Everything is 100% speculation until Acura puts it in writing. I'm only saying that because each of you think YOUR dealership salesman boy is right, but they give contridicting information.

 

I thought that No Info will be disclosed till Sept 1st so what u mean the agreement is over..

 

So does this mean ventilated seats are a go?

 

I'll tell you what I DO know..

It is a 3.2 engine putting out 283 hp at the crank. So its rated 13 hp more than it claims. This was true on the Accord as well. I would assume it is still SOHC. I do not know if it has i-VTEC or DOD (displacement on demand/cylinder de-activation)

No word on ventilated seats, it would be on the RL before the TL. The TL has been kicking the RL's trash for too long. The RL is at prototype stage right now and it has been sighted both in Germany and Japan for testing. Apparently Honda UK has a lot of input on the RL/Legend and they are trying to make it very Euro. It will be AWD and have a lot of features from the Dualnote concept.

As for the Sept 1st deadline, that is still true for all current Honda emloyees. I get my info from insiders who work WITH Honda rather than for Honda. That includes dealerships. 99% of them don't know what they are talking about. However, I've been friends with one salesman for 5 years, he has been a salesman for various Honda dealerships since 1983 and was mechanic at Honda dealerships for about 10 years before that. He is one source who has been right 99% of the time and he has in fact driven prototypes/pre-production models of the Accord/Civic. Since he is NOT an employee of Honda (dealerships are independent, hence the reason why they aren't told anything either) he can talk about it all he wants unless he is forced to sign a NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and he has not been asked to as of yet.

 

I wonder if the RL will be the car to get instead of the TL?

 

That would makes sense wouldn't it? The RL should be the most desirable model that you aspire to afford. It also gives some prestige back to Acura.

 

It also requires you to have a fat wallet..

Yes the current ones go on Huge discounts, but if it is infact going to be AWD and better than TL, THan dont expect discounts after it comes out anytime soon

 

HUMPHREY BOGART TO INGRID BERGMAN, in CASABLANCA :p

 

I for one would like to see the RL as a true flagship again.

 

Some of u seriously need to buy Corvettes cause u live a 1/4 mile at a time. If your not happy with 270hp, something is wrong with u.

 

Speaking of the RL.... here's something you might want to peek at...

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6284

 

Wow, the new "Flagship" sure is bizarre.

 

It looks good to me, TL/TSX on the front and previous gen Maxima or SC430 in the rear. Remember its disguised so it looks "bizarre" but to the trained eye you can tell these things

Did you notice the HUGE rear tires and oversteer during that sharp corner? AWD?

 

Perhaps, disguised or otherwise, the light clusters still seem a little odd to me.

 

I like the look of the RL. I'll wait until that comes out and hopefully they don't raise the price over $44,000.00 (wishful thinking i know)

 

$44,000 would be a steal, with only minor improvements. IMO, it will get close to $50k.

 

It would be a steal, I wonder if the new RL/Legend will be built in Ohio this time, from the spy photos it looks like its built on a stretched Accord platform. That will reduce costs.

 

Ya $50k or more might be the actual price if they do put IMA (AWD) and have V6 with 400 HP...

Also will all the gadgets and new look, you wont find it under MSRP for a while I think

 

AWD is a must for 300+ hp and torque output from a 3.5L engine. There is no way a FWD car can maintain good handling with that much power, unless there is some major breakthrough in chassis and suspension designs. Just think about this. The front tires have to double the works for turning and accelerating tractions at the same time. The VSA might even cut in reducing the driving power to maybe equivalent to a 2.5L - 3.0L engine.

 

After looking at the new '05 RL spy shot it looks like one manufacturer has got it right finally. BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER!! ......BIGGER FRIGGIN SUCKS :yack:......Beautiful proportions!!! What can I say? SPORTY, NIMBLE, LITHE, AGILE, HIGHLY-MANUVERABLE (any more adjectives?).......True it's the flagship, but if it's length is a very reasonable 190ish inches long (around 189 - 191) that would make it perfect!!......not a long boat as it's right now for 90 year old men and people who don't know the first thing about DRIVING!... For those that scream BIGGER all the time, take this: :thefinger .....cause Acura is not listening to you anymore ......By the same token, for people who want even more of an emphasis on agility, nimbleness and sporty handling, the new '04 TL is hopefully even shorter at around 186-187 inches length!!

 

What '05 RL shot is that?

 

.......posted earlier by Ken1997TL

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6284

 

Have we officially abandoned the TL in this thread?

 

I think we should go back to the TL cause that RL is FUGLY :/

 

i am gonna forget the TL and buy my a 350Z until acura copies the damn design and gets some power and backwheel drive

 

350z is a nice car. Kind of small inside and the glove box is behind the passenger seat.

No touch screen with the navi.

 

No Type-S this year? I'm really disappointed...