When Acura “invented” the Japanese luxury car back in 1986, there was only the Legend. But as the concept caught on, other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon, offering not only Legend size automobiles, but also models sized and priced below it. So Acura retaliated with its own contender in the neo-luxury class, the Vigor.
Shorter than its big brother, the newest Acura, a 4-door sedan, was longer than most of the competition, a plus, because this increase in size translated into more room and a smoother, steadier ride. The Vigor’s engine sat longitudinally in the chassis, sending its power rearward to make a 180-degree turn before continuing to the front differential.
Unlike the big Acura with its V6, Vigor was powered by a SOHC inline-5, with 4 valves er cylinder. Equipped with Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection and a dual-stage induction system, this Audi-like 2.5-liter pumped out a respectable 176-bhp, which hustled the Vigor from 0-60 in 7.8 seconds.
Although the Vigor was every bit an Acura its appearance, handling, performance and the sound of its inline-5 cylinder engine were uncannily Teutonic.
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