Rhlieu

Alright, I shall give props where props are due! The CTS-V front end does have a very aggressive (almost menacing) look & the mesh grill adds a sporty yet subtle stylish cues to a classy looking sedan.


The RL on the other hand, has more of a sleek/sophisticated demeanor that is more subtle and less In Your Face (i.e. RL = Bruce Wayne / CTS-V = Batman)

And the 09+ Acura grill has more of "Joker" likes characteristic; not sure if we should be laughing or scared frightened *sorry for the jab Mr. Bigkat *.

BigKat103

None taken sir. When I rip up behind you in My Bad Mother F@(%er, she is smiling at you.......and, yes, you should be afraid........very afraid. Don't let the LEDs blind you as I pass.

Rhlieu

^^^



I saw you lurking on the board, couldn't resist the temptation

CL6

I can't take them seriously as a "luxury" company w/out RWD. No V8 I can understand in a way but no RWD? Too bad because Honda could build a world beater luxury sedan if they wanted.

BigKat103

For your insolence I will make you look at the plenum....take it like a man!!!



To me, that is just bada$$!

neuronbob

^^^^^^
For some reason, that picture reminds me of the Batmobile.
Those lights are badass.

BigKat103

Sadly, that is what I have been calling my car....can't seem to shake it, seems to fit

Rhlieu

Hmmmm....Looks more like the Jokermobile! Maybe this was one of the brainstorming ideas from the Acura design team for the new power plenum grill.


http://images24.fotki.com/v861/photo...jpg?1180428639

Blazing GT

BigKat103

Well played....walked into that one.

Edit: Changed the Avi just for you....

Rhlieu

Agree; Those are some bright Hid's, is your highbeams on too? I was not aware of any changes between 09 and our 2nd Gen headlights?


Back on subject:

My local (Colorado) Acura sales mangers has echo a daunting sales fact on the current 09 RL's (1 RL sold this month/ 4 YTD) and said the likelihood of a 2011-2012 3rd generation RL is slim to none.

SpicyMikey

^^ Don't worry. That sales manager knows nothing more than we know about Acura's plans for 2011. He's just guessing. The recession has put everything on hold but we know there are test platforms for many things that are far along. Remember this from last year when they caught a full size FR sedan testing?

http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-rl-future.html

TampaRLX-SH

I agree with Mikey. I think shelving plans for the next RL is just about timing. Wait for the best opportunity.

Still I do not expect the V8 RWD to be resurrected.

And it is not just about the RL. This car has Acura and Honda Global entwined. Honda knows the LEGEND is too much car for the Honda brand. And Acura know it is not enough car for Acura to lure away from other flagship buyers.

Honda planned to launch the Acura brand in other global markets where this car (or the next variant) could be marketed as an alternative to the vehicles it competes without the Honda cheap small car stigma. I suspected the LEGEND would die first, then the RL would soldier on as a global Acura.

But that too has been shelved, at least for now.

I don't think Honda is stupid. And Acura is in a quandary over this car. But if Acura takes total control of this vehicle and does to the RL what they did to the TL, I will be shopping elsewhere and wishing they RL went to pasture in it's current 2nd Gen form.

neuronbob

Big on that.
Man, if Acura loses Tampa as a customer, they might as well close up shop.

As far as dealers saying no 3G RL, I state my standard advice..... Dealers. Know. Nothing.....at least until the last minute, just like us.

TampaRLX-SH

Dealers want to sell cars now. TODAY. I hear such statements all the time to urge the buyer to what is on the lot right now. Very few dealers can see beyond the present to culture a future, repeat or brand loyal customer. There are some out there, but too few.

Honestly, I have been more a fan of Honda than Acura. I am part of Acura's quandary. I like Acura's built in Japan (which now are simply re badged Honda's). My TL affirmed that for me. I find Honda management sensible, humble and diligent. I find Acura smug, California-centric, and I doubt if anyone on the planet is unaware of my opinion of the current design trend and the shallow trendy babble the stylists use to explain what the hell it is.

And if you recall my open letter to Acura 18 months ago....well I never did get a response. But I take comfort that 3 of the ivory tower management I addressed it to are no longer there. I celebrate the departure of Tricky Dick "ACK-er-UH" Colliver. And since my subscription to Acura STYLE magazine was halted thereafter, I think someone actually read my letter.

My next campaign is to get Acura STYLE changed in name. I suggest Acura NO-STYLE, or if they want to get the emotional angle why not Acura WTF-STYLE magazine.

Time for my meds.

Rhlieu

Mr. Tampa, I resent your mockery of the Acura “Style” magazine!

The magazine compares very well to Oprah's O. It represents the majority of Acura owners with great reviews on oversea travels to Paris, London and of course Milan (wasn’t that Acurazine members 05’s vacation retreat?). They also have articles on yachting expedition, which we all can relate since everyone here has a yacht right?

Oh and I think they have a couple pages on actual Acura automotive styling content, but then again the magazine is suppose focus on the rich and fabulous “Life Style” of us Acura owners NOT the actual cars.

Acura Style magazine (when they actually send out the publication) is ALWAYS on top of my magazine stacks in my advance toilet reading sessions.

TampaRLX-SH

I will repeat...."shallow, trendy babble..."

Write that down.

BigKat103

Lose are my low beams (Avi), below are the high beams.



(Look at it! Feel the power of the plenum!!! Mu-uu-ha-ha-hahahahahaha)

dwboston

Coincidentally, I just received the Summer 2009 issue of Acura Style in the mail today. What a waste of paper. The cover story is a test drive of the V-6 TSX. Ack-er-a also slapped the "power plenum" on the 2010 MDX. Keeping the streak alive, the RL gets a sparse mention in the "2010 models" section.

Rhlieu

Those definitely looks brighter, was there any headlight projectors upgraded or tweaking of the AFS for the 09 MMC vs. 05-08’s?

The smart money would have been for Acura to decrease visible light toward the grill, thereby bracing the impact of traumatized incoming traffic and shellshock bystander. Must have been Tricky Dick Colliver parting gift before he got the boot.


For anyone who is interested in Acura Style magazine, here is a link to get your bi-annually subscription. Register ASAP; these might be limited edition last print issues.

http://www.acura-style.com/

Wii60

I think the RL should always be rocking the SH-AWD. It's a very impressive technology that makes me cackle with glee when cornering.

The V8 is the real issue, while it's impressive that they can squeeze all this HP out of a v6, it's time for them to make the change and get a v8 in their flagship vehicle.

More importantly, they need to be a bit more aggressive with their dealers. I've been to two of them since I got my RL and they were both just trashy. Bad waiting room and one of them had a frigging beverage trailer in the middle of the lot. This is a luxury brand, dammit, get your image together.

SpicyMikey

Not all are that bad, but, I agree the dealership network is going to need some serious upgrades if they want to compete with Lexus, MB, and BMW experience for after sale support.

Don't get me wrong. My dealership service is excellent. Better then my local MB dealership. But the inside is not tier 1. Also, it's showroom is only big enough to house 4 cars comfortably (5 on the squeeze). Rut-row Scooby! Where are we going to showcase all these new models Acura is planning in the next few years.

TampaRLX-SH

^^^

Preferably in a dark room. Maybe they can slick it up with some fog machines, obscure lighting and slick voiceovers. Oh wait...that is the format of current Acura adverts.

neuronbob

Actually, excepting the RL, the V6 TSX is the only Acura I'd buy today. I think the V6 TSX is a brilliant idea, a great-looking car, and will sell like hotcakes. It will take sales from the TL and should. It's the only Acura sedan with the Power Plenum grille implemented in a stylistically sound manner.

Sorry to go OT....bad mod, bad mod!

psheu

I just saw the newly arrived Style mag. and the entire acura line up have the same buck tooth "power plenum" RDX, MDX, TSX, TL, RL, ZDX..... all have the same front

Rhlieu

I got my Car & Driver the other day; Funny how every single Acura model got some type of advancement/add-on (even half a page review on the new TSX V-6) but the

2010 RL - Unchanged

Couldn't they just have added another shark fin and call it an ambient light protector or some solar power gizmo? How can a 50k sedan going forward a year be left unchanged?

BigKat103

Why mess with perfection?

bugeye

ssim3

At least Infiniti gets it. I see a rwd 400+HP beakless M560 in my future.

neuronbob

I'm not so positive on the styling of the new M but appreciate that Infiniti understands the enthusiast customer.

Meanwhile, Acura plans to survive by defying conventional wisdom. I am quite sure Acura will do fine but will lose enthusiast customers. This is a very small market and I'm quite sure Acura is not shedding any tears over people like me. We will have to wait and see what Acura plans to do with the RL now that it has chosen not to compete in the high-hp sweepstakes.

ssim3

The new M is not the perfect design, but superior to anything Acura has done lately.