http://hondanews.com/CatID3046?mid=2...amp;archives=t

1. World's first Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive System(TM) (SH-AWD(TM))
2. 3.5 liter VTEC V-6 engine
3. 300 horsepower
4. 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted F1(R)-style paddle shifters
5. LEV2-ULEV emissions system

Body/Chassis
1. 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension
2. 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-piston calipers and slotted rotors
3. 20-inch alloy wheels with 255/35R20 Michelin high performance tires
4. Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), which features low beams that swivel based on steering wheel input for increased illumination
5. Aluminum and high tensile steel construction

Interior
1. AcuraLink(TM) Satellite-Based Communication System
2. Leather - trimmed interior
3. Genuine wood trim
4. Acura/Bose(R) DVD-Audio system
5. HandsFreeLink' wireless telephone interface
6. XM(R) Satellite Radio
7. OnStar(R) service
8. Acura Keyless Access System(TM)

Safety
1. Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure
2. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA(R))
3. Front, side and side curtain air bag systems

Dimensions
1. Length - 193.5 inches, 4915mm
2. Width - 72.6 inches, 1845 mm
3. Height - 57.1 inches, 1450 mm
4. Wheelbase - 110.2 inches, 2800 mm


it's going to have real time traffic data visible on the Nav screen

paddle shifters on the dash....

:smile:







_________________

 

About time! The current 3.5RL sedan dates back from the 1997 model year and was a market flop since the get-go. I don't understand why it took Acura 7 years to update their "flagship" model.


The original Acura Legend was a very successful car and far better than the RL it was replaced with. The Legend (Coupe and sedan) was imported to the US from 1986 to 1995. The Legend coupe. was still sold in Japan as of 1997-1998.

I am still dissapointed at the fact that Honda refuses to drop a V8 engine under the hood, which is expected on this class of cars (Look at Lexus, Infiniti, MB, BMW, Audi, etc) and also that the base powertrain layout is not RWD. But AWD is a pretty good start, IMO.


Car looks nice. The RL always looked stale, even back in 1997.


I am an ex-Acura owner (Had 2 of them) so this is why I know all of these tid-bits.


Where is this new RL going to be made? The current RL and RSX are the only Japanese made Acura models. The rest are made at Honda's plant in Marysville, OHIO and others in Canada.

 

looks alot better than RL, very welcome improvement. still don't like the Accord-esque rear end though, Accord butt looks worse than 745i's rear. I do like the TL better too.

 

The RL (Road Lounge): warmed over

 

I think I like the new TL over the upcoming RL. In any case, it's hard to say until I see the car in person. :smile:

 

humm... even though the current RL looks like a pop's car, it has
more of a formal business attire that I like. The new one looks more
in the performance (sporty) category but not bad either. just completely
inconsistent with their current model (which could be a good thing).

I think the same can be said about the TL's...but I like the new TL's
over the old. :smile:

btw hafid, you do a good job bringing up new cars like that volvo
you covered, etc. :smile: keep it going!

 

Looks like an average pontiac sedan. Not very impressive styling. It needs a whole lotta something...

The stats are impressive, but the looks are definitely... hondish. ops:

 

I am very disappointed with the New RL. Too little too late. After the TL and TSX I thought that maybe finally Honda/Acura was going to start getting serious about their luxury brand styling. Apparently they're still afraid to go very far with the RL.

And I can't decide if it's fear, incompetence, or sheer engineering arrogance that prevents them from developing a RWD V8 sedan to go against the other (true?) luxury makes.

JK

 

you guys need to stop badgering honda about putting a V8 in the RL. it's not going to happen. :smile:

i think, if they REALLY would want to set themselves apart, they should make the RL a hybrid. the new RX is already going this way....why not bring the hybrid to the luxury market. we have the technology.

thank kenchan...i'm trying!

 

Um, I think it might be ACURA! Why would they compete with themselves?

 

Yawn. It looks like a slightly beefier CL, which is not a compliment. I always thought the CL looked insubstantial and boring. The slant of the headlights from the front view is way too Hyundai. And the front end as a whole reminds me of the next-gen Jetta: boring and Corolla-inspired. What a boring vehicle; I'm so bored just looking at the photos that I can't be bothered to look at what's beneath that skin.

 

>>>>
>>Um, I think it might be ACURA! Why would they compete with themselves?

I wrote Honda/Acura in reference to both the parent company (Honda Motor in Japan) as well as the sales division (Acura Divicion of American Honda).

It just seems odd to me that Honda (parent company) would not want to give Acura the product (meaning a RWD V8 sedan) to go head-to-head against Mercedes/BMW/Lexus, etc.

As for the hybrid solution, Lexus has already beat them to it. There will be a (much more capable, IMO) hybrid RX very soon, and I wouldn't be surprised if hybrid versions of the ES and LS didn't show up too long after that. Toyota already showed a prototype V8 hybrid powertrain on the FTX concept truck in Detroit this year, so it's in the works and could easily be adapted to the LS.