Colin

I think we'll see a 'prototype' in April as noted earlier. It's going to be a busy year! I think it's been noted we'll learn more about the ILX in Chicago on Feb. 8th, the RDX launches on April 2nd, and the RL in NY later that month. I'd bet that the ILX could launch in May if rumors I hear are correct. Then I think the Acura side will settle down a bit for the Accord launch, then the RL follows in the fall.

typeR

because if i remember id say all the way back the RL was designed to have the IMA system of the dual note so maybe there wasnt room for that if they planned on there being electric motors there

TSX69

2013 Acura RL to Feature NSX Hybrid System & Eventual 9-Speed Auto?

At next week’s 2012 New York Auto Show we will be treated with a thinly-veiled concept version of the next-generation Acura RL, which is expected to go on sale before the end of the year as a 2013 model.

2 different versions of this new RL will eventually be offered to customers: a regular V-6 model and a gasoline-electric hybrid model packing a detuned version of the advanced drivetrain pegged for the new NSX supercar due in showrooms sometime in the next three years.

We were given a preview of the new hybrid drivetrain at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, where it was announced that it would appear in the next-generation NSX.

However, Honda president Takanobu Ito has since confirmed to Automotive News (subscription required) that the next-generation RL will also feature the hybrid drivetrain in an attempt to boost the brand’s technological credentials.

"The technology has outstanding handling," Ito said. "The thinking behind the RL and NSX systems is the same, but the NSX's will be more sports car focused."

The design utilizes 3 electric motors in total, 2 powering 1 axle and a 3rd integrated with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and gasoline V-6 that will power the alternating axle. Powering the 3 electric motors will be a central lithium-ion battery.

The key difference between the RL and NSX drivetrains will be the layout. In the RL, the gasoline V-6 and integrated electric motor component will be mounted up front and power the corresponding front axle. In the NSX, the gasoline V-6 and electric motor will be mounted in a mid-engine position and power the rear axle.

Both cars, however, are expected to benefit from multiple driving modes, including electric- or gas-only modes, plus a hybrid mode calling on both electric and gas power. The latter will offer drivers all-wheel drive capability, or as Acura likes to call it “Super Handling All-Wheel Drive” (SH-AWD), as power will be sent to both axles.

In a separate report, Acura is claimed to be exploring the use of ZF’s latest 9-speed automatic transmission technology. Automobile, citing an inside source, said Acura may adopt the 9-speed automatic as early as 2014 as an alternative to its existing automatic, CVT and dual-clutch units.

Fortunately, we won't have to wait too long now for the reveal of the 2013 Acura RL as press days for the 2012 New York Auto Show commence on April 4.

savage

Any of you get invited to this reveal?

fsttyms1

Just adopt the 9 speed already. Dont wait. It took acura this long to finally get a 6 speed, i hope they dont take another 10 years to get something better.

biker

So that's how they'll spread the costs - drivetrain whore the NSX into the RL? By the time the NSX actually comes out Honda may work out all the bugs of this set up. That SH-AWD option might be really expensive.

Legend2TL

Somehow I doubt they will integrate the 9AT ZF box for the RL since getting the 3rd electric motor integrated into the forward drivetrain will be tricky unless they resort back to the platter style motor that Honda used for their small engine hybrid system. Honda did a press release that indicated they are going to a larger non-platter style motor in the newer hybrid V6 drive-train. That would mean a transfer mechanism sort like the planetary gears like so many hybrid drive-trains use. I can't believe ZF would rework their 9AT just for Honda just for SHAWD applications. Not enough volume to me.

biker

The 9AT issue was thrown into the story to confure things - it has nothing to do with the RL. I assume the new RL will have a FWD setup with a 6AT or 7DCT and the much more complex SH-AWD setup (from NSX) with the 7DCT. And I further assume that the V6 will be the new Earth Dreams variety.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

the 9AT is speculated to replace their CVT offerings which the RL wont have.

csmeance

In all honesty, a 9 spd transmission is overkill for almost any sort of car. 6-7 gears is probably where you hit the wall for diminishing returns. For example the Lexus LS with it's 8spd seems like it's gear hunting when I test drove it, MB's 7 and the BMW 6spd seemed great when I drove them selecting the proper gear easily (because they only use 1st gear when forced into it).

F23A4

In the spirit of smart luxury, I thought we'd decided to make the ILX the new Acura flagship.

TSX69

2012 Acura RL Replacement Named RLX
Coming to NY

The confirmations of new product at the New York International Auto Show keep coming. This year the show is set to play host to a whole slew of important debuts. SRT Viper, Fisker Nina, Honda Crosstour Concept, Hyundai Sante Fe, the 2013 Chevrolet Impala and Traverse have all been confirmed. Earlier today Toyota released a teaser of what is likely to be the new Avalon.

Particularly in the full-size sedan arena the show will be an interesting 1 – Chevrolet Impala, Toyota Avalon (likely) and now the replacement for the Acura RL. Wards Auto has confirmed that the new sedan will be getting a name change, dubbed RLX. RLX? What is it with Acura these days sticking X on everything? We thought X was supposed to mean crossover, or at least all-wheel drive. Regardless, RLX it is. As far as full-size sedans go, the current RL is just about as uncompetitive as they come.

1st introduced in 2004 as a 2005 model, the RL is overdue for a replacement. The mid-cycle enhancement it received for 2009 did it no favors, only making it look more dated (in our humble opinions). According to Acura’s vice-president Jeff Conrad, the redesign will be a total 1. That is good news. Past reports have pointed to the new car being the 1st to debut Honda’s new hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive technology.

The system would eliminate the usual AWD driveline because the rear wheels would be powered by electric motors. This would enable the SH-AWD’s usual front-to-back side-to-side distribution of power. If true, that’s what we like to hear – innovative technology to differentiate Acura from the rest. Acura is near-luxury, and it has adopted that role wholeheartedly with the new ILX and redesigned RDX. It remains to be seen where the new sedan will be positioned. Without rear-wheel drive or V-8 power though, we don’t expect it to make much of an impact.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

So is the next TL going to be a TLX too?

ttribe

+1 This is getting silly.

phile

soon it'll be Acura-X

dom

Legend > *

Moog-Type-S

X means SUV.....right, Acura?

Oh wait, never mind, this is Acura. There model letter system was never meant to have any rhyme or reason to it.

TSX69

Acura Will Debut New RLX FlagShip Sedan in NYC

Acura’s next flagship sedan will likely be called RLX, and is expected to debut next month at the New York auto show. The company hasn’t made an official announcement yet, but two signs point to RLX as the replacement badge for RL. 1st, Acura VP Jeff Conrad may have told Wards that RLX is the new name; when asked, Acura representatives declined to confirm whether the Wards quote was accurate. 2nd, the company has applied to trademark the name RLX with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Neither is dispositive, but taken together, we’re pretty convinced.

The RLX is set to replace the aged and out-classed RL, but will follow a similar formula. Like the outgoing RL, the RLX will feature all-wheel drive and a V-6 engine. This time, however, Acura’s range-topper will use a clever hybrid system to drive the rear wheels with electric motors. The setup should prove to be lighter and continue to offer rear-axle torque vectoring.

With the RLX replacing the RL, the TL will be the last car in the Acura lineup with a 2-letter name. We’ve been told that Acura will offer just 3 sedans in the future—the new ILX and RLX will be 2 of those, meaning that either the TL or the TSX is likely to bite the dust. Given its 2-letter name, the TL might be the more likely candidate, but Acura is currently in the process of trademarking TLX. We’ll just have to wait and see.

phee

iTrader: (5)

something tells me the RL-X will be the upper level variant of the RL. the one with the nsx engine...

Ken1997TL

RL Hybrid

and TL Hybrid

Rocketsfan

The RLX... relics? Hmm... Good luck, Acura - hope you get the car right, even if you don't get the name right because it's the car that makes the name.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

AWD and a V6, that's new and shocking.

TSXy Luster

Acura's usage of "X" has always been to stand for "experimental" not crossover or 4 wheel drive, etc...

phile

it sounds like Rolex, maybe they're aiming for luxury by association

biker

Size wise, the TL getting axed makes sense. But otherwise it makes no sense to kill the TL. Unless the next Accord is a world platform and the TSX based off it would be a combo TSX/TL. Who knows.....

biker

Size wise, the TL getting axed makes sense. But otherwise it makes no sense to kill the TL. Unless the next Accord is a world platform and the TSX based off it would be a combo TSX/TL. Who knows.....

Moog-Type-S

You driving a Relics?

speedemon90

wait so this car will have the engine driving the front wheels and the electric motor drives the rear wheels??????

If this is suppose to show what the NSX is gonna be like, I hope thats not the case.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

NSX will have the exact opposite layout...??

the 2g TL concept was called the TLX....so...

AZuser

Adding an X to the end would keep the naming consistent.

It was kinda odd before... RSX, TSX, TL, RL

Since Acura's also in the process of trademarking TLX, line up will likely be ILX, TSX, TLX, and RLX for sedans. RDX and MDX for SUV. ZDX for crossovers or whatever they're calling it. and NSX for super sports car.

savage

They have to nail this model as a "Flagship Sedan." There is too much competition from Infiniti, Lexus, Hyundai right now for them to drop another dud...

F23A4

Any chance this just might be a 2.75G RL?

Ken1997TL

I really doubt it. Acura will need to meet the newer roof strength standards etc.

vybzkartel

Yeah, I think it'd make sense.

Basically, _LX will denote sedans. _DX denotes SUV's.

Since the NSX is a coupe/sports car, then maybe _SX will denote coupes? Maybe the TSX(name) will become a coupe?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I miss the good old days of Legend, Vigor and Integra

F23A4

....though I feel that the Integra should have been sold as a Honda.

speedemon90

from the first article on the page. I would think the NSX has the opposite layout, i'm sure it would. But going by the article apparently not. Probably is false though.

TSX-Tuner

RLX? LOL. Sounds neat, but Ralph Lauren better be receiving royalties.

Edward'TLS

RLX ..... A new name.

RLX ..... A good name.

RLX ..... A phoenix resurrected from the dead. A new beginning for the Acura flag-ship sedan.

Let's all forget about the RL and all it's bad deeds.

Let's all wipe clean what the Acura flag-ship sedan once was.

Good move by the Acura marketing team.

KillerG

bicycle available for download in the app store:





The earlier rumors said it looked alot like the current iteration, which is very disconcerting as far as visual appeal goes.

Alot is going to rest on this cars technical merits, and I hope the e-ShAwd is all its cracked up to be, not just for the RL, but for the NSX as well, and really the future of Acura

if e-ShAwd is a joke that wont be a promising sign for our upcoming star child.