Acura RL To Entertain Extreme Makeover

Anthony Fontanelle
November 27, 2007

Acura RL, the luxury automaker’s flagship sedan, will be entertaining an extreme makeover to pave the way for a true technological tour de force.

In 2005, the sedan featured the most advanced all-wheel drive system called Super-Handling All Wheel Drive. The feature has the ability to torque vector, the process of individually controlling the power distribution to the rear wheels, not only sending power left and right, but taking it away and adding more if necessary to cure understeer and improve handling. After several years, a number of automakers opted to offer such feature as well. As a fact, it is still considered by many to be the top dog, although competitors reportedly are developing identical systems for their lineup.

SH-AWD is not the only impressive thing about the RL, however, as it is by far the most advanced road car that Honda Motor Co. has ever built, said Automobile.com. The sedan delivers more power than the mid-engine NSX supercar, featured collision mitigation technology and in certain markets where applicable, a pyrotechnic-loaded hood that pops up to minimize pedestrian injuries. The maker of Acura A/C condensers promises new styling for the RL. Though the flagship sedan is cool and sophisticated, it is experiencing the doldrums. The RL just is not selling as well as it is expected to. For all of its technology and performance, the sedan should have been the car to eat away at the 5-Series and the A6. While its sales vastly improve on the old RL, dubbed the Japanese Buick, the new model seems incapable of gaining the interest of the public despite having the features and the technology that buyers want, the report continued.

Automotive News reported that Honda is in the process of formulating a rescue mission for the RL in the form of a huge makeover. Styling is the first issue to be responded to, as the current vehicle, while cabin design will be redesigned; the quality of materials is already soaring.

According to the reports, a new nose and tail will be fitted to the updated car, presumably inspired by some of the wild Acura concept vehicles the brand has been showing on the North American auto show circuit. If dealer and shopper complaints are to provide any hints, the automaker is expected to increase the rear legroom of the car and its trunk space.

One of the root problems with the RL is its powertrain. Auto shoppers are locked into the 3.5-liter V6 engine, automatic gearbox and SH-AWD with no additional option. The automaker may have realized that in order to closely rival in this segment, choice is decisive.

As regards the engines, the norms include a six-cylinder in the 300 horsepower range, plus a much more powerful V8. Additionally, the luxury automaker has some of the bases covered, but could do better to widen the car's lure to shoppers.

Source:  Amazines.com