performance to evolve all together. Otherwise, I don’t think we can increase the number of loyal customers, so-called Acurists.”
In evaluating the success a brand like Subaru – and even Audi – has had with heavily AWD lineups, Acura has singled out a piece of technology that could help make it unique, or at least put it into a separate category from some of its more direct competitors like Lexus and Infiniti. Acura already has an AWD system that is on par with anyone else: the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system available in the TLX, RLX, and that will be utilized in the NSX.
Even so, this is by no means a done deal, and it is more likely to be carried out in an evolutionary process. Currently only one Acura model, the ILX, is not offered with an available all-wheel drive powertrain, but as that car gets ready for a refresh, there’s a chance we might find a new checkbox on its configuration page.
We’re curious to know what you think about this news. As Acura contemplates how best to draw in more “Acurists,” what do our current customers think about a possible move toward AWD totality? Is this a good decision? Or is there another defining characteristic of Acura that would be better to capitalize on? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments, or if you would rather share them in person, come visit us at Leith Acura, your certified Acura dealer in the Raleigh and Cary area.