Silver™

<p><a href="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_front-hi.jpg"><img src="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_front.jpg" alt="Acura RL Front Fascia" style="float:left; margin:5px 5px 0 0;" /></a>The Acura RL A-SPEC concept was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show to near unanimous acclaim from show attendees. Acura debuted its A-SPEC program back in 2002 and is offered as an upgrade for the TL, TSX, and RSX. The program is lead by Makoto Tamamura of Honda Access Corporation, the developer of the chassis and suspension for the NSX supercar. The goal of the A-SPEC program is to provide complete dealer-installed accessory packages that highlight Acura's high performance image and conform to Acura's exacting quality standards.</p>
<p><a href="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_interior-hi.jpg"><img src="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_interior.jpg" alt="Acura RL Interior" style="float:right; margin:5px 0 0 5px;" /></a>The new RL, which was released late last year, has already won several industry awards and set monthly sales records since it's introduction. The new A-SPEC concept shows that Acura is able to even improve the RL further by making the exterior more aggressive, dramatically improving the handling, and enhancing the interior to make it even more beautiful. The RL A-SPEC concept is meant to be a design model to explore the next level of A-SPEC performance accessories for Acura's flagship sedan.</p>
<p><a href="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_brakes-hi.jpg"><img src="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_brakes.jpg" alt="Acura RL Brembo Brakes" style="float:left; margin:5px 5px 0 0;" /></a>The RL A-SPEC concept is one inch wider and the track has been widened 30mm over the standard RL. This is combined with custom 20-inch alloy wheels, and high performance Michelin Pilot Sport 245/40 R20 tires that lend to the aggressive appearance of the car. The RL A-SPEC concept is 1-inch lower thanks to the inclusion of a high performance suspension package with track-tuned shocks and springs. Brembo brake components on all four wheels feature 8-piston calipers and 15-inch drilled rotors. These features combined with the standard SH-AWD should help to give the RL A-SPEC concept amazing handling and stopping power.</p>
<p><a href="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_front_quarter-hi.jpg"><img src="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_front_quarter.jpg" alt="Acura RL A-SPEC" style="float:right; margin:5px 0 0 5px;" /></a>One of the most noticeable enhancements is the redesigned front fascia, which includes a newly designed bumper, a bold new grille and larger lower air intakes. The rear of the car was also improved upon with a restyled trunk lid that includes an integrated spoiler. A new rear bumper featuring pairs of dual, high-flow exhaust finishers has also been included. Other exterior enhancements include wide fender flares, restyled rocker panels and side sills.</p>
<p><a href="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_shiftgate-hi.jpg"><img src="/assets/articles/292545/acura_rl_shiftgate.jpg" alt="Acura RL Shift Gate" style="float:left; margin:5px 5px 0 0;" /></a>The interior of the RL A-SPEC concept features custom hand-stitched premium leather on the seats, instrument panel, and door panels. That is combined with a two-tone Alcantara headliner and blonde Birchwood accents and a wood sport steering wheel and shift knob that creates one of the most appealing interiors we have seen.</p>
<p>Be sure to check back for more updates on the RL A-SPEC and other Acura related news.</p>

soopa

That thing is incredibly. I don't know which wall paper to choose from

Zapata

saw that yesterday....i was floored.

dom

Only thing I dislike are the rip off TT seats. Other than that

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

That's a very very nice piece of work. I hope Acura actually builds it without cutting down on any of the exterior details. The seats look like they could use a little more bolstering on the sides.

titan

Awesome interior. Tasteful exterior.

DEI99662

I like the exterior over the interior.

Yumcha

So, I'm guessing that the A-Spec badge is Acura's replacement of Type-S?

Moog-Type-S

:imwithstu Why didn't Acura design the standard RL exterior like this??? Looks much better than the standard...it actually has some sort of identity for once. "Upgraded" leather looks cheap.

Precision Crafted

Now that is a nice looking car. A-Spec could be a replacement to Type S. Unlike the T-S, A-Spec has a modified look inside and out. T-S changed the wheels/Tires, slightly larger front brakes, some suspension changes, perforated leather and some badging along with a pwr increase. A-Spec is going further in all the above areas except pwr increases.

A-Spec should be a separate model in the way M, AMG, V, RS, R, and up coming GT are.

Sure not everyone will by an Acura A-Spec anything, but not everyone buys those other performance models either. They are there as an available option. They show that you can take a decent car like an E500 and make it better. You can take a nice small car like the A4 and make is throw the driver back into their seat when they punch the accelerator. Caddy and now Lexus are getting into the performance enhancement game. I say Acura should to. No, A-Spec will not make tons of money so they should just limit production just as the other lux companies do. At the same time, they should forget about the dealers adding A-Spec anything. It should be all factory.

Belzebutt

But without the power increase, A-Spec < Type-S. It's really nice and I like it, but the engine is probably the hardest thing to upgrade aftermarket and the last thing most people would want to mess with. They really need an engine upgrade to make it the same class as M, AMG, etc.

Precision Crafted

And there lies the problem. Honda/Acura official have already stated that IMA and SH-AWD are not compatable (yet). However the DN-X concept car used IMA and AWD with IMA driving the rear wheels. This posses a problem with SH-AWD. However is SH could be droped, IMA on the rear wheels added, then 400 hp for the RL is possible. The TL could have a per increase to 370hp and the TSX could have an increase to a modest 250hp (IMA adding 50hp). With 50hp for each wheel then a 300hp TSX could happen. As for the RSX, well at his point, do we know if the RSX will make it to a second generation? If so, then IMA could add an additional 10hp on top of the current 210.

The other I mentioned use superchargers or displacement increases. Audi and BMW are using different engines all together.

A rumor on Temple of VTEC indicated that Honda was testing out Turbos. Now the question is this. Will turbos be used on gas engines or not? Will Acura be willing to artificially boost pwr by using turbos? If so then, a pwr increase in in the bank.

fpique

That thing is the sickest Acura I have ever seen....

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

How much?

Silver™

It's a concept. But the normal RL A-SPEC package is $5,500 plus install.

That has:
"The RL A-SPEC package enhances the already crisp handling and aggressive styling with a track-tuned suspension package that lowers the car by approximately 3/4 inch, 18-inch alloy wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport tires, an underbody kit, and a deck lid spoiler."

Precision Crafted

Didn't Acura say that the concept was a design study for where the A-Spec package could go?

Silver™

Yup, we could very well see some of these features in the near future.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

We'll probably never see the brakes or the 20"s on the RL. Doesn't really jive with Acura's uber-conservative attitude towards styling, etc. Although I'd love to see them break the stereotype with the package pictured above.

cM3go

absolutely fricken beautiful... too bad its a concept... so like the badass TL A-spec concept, we won't see the reality

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

AWESOME!!!! except the stitching in the seats..... big X's???

Precision Crafted

You remember that car too! That was a nice design study. The Panarama roof, red leather, aggressive body work, clear tail light covers, heated and cooled seats.

Nice, very nice. Acura can do it, but won't. I wish they'd ask some us for our opinons when they do their opinion polls.

sufall96

I think the exterior is beautiful. I'm not to stuck on the interior. I personally like the current interior better. As far as A-Spec goes, I like the upgrades but the main reason someone would upgrade, especially a buyer in that class($50,000+) is for added power. The same reason I bought a TL Type S over the regular TL. The RL already has a weight to torque problem. So adding upgrades especially 20" rims should make the RL even heavier and slower. If horsepower and torque were bumped up(let's say 400hp and at least 350lbs of torque) this car would be more desirable. Then you could probally mention it with AMG or BMW M Series. I still don't think this is enough to overtake these cars but it is a start. Who wants to pay $55,000+ for a 7 second plus sedan that hanles a little better and stops a little shorter. After Acura gets through installing these upgrades plus tax you're looking at more of a 8-10 thousand dollar upgrade. I think you could make these mods for less and still have change in your pocket to beef up the engine. Just my opinion.

Precision Crafted

Well said. My reason for NOT getting A-Spec on my TL was a lack of pwr being added. A-Spec is a nice upgrade as far as handling is conserned. Motor Trend did a nice write up of a TL with A-Spec.

In order for Acura to compete (assuming they feel the need to) with AMG and others, they will need to boost hp and torque some kind of way.

JeffS

This isn't necessarily correct, look the Audi, BMW and MB with their Sport Packages. None of them add more power, but they are appearance add-ons, upgrades tires, suspension and rims for the most part. They are near the same price as the A-Spec package and this is what the A-Spec tries to counter.

To get the power grades on the Audi, BMW and MBs, you must pony up for the S, M and AMG models and they are considerably more expensive than Acura's A-Spec.

Personally, I wish Acura would do away with the Type S and A-Spec names as the are cheesy and come out with a factory installed Sport Package which would include the features found on the current A-Specs. But that is just my $.02.

sufall96

Point well taken, but Acura markets the A-Spec like it's some super version of the regular car(like the E55 Benz, a significant difference from the E320) rather than just simply saying it's a sport package.

PS I actually liked the Type S project. I just wish they would have taken it to another level.

rets

I like the original interior and seats better. IMO.

LessisBestmakingendsmeet

Does it have a bigger engine? Those seats remind me of the ones in the Audi TT special edition, looks like a baseball glove.

I would imagine this would add at least 5k to the price. Nutty to me.

hemants

That A-spec is ugly.

fsttyms1

ILL Take one!

dallison

that looks awesome

1killercls

Awesome Car...wish I had the dinero.

2003type-s6

Yup.
Looks really hot, but.........
1. No manual transmission
2. No HP increase, still V-6
3. Already $ 50,000 price tag, plus 5,000 + install out the door? No way it can compete w/ the M's and AMG's. Looks nice, looks sweet like the 2001 silver SEMA CLS did.

PDX3.2TL

Okay!!! I think that Acura has finally redeemed themselves when it comes to the RL!!! yeah!

Precision Crafted

No, this car cannot compete with the likes of AMG or M's at this point. They have power increases yet at this point, Acura isn't showing any of the outside world any hope of a power increase for their handling packages. This isn't to say they can't. If I were to take a guess, I'd say that someone(s) w/i the company doesn't think there is much of a market for an RL or TL A-Spec Concept type with a healthy pwr increase. Honda seems to be very much into the high volume production idea. Yes I know Honda has built limited producation cars like the NSX and S2000. But, look at those. Their sales are down. Well in the NSX's case the car is too old! No meaningful up dates have occured, so the sales should be down. The S2K is not the type of car for the masses. So it's sales should be down. Unlike those two, the RL and TL A-SC's are based on mass produced models. They will not sale in huge numbers and don't need to as they would have their lessor siblings to keep sales alive.

Road Rage

Sorry, but that thing looks like a whore house on the Ginza. The interior looks like a poorly made Wilson A2000. The wheels are Cuisinart accesories. The grill makes the Audi nose look good. Me no like.

swami

I saw it in person Thursday at the show. That fucker RAWKS. I'm not a big fan of the interior, but the exterior is awesome.

evilone

i dont like it

joono_sid

I hope the production A-Spec kit includes this exhaust shown with the Modulo Legend.

ilitig8

I like it, but it will be significantly more than 5500 for the parts, the brakes alone are close to that! If they do bring all of that the price would almost have to be over 10K for the parts alone. Wheels, tires and brakes alone would be over $8k.

Vandy

ILTSXer

I really want one! It's AWD right?