I was talking with a neighbor that works for America Honda, he works in quality controll for the Acura and Honda lines, he said the exterior of the 2007 RL will be more aggresive, as most focus groups are calling the exterior looks of the car the biggest down fall.

Again this is a rumor from someone that works in Torrence, not at a dealer.

Michael

 

not true, if anything they will offer a non SH-AWD version and have a 6-speed option.

 

Face-lifts are quite common. I believe this is the third time the BMW 7 series is being edited since the redesign.

Really, it's hard to believe any rumor. Even ones that originate from supposed Honda employees on the net.

But this is one I think will happen. The RL will have to be spruced up a bit after a year or two. The criticism on the car's style has been quite existant and in the ultra competitive segment that this is now, a facelift will be mandatory.

 

Where exactly do you get your information? What makes his wrong? I'd be that the RL does indeed get a facelift around this time...I think we'll see 18 inch wheels become standard on this thing, eventaully, as well.

 

I highly doubt Acura willing to put a 6speed manual on the RL, I dont think there is a big enough market that would want to purchase a RL with a manual.

I DO think there will be a facelift to the RL, they normally do such things within 2 years, just to change it a little bit.

But then again you can never believe rumors.

 

The 7 Series has only been tweaked so much because it keeps getting horrible reviews about its aesthetics. They wouldn't be spending the money to keep adjusting it if they didn't think a freshening would help it garner more sales.

I think the RL looks great... maybe the 17s make it look a bit pedestrian, but that's easy to remedy with larger rims. The rear end could use some 'sportification', but don't mess with the front too much.

 

Common sense. They might do a very simple facelift, but they won't make it more aggressive as the posted rumor. You will still have the A-Spec kit avaliable. But adding 18"s as standard would be a smart move.

 

That's what they said about the TL, until they finally did in 2004; 5 years later and guess what? they can't keep them in the lots.

 

I beleive that they will give the car a more agressive look. This will address all of the reviews in the magazines that say the car could use more tweaking in the exterior. Then what else would they have to say about the exterior?

 

Honda has a 5 year cycle on most of their cars... Intoduction, MMC [1] in the 3rd year, and then a FMC [2] or redesign...

I've followed this trend with the Accord, RSX, etc. so I don't think many models are exempt from this lifecycle. 2007 would be the timeframe for a MMC for the RL.

Shamelessly stolen from http://vtec.net/modelmatrix/

[1] MMC: Minor Model Change - Mid-cycle freshening of an existing model. Often limited to subtle cosmetic changes but sometimes new trim levels and/or drivetrain options are introduced.

[2] FMC: Full Model Change - full redesign of a product, generally resulting in significant changes in packaging, performance, and styling.

 

Why would Acura want to offer a non SH-AWD version? Everyone bitches because Acura uses FWD and now you are asking for it again?

A 6-speed auto would be nice though!! It might help make up for lower torque compared to other's V8s.

 

a non sh-awd RL would seem somewhat pointless to me. What would be the reason to do this? I could see if the car was RWD based but it isnt so I dont see why they'd get rid of something that gives the car such good handling.

I wish the RL came with a damn 6 speed auto. It sorta bugs me that it didnt.

Like others I'd expect them to tweak the exterior simply because most companies do that after a couple years. I dont think it needs this tweak though and contrary to what it seems like on these types of forums, most reviewers and people like the look of the car or at the very least say it looks nice. You'd think based on what one reads on forums that everyone hates the RL's exterior but 90% of the reviews I read say the car has a nice, if understated look to it. That's a positive comment people.

 

I think people want body styles that will shake up the industry, not understated. And as far as 6 spd does the GS, E Class or M35/45 have a 6spd?

 

The GS300/430 has a 6 speed auto. The E350 RWD has a 7 speed auto.

The M35/45 has a 5 speed auto, but many believe that it is the best auto transmission in its class.

 

Not neccesarily. The challenge of the manufacturers is to clearly identify the target market and understand if the majority would prefer conservative or aggressive styling. With the RL, Acura chose to go with conservative, which is why there are some with more radical preferences claiming that the styling is weak.

Pete

 

I don't see Honda ever offering a non-AWD version of the RL. Its a major selling point of the car. I do expect them to do some minor refreshing of the looks of the car, but they will probably be very minor in 2006, somewhat more in 2007. I expect this coming year to see something like a slight Grill front end bumper change, with possibly 18 inch wheels standard (like someone else said) and possibly a few more software based features in the navigation or sound system area. Like possibly a rear DVD like the Infiniti MES to compete. Not much more. 2007 might see a few more serious changes like maybe a headlight refresh and taillight change. There is a slight chance they might address something in the engine torque/HP department to deal with focus group complaints and such. Maybe a different intake and exhaust would up torque and HP a bit to give the car a little more of a boost. Really stretching it would be adding something like Integrated Motor Assist to the AWD system.

 

I think the most logical thing would be to offer the RL slightly de-optioned at a cheaper price.

ie. no Nav, and a few less tech features.

 

I didn't say take it away it will sill be a selling point for the RL and it was cool to be introduced with SH-AWD. For cost purposes and a larger audience, they will offer an non-AWD at a lower cost to compete with other cars on the RL's class with no AWD. Is just marketing. Hopefully they will offfer a 6-speed in the future, but there is little chance of that. I will be going to the frankfurt show in september were they are going to unsleash the 2006 honda Legend (euro) most cars in the european market do have maunal trans as standard or option. Auto trans is still somewhat rear as standard.

As for exterior look I think they are sticking to the same thing they did to the 2004 TL > 2005 TL....NO CHANGES, execpt updates and fixes.

 

I too, like many others on here, do not see Acura dropping SH-AWD from the RL. It is a selling point of the vehicle, and it is not the Acura way to strip down vehicles. Heck, the reason why the RL is so attractive to me and my family is because of all the gadgets and gizmos...if we didn't want them, we'd be looking at a TL.

And it's not just marketing. AWD is a very attractive feature, as well, for fowl weather. I know that has been the selling point for many Acura buyers, as well. Sure, front wheel drive is great, but Acura even admits that 300+ hp is WAY too much for a FWD vehicle. When the TL reviews started coming out, Acura basically admitted that 270 was getting to be too much.

As for the manual...I don't see that in the near future, either--in Europe or Japan. I don't see Honda marketing the new RL against lower E-class, 5-series, or A6 offerings, like the E200 or 520i or A6 1.8t...this car will be geared towards the E320, 530i, A6 3.2, etc... The last Legend that was offered in Europe was the same kind of concept as it was over here in the states--all features standard, take it or leave it. I really don't know where a manual transmission fits into this equation, no matter how popular they are over there (and I know that they are...so I understand where you're coming from). To further back this up, we all know that this is not going to be a HUGE seller for Honda in Europe. If there was more of a market for a large executive Honda in Europe, I'm sure they'd consider offering a manual transmission or even a diesel engine to compliment the petrol version...but it's just not intended to be a car for the masses. And a manual in Japan--I haven't heard of a manual Toyota Celsior...but who knows...if this car proves to be a success, maybe the market will grow for this (though I don't see it in the near future).

I must agree that I don't see any major cosmetic changes coming next year, but I'd say the following year there are some serious changes in store. Why? This car is a very important step for Acura. This car is going to essentially pave the way for Acura's climb upward. This car MUST be a success for Acura in that it will either open up their pathway for creating higher-end vehicles in the future, or completely close it. I think Acura is going to be doing a lot of listening to customer complaints and wants, etc... in order to create an RL that will make a name for itself in the luxury community. It is essential that this vehicle does well, and if that means some serious design changes, I think it will happen. Look at how often Acura has been updating the MDX. Power changes, interior upgrades, exterior changes, etc... have been made practically each model year. Anything is possible for the RL.

 

The Honda people have already stated that 270hp was the max for a FWD car when discussing the TL. So the idea of a 300hp FWD RL wouldn't fly too well, IMO.

 

The 270 bhp TL has horrible torque steer. I owned an '05 briefly before trading it in for the RL.

I also have an '00, which I think is more tolerable since it doesn't have much torque steer.

 

I agree. That's the only thing I didn't like about my 04 TL.

 

I'm afraid you're gonna need more than just AWD if your weather is fowl

 

If this stuff starts falling out of the sky, run for cover.

 

We've got some crazy weather in these here parts...thank heaven the RL has some strong windshield wipers.

(as I was writing, I wondered which word to use )

 

for 2007, we should see a couple of things;

-slightly revised exterior
-collision mitigation system (or whatever it is)
-ventilated seats, maybe even headlight washers
-larger rims
-potentially more power (in 3-5 years, maybe)
-potential addition of the Honda Night Vision system

 

What is it with you guys and 18-20 inch rims? Do you wish to be seen as coming out of the ghetto? These rims make high-end cars look gaudy and ridiculous all too often. And they're a huge waste of money, not to mention the shitty ride quality that results from having them.

The Acura RL is an upper class car and not meant to be driven by Ali G suburbanite kids who wished their parents hadn't forced them to live in the suburbs with a bunch of other white kids.

Like rap, expensive rims are a sad reflection of American society.

 

Are you a Grand Wizard? When is the next Klan rally? If you think 18-20 inch rims are from and for "the ghetto" you need serious help. Jaguars have 20" rims from the factory, the M45 has 19s on the sport, the GS 430 has 18s. They make these big cars look much better, they help handling and road-feel. If they are such a waste of money, so is a 50k car.

Your lucky though, the RL is so under the radar, you won't see it on MTV Cribs or by your favorite "rapper".

I guess minorities shouldn't buy the RL by what you think

 

You brought race into the issue, but it's about class and those who don't have any. You know what I'm referring to - bad taste. If you want to pimp hos in your RL with the seat set back listening to "All I wanna do is make a zoom zoom zoom in your boom boom," be my guest. So go back to your Lazyboy, tune into some more reality tv, and dream of ghetto rims.

 

It takes a lot to get me going, but you've achieved it with this post.

I am most probably a lot older than you and I will choose whatever damn rims I want to put on MY car. Who the hell do you think you are to dictate to others what they should and should not buy.

You can put what you want on your RL....oh that's right, you don't own one, right?

Please go look for a stone and crawl back under it.

Pete

 

I am probably a lot younger than you, and when I see you driving down the freeway in your pimped out RL with your 34 inch rims, I'll tell everyone it was 'California Pete' I saw on his way to pick up some underage hos.

 

Nice fishin, but I ain't bitin

Seeya

 

I think the wheels on the RL are slightly too small. The competition (all of which are rather sporty) has at least 18's. Lexus has 18's, MB has 18's, BMW has 18's, Infiniti has 19's... I'm not talking big bling-bling chrome dub spinners with gold emblems and diamonds at every spoke. I'm talking tasteful OEM sporty wheels (think RL concept shown at New York). The wheels Acura put on the "prototype" RL filled out quite nicely. They were not gaudy or rediculous...they fit the RL in its sporty nature.

Check out these 20's on the concept RL...all we're asking for are 18's. The style is tastefully OEM and flatters the style of the RL. They're basically a larger version of the current wheel.

Out of the ghetto? Hardly. Maybe you're thinking of aftermarket crap wheels, that I agree can be on the distasteful side. But that makes cars interesting--they're a statement about the driver, whether it is our taste or not. It's perfectly fine if we don't like other people's style, but it is something that we should respect nonetheless.

Further, in respect, I was somewhat offended (and it appears others were as well) by the way you worded your reply. It seems everyone got so defensive simply by the response posted. It may not have been intended to come across as a defensive or disrespectful post, but that's how I (and others) took it. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding, but still...let's be civil (and mature).

 

Maybe a new 6-speed transmission, or revised gearing, or direct injection technology for the engine?

The night vision system would rock, I think only Cadillac and Hummer have that feature (optional though).

 

I'm with ya on pretty much everything here.

I bet we see some minor modifications to the exterior design for 2006. Maybe a different wheel style...maybe some trim modifications. I bet we'll be seeing ventilated seats very soon as well, seeing all the fuss we Yankees are making. Torque will probably receive a healthy increase in the future as well (in turn, giving us some greater hp). And how about the MDX's rain-sensing windshield wipers?

I know for a fact that for 2006 we will see Honda's "Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) + E-Pretensioners". Check out this article:
http://hondanews.com/CatID3000?mid=2...34476&mime=asc

And I hope we get the Honda Night Vision system...it's completely unique in that it works like no other system out there. I don't understand how it works exactly, but here's an video for it:
http://world.honda.com/HDTV/Intellig...Vision/200408/
This technology should only give Acura more credibility and possibly be a step in getting Acura known as a technology leader. Though I have heard it probably won't make it over here.

I also hope that we see Honda's HiDS (Honda Intelligent Driver Support system) which incorporates a lane departure system and laser cruise control. With Infiniti's lane departure system on the M, there is only a greater POSSIBILITY now (even though it may still be small ) Besides, laser cruise control is very popular now...even the Avalon has it now.

BTW--it was kinda cool to hear my mother say, "How is it that Japanese cars are so much more technologically advanced than the Europeans?" as we were stopped at a light, right next to Barrier Mercedes-Benz.

 

Reading all of the posts in this thread, plus similar threads in other forums, about what coulda, shoulda, etc. I have compiled a list of things that are apparently missing from the RL, that would make it the "perfect" vehicle:

1. Heated and cooled seats
2. Rain sensing wipers
3. A V8...a big V8....no wait, a mondo V8 with 400HP (is that enough?)
4. Active suspension
5. Bigger stock wheels...but not the pimpin' type...eh Mr Joshua :wink:
6. Manual shifter
7. More agressive body style
8. Night vision
9. Collision sensing
10. Dual HID headlights with washers
11. Active cruise control (laser distancing)
12. More aggressive gearing
13. At least a 6-speed transmission
14. Better brakes
15. Paddle shifters that are fixed, not on the wheel
16. HiDS

...anyone care to guess at what this might cost? I'm guessing that $49K MSRP is out of the window and that we'ld be looking at more like $70K

Pete

 

LOL...I guess the list puts it into perspective I'm perfectly satisfied with the way the RL is by itself. To be honest, it is even a bit overwhelming at first. Are we getting greedy?

But of the features listed above, I feel only two should have been on the RL from the beginning:

-ventilated seats
-rain-sensing wipers
-8 way power passenger seat (with lumbar)...not on the list, I know...

That's it. I'm more than happy with the car as it is, but with these few added features, I'd be unbelievably, completely, thoroughly ecstatic

 

Taking the recent C&D article into account, you could add "more rear room" to that list.

 

I would appreciate it if you guys would maintain some mutual respect and a civil tone. You can agree to disagree.

If you start slinging personal insults around, the mods will have to close this thread. We don't like flame wars.

Thanks.

-XP

 

RL Mods: I did not respond to the bad post report. That's for you to handle. I just put a little water on the fire before it gets bigger. -XP