It’s no secret Honda’s Acura division is struggling. For years they’ve had difficulty gaining real traction in the market and 2014 is no different, with year-over-year deliveries falling 1 percent through September. But this slippery situation could change if they borrow a strategy from one of their rivals.
Subaru is famous for a few things, quality, quirkiness and of course an undying love for all-wheel drive. And that last point is something Acura’s exploring. The premium brand wants to make this traction-enhancing technology a centerpiece of its lineup.
All-wheel drive is currently offered on half the vehicles they sell but it could become standard across their product portfolio in years to come. And this change could literally take many turns of the calendar since Acura’s lineup is quite fresh right now. Re-engineering vehicles to feature all-wheel drive would probably have to wait until the next product cycle.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Acura TLX Review
But is a focus on all-wheel drive going to differentiate Acura sufficiently from key rivals? Perhaps not. Aside from Subaru, which admittedly isn’t a direct competitor, nearly 60 percent of BMWs sold in the U.S. this year feature the technology and 90 percent of Audis. The market for all-wheel-drive luxury cars may be saturated.
In addition to this drivetrain switch, Acura executives are also planning more powerful engines, but don’t get your hopes up. A thundering V8 or even a proper rear-wheel-drive architecture is most likely out of the question.
GALLERY: 2015 Acura TLX Live Photos
GALLERY: 2015 Acura TLX
[Source: Automotive News]
