TSX69

Production-Ready Acura RLX Revealed in Patent Images

Acura’s push for more radical, independent styling could be over before it starts. These pictures, which were made public this week in a European design patent database, show an RLX sedan that’s been dulled down from the only slightly edgier concept version presented last April. The RLX will arrive in early 2013 as the replacement for the RL as Acura’s range-topping sedan.

The lower front and rear clips on (what we presume is) the production RLX have been changed from the concept car, with a standard rounded lower air intake up front and integrated exhaust outlets in the rear. These bookend a generally uninspiring shape, with the front looking rather like that of a current RL or TL, and the side and rear reminiscent of everything from a Lexus GS to a Chevy Cruze to a BMW 7-series.

Although Acura will undoubtedly promote the RLX as a fun-to-drive, high-tech showcase, the truth is that this car is aimed squarely at aging Baby Boomers. RLX customers are more likely to be cross-shopping the RLX with a Cadillac XTS, we think, than an avant-garde Audi A6. As such, Acura has said in the past that the RLX’s interior is significantly more spacious than in the company’s previous cars—despite its size, the RL has always had compromised interior packaging.

The only major U.S. auto show left on the calendar for 2012 is Los Angeles in November. Acura could pull the sheets off of the production RLX there, but an earlier non-auto-show debut is always possible.

pttl

^
really?!?!

biker

....and once again Acura has a great drivetrain and interior surrounded by sheet metal that screams cheap Accord.

dom

Are you surprised? It's the car shown in NY. Boring as all hell mind you but not surprising.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

My friend and I were talking about it in the Acura booth, and one of the Acura people got a bit pissed when I said it looks like a Chrysler.

charliemike

Wow, just wow.

Type34

Note to Acura: congrats on your previous-gen Lexus GS.

What you fail to understand is that the "luxury" segment is often a forerunner for design and technology, trickling down to the lower segments (not the other way around).

Your RLX's high deck, lower nose, with longer front and rear overhangs was popular, say, 12-15 years ago. The 1998 Lexus GS comes to mind. As such, Camrys, Accords, Altimas, etc. have been adopting this look for quite some time.

Modern luxury cars, however, have moved on from this dated design.

To maximize legroom, longer wheelbases with short front and rear overhangs is now expected. In addition, to provide a coupe-like design but not sacrifice rear headroom, a more hatch-like rear (with almost no deck) provides a more aerodynamic airflow.

Acura, here's an example: the 2013 Tesla S (and before you cry foul, the S starts at $49,900)





(If you're unfamiliar with "Tesla", please see Jaguar XF, BMW 5-series, and even the aforementioned Cadillac XTS)

Moog-Type-S

All the fanboys saying it was not going too look like a generic vanilla "Accord".

Maybe you guys will wake up and finally understand the mess that is Acura.........probably not.

The flagship of your brand looks like this?!?!?!

Another failure from Acura.

Yumcha

Isn't the flagship supposed to be the incoming NSX?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

No, the NSX is supposedly the halo car.

Moog-Type-S

I thought that was the HALO car?

YEH

That's due to Honda using a greenhouse w/ the Hofmeister kink on both the Accord and RLX.

Aside from the side, you'll be able to tell them apart from the diff. grill design, etc.


[quote=HAWAII-TSX;13830128]What about a jetta that looks like a audi a4, passat that looks like a audi a8, camry that looks like a lexus gs or es, or Avalon that looks like ls.

The Avalon has a different greenhouse than the LS460; the LS has a greenhouse w/ a rendition of the Hofmeister kink, the Avalon does not.

And the Passat looks more like the Phaeton than the A8 - which is one of the reasons the Phaeton failed.









The taillights also have a Bangle 7 Series vibe to them.

So basically, take the safe (but nice looking greenhouse w/ the Hofmeister kink), add a kinda weird version of BMW taillights and a toned down Acura "beak" grill (still ugly) w/ typical rectangular headlights.


All in all, I think the ILX is a better overall design.

Legend2TL

Not really, cases in point the current 7 series and A8.

Edward'TLS

Agree.

NSX = Halo car.
RLX = Flagship sedan.

Legend2TL

+1, the only surprise here are the comments of people who are shocked by the pictures. This is the same car that debuted in the NYC video and auto shows months ago so why they are bewildered makes no sense.

Legend2TL

Not only does this theory not work for the current A8, 7 seris, but also the current LS as well.

MeehowsBRZ

I just threw this together. Wanted to see how plain the RLX looks next to something else. Even though the shots on the left are press shots you can tell the Acura has no real character.

Moog-Type-S

^^ In the comparo pics, the Acura looks like a cheap Chinese knock-off

CarbonGray Earl

^^Agreed. Slap a BYD or a Chery badge on there....

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

It looks way better in motion IMO:


Feels more "substantial"......more road presence.......I mean it's not the sharpest/best looking car, but it certainly looks a whole lot better than those patent pics.

pttl

Always defending.

It "feels" more substantial? Was that you driving in the commercial?

It'll be a swell car, I'm sure.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

yea wish i was driving it...

Just sharing an opinion. Didn't know people these days can't even accept an opinion. At least I don't call that a fact

MeehowsBRZ

Acura is going to have another huge failure when even the people who like the car say these things.


Also, when you're working your way from the bottom of the class, "MEH" isn't good enough.

biker

VTEC Racer

They can, as long as it doesn't conflict with theirs. And if it does, you're a fanboy. Make sense?

VTEC Racer

+1. It's as if they are seeing the car for the first time and this is their first impression of it. Any car will look boring as hell in a black and white patent photo; the Avalon below is a good example.

ttribe

That's not an Avalon; it's a 6-Series Gran-Coupe.

phile

^ FAIL hard

This has always been Acura's problem - they simply don't know how to finish a design. The RLX in and of itself isn't bad - it's the details, the finishing touches that are lacking. that's what the Hyundai has that the Acura is missing. A little nip here, a pull there; that's all it takes and Acura designers simply cannot grasp this concept.

VTEC Racer

Thanks for proving my point.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Ok, THAT was funny

With that said, some of us have seen the car in person. The black and white photos don't hurt as much as you think

ttribe

I wasn't attempting to prove anyone's point; I was simply correcting your statement. No need to get bent out of shape.

VTEC Racer

Who got bent out of shape?

ttribe

I detected snark; if I am wrong, so be it.


Suggestion - next time simply say: "Thanks for the correction. My bad."

VTEC Racer

Nope, I was genuinely thanking you for proving my point. I was waiting for someone to do it and you were the first.

BTW why are you hiding your online status now? You're clearly still always on here.

ttribe

I can't imagine a scenario under which that would be any of your business.

VTEC Racer

Wow, must be serious... forget I even asked.

Type34

First, note the long wheelbases and short overhangs of the vehicles you're referencing. I could come up with plenty of cars that are indeed going in the new design direction (even my Mazda 6), but I won't waste space here.

Bottom line, it's a dated design and Acura can do better. There's nothing "Advance" about it.

Moog-Type-S

Avalon?!?!? FAIL

BTW...the Bimmer looks great in those "pics'

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Acura is going to have another huge failure when even the FANBOYS say these things. People who like Acura can still criticise their products no? I mean, I like Acura, but it doesn't mean Acura is flawless.

Totally agree with your second statement. It's just that some folks here, including myself, don't exactly feel that the RLX is "MEH." Obviously, there are people, like yourself, would think the design is way too bland.



Whoa, the 6-series IMO is pretty darn ugly in those patent pics. Much, MUCH better in real photos.

Not to mention differences of expectations between the two makes. I think people simply expect MORE from Honda. On the other hand, Hyundai had been mediocre for many years, and now, they are MUCH MUCH better - and people didn't quite expect that. It's much easier to impress others when you are the underdog.

Hmm, I think Legend2TL is mainly talking about the overall feel of the car. I think to Legend2TL, A8 and 7 series look more like a traditional sedan (like the RLX) than the Tesla you have shown here. I can't say the A8 and 7 series are "coupe-like design" or "more hatch-like rear."

savage

Is it me or does it just look like a stretched TSX or TL in this pic?