ostrich

Nice and informative article on Edmunds:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/t...alkaround.html

seanlin

Dont know much stuffs in these pictures. Can't really tell good or bad.

Anyone can come up with a good summary?

Colin

Haha, Well, whole books and papers have been written about suspension design. However, in the broadest terms, a double wishbone suspension system is superior to a McPherson strut suspension system. a double wishbone suspension system uses two sets of control arms (the wishbones) to locate the wheel in its proper relationship to the road. Because there are upper and lower control arms the wheel is better able to move up and down through its suspension travel without changing the angle that the tire face touches the pavement. An additional benefit of this type of design is that the coil spring and shock absorber are relieved of the location duties.

With a McPherson strut, there is one set of control arms at the bottom of the wheel hub but the stress performs the duties of an upper control arm as well as spring and shock absorbing duties. The article is pointing out that the RLX uses a wishbone design and the Accord uses a McPherson strut design.

Other things that are noteworthy. It appears as if there is a good deal of aluminum in the suspension. This should help reduce unsprung weight for better performance. They also noticed that the engine/transmission cradle is made of aluminum as well. This is not new, the TL, RL also shared this trait and have since 2004 (at least).

On the downside they discuss the move to a simpler front braking system than previously. I also noticed that the edges of the disc brake rotor or rusting? I thought this was something Acura had solved by plating the edges. This is not a functional issue, but rather a cosmetic one.

Overall, it's a really good look under the car. I have some pictures (somewhere) of the previous generation RL underbody. If I can find them I'll post it for comparison.

GoHawks

Double wishbone

This was a good underbody video of the previous gen RL.

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=452729

hondamore

A good article to read for all of those who keep spouting off the "RLX is nothing more than a fancy Accord" and the "shared platforms means it's really the same car underneath" rubbish.

WheelMcCoy

The RLX has 2.9 inch more wheelbase than the Accord -- good for those who want a more comfortable ride.

The article also describes the front brakes, with a racy logo plate, as "jewelry." It's really a single piston sliding caliper, but hey, the RLX needs more "wow" factor. So to my eyes, this is a good thing.

Most interesting is the double wishbone suspension with dual ball joints. In general, anything over 200hp in a FWD car generates torque steer... unless there's something fancy in the suspension. This setup is how Acura tames the 300+ horses that go to the front wheels.

JM2010 SH-AWD

Agreed, but I have a feeling those folks won't bother to read it. Facts often get in the way of a good, forcefully-announced opinion.

the_razor

awesome article...hopping the next TLX will come with double wishbone rather than mac's.

weather

^^^ Don't get your hopes up...my gut feeling says that it will not be a DWS....

KeithL

I would be shocked if TLX were DWS as it will be based on Accord and thus leverage that parts bin.

silver3.5

I wouldn't be surprised if the TLX shares the same suspension geometry as the Accord, macpherson!

Colin

That's probably true. But there is room to maintain hope for DWBs. Remember that these 'platforms' are actually three individual pieces with the front and rear subframes mounted to a central piece. Since the TL will surely use a cast aluminum front sub-frame vs. the Accords (I'm assuming) stamped steel, they could plan for DWB if they felt it would garner enough additional sales to offset an assumed increase in cost for DWB.