When Honda first launched their dedicated premium brand in the late 1980s, Acura set out to break the notion that luxury had a difficult time being both reliable and exciting. The Legend Sedan quickly began earning accolades and literally became a legend, all the way up until the point when the RL bowed in as a mid 1990s replacement. Flash forward to the present and soon, Acura will try to do it one more time as in the midst of the 2012 New York International Auto Show, the concept for the next premium flagship Honda was revealed and its name is the RLX.
Upon its arrival to dealerships early in 2013, the RLX will be placed above the TL and thus, will be the largest Acura Sedan offered. Despite its plush and big segment placement, the car should be able to do all things that a large luxury sedan should while rolling on an agile, midsize footprint. Based on a front wheel drive platform, the RLX features an all-new, double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear while Amplitude Reactive Dampers should do an excellent job at keeping things stiff, comfortable and safe all at the same time. To keep handling characteristics, as Acura puts it, “at the will of the driver”, a variable ratio electric steering rack will be present so turn-in and grip will be intuitive. Two drive layouts will be offered as well as two versions of the V6 powerplant. Base motivation will spin the front wheels via 310 horsepower and will get corner carving help from the all-new, Precision All Wheel Steer. Electronically controlled actuators will manipulate the rear toe angle of the tires to allow for faster turn in and less torque steer at corner exit. If the system seems not “up-to-snuff” enough for drivers, the RLX will be able to spin all four tires but will do so in a manner no Honda or Acura has done before.
Debuting on the next flagship will be the Sport-Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The system will also be found on the reborn NSX supercar and uses a total of three electric motors to distribute the new 3.5 liter V6 engine’s power to every drive wheel. Located within the seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission is a front-mounted motor which connects to a dual-electric motor drive unit so output can be sent to the rear wheels when asked. Depending on driving conditions, positive or negative torque can be given to back tires via a unique, bilateral torque adjustable control system. In SH-AWD form, the all-new six cylinder will pump out a stout 370 horsepower using VTEC and a Honda V6 first: direct injection. Smaller in displacement compared to the current RL’s 3.7 liter, power figures have jumped up due to the high pressure fueling system which allows for an increase in efficiency as well. The big-bodied sedan should average an impressive 30 mpg all around.
Like the rest of its current line up, the next Acura will be styled accordingly. The final production version will more than likely look extremely similar to the concept shown in New York and thus, it will carry with it the “Keen Edge” motif. In an attempt to separate itself from the smaller TL, the RLX holds a longer trunk, increased wheelbase and shorter overhangs. Overall length will be approximately the same as the current RL, but the 2013 car will in fact have more space between the front and rear wheels. It will also be wider by about two inches and overall, its looks seem to have matured. The rounded fenders of the current flagship are gone and replaced with and much more squared off shape that looks similar to Hyundai’s Azera and Toyota’s Avalon. This isn’t to say that the RLX will be overly quiet and sophisticated as 255/35 R20 high performance tires should encourage a decent amount of carving. As to be expected, the inside will be loaded with innovative features and technologies. Items such as dual LCD screens, text message read back, navigation, AcuraLink communication system and a 14 speaker ELS sound system will be found in the Acura.
“We have created a true luxury sedan based on our Acura DNA,” said American Honda president and CEO, Tetsuo Iwamura. “This means achieving advanced performance through engineering efficiency to create a unique synergy between the vehicle and its driver. Inside and out, on the open road or city streets, the sophisticated and elegant Acura RLX will offer a level of connectivity, comfort and advanced performance demanded by today’s luxury buyers.”
Source: Acura
