Acura Vigor: It Exists
Posted by Doug DeMuro in It Exists on | 7 comments
In the 1990s, Acura was primarily known for two things. One was making a peaky hatchback designed to appeal to teenage thieves and virtually no one else. The other was Acura’s signature then, and remains so today: repeated failed attempts to compete in the full-size luxury sedan segment.
But like today, Acura also courted drivers who couldn’t afford a 3 Series. While today’s “almost had a 3 Series” is the TL, its early-90s entry into that segment was a four-door sedan inappropriately called the “Vigor.”
The Vigor was a hastily-executed stopgap model designed to satisfy buyers before the TL came out in 1996. While BMW offered four- and six-cylinder engines in its 3 Series, Acura decided it didn’t have time for that crap and bridged the gap by cleverly selling the Vigor with a five-cylinder. Yes, folks, Acura made a five-cylinder.
It made 176 horsepower, and could be ordered in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic form. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be ordered with cupholders. Or style. Of course, in large part, it wasn’t really ordered at all: the Vigor died in 1994 after just three years on the market, and a year before the TL actually came out.
If you’re interested in a Vigor, I don’t blame you. The call of the Japanese five-cylinder is hard to ignore. Just be prepared for a Craigslist shopping experience defined by “se habla Espanol.”
7 Responses to “ “Acura Vigor: It Exists”
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I worked for Ford back when the Vigor was introduced in Japan. We bought a RHD model to study the N-S FWD powertrain layout as a potential for the DEW98 program (which ultimately became the Lincoln LS). The Japanese brochure had this headline in English: “Vigor…for men!” Sounded like an erectile dysfunction drug but it was an awesome car to drive.
And it was a Honda Vigor in Japan.
BUILT WITH A PURPOSE
You have to admit, too, that no FWD car has been or ever will be as well-proportioned as the Vigor. Those front overhangs are almost unbelievable. Especially with today’s safety standards and whatnot.
I agree. Maybe it’s just because I grew up in the back seat of a 1990 Accord, and the Vigor just looks like a chiseled, semi hardtop one of those, but I always thought it was a very handsome car.
No style?.. I loved it then AND now
Graphic artist friend was quite pleased with his Vigor. He got rid of it soon after I mentioned the name sounded like a brand of dog food.