2010 Acura RL Rumors
03-18-08, 05:46 AM
#18
V8 Powered Acura on the Way
TOKYO — Remember that oh-so-ugly Acura Advanced Sedan Concept we saw at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show?
No prizes for guessing that it was indeed a design study for the next-generation Acura RL. Fortunately, Honda has listened to the criticism and has completely restyled the flagship sedan's exterior and distanced the face from the Accord's.
Actually, Honda has been listening to the word on the street very carefully, because it has finally decided to give the luxury sedan a V8, to help it compete with strong rivals in the U.S., including Audi, BMW and Lexus.
One source tells us that Honda is currently working on a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter V8, and will employ the same cylinder deactivation technology we see on the current Japan-spec Inspire V6, thus generating class-leading fuel economy figures.
But unlike the current RL, which sits on a front-wheel-drive platform and features Honda's SH-AWD four-wheel-drive system, the all-new RL will instead incorporate a rear-drive platform, one necessity that Honda planners have clearly identified in this segment, and a reconfigured SH-AWD system that engages the front wheels when rear traction is compromised.
Slated for a mid-2010 debut, the new RL is expected to land in showrooms wearing a higher price tag of over $70,000.
03-18-08, 06:13 AM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Well, some of you guys are already b**ching about the projected 70K price, and, I agree, that's way more than I would put into a new car, but if it's a choice between a RWD 70K LS460 and an AWD 70K RL, I know which one I'd probably take home.
Of course, that would also depend on a review. I've reviewed the LS460, and am very impressed with its tomb-like quietness, mirror-like paint job, peerless Mark Levinson stereo, automatic parking system (if you can get it set up correctly) and the smooth ride that the low-profile 45-series tires give, though it doesn't quite equal the smoother ride of previous LS models wih taller tires. It is, perhaps, the best overall RWD sedan I have reviewed.
But it is also hard to beat the current RL's craftsmanship, overall build quality, interior hardware, and the sophistication of the SH-AWD system. The RL's big V6 doesn't match the power of the LS's V8, but it doesn't lug as much weight, either, even with the AWD. Like the LS460 in the RWD category, the RL is perhaps the best overall AWD sedan I have driven....though, admittedly, I have not driven the LS600H yet with its AWD. But, in the meantime, we'll have to see if Acura can keep the marvelous build quality and sophisication of the current RL in the new model, or if it succumbs to the cost-cutting and economization that I see in so many other new cars today (GM and Hyundai/Kia, to their credits, seems to be among the few manufacturers that are going the other way and putting more care into their designs with each new model).
But, for me, in most cases, if it's a choice of two footprints or four for the same money, four will win out.
Of course, that would also depend on a review. I've reviewed the LS460, and am very impressed with its tomb-like quietness, mirror-like paint job, peerless Mark Levinson stereo, automatic parking system (if you can get it set up correctly) and the smooth ride that the low-profile 45-series tires give, though it doesn't quite equal the smoother ride of previous LS models wih taller tires. It is, perhaps, the best overall RWD sedan I have reviewed.
But it is also hard to beat the current RL's craftsmanship, overall build quality, interior hardware, and the sophistication of the SH-AWD system. The RL's big V6 doesn't match the power of the LS's V8, but it doesn't lug as much weight, either, even with the AWD. Like the LS460 in the RWD category, the RL is perhaps the best overall AWD sedan I have driven....though, admittedly, I have not driven the LS600H yet with its AWD. But, in the meantime, we'll have to see if Acura can keep the marvelous build quality and sophisication of the current RL in the new model, or if it succumbs to the cost-cutting and economization that I see in so many other new cars today (GM and Hyundai/Kia, to their credits, seems to be among the few manufacturers that are going the other way and putting more care into their designs with each new model).
But, for me, in most cases, if it's a choice of two footprints or four for the same money, four will win out.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-18-08 at 06:18 AM.
03-18-08, 03:13 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
I will be highly surprised if you can actually get a new GT-R out the door for 70K. That will be like trying to do it with a Corvette Z06.
03-18-08, 03:39 PM
#29
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I don't understand why some people are comparing it to LS. Acura has to come up with a new flagship car to compete with LS/S-Class/7 Series. They can't compete with the name RL as everybody knows it is mid level luxury Sedan. The front reminds me of Chevy Malibu
