Taken from here: http://vtec.net/forums/one-message?m...umber=1#913551

As quoted in "Acura Style" magazine:

Ahead of the Curve
A next-generation grille design and dramatic 18-inch wheels underscore only the beginning of the revisions to the flagship of the Acura fleet. Other visual updates include revised rear lower bumper detailing and the newly available Light Orchid interior.

But it's under the RL's handsomely creased bodywork that you'll find the most dramatic updates. A new 6-speed automatic transmission with low-gear ratios provides improved acceleration performance and enhanced responsiveness; it's a thrilling new partner to the 300-horsepower, VTEC 3.7-liter V-6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The 2011 RL also boasts new resonators at each wheel to help minimize vibrations and road noise.

On the luxury front, a freshened conveniences list includes newly available rear parking sensors and power-folding outside mirrors, making this the most richly equipped RL to date.


Wow, nice improvements. Seems like they're at least trying to keep it alive.

 

An extra cog on the tranny=

Same powerplant=:thumbsdow

 

Sounds heavy, if not heavier. The side folding mirrors are cool, have them on my other car. 300hp? I'm sure the tq will bit more and lower on the powerband but 330 would have been nice. Looking forward to the revised style. Hopefully Acura is hearing the masses over the nose design.

 

Weren't the rear parking sensors always available as a dealer-installed item? Seems odd to be highlighting that as a "new" feature. Looking forward to seeing the new grille. I'll bet the "dramatic" 18" wheels are closer to the A-Spec wheels then the current RL stock wheels.

 

I am picturing a light lavender color ... not sure how that would work.

I really hope that 1 day they will offer the black wood that comes w/ the gray leather on the black leather. That would be ideal for me ... or even better, a metal trim kit that replaces all the wood.

Yes, rear sensors are already an option (perhaps it is a new version?):

Back-Up Sensors

* The Back-Up Sensors can assist you in difficult parking spots and alert you to obstacles that may be behind you, but out of your line of sight
* The driver is alerted by audible beeps as objects are approached
* Color-matched to original factory paint specifications for a factory appearance

MSRP: $533

Glad to see that they have not given up on the RL ...

 

I know there isn't enough of a market for it but I wish they would come up with an A-Spec option for the updated RL. Body kit and suspension upgrade would be cool.

 

Anyone know when this is going on sale?

 

They might make this available.

 

you know its funny if they would just listen to the consumer they could build a car that people want to buy instead they pay some moron probably millions of dollars to produce ugly cars just doesn't make sense to me...

 

Nice to know that Acura has some plans for the RL. Acura is serious about toning down that Power Phlegm grille.

 

TBD after fully seeing the new grille.

 

Legend (RL) Refreshed in Japan - 6at Confirmed & In-Wheel Silencer is Something New

Date: October 22, 2010 09:07
Submitted by: Jeff
Source: Honda Japan
Credibility Rating: Not Specified

We told you back in the spring that the RL would be receiving another mild refresh for the 2012 model year. We also told you to expect to see the fitment of Acura's 6-speed automatic transmission and some mild styling tweaks, but little else was known concerning what else might be in store for us. Now that Honda has officially issued a press release detailing the changes to the Japanese-market Honda Legend, we (probably) know a little more. According to the google translation of the press release, along with the expected 6-speed automatic, the update brings new noise reduction technology in the form of an in-wheel resonator designed to reduce in-cabin noise. Here's the translation of the relevant segment:

hollow resonator 18 (silencer) to be fitted in around the wheel so, or when the seams over the highway, and discomfort that occurs inside the tire when traveling on rough road resonant sound, with the wheel mechanism is suppressed by the world's 1st Noizuridyushingu resonance absorption.

Also, it appears that the RL will benefit from an upgraded VGA navi display and an updated HDD-based navi system. No surprise there. There appear to be few other changes of note.

 

Thanks TSX69.

Still nothing official on the Acura News site.

 

3.7 with 6 speed, VGA with HDD based navi. This is not new for Acura, it was just lifted from the MDX.
A hollow resonator in the wheels? It sounds like you will lose that feature with aftermarket wheels.
Infiniti gets 330 HP from 3.7 liters, it's about time the Honda 3.7 did a lot better than 300.

 

The 2011 full line brochure lists the RL available in Winter 2011. I would guess just before Acura releases the 2012 TL (with 6 speed auto & Advance package).

I think they did the same with the RL's first MMC, which arrived just ahead of the 2009 TSXs & TLs and ushered in the lovely bucktoothed grill.

 

Does "Winter 2011" mean January 2011 or December 2011?

 

...and they get better low-end torque as well.

 

LOL. My guess would be January or February since the 2012 comes out in March/April 2011 and they will/should give the RL the 6 speed auto first.

 

I'm thinking that this is very odd timing especially if 2012 comes out 3 months later. I think this means no major changes for 2012 and it probably will not be out in March/April 2011

 

He's referring to the 2012 TL.

 

I drove my '06 for a while, replaced the suspension with A-Spec, and drove a new '09 as a loaner. To my butt, the base '09 suspension, with its larger-diameter wheels and lower-section tires, feels a lot like my A-Spec. I personally wouldn't want it any stiffer.

 

Power folding mirrors.... rear parking sensors as well as front ones, I have it on my '07 Legend. What is new?
Anyway, looking forward to see official presentation.

 

Thanks. I guess multi-tasking doesn't always payoff.

 

Everybody else is also using dual overhead cams, while Honda sticks with singles for their V6 engines.

A Honda DOHC 3.2 liter 90° V6 was able to output 290 HP 10 years ago. Imagine what would be possible now if Honda put their engineering talent to work and came out with a DOHC modern 60° V6 instead of massaging the J series engine. Putting variable timing on the exhaust side was impressive for a SOHC design, but it added minimal gains relative to the displacement bump.

 

Imagine a DOHC 60 degree V6 with A-VTEC <--- click for patent info

 

Sounds cool and I'm with everybody else in saying that I'm happy to see Acura hasn't completely given up on the RL.

 

I'm actually pretty surprised by the 6 speed tranny for 2011 -- any time they make modifications to the powertrain, it has to be recertified and go through all the gov't tests before being sold. That testing isn't cheap, and given the low volume of RLs they sell, it doesn't seem to make economic sense, but hey, whatever works

It will be interesting to see what 2012 brings for the brand new RL.

 

If Acura is using the same engine and 6-speed transmission in the MDX, TL, and RDX, does it require any incremental expense for the RL? If anything it may save them money by having a standard engine/transmission configuration across a number of models.

 

Further, much of that testing may have already been done, though not completed.

Acura planned to launch the 6 speed tranny with the 2009 RL MMC. The RL was targeted to introduce the 6 speed. But Honda had quality concerns from the tranny's vendor and delayed the launch with the RL. Likely Honda was well along in testing and certifications.

Instead they chose to introduce it later, when approved, with the ZDX. And since the ZDX was a new model, it added to the buzz for the model. The RL may appear to have been slighted but the new tranny was intended to launch with the flagship.

***Greetings from Athens***

 

Some may feel the ZDX is now the Flagship of Acura. Certainly the price dictates that.

 

I know they are saying that because they need to drive sales for ZDX. So far in my area I have only seen one person buy the ZDX.

 

Acura media refers to the RL as the flagship model.

Most recently during the media debacle over the retiring of the JDM LEGEND (and assumed RL), from Acura press release:

Gary Robins, manager of Acura public relations in the U.S., released the following statement: "This morning erroneous media reports began to surface suggesting that Acura's RL model would be discontinued. These reports are untrue. The RL continues to be the flagship for the Acura brand and we have no plans to discontinue it."

As mentioned....dealers may project the ZDX as the flagship simply to hype it for sales. And based on the sales volumes, it is another success story in Acura marketing. *sarcasm intended*


***Greetings from Athens (Greece) ***

 

so 2011 RL is just an MMC?? Still on the KB1 Chassis??

I am starting to shop for a new car, and i am awaiting the 2011 RL/2012 TL to make my final decision.... if the new RL is an MMC, with the same underpowered J37 and MORE weight.... i will probably pass

power folding mirrors dont impress me.. .the only thing that does, is the air conditioned seats on the RL and i like the rear sunshade for some reason

 

sounds cool im lookin forward to seeing the updated RL

 

cool auto fold mirrors. think we can retrofit those on our 2nd gens?

 

I got the Acura news bulletin yesterday. No news about the RL. Did say that 2011 TL will have 6-speed manual

 

^ you mean auto? 6spd manual has been around since 2004

 

I have not kept up with TL, so did not know 6 speed manual has been there before. Sounded like it was new, but here's the quote (kind of vague on the auto, I'm assuming its not 6 speed until 2012): oops I deleted the newsletter.

Let me look for the quote online

 

Here it is:
"With its elegant styling, breathtaking performance and sophisticated features, the TL has everything going for it, including choices. For instance, the TL SH-AWD lets you choose between a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission and an automatic. The manual shift, working in tandem with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system is a remarkable combination, giving you control like you've never known. And with a 305-hp, 3.7-liter VTEC® V-6—Acura's most powerful engine—the TL SH-AWD is a real driving enthusiast's dream."

Checked online and auto is definitely not 6 speed

 

they should work on getting better gas mileage on the rl along with 300 plus hp, and a wider nav screen. the new nav screen on the 5 series is super nice. and of course toss the old grill and fire whoever approved that.