BMW filling tank with hydrogen
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Automotive luxury comes in different forms. My favorite is the pure two-seater sports car. In the past we’ve reviewed the Porsche Cayman and the Mazda Miata. Splitting the difference is Honda’s S2000 roadster that is such a pure driver’s machine that it doesn’t even have cupholders. The idea is you drink coffee at Starbucks, and use the car exclusively for driving. (Actually, there is a square receptacle in the console that Honda designates as a cupholder, but it really isn’t.)
This model has been around for a few years as a very hard edged, spirited driving exercise. The car reviewed here is the second generation, somewhat softened, but still very clearly defined as the car for a fast run to Mendocino, in preference to a freeway cruise to LA.
Luxury concessions include a power top and air conditioning, plus classical leather seats. The engine is a screamer, revving to 8000 rpm+, and makes enthusiastic noises in the process. In a multi-car stable, this car has a place. As your only car, you’d better have a lifestyle that can adapt.
Another Honda product, their premium brand Acura TL type S sedan attempts to be all things to all people, and, for me, fails. Although every part of this car is superior, it’s the mix that doesn’t work. I know that the non-type S is a well balanced, super high quality sports sedan. But, in an attempt to give it “edge”, they made the S ride quality unnecessarily firm, and added macho aesthetic details that degrade the purity of the design. My advice: buy the standard version.
Showing how diverse the Honda portfolio is, we tried the new mini-luxury SUV, the Acura RSX. Driving this car, one must suspect it’s a preview of the luxury car of the future. Comprehensively equipped, with beautiful leather, sunroof, all the electronic toys, it’s $37,000. That’s about the same as the Acura TL, and a little more than the Honda S2000. For about $70,000, you could have this RDX, plus the roadster, a combination to address your every whim and need.
I especially liked the subtle novelty of the colors on the test RSX. Outside at first looked dark gray, but direct sunlight revealed a distinct dark blue element. The leather, at first looking beige, was actually taupe. Tasty.
The engine is a four cylinder turbo. You’d probably think it should be a six cylinder, but it’s so smooth, quiet and fast, you know Honda’s engineers chose exactly the right answer. Mated to a five-speed automatic, with paddle shifters on the steering, this Acura had distinct sports car qualities. Two surprises: (1) this car will go 130 mph, but (2) in fast freeway driving it only gave 17 mpg.
The luxury car of the future will be short and easy to park. It will be taller, easy to enter, and have comfortable, upright seats. It will have a small, quiet, powerful engine. On all of these counts, the Acura RDX scores well. Try it and see.
German Questions and Answers
For years the German trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi have all-but-owned the fine car market in most world markets. Style, quality, technology, and their autobahn prowess have made these cars legendary.
The non-speed-limited autobahns have encouraged the development of very fast, stable and strong cars. There’s never been a pause in the German horsepower race, but a few years ago, the mainstream German automakers agreed to limit top speed capability to 250 kph (155 mph). That wouldn’t be so meaningful here, but Germans drive really fast. Their driving skills are so superior to what we see here that, even with those speeds, German autobahns are just as safe as US interstates.
Now, in the interest of combating global warming, some German groups are proposing speed limits. Other groups are fighting back with slogans like “Free country, Free roads”.
The industry fears that speed limits will lead to dumbed-down cars and loss of export markets. They point to the US to show what might happen; dumb cars that no overseas markets have any desire for.
Into this fray steps BMW, with ongoing research into electric cars, hybrids, diesels, and hydrogen power.
I recently experienced a dual fuel hydrogen-gasoline BMW 7 series. The idea is that, with hydrogen re-fueling facilities few and far between, the driver can choose hydrogen or gasoline by actuating a dashboard switch. Driving in the BMW, the transition from one fuel to the other is seamless.
BMW’s strategy is to be ready for whatever technology prevails in the future. While they’re betting heavily on hydrogen, they are pursuing similar efforts with gasoline, diesel and hybrid. Very impressive.
