Now this just seems like a pile-on. Obviously the majority don't like it. But I wonder if our negative comments are feeding off each other a bit. All things considered, I'll just say I give this refresh a "C-" and spare everyone the clever comments. If it wasn't for the grill it would have scored higher in my eyes. I keep reminding myself this was just an MMC. Also, I must remind myself I am NOT the average car buyer. That's apparent because I like (and own) the current RL and it obviously is a sales dog.

I'm really curious now to see if this helps sales of the RL this summer. And I'm not talking about increasing from 400 to 500 per month. That would not be significant. It's got to get them into triple digits or else all you guys are right and Acura is once again a bunch of idiots.

It's got some more power, some new technology, a somewhat more "unique" look. There's a story to pitch here. Its going to be interesting to see how they market this refresh.

 

My Grade...F-

Dealers will have to practically give them away.

This is a history making design blunder on par with the Edsel.

 

Oh Acura, you fail.

 

Putting the look of the car aside, there are some things I like.

2 piece cast magnesium intake manifold, hollow camshafts, there have been some changes to the SH-AWD, it can now overdrive the wheel anywhere from .6% to 5.7% faster than the inside wheel. SH-AWD will also overdrive the outside wheel while still in 1st gear (I was unaware, but apparently it didn't do that before)

The J37 is about 17lbs lighter than the J35. Although the horsepower bump wasn't that substantial, the torque increase was desperately needed and over all the RL only gained abut 75lbs.

But that grill is killing me and I suspect the general population will agree. I'm giving it 6 months before the is a dealer incentive to move these things.

Kind of reminds me of the "Homer" the car designed by Homer Simpson, lets hope Acura fairs better than Powell Motors did.

 

"Advance," indeed.

 

^ Oh snap!

Edit: WTF is up with the smiley anyway?? It's still in the list, but it don't work, dammit!

 

I disagree. I've been online for over twenty years, long before the Internet was called the Internet. I've been on car fora since they were born. I have only rarely seen such near negative unanimity about a car's styling.

The styling--at least at the front of the car--is a bomb. Not THE bomb, but A bomb.

I remember the reaction to the 2G RL. It was felt to be a good effort and the styling compared to the previous RL was more daring. The tech was top-notch at the time. It sold like hotcakes the first 18 months before tanking for the reasons we note frequently on this forum.

I remember the reaction to the 3G TL. It was almost universally loved from the time the spy photos came out and at the time of its car show intro in NYC.

This reaction, this panning of the design....I've not seen this for an Acura before. Clearly the designers are going in a different direction from the enthusiasts. Some will love it. Most will hate it. We'll see what Acura does with this outcry. Maybe they'll poll US? (yeah, right.)

The worst part is, the car pretty much answers all of our concerns about the current RL. Who cares about 300 hp when the car makes MORE TORQUE? We've got cooled seats! The USB connection is great! I want XM Weather! I mean, the amenities are really great and an excellent evolution of what we have.

But then I have to get out of the car and look at that grille and all that effort seems less than it is.

 

All you have to do is always park nosed in, and never check your oil and you'll be fine.

This is the automotive equivalent of a butterface.

 

I simply cannot get past the front end styling to be able to appreciate the attributes within.

As much as the upgrades would be a grand slam for me in the current style, I cannot even consider desiring them in the wrapper they regurgitated upon us.

 

The RL sales were already bad, I can't even imagine what it will be like now. I think it's safe to say that the dealer would probably have to end giving these things away for free. The thing looks like something out of Thriller.

 

Should we start the RL bidding at $32,000 ? Do I hear 28? 25?

 

I think dealers are still in shock. I they are smart, they will grab up any 08 inventory they can, drop the incentives and sell them at a premium 'before the ugly ones arrive'.

I called CS today to inquire if they are getting calls yet. The CS rep was very professional and open to hear me out. I kept it professional but expressed my concern over the direction this styling is taking. The CS actually asked for specifics...which tells me they are getting calls, or expecting them. There was no surprise in his tone that I was calling to express my dismay over the 09 RL, even considering that I own an 06 RL. He opened a case and encourage me to reference it when I write to corporate to express same.

I simply can ignore this and ride happily along in my 06. But I feel compelled to express my opinion to Acura about this direction and specifically how it has manifested itself onto the RL.

 

I think if people buy the 09 RL, they will go back to the vinyl bra from the dealership instead of ClearBra to hide the front end. Wait....do they make paper sacks to put on the front of cars?

 

Well, it's hard for me to defend this front grill because I'm right there with you and think it looks bad. I'm just saying, I'm curious to see OVER TIME how this grill design is received by the buying public (assuming they don't back off of it). We will know soon enough.

 

You know, in the context of the current RL, this thing is UGLY. It's hard to forget a face we are all so familiar with, especially one so much less....disconcerting.

But something just clicked when I looked at it again. I look at this car without the context of last car in my mind. I looked at the car without thinking of the one you guys have. And seriously, its not half bad. Considering the unfamiliarity the public at large has with the current design, some folks might buy into the BS.

In fact, looking into the future, the next RL might look good with the grill incorporated from the start. If it comes with a V10 like everyone keeps bantering about, a hideous grill could be alot more forgivable. However, with this MMC, there are just too many compromises made for it to look good, even to the untrained eye.

The TL and TSX may look good with such a grill, but it doesn't work for the current RL's platform.

 

does anyone think the headlights look like those of the Chrysler sebring?? i certainly do, especially the droop around the HID.

the front does look very TL like...

i'm actually getting used to the rear, not that bad. except for the horrendous tailpipes, and the weird placement of the reverse lights..

yeah, agree, the grill has to go big time..

 

If anyone has alot of spare time on their hands (I do. I sell Acura vehicles ) Go back and re-reread this thread from page one. It's kind of interesting/funny to see everything they heard and what was rumor and is now true.

 

What is the buzz at the dealership? Laughter? Worry? Screams of fear?

 

I'm not sure any of us has the stamina to go back and read all 52 pages, but I'd have to say we were ultimately pretty much right on in terms of mechanicals and technology ... the use of the 3.7 liter engine, rear-biasing of the SH-AWD, more room inside, more trunk space, bigger wheels, improved nav, etc., etc.

Along the way, there were flights of fancy, but they were mainly in the area of powertrains (V-10 engine, V-8, etc.), and frankly, much of that was just wishful thinking that started to evaporate as the intro date drew closer.

Over the last few weeks, I'd have to say the rumor mill has been pretty doggone spot-on. What we didn't see coming was the freakish job the designers decided to do on the grille and rear-end ...

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You've got all the reactions, just in the wrong order. 1st it was worry, 2nd it was screams of fear, then we decided since we won't be selling cars anymore we might as well be drunk so we opened a bottle of Scotch got drunk and we've moved on to laughter.

 

I plan to stop by my dealer after work tomorrow to share my condolences.

 

Bring more Scotch

I don't know what it's like in Florida, but between the Pat's falling apart in the Superbowl and the new design of the RL, it's been a tough February already up here in Massachusetts.

 

Looking once again at the front, I believe it looks pontiac styling with sebring-like headlights. Maybe Acura hired the Aztek designers? lol

 

Acura is going to be responsible for a lot of therapy. I think there should be a 12 step program offered with this debut,,,at least a cautionary WARNING. I nearly fell into seizures.

I expect to see a FOX TV special...."When RL's ATTACK!"

I am surprised they did not debut this car on Halloween. Wait! Maybe is is just a mask? Does it come off?

This front end may see a rise in front end collisions...caused by people trying to slay it.

 

The Giants beat up on TampaRL's Bucs too on the way to the Superbowl. They are in the same boat

 

I think I'll do the same soon.

Anyone put a deposit on one of these?

 

I said this on page 42 or 43.

 

Yep! I see it....in the face and the azz.....

http://www.luckythreadz.com/large/im...face_large.gif

 

Check out the photoshops at the TOV.

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-messa...item_id=738523

The RL with the non "shield" grill actually looks very nice.

 

Look like a vagina!

 

Agreed. That is what it should look like.

 

looks much better, but more like a TL

 

It is amazing what lining up panel seams and adding some symmetry will do. Those not only look techy (Advanced) and highly recognizable as an Acura face, the higher hoodline (when aligned appopriately) has a regal appeal deserving of a flagship model. It certainly is better disguised in dark colors.

This cements for me that I cannot get past that ugly beak.

 

Can someone send this photoshop to Acura?

This shouldn't be very hard for them to fix.

 

Mikey, I daresay they have already sunken hundreds of thousands into dies and tooling, parts and training, and in fact, there are probably thousands of these beasts already produced and sitting on shipping docks in Japan waiting for their trip across the Pacific.

That said, I think it's a bit late for them to start re-styling the front end ...

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Looks like the grill on the RL will make its way to all the new Acuras. The new TSX was spotted with the new beak. Check out the link from TOV

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=739420

It will be interesting if this hurts sales or if people just get used to it. Kind of like the Audi grille that everybody mentioned.

 

Is it me, or did the 09 fog lights come off a CL? Maybe Acura had some left over after they stopped making the CL. It seems that often designers change something for no apparent reason, other to say that they changed it. There was nothing wrong with the fog lights on the 05- 08 RL. The whole front end on the 09 needs to be redone. It doesn't look any better on the TSX. It looks OK the MDX and RDX though. Acura needs to realize that "one style doesn't fit all". I'm glad I won't be looking for a new car for the next year or two, but If I was, It wouldn't be an Acura!!

 

I'M SORRY GUYS...I JUST CAN'T STOP LAUGHING! Or should I be crying?

 

It looks better on the TSX. Maybe because it's painted the same color as the car.

 

It looks better on the TSX because it is integrated with the hood edge and headlamps. They didn't chop the hood shorter and stick on and oversized grille that does not align to the neigboring body panels. No photoshop needed to make it less offensive.