Acura: Precision - All Wheel Steer
02-01-2013, 05:02 PM
#1
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Acura: Precision - All Wheel Steer
well we all know that the RLX is coming out soon.. they are coming out with a PAWS edition FWD.. they are not making a SH-AWD RLX.
Thoughts?
We have a pretty good idea what the new Acura RLX looks like based on the concept shown at this year’s New York auto show.
And now we’ve test-driven both versions of the RLX’s powertrain at Honda’s Tochigi, Japan, proving grounds. Our test cars were previous-generation Accords equipped with RLX running gear.
The front-wheel-drive version debuts first next spring. It’s powered by a direct-injection version of Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6 making at least 310 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, which is basically the same output as the 3.7-liter in the outgoing RL sedan with a claimed 10 percent increase in fuel economy. A six-speed auto manages the gear swaps. Key to the front-wheel-drive RLX is what Acura calls Precision All-Wheel Steer (yes, animal lovers, it spells PAWS). This system has two electric motors built into the rear toe link, and each link can act independently, a world first. Under braking, PAWS will increase toe-in for enhanced stability. In a lane-change maneuver, the rear wheels will steer in the same direction as the front wheels, whereas the rear wheels turn opposite of the front in tighter corners. The total adjustment is roughly two degrees in each direction, and a Honda engineer on hand said it acts in less than a second. It also works at all speeds.
On our test drive, a few laps around a 0.8-mile handling course, the RLX exhibited much less understeer than we expected from a large front-wheel-drive sedan. Turn-in was especially sharp, and the car held the line particularly well in sweeping corners. When coming out of corners, we did notice a slight bobble as PAWS adjusted, not enough to upset the chassis but enough to tell that the system was working.
And now we’ve test-driven both versions of the RLX’s powertrain at Honda’s Tochigi, Japan, proving grounds. Our test cars were previous-generation Accords equipped with RLX running gear.
The front-wheel-drive version debuts first next spring. It’s powered by a direct-injection version of Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6 making at least 310 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, which is basically the same output as the 3.7-liter in the outgoing RL sedan with a claimed 10 percent increase in fuel economy. A six-speed auto manages the gear swaps. Key to the front-wheel-drive RLX is what Acura calls Precision All-Wheel Steer (yes, animal lovers, it spells PAWS). This system has two electric motors built into the rear toe link, and each link can act independently, a world first. Under braking, PAWS will increase toe-in for enhanced stability. In a lane-change maneuver, the rear wheels will steer in the same direction as the front wheels, whereas the rear wheels turn opposite of the front in tighter corners. The total adjustment is roughly two degrees in each direction, and a Honda engineer on hand said it acts in less than a second. It also works at all speeds.
On our test drive, a few laps around a 0.8-mile handling course, the RLX exhibited much less understeer than we expected from a large front-wheel-drive sedan. Turn-in was especially sharp, and the car held the line particularly well in sweeping corners. When coming out of corners, we did notice a slight bobble as PAWS adjusted, not enough to upset the chassis but enough to tell that the system was working.
02-01-2013, 05:38 PM
#2
i think its dumb they are not keeping it shawd, and using the paws system instead. although im sure the paws system is good, i doubt it is better than the shawd, alteast thats how it is in my head. and if i were shopping in the 50k plus arena, i would expect the car to have awd
02-01-2013, 05:45 PM
#3
2G TLX-S
A $50K+ FWD flagship sedan = doomed just like it's predecessor.
What makes Honda think a $50K FWD Acura sedan will succeed, when even the $50K "ADVANCED" SH-AWD Acura sedan had failed.
Only a $50-55K SH-SH-AWD Acura flagship sedan might have a chance.
What makes Honda think a $50K FWD Acura sedan will succeed, when even the $50K "ADVANCED" SH-AWD Acura sedan had failed.
Only a $50-55K SH-SH-AWD Acura flagship sedan might have a chance.
02-01-2013, 05:48 PM
#4
Drifting
Bad information. The RLX version being released in a month or so is FWD with the P-AWS. But scheduled for a later release is the RLX with the new E-SHAWD system. It will have three electric motors: one in series with the gasoline motor and two smaller motors powering the rear wheels. It will replace the conventional SH-AWD systems on our cars. According to those who have test driven the E-SHAWD mules in Japan, the new system works very well, with less weight and MPG drag than the current systems. That's what the "both" reference is talking about in the quote about RLX powertrains.
Here's hoping the new E-SHAWD makes it to the TL(X).
Here's hoping the new E-SHAWD makes it to the TL(X).
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oo7spy (02-02-2013)
02-01-2013, 06:33 PM
#5
2G TLX-S
SH-SH-AWD = E-SHAWD.
Same thing, just different ways of calling it.
Same thing, just different ways of calling it.
02-01-2013, 06:56 PM
#7
Suzuka Master
Honestly, PAWS is a distraction from the fact that it is FWD. My M37 has 4 wheel steering and honestly I could not tell you it makes a difference. There is already a thread in the RLX forum on whether the RLX is a failure.
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02-01-2013, 07:20 PM
#8
Its a bad idea to release the fwd first imo ... they should release the eshawd, or whatever its called first ... so people are impressed by how cool it is or whatever, and those who are not willing to drop the extra bucks should be offered a fwd with paws in a few months ... they screwin up
02-01-2013, 09:37 PM
#9
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
Its a bad idea to release the fwd first imo ... they should release the eshawd, or whatever its called first ... so people are impressed by how cool it is or whatever, and those who are not willing to drop the extra bucks should be offered a fwd with paws in a few months ... they screwin up
Acura should follow Tesla's model: Tesla has so far release its higher end models first (i.e. Roadster, Model S with high capacity battery), and then eventually release lower cost models (ie. Model S with lower capacity battery).
02-01-2013, 11:02 PM
#10
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PAWS sounds to cutesy....
02-01-2013, 11:41 PM
#11
My first Avatar....
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Undying Dreams (02-02-2013)
02-02-2013, 09:29 AM
#12
Drifting
I agree with this, not a good strategy Acura is using.
Acura should follow Tesla's model: Tesla has so far release its higher end models first (i.e. Roadster, Model S with high capacity battery), and then eventually release lower cost models (ie. Model S with lower capacity battery).
Acura should follow Tesla's model: Tesla has so far release its higher end models first (i.e. Roadster, Model S with high capacity battery), and then eventually release lower cost models (ie. Model S with lower capacity battery).
02-02-2013, 11:12 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
That's one of my concerns, new technology more issues that is most likely to plague the car for the first year or too. I wouldn't buy this car until the 2nd gen comes out and all the issues have been resolved.
02-02-2013, 12:37 PM
#14
their best bet IMO, is to do a retro legend, like all the american companies are doing throwbacks to their old muscle cars. Make it look similar but refreshed, put the shawd system in it, guarantee it will sell like hot cakes
02-02-2013, 01:49 PM
#15
Rooting for Acura
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With Acura's stubborn ways it may never return to glory. Even the NSX concept is not that exciting (to me).
02-02-2013, 03:42 PM
#16
Senior Moderator
Repost. 
There are 24 pages of this stupid debate elsewhere.
There are 24 pages of this stupid debate elsewhere.
02-02-2013, 06:41 PM
#17
Senior Moderator
Almost forgot. OP, at least try to understand a vehicle before you bash it. The Sport Handling-All Wheel Drive RLX will by putting down 370 horses and likely over 400 ft*lb of torque. It will likely handle better than an M5 and it gets 30 mpg city. There won't be another car in the mid-size luxury class coming anywhere close to the numbers it will put up.
02-03-2013, 11:13 AM
#18
Senior Moderator
Having computer actuated toe adjustments can greatly add to handling and stability, also much lighter and less complicated than actual 4 wheel steering. Being FWD with this could make quite an improvement with turn in and braking stability.
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oo7spy (02-04-2013)
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