Luxury Design: Model Affinity

[M_TYPE_X]

Horizontal Affinity is the explanation for why the A4, A6, and A8 or 3er, 5er, and 7er all look so much alike.

Vertical Affinity is carrying on tradition in a model line, i.e. why the current S-Class looks a lot like older ones (ostensibly).

http://www.automobear.com/A4AndA8EtcHaveFarTooMuchInCommon.html

[GroovinGTR]

If only the RL looked ANYTHING like the TL or TSX, then it would be a much better attempt at making a luxury car.

[M_TYPE_X]

If only the RL looked ANYTHING like the TL or TSX, then it would be a much better attempt at making a luxury car.



One can argue that putting on the wingtip grille like on the TSX and TL (or the JDM Legend counterpart of the RL) would make it look a lot more like the TSX and TL. But Acura wants to distinguish it as a "luxury" sedan with AWD as opposed to the more .......... US-built, value-oriented FWD TL.

[GroovinGTR]

If only the RL looked ANYTHING like the TL or TSX, then it would be a much better attempt at making a luxury car.



One can argue that putting on the wingtip grille like on the TSX and TL (or the JDM Legend counterpart of the RL) would make it look a lot more like the TSX and TL. But Acura wants to distinguish it as a "luxury" sedan with AWD as opposed to the more .......... US-built, value-oriented FWD TL.


I like their logic - the TL and TSX are the first Acura cars since the original Legend that get any praise for being attractive on the outside and how do they follow it up? They make their flagship sedan look like a big Accord!

And if we follow your theory, what happens when the TL gets AWD? Are they going to make it bland too?

[M_TYPE_X]

No, Honda does things differently. Only the flagships are meant to be bland. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

Why are we talking about an AWD TL? It seems to me it's the Maxima with the torque-steer issues. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

[RandyWatson]

What GroovingGTR said. Perfect.
Also did they mention Acura in the article? I don't think so. THey were talking about luxury cars.
Nevermind, they did to quote the article, LMAO.

Infiniti's Q45 is neither a player by sales, nor does it really resemble an Infiniti (what does?); Acura's bland and poorly-executed RL is overdue for replacement; Lincoln's Town Car plays to a completely different audience than does the LS (and it shows, literally), and Cadillac has yet to release its new STS (pushed back last year at the behest of Bob Lutz). As for Jaguar, the X-Type seems easier to discuss in the company of Ford products than it does in the context of the new XJ (more about that car in a future article).

[M_TYPE_X]

The article is a little old but the basic theory and principles are the same.

Acura for once has an excellent lineup of three new sedans that all look like Acuras but are not 'too similar' to each other. Great job.

[InfiniteNisdom]

Acura for once has an excellent lineup of three new sedans that all look like Acuras but are not 'too similar' to each other. Great job.



The TL and the TSX look too similar to me, there's barley even a size difference, and I usually can't tell which is which (especially in dark colors), unless I see it from the side or back. It almost seems like Acura took the Accord Euro/ TSX and modified it to create the TL. Then they took the Accords engine options and divided them between the two cars. And there you have it. A luxury version of the Accord EX, and a luxury version of the Accord EX-V6.

Which Accord fits you best?

Of course Honda/Acura isn't the only company afflicted by samedamncaritis, but I can't help feeling like they could have combined the TSX/TL, and offered them as different engine options.

In my opinion model affinity is a good thing. It establishes a brand's name and image and makes it instantly recognizable as the brand it is.

[M_TYPE_X]

In my opinion model affinity is a good thing. It establishes a brand's name and image and makes it instantly recognizable as the brand it is.




So you gripe about Accordism and then say it's smart. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

The intention was to bring the TSX in for those who wanted a smaller, sportier, and more lithe sport sedan versus those who wanted a more powerful luxury-oriented car. The TL is thus no-longer afflicted with 'entry level' labels because it moved upmarket and also you can get into a TSX instead. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[delerium75]

This looks as though there's more similarity now between different brands than there was in the past. For example, German sedans traditionally came in 3 sizes...small, medium and large with corresponding sticker prices and similar styling cues. American "luxury" sedans were a little more disorganized as the largest sedan didn't necessarily have the largest price...IE, the Seville and STS were smaller than the old RWD Brougham but costs more. Styling tended to be all over the place with models sharing little more than grilles which looked somewhat related to others within the brand. What seems to be happening with Cadillac is more of a move towards the German template of three sizes and styling that's far more related looking than distant. Conversely, German sedans, while keeping the same size/price structure, seem to be moving towards varying the styling more (BMW in particular) so that they look more from the same family rather than S, M, and L editions of the same theme. With all major luxury brands appearing to move closer to the same formula for sedans, it'll be interesting to see if Lincoln follows the trend and how successful they are at it.

[InfiniteNisdom]

In my opinion model affinity is a good thing. It establishes a brand's name and image and makes it instantly recognizable as the brand it is.




So you gripe about Accordism and then say it's smart. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

The intention was to bring the TSX in for those who wanted a smaller, sportier, and more lithe sport sedan versus those who wanted a more powerful luxury-oriented car. The TL is thus no-longer afflicted with 'entry level' labels because it moved upmarket and also you can get into a TSX instead. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif



1. I wasn't putting down Acura's "Multiple Accord Theory", I just chose to point it out since you used Acura as an example of model affinity.

2. The TL has not moved upmarket. Acura just placed a car beneath it. Getting a secretary doesn't turn you into the CEO. The TL is a nice car but it isn't that much different from the "entry level" TSX, on the inside or outside. And is STILL considered to be an entry level premium sport sedan.

[RandyWatson]

In my opinion model affinity is a good thing. It establishes a brand's name and image and makes it instantly recognizable as the brand it is.



Yeah the TL is entry level luxury. Acura just insists on selling cars below that. They should have just kept the Euro Accord a Honda. Not sure why they slapped an Acura badge on it.

So you gripe about Accordism and then say it's smart. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

The intention was to bring the TSX in for those who wanted a smaller, sportier, and more lithe sport sedan versus those who wanted a more powerful luxury-oriented car. The TL is thus no-longer afflicted with 'entry level' labels because it moved upmarket and also you can get into a TSX instead. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif



1. I wasn't putting down Acura's "Multiple Accord Theory", I just chose to point it out since you used Acura as an example of model affinity.

2. The TL has not moved upmarket. Acura just placed a car beneath it. Getting a secretary doesn't turn you into the CEO. The TL is a nice car but it isn't that much different from the "entry level" TSX, on the inside or outside. And is STILL considered to be an entry level premium sport sedan.

[M_TYPE_X]

Point 2 is theoretically correct but the TL is not aimed at the 3 Series. The Acura TL and Lincoln LS are like 5-Series lux sedans but for less $$$. They're not as sport-oriented but they target those who want a midsize lux sedan.

[InfiniteNisdom]

Point 2 is theoretically correct but the TL is not aimed at the 3 Series. The Acura TL and Lincoln LS are like 5-Series lux sedans but for less $$$. They're not as sport-oriented but they target those who want a midsize lux sedan.


I guess that places it in the same spot as the ES330, the European automakers don't produce cars in that market for the U.S., its an American/ Japanese thing CTS, Lincoln LS, I35, TL, ES330. The front wheel drive aspect is strictly Japanese now - Lexus ES, Acura TL.

I think as far as the American market is concerned, drive train is an important deciding factor class wise. A rear wheel drive TL would definitely be considered a 5er competitor.
If Acura would do this:
RSX
TSX- I4
TSX- w/250hp 6cyl
TL - F/R
RL - fullsize
MDX
NSX

Acura would have a more competitive lineup and eliminate the gap in their lineup.

[RandyWatson]

Point 2 is theoretically correct but the TL is not aimed at the 3 Series. The Acura TL and Lincoln LS are like 5-Series lux sedans but for less $$$. They're not as sport-oriented but they target those who want a midsize lux sedan.


As long as the TL is a nice Accord and the ES a nice Camry, they will never be 5 competitors. Every magazine test has them against each other and 3, C class competition. Not the true luxury class above it.

[M_TYPE_X]

I'm very much going to be enjoying my 2005 TL loaner car tonight. Acura marketing wins by me!!!

I don't care what snobs (crea!) or rationalizers (skee!) say. Acura > j00

You're supposed to start off with an Integra/RSX and move up.

I'm getting owned and I love it. /Pet Shop Boys

[InfiniteNisdom]

You're supposed to start off with an Integra/RSX and move up.




move up to what? An Accord? Which one. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

You're supposed to start off with an Integra/RSX and move up.




move up to what? An Accord? Which one. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif



TSX @ $27K.

[RandyWatson]

You're supposed to start off with an Integra/RSX and move up.




move up to what? An Accord? Which one. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif



TSX @ $27K.


27k is moving up? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

You're supposed to start off with an Integra/RSX and move up.




move up to what? An Accord? Which one. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif



TSX @ $27K.


27k is moving up? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif



From $21K, yes.

[GroovinGTR]

You're supposed to start off with an Integra/RSX and move up.




move up to what? An Accord? Which one. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif



TSX @ $27K.


27k is moving up? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif



From $21K, yes.


Acura: Gving poor people the chance to own a "luxury" brand since 1985.