George Knighton

There's a thread where people are talking about VSA and the wisdom of leaving it on or turning it off. Somebody mentioned a near calamity on an access ramp and that reminded me of something.

Please keep this in perspective: I'm not claiming that the RLX is any kind of ultimate driving vehicle and I've already complained that in a carousel situation it's not perfect because of the time it takes the three signals to tell the P-AWS actuators that you are serious about what you're doing.

But....

There's this particular access ramp that is a favorite test bed for me and occasionally I can catch it without any other cars near me, and it afford me a clear view all the way through the ramp to the other road and I can see any traffic that's on the ramp, and I can see for about ¼ mile whether there's cars approaching on the road to which I'm getting access.

So as you can imagine, for any one of us this would be a favorite test site.

:-)

Well, here's the thing....

2010 TL 6-6 SH-AWD, completely stock, 52 mph was the maximum that this car could handle. 4th gear was the best.

2014 RLX Advance, completely stock....still 52 mph.

0_0

This really surprises me. The car is huge and I am really surprised that it equals the speed of the TL.

Now, this is what it looks like. Kind of hard to be absolutely certain because both cars are analogue gauges, but that is sure as hell what it looks like!!

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

For long sweeping corners, people do not give the RLX enough credit. It actually is a surprisingly capable handler and acquits itself pretty well in many situations. Even throwing it through some serious corners on a windy coastal road, it was sprightly and well mannered. Sure it exhibits some understeer at first, but as soon as the P-AWS adjusts the geometry of the rear suspension, it feels very neutral and is able to carry quite a bit of cornering speed.

This is why I am actually excited to see P-AWS on the upcoming TLX. It should handle pretty well even without the SH-AWD.

neuronbob

I think we all have our favorite "test roads". I'd love to see what you can do the next time you get your hands on a Sport Hybrid RLX.

Even so, that's pretty impressive from a FWD/PAWS RLX. Thanks for sharing.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

tires will be the limit.

if you're running around on crappy stock tires, they will give out WAAY before you reach the SHAWD and PAWS limit.

2011TL

George,

For those of us living in northern VA can you share the location? I'd like to try my stock 2009 Tech SH-AWD TL on it.

Thanks

neuronbob

A good point. Acura tends to choose tires that are better for cruising than for fun.

George Knighton

Do you really think that's a good idea? If you end up in the pond, you might construe that it is my fault!

:-)

scv76

How many ponds can there be?....Nice clue George!!

George Knighton

Ha ha ha ha.... He won't be able to narrow it down from that.

We have a habit of designing full-time ponds into the centers of the circles of cloverleafs. They have water all the time and fulfill Virginia's regulations concerning wetland conservation, but they are situated to handle flood runoff as well.