Healingduck

Nice job at hiding what car it is.... lol

No kidding. It reminds me of the new Accord and the Lexus Es350.

phile

Acura in the front, BMW in the back.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

i like.

Moog-Type-S

I said it over ten years ago.....the day Acura moves on from the 5 point grille design is the day that Acura will produce good looking automobiles...WHY? because that grille limits their design....for almost coming on 15 years now all Acura vehicles have a pointy front end. The design is old...dated.

MTEAZY

I think it has potential.. the A6/A8 and 5/7-series look pretty dull in base trim. It's when you option more aggressive bumpers, larger wheels, and lowered suspension that they start to look Acura needs to offer an option like the M-sport package (sorry ttribe)

phile

I like the 5-point grille, but the way Acura refuses to bling it up is what hurts it. it needs to be refined with small details, not a thick slab piece slapped across it like it currently is.

ttribe

I don't disagree. I've said before Acura needs an answer to Lexus's "F" line, for example.

Rocketsfan

I'm not a huge fan of what I see on the outside, but it isn't repulsive ... *shrug*

I'm waiting to see what that interior looks like. In the "concept", I loved the interior. Hopefully they didn't tame down that center stack too much from that car.

Crazy Bimmer

I like it.

phile

^ agree, all kidding aside, I think it looks really good

SSFTSX

Car is influence from TSX. Now ILX & TL are outliers in design.

Hapa DC5

This needs to be a 200 inch sub 4 second to 60 sedan.

It's not horrible, in fact pleasant looking. Doubt it will stand out though. They still aren't producing a true flagship.

VTEC Racer

The e-SHAWD model will probably look a little more aggressive. The one in the photos is a FWD model.

Costco

The question now is how it will sell, or will it just be another [five] more years of Acura marketing for the RL?

jwong77

I guess the no-tailpipe design will continue across all their models? I was a bit surprised to see it on their flagship model.

dom

Just my but I'm wagering just another 5 years of marketing. Its compelling beneath the skin but most customers won't bother looking underneath.

AZuser

Looks more like the '13 Accord than TSX to me.

















That grille

Moog-Type-S

For the top of the line sedan, this car lacks "presence".

You'll walk by it many times over in the parking lot and never notice it.

Keep in mind there is a difference between standing out and having presence.

Acura can't figure out how to do this.

They did stand out...and that brought on the beak and the 4G TL mess.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Will the RLX compete with the likes 5 series, E class, A6, or 7 series, S Class, A8? If it's the former group, then it will never satisfy anyone's expectations for a proper flagship.

phile

^ 5 series, E class A6. Only the Honda fanboys would pit it against the 7-series/S Class/A8 and argue that it's competition because the RL is Acura's flagship. Right, because the auto industry revolves around Acura.

Moog-Type-S

^^ Barely with the 5 series and E class....considering the powertrain limitations of the RLX...whereas with the others there are so many configurations and powertrain options.

Edward'TLS

A flagship with the RLX's caliber will more than satisfy most expectations for a Tier-2 luxury auto brand (Acura).

But you're correct. This will never cut it for the top-Tier luxury auto brands.

F23A4

Honestly, we're in an era of $4/gallon pump prices. If Honda is developing a Legend (RL) with 370hp yet with fuel economy in the mid-20s then I'm all for it.

The Lexus GS is pretty much going in the same direction as a hybrid V6 tops that lineup and I suspect that Infiniti may drop the M56 at some point.

So, I'm willing to cut Acura a little slack with the RLX.

Hapa DC5

I always thought it did

phile

Oh i wasn't being sarcastic Acura > *

Hapa DC5

The car still needs to be larger to be considered a true flagship.

Crazy Bimmer

Every generation you guys all say the same things. Perhaps Acura just doesnt want to be in that segment.

I know many who love Acura cars because they do not stand out or are flashy.

charliemike

They are 60-year old women

phile

This is just like what Moog was saying...there's road presence and then there's standing out. Acuras don't have to stand out, but as a luxury brand, their models should have road presence. Right now, they all look like warmed over Hondas (with the exception of the MDX). Even this new RLX I can see the Accord in it.

fsttyms1

With the tape covering the front, it looks like a chevy

SSFTSX

They said that it will have 7 series space and but 5 series size. consider how spacious is new Accord.(identical rear legroom with 7 series) this is achievable.
but 3 motor hybrid, 7DSG, E sh-awd, DI engine and most aerodynamic profile will make it faster than V8 comptitors.more in class of V12. It will still stand out than bland 7 series that is mixed with 5 often.

Moog-Type-S

Hapa DC5

But most importantly will it hit sub 4 second 0-60 times?

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Exactly. IMO it's only a flagship to Acura because there isn't anything above it. But for most people, this is not enough to be a flagship. They need something above it.

I think it's 370hp and it's been estimated to get 30 city/30 hwy/30 combined.

Edward'TLS

If Acura is still having trouble selling $50K+ sedans, it would be suicidal to launch something above the RL/RLX level.

A Tier-1 flagship sedan will never work in a Tier-2 premium auto brand (Acura).

2008WhiteDiamondTL

I think we should be a bit more realistic here. A V8 mid size luxury offering is not a necessity this day and age. Lexus has even discontinued the GS460 for that very reason as the take rate for V8's in that segment are very low.

For Acura never making a V8 luxury car why do it now when emmisions and fuel economy regulations are becoming more and more strict? Why develop a V8 for a low volume model when even the much vaunted German marques V8 models are made in low volumes? Do you know how much of an financial investment and R&D that would consume?

In defense for Acura, I think the market is starting to come to them. I really think Acura wanted to compete in the V8 segment yet they wanted to offer a different kind of package with similar performance yet SUPERIOR economy. That's where eSH-AWD comes into play. This system is lighter vs the mechanical SH-AWD and handling performance is much more accessible with the new system as with the current, one has to really push the car to really enjoy the benefits of this type of system. V8 acceleration, 4 cylinder economy, world class handling (eSH-AWD model) and other classic Honda/Acura attributes I think will finally get the RL (RLX) noticed.

Yes, this is my first post here but I'm a long time Honda/Acura enthusiast and I realize the automotive landscape has and will continue to change....drastically!

I think we should reserve our final judgements until the RLX is available as from other sources (Jeff from TOV) who's actually drove an Accord mule with eSh-AWD, came away very impressed with acceleration as well refinement and handling. And I'm sure since the (about a year ago) there have been many more improvement and refinements made to the system.


~Patrick

2008WhiteDiamondTL

I forgot to mention the e-SH-AWD concept isn't new as the 400+hp Dual-Note concept showcased a similar setup many years ago.

~Patrick

Moog-Type-S

Edward'TLS

It's true that a V8 luxury offering is not a necessity this day, but it is needed as a brand/model image booster.

A V8 luxury offering functions not to add sales, but to act as an effective marketing tool to promote an auto brand in the form of luxury and performance.

Audi, BMW, Lexus, and MB may ditch the V8 options from some mid-range lines, but will never stop offering it on their top-range vehicle lines. The rarer the V8, the better it is as a status symbol, which is yet another step up from within the already exclusive True premium luxury auto brand.

If this trend continues, the V8 engine option will likely become one of the key features that further set apart some luxury-wanna-be auto brands from those True premium luxury brands.

West6MT

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