http://www.insideline.com/acura/rl/2...auto-show.html

 

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEWS/111219999

Next up is the flagship RL, which has had little success competing in the $50,000 sedan segment against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E class, BMW 5 series and Lexus GS. Critics have called it overweight and underpowered, and the interior is cramped.

Poponi said the redesigned version will have more cabin space, with rear legroom going from worst-in-class to the best-in-class.

"It will have [BMW] 7 series cabin space with the agility of a 5 series," Poponi said. "Our sedans need to instill passion and emotion. The new flagship establishes that, and sets the ceiling for premium pricing. Once we have set that, then our SUVs can come into the market and leverage that prestige."

The RL will debut in April at the New York auto show and go on sale next fall.

 

i love the wheels in the picture from the link!!

 

This is a $60K flagship luxury sedan and you like the wheels!

 

I look forward to seeing it at this year's auto show in Manhattan.

 

I can't wait to see what Honda/Acura has in store for the next flagship sedan. It's been a long time coming. I hope it is vastly different in styling from anything in Acura's current lineup.

On a similar note, I just don't agree with this upcoming Civic based Acura sedan. I think it's a bad move on Acura's part. The Canadian CSX is weak. It does nothing but cheapen their image.

 

Before it is on sale, whole marketing department of Honda/Acura responsible for Legend/RL must be sacked! Otherwise they will fail another great car!

p.s. Looking forward to see the successor.

 

 

I couldn't agree more. CSX is very weak indeed.

 

Back in 1995 I bought an Integra GSR. 170 HP from 1.8 liters. The fit and finish was FAR superior to my previous Hondas. I could drive it to an Autocross event and SCREAM around the cones and then drive back home getting 32 MPG if I kept in under 80 on the highway.

Eleven years later I expected the same quality and kick in the ass from the RL. The finish was great but the quality and attention for the driver seemed missing and so it was soon in a friend's driveway. Acura seemed to have lost sight of wanting to impress buyers (or atl least me as a driver). Whether they were resting on the laurels or just didn't have a clue how to keep the magic I just didn't know, just that they were now Blah. Not deficient so much as soulless.

I still look at getting back to the RL. Every year I look at the lease / dealer returns and then ask myself why. Acura doesn't seem like they care if they make it better and buyers seem to accept what is given to them, so why should I buy a car that the creators don't care about

The above quote gives me hope that the excitement has been reborn.

I still have my GSR. It has 46,500 original miles (no that's not a typo) and it STILL looks cool in the driveway.

I want to give Acura my money, but first they have to prove that they deserve it. Maybe this time.......

 

You need a TL 6MT SH-AWD, not an RL. If you would have bought a Legend in 1995, you would have no similar complaints. The audience is completely different.

 

You may be correct, but.... as i approached my mid 50s, I thought that I would flow into the RL so I bought one. A boss had a 91 Legend and that car had a soul. It was like a faithful hunting dog waiting for you to command it into action. his car was one of the reasons I bought an Integra without ever sitting in one let alone a test drive.

I have driven the TL (though it was back in 2005) and it too seemed almost soulless and nothing felt like it was right. At least the RL had panache.

Now as I approach 60 and due to some medical complications (dang I hate when that happens ) driving a MT is no longer an option and though significantly cheaper a TL just doesn't seem to have the elegance of my old RL.

Maybe I'm just too old and have a skewed remembrance of the past! :wink:

Anyway I really hope the new Legend has the oomph, pizazz and soul of Acura's of old! I need a car for retirement and have my heart set on an 2013 (or 2014 depending on the kinks that may or may not need to be worked out) Acura Legend!!


As an aside, a friends wife as "Gig 'Em" as her license plates and when i asked about it she smiled winked and said "It's a Texas thing!"

 

I say that coming from a time when I owned both of my Legends concurrently. I do not know about the 1G RL (3G Legend), but the cars are very very similar in fit, finish, and feel. Well, the RL is much smoother, and maybe that is where the feeling that it has lost its soul comes in. I guess maybe the attempts to reduce noise, road feel, and shift feel have taken some of the human interaction with the car out. Still, when I push on the gas coming out of a corner and 220 horses kick me in the ass, I feel it. :wink:

I also feel it when I drop down to third gear and pass a semi at 85.

I agree that hopefully the new RL will have some extra oomph, and maybe a stiffer roll bar. Body roll is one thing that is very similar on both of my Legends. The SH-AWD helps to reduce the feel of it, but that is my only complaint for this car.

Your friend's wife sounds like a sharp gal.

Thanks, and Gig 'Em!


BTW, what did you replace your RL with, and do you not have any of the same sentiments?

 

Just got an email from Acura with the below. Will they announce new RL at Detroit Show?

"Excitement is building for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the largest and most prestigious automotive showcase in North America. Over 500 vehicles will be on display from January 14 - 22, 2012, representing the most innovative designs in the world. Acura will be making several exciting announcements, but if you can't make it to the Motor City to be a part of it, there's good news! You can see it streaming live on Acura.com. We'll let you know when it's happening. In the meantime, you can join the conversation on Twitter, using #AcuraDetroit."

 

Yep I received that email as well. I was going to go to the 2012 Auto Show in NYC regardless but it's nice to know I can see it 3 months earlier via streaming!

 

What do you guys think? It resembles Honda Accord Coupe too much - just having 4 doors

 

Acura is introducing a new small vehicle, an updated RDX and another NSX concept at Detroit. The RL probably won't be until April at NY and possibly a MDX update.


Acura announced today that it will unveil three all-new vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show including an all-new compact sports sedan, a redesigned RDX crossover sport utility vehicle, and a concept version of the next generation Acura NSX super car.
The Acura ILX Concept is a styling study of an all-new luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in spring 2012. To be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup, the ILX will feature three powertrains including Acura's first-ever gas-electric hybrid. Acura also will unveil a prototype of the 2013 RDX, the second generation of Acura's five-passenger SUV. Finally, Acura will debut the NSX Concept, which represents the styling direction for the next generation of Acura's super sports car.
"Acura has a steady cadence of exciting new models coming to market and it will all begin in Detroit," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales and service. "From the all-new Acura ILX at the gateway of the lineup to the pinnacle of performance with the Acura NSX Concept, Acura vehicles are being created for luxury customers who aspire to the highest levels of quality and value, with beautiful styling and the right balance of technology, performance and environmental responsibility."
All three vehicles will be introduced at the North America International Auto Show on January 9, 2012. The press conference will be webcast live on www.acuranews.com.

 

pretty sure that was a render for 2009+

 

Yep it was.. that pic has been coming up for yahoo & google image searches for RL's since then..

 

Acura design for sedans has been a complete mess. They bungled the TL, which was once the market leading sales leader. The 2G RL was bland (looked like an Accord). The refresh for the RL was just horrific. The ZDX atrocious.

Right now the only thing good is the MDX. The TSX isn't bad looking. The new ILX based on the Civic will be an epic fail. I don't have any hope for the new RL. I just don't see how they can break out of the current horrendous design element unless it's something radically different. Sorry folks, we're seeing a dying brand. My 05 TL has been great (6 years of ownership). My next car will be a German (likely BMW).

 

Okay Scrooge, let's not be too optimistic now.

The TSX is a great looking car. The 5-series is ugly.

 

the only thing BMW has going for them currently is the twin turbo, just like SH-AWD was what brought me to Acura.

 

When will we see some leaked photos?

 

I completely agree with you! I had a 1994 Intergra LS and it had around 120K miles when I traded it towards a 2002 TL-S in 2001. The Integra was what made my decision to purchase the TL, however, I was utterly disappointed from day one. My Integra had an excellent fit and finish and not a squeak or rattle, and I can't say the same for my TL and 2007 RL.

At this point, this will be my last Acura, unless the quality of workmanship improved drastically in the future.

 

I can hardly wait until April. The electric SH-AWD in the new RL is great! It could be my next car if I get tired of the CTS-V. (So far.....not tired of it after almost three years. Enjoy torque and V8 burble too much. )

I know for sure that (weather willing) I will be in Detroit to see the new little Acura and the NSX successor.

It's nice to see Acura starting to awaken.

 

Lets see some style! It needs to really compete, SH-AWD, 0-60 in the low 5's. A redo of the interior. The A6 is a beast, the new GS is getting rave reviews for its handling. Come on Acura how bout a little sneak peak to whet our appetite before April

 

Maybe this is just a screw up but did anyone else notice that Edmunds Inside Line had the 2013 RL listed in the Detroit Auto Show Preview? It shows the ILX, RDX, NSX concept and RL in what will debut at Detroit. Do they know something we do not? I hope so!

 

Well either way Acura is making several big annoucements at the Detroit Auto Show in less than a week (Jan 9th @ 2:35pm EST) so we should know for sure most likely.. You can see it live streaming on Acura.com..

 

^
Yep - got another email from Acura today Subject: "Stunning Acura developments"
with countdown to Detroit Show

 

We will all find out about the ILX, NSX, and RDX on January 9th 2012 at 2:35 PM.

 

I would love to see a eight speed hybrid engine that got 32mpg's both city and highway.

Mechanical
Engine & Performance

Base engine size: 3.7 L
Cam type: Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Cylinders: V6
Valves: 24
Valve timing: Variable
Base engine type: hybrid
DriveTrain

Drive type: front wheel drive
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Fuel

Fuel type: hybrid
Fuel type: premium unleaded (recommended)

 

Well, I think you are going to get a 7 speed, DI 3.7L (possibly 3.5), front wheel drive drivetrain with electronically controlled rear wheels. You might get 20/30, but pushing 2 tons in less than 6 seconds to 60 doesn't fair well for the mpgs.

 

Anyone going to the show?
Saw the writeup on the NSX. No news on RL

 

Take the beak and shove it.

 

ILX concept looks prety good with nice feature set. Would consider an RL with the same look.
check out www.Acuranews.com

 

Here's my initial thought.
ILX = Front from TSX + back from BMW
RDX = Looks like a TSX wagon with bigger tires.
NSX = Looks like the one from the Avenger snapshot.

 

+1 on the ILX, I somehow envisioned it looking pretty much like that. Looks like the beak isn't going away anytime soon though

 

Reminds me of an IS250/350.

Also, not sure what's up with my previous image.

 

The pic in the first post is just sad. At least my 2005 RL has some cool accents like the chrome strip around the bumpers.

And what in the HELL does that plastic thing serve in the middle of the grill?



On the other hand, the two seaters look cool, but if they are within the price range of a Vette, I'm a Chevy man.

 

NSX looks like an Enzo from some angles, an R8 from others, and the new style Camaro from still another. No sir, I don't like it.

ILX does it have SH-AWD? couldn't tell. If it doesn't, wouldn't even consider it.

RDX looks fine, but my G/F will be keeping her current one.