Anyone else see the two TSB's EE4life posted for the 2016 RLX?

 

Acura can't have the current RLX FWD and AWD for the 2016 model year. Come on, a 6 and 7 speed transmission. Even the new 2016 Honda Pilot has the 9AT and the rear seat entertainment system. Acura really needs to bring us an RLX MMC for 2016.

 

Did anybody notice there are only two trim levels - Tech and Advance - plus a special order only Navigation package?

 

Yes. And thanks to EE4Life for keeping the TSBs posted.

Considering there has be NO official mention of the 2016 RLX this is the first evidence...and it appears to be soon.

Other than the Acura Watch package (and part of the Advance) I yet to see anything that speaks of significant changes. But these are the TQI documents for dealer tech to prep the cars for delivery so it is not full feature documentation.

And yes, 2 trims one Special Order. Considering they currently have more trims then cars sold, I expected this. (sarcasm intended) But I worry I see no mention of a Sport Hybrid. I am hoping this will be a separate TQI.

 

I think that the sarcasm was lost with "then cars sold"?

 

AcuraWatch Plus !!

 

I bet separate TQI for the 2016 Sport Hybrid. Glad to see the 2016 RLX right around the corner given these documents appearing. Will add the TSBs to the main TSB link after work. It's been a long week....

 

AcuraWatch Plus = the car is fully self aware and drives itself?? Thankfully, the RLX has a roomy back seat where you can sleep while the car does the driving.

Alternatively, the AcuraWatch Plus could mean that the RLX transforms itself into a time keeping device that you wear around your wrist??

 

^^
I'm also betting a separate TQI for the 2016 Sport Hybrid. But why would Acura be releasing a 2016 RLX FWD soon when the 2015 model came out only about 7 months ago?

 

^^ has anything else about the RLX release made any sense up to this point?

 

Maybe because the 2015 sold so poorly. They need to re-establish some momentum for the flagship line. Hopefully the 2016 will correct a number of the issues experienced in the 2014 and 2015 PAWS.

If the 2016 does show a marked improvement, then perhaps they will open their wallet for some much needed advertising to promote the RLX, and by association help the brand image. The brand sure suffers when their flagship is a dud [other than the Sport Hybrid which is a great car IMHO but invisible because of very limited production].

 

Reminds me of this:


Oh man, I'm aging myself again.
*Bob scuttles off back to work*

 

Indeed. Since they have all but erased the RLX from adverts and such, I expect (and hope) a re-launch is being planned. Hopefully they learned what they F'd up with the RLX launch and the Beta Testers have reported. The RLX is not a bad car by any means, but there are things they can (and hopefully will deliver in 2016) do better.

 

Looks like it will have the old 6AT but does get the new keyless access remote. Possibly the integrated remote start too?

 

Check out page 10 on the 15-014 TSB. There's a HUD in the 2016 PAWS? Cool!

 

On second thought, that procedure is different from the HUD setup in the Sport Hybrid TQI TSB, so maybe not.

 

^^
They call it a HUW or Head Up Warning in the windshield. Any guesses as to the difference between a HUD and HUW?

 

I wonder if it the same as the brake warning that the CMMS does on the PAWS if it looks like you might crash. Mine flashes on my windshield as a warning to brake.

 

thats exactly what the HUW is
less sophisticated than HUD, but very effective

 

I see now. Thanks for pointing that out. I would say, though, that there might as well be a HUD in the PAWS. It's a feature that would certainly assist in making he value to price equation IMHO.

 

I agree I believe even the TLX high end model has the HUD.

 

^ the HUD is only available in the Sport Hybrid RLX. I agree it should come standard in all RLX models, including the PAWS, as Bob said - to help increase the value / price equation.

 

The 2014/2015 RLX already has the keyless access remote. None of them however have the integrated remote start like the TLX. Acura makes you pay extra money to get remote start as an option for the RLX, and it's not even as functional as the remote start in the TLX.

One of my biggest pet peeves about Acura's execution of the RLX...

 

I don't like that, either. I'd use remote start if it worked a little differently, but it's not worth buying (to me) the way that the older design works on the RLX.

I know why it happened. The RLX was supposed to be a 2013 release and it got sort of stuck with older technology, one generation back.

 

They did a great job with it, too. I hope it's a sign of where they're going with future models.

Very legible, crisp.

The only thing I would wonder about is that the power distribution meter is very busy. If they have that up on the HUD, I am afraid that people will be looking at that when they should be looking at something else.

:-)

 

So by this do you mean that a 2013 year model RLX was supposed to be released in mid/late 2012?

If so that would explain ALOT of things about the RLX. Had it been released at that time, then heck yea it would have been much more relevant and in line with (and slightly ahead of) the competition, and much further ahead of the rest of the Acura lineup. Likely to further mean that we would already have an MMC by now that kept the RLX up-to-date with the rest of the lineup, and not this ridiculous release cycle where the lower priced cars get the newer technology first.

The more I think about it, there are two opportunities to keep me in the brand...1) a solid 2016 MMC (although I'm losing hope, and my gut says it will likely just be another minor update) or 2) they take their time and put all their efforts to make the flagship a real flagship and save it for an all new 2017 model, released mid 2016, right when my lease is up

Otherwise, I believe I've made my mind up on going with a fully loaded C400 4-matic, unless something else more intriguing (and within my price range) has come out by spring of 2016. Or 3)...I could just strike it rich by then and afford an NSX...

 

I really hope we see a non-hybrid SH-AWD model. Hey, a guy can dream right?

Guess I'll have to keep the RL a little longer.

Chris

 

They released some info on the 2016, no word on Hybrid but three trims: Navi, Tech and Advance. Changes include AcuraWatch features on the Tech Package (is this 'technically' now Tech+?). New Surround View 360 degree camera. Changes to the shock piston rods (thicker), spring rates (softer), roll bars (thinner), and shock mounts (more rigid?). No word on cosmetics or drivetrain (9AT?) but since it's not really MMC time (based on previous RLs) I'm not surprised.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that changes like that could indicate that there simply will not be an SH-AWD RLX in North America.

 

I wouldn't say that, George. I think they are waiting for our beta test to play itself out first. What we few owners have to say about the car is likely of some import.

Either that, or as I've joked before, I've got another low-volume, rare beast in my driveway. I seem to love the oddballs.

 

Softer spring rates and thinner roll bars?

If there *is* a Sport Hybrid, then it must have its own unique suspension.

 

The press release mentions only the rear anti-roll bar as being reduced.

So they've listened to people who felt that the P-AWS system was a little too aggressive, and they're looking for slower transitions and the reduction in the possibility of the mild oversteer that made the P-AWS car perform better than expected on the track.

Dammit.

I suppose the old thicker bar is a bolt-on. :-)

 

Well, my friend, not everyone knows how to drive as well as you do.

 

So I am thinking.......Would Acura do something really outrageous? In order to stand behind their "Flagship" and keep their loyal customer base, would they be willing to switch out the stiffer shock/spring set up, for those 14/15 RLX models with the reported "brittle" ride complaints? My assumption is no to that ludicrous question. Yes the part numbers are different, but the mounting points and geometry likely are not. I just saying........

Personally I love the stiff suspension. It makes the car feel alive. If I wanted a Lexus softy I would have bought an ES or LS. They can resolve the suspension setting issue with the magna ride from Delco that is on many exotic cars including the Corvette and CTS-V, but that would be REALLY outrageous. This way if you want float or race settings it is just a turn of the nob away. Anyone at Acura listening? We are your customers who will buy your future products! Listen to us, not your focus groups. Give us an hour and we will assemble the perfect RLX that will attract a line out the door like there is for the Hellcat and Z-06. OK, maybe I just left the reservation for a moment, but I saw clear blue sky for the first time in weeks this morning after clearing the driveway for the 900th time this winter! The wall of snow is 6-8 feet high all the way around my driveway now. I can't see out of my driveway when going into the street! Where is spring???? I am delirious now.

 

I think that the 2016 updates are wise and may address much of the PAWS model issues (at least from my perspective). But I agree it is not a MMC.

Yet in the Consumer Reports 2015 Annual Auto Issue that just arrived in my mailbox today, in the class of Luxury / Midsize - Large Car the RLX was the pick that owners are least satisfied with.

Typically I do not give much weight to CR reviews, but in this case, I tend to agree. But did Acura do enough to counter this perception? It took a substantial early MMC for the Civic to get it back on track. Will this be enough for the RLX? I think the damage is done and with a low volume, off the radar vehicle that even the brand does not seem to love,,,, my prediction is DOA.

 

interesting...that's about all I can say at the moment until more details are released.

I plan to test drive both the C400 and the 435i in the coming weeks...

 

I'm predicting heavy discounts off msrp by year's end. Hell AutoTrader is still showing about 85 brand new 2014's. I wonder how much those are going for now and who would actually buy an almost 2 year old new car at outrageous prices?

 

The RLX with Advance Package has been improved with AcuraWatch™ including surround view camera and a bi-directional remote engine starter.

FYI- Guess that change was made after all.

 

Yeah, I wondered about that bi-directional remote engine starter ... does it allow one to start the engine either forward or backward?

I guess I would have been impressed if they replaced the 6spd tranny with the 9spd, but to tell the truth I've always felt 6 speeds was about optimal ... more can be too many and fewer isn't enough. And given that the RLX gets very impressive gas mileage with the 6spd, I suppose it's fine. But image is everything, and the competition have more gears.

.
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My understanding is that bidirectional remote starters not only start the car from a distance, but the car communicates back to the remote to tell you that it has started (as well as other status items such as security system status, doors locked etc.)