bdt980

Since we can see through the TSX and Tl where Acura is Going. How do you think the 05 RL will size up to the competition. Do you think it will be able to come out of the terrible slump it it is in and emerge as the notorized Flagship Car it once was(LEGEND)? or will it flounder like it has been for the last couple of years?

Gebbeth

Looking at the '04 TL and TSX, I think the RL will be a good car, but not great. I'm not optimistic that the new RL will wow us. It's going to be stuck with a V6, and I'm still not sure it will have IMA, although much has been said that it will.

That being said, the concept drawings look interesting, but concept drawings tend to make cars look more aggressive than they end up being, so it's hard to tell.

DEVO

the RL needs to be AWD or RWD and it needs a V8 or it will remain what it is today.

dom

No V8 forsure, unless they use a GM engine. But maybe a V6 with IMA?? Probly a better idea anyway.

bdt980

where have you seen concept drawings?

bdt980

Look at this link
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e...e000151480.cfm
(sorry if repost)-- But it is supposed to be the New RL, INfinity M45, Lexus GS300, and some car exclusive to Japan. Pretty Interesting.

Count Blah

A quick google search came up with this "other" link:

http://www.clubtsx.com/bbs/showthrea...&threadid=1438

need4spd_RENAMED

Gee, there are a lot of familure names on that link, and some interesting predictions about the TL by a guy named Justin back in December of 2002

I used to browse that site

Alex

I saw that link with predictions too
Now we all know the truth :'(

I think '05 RL will be FWD (of course) with V6 3.5L 280hp

acuraman_RENAMED

Good find, need4spd. Now that the '04 TL is old news ....I need info on the '05 RL. So far it's been rumored to have 300hp with AWD...anything else???

Gebbeth

No more rumors. You're just bound to be disappointed. Honda should just come out with it and advertise all the specs.

Alex

There's nothing to advertise
If Honda would have some ACES then we will hear them screaming about it at every corner (check how all European magazines going crazy about new Honda diesel engines which is not yet even in production ).
But since there's nothing exciting can be found in 04 TL and 05 RL specs they decided to keep us as guessing in the dark which is actually clever thing to do - otherwise they simply loose customers before car will hit dealerships.

Gebbeth

That assessment in and of itself is not very encouraging about the new RL.

bdt980

In a perfect world Toyata and Honda motors should merge. That would completely monopolize the automotive industry. The Acura could take what technology Lexus had and incorporate it into the their cars. If this happened they would have a car for evry singal person and Honda would have the money to be the risk-taking company they once were.

bdt980

Honda does have a V-8 but it is in IRL Racing cars. They couold tweek that and drop it in the RL. That would shut everyone up. After all it does have 650+HP

sdog 959

most people cant afford the multi million dollar lease on one of those IRL engines. but a great idea

justinjsw

The 05 RL will be a V6 with AWD. Remember this post.

Debut of the 05 concept RL/Legend at the Tokyo Auto Show
Dates:
Oct. 24 (Fri) – Nov. 5 (Wed), 2003
Special Guest Day and Opening Ceremony -- Oct. 24 (Fri)
General Public Days -- Oct. 25 (Sat) – Nov. 5 (Wed)

...The Legend is set for a new lease of life. Honda is secretly developing a new luxury rival to Mercedes' S-Class and BMW's 7-Series. According to our sources, engineers have opted for 4WD and V6 VTEC power - and a 300bhp prototype was testing at Honda's Takasu track in Japan days ago... As of July 10th, 2003

RJC RSX

did that say rival to S-class and 7 series?

i wonder if it will be a variant of VTM-4 or IMA

sigma521

Hey, Justin, would you guess the same or similar AWD mechanism would appear on TL in 2 years? OR is AWD on TL a dream? and GV platform that you saw equipped with AWD is for RL only.

justinjsw

I don't think it's a dream. I think we will see the AWD system in the TL along with the RL.

For those that said IMA is too costly...that is not the case. All you have to do is price out a Civic EX vs a Civic hybrid.

DISRUPTV

hmmm if the Rl is what its cracked up to be...i'd prob get that over a TL if the price (msrp) doesn't sway too much off that of a current RL...built in japan, awd, etc...it just sucks that it prob wouldn't have a manual...but hey if it would have an smg like tranny than i ain't complaining AT ALL

provench

I am with ya, but I have read that Honda is selling the Civic hybrid at a loss to get the technology out there.

SPUDMTN

I think it'll pay off eventually. Hybrid technology is sure to become popular in the future, because gas prices sure don't seem to be edging down at all. Honda is very conservative, so I'd bet that this is a smart move (even though they're losing some money).

I'm really hoping that the RL will live up to the hype. If it looks like the drawing I saw not too long ago, I think the RL will be a hit. Hopefully it will be able to be a serious contender in the mid-size (or premium ) luxury sedan market.

Right now I'm kind of confused if the RL is going to stay in its current segment or move up market? I keep reading conflicting statements...


SPUDMTN

iNteGraz92

what technology?

Dr. Daryl

As a person whose next car will be in this price range, I would definately consider it. As it stands, I'm looking at a BMW 5-series V-8, Volvo S-60R, E-class diesel (seriously!), or Acura TL (and now RL).

The BMW and Mercedes simply put are too unreliable although the Merc diesel may have fewer problems. The Volvo, as a marque, now ranks down with Jaguar when it comes to reliablity. Whether or not the engine is a V-8, V-6, I-5, gas, or diesel is irrelevant to me. It's the package as a whole that counts.

Is it reliable, fun to drive, safe, quick, nimble? Is there room for two car seats? (Yes, I'm a dad of twins).

Honda has a near-bulletproof product line across the board ranging from Acura, into Honda, and down into lawn mowers.

In all likelyhood, the next Dr. Daryl rig will be an Acura of some type. The Volvo will go on a trade and sit beside the Odyssey.

I think Acura has finally found it's niche.

One vehicle above the RL would complete the sedan family nicely.

But that's only my 2 cents (Insurance depreciated/bankrupted).
Dr. Daryl

SPUDMTN

One vehicle above the RL would be nice. However, the new RL needs to succeed first. Acura cannot make an S-class, 7-series, A8 competitor without first succeeding in the mid-sized luxo segment.

It looks as though Acura is right on track. The TSX and TL have turned out to be world-class cars. The RL should do the same...and then as soon as the MDX is redesigned, it will hopefully reign as king luxo-SUV again.

BTW--now that the TSX and TL are out, does anyone else find the MDX pretty chintzy? It was pretty nice before the other two came out...but now that we know what Acura can do, isn't it pretty disappointing?

phile

I do. Even the previous Lexus RX300 felt more luxurious on the inside. I think it does everything else really well, though.

TorontoTL

I think the interior of the MDX is not up to the current Acura standard set by the TSX and the TL. I hope that the replacement will be out soon or that they update some of the materials.

wanggo

I think the upcoming RL will have the same fate as the new Nissan Maxima. The Altima came so loaded with a great chasis and engine that their engineers were hard pressed to come up with something else to put on the Maxima to distinguish it from the Altima without racking up the price.

The TL is such a complete, awesome car that it'll be a huge challenge for Acura to make the RL (their flagship car) better without racking up the price too high. Nonetheless, the RL will still be a kick ass car

Habiib

That is an interesting way to look at it. However I think the RL will do very well. I'm betting that Honda/Acura has another trick up their sleeve with the RL that they haven't announced yet. What I'm confused about is who Hondas target market group is with the RL. The current RL is aimed towards older people IMO, but now they are doing a complete 180 with the car. It looks like Honda is going for sportiness with the RL just as they did with the TL. Looks to me like Acura is following Infiniti with the idea of using the sporty image across the lineup....they'll probably do a better job of executing it too.

kiteboy

Lexus did it with the LS400. If you've got the goods, they will come.

Veedub is trying now with the Phaeton - I don't think it will be as successful.