C/D TEST RESULTS
ACCELERATION Seconds
Zero to 30 mph 2.4
40 mph: 3.5
50 mph: 5.1
60 mph: 6.7
70 mph: 8.6
80 mph: 11.3
90 mph: 14.1
100 mph: 17.1
110 mph: 21.8
120 mph: 29.3
130 mph: 40.2
Street start, 5-60 mph: 7.8
Top-gear acceleration, 30-50 mph: 4.4
50-70 mph: 5.4
Standing 1/4-mile: 15.2 sec @ 94 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 134 mph

http://caranddriver.com/article.asp?...&page_number=1

 

I hafta agree with Csaba on this one.

 

I saw one (white) for the first time @ McDonalds on 34st in NYC. Decent looking but pretty non-descript.

Despite the tech aspect, the prelim performance numbers are pretty weak in comparison with its Lexus & Infiniti counterparts. In the Acura showroom alone (exc. NSX), the TL and RSX perform better than the RL AND the 5 y/o MDX comes close (w/luxury seating for 7).

The legend of the Legend will NOT be forgotten!!

 

The AWD is probably sapping a lot of power and the extra weight of the AWD system isn't helping any either. I wish Acura would've made a RWD model too. It would've been quicker, lighter, and more fuel efficient. Also here in FL we don't need AWD.

 

....and 4030-pound sedan..HOLY COW HEAVY !

 

I also agree. I drove a new RL and it was sluggish off the line, But in the curves it excells. Like the TL, its hard to get a read on the engine performance on a non broke in Honda engine. My TL feels like it released a few more horses at 13000 miles, and my 92 Accord had its best gas mileage between 50,000 and 140,000 miles. The amazing thing about the RL is the interior. It is spacious and accomodating. On a long trip, I might fall asleep if it wasn't for all the toys installed in the center console. 500 voice commands, and the car recognizes the command fast (not the lag we 04/TL owners have).

 

6.7 seconds to 60 is a SLUG compared to what the competition is bringing. Honda really really needs to develope a V8 to effectively compete in that segment. Luxury isn't about compromises; its about having everything in excess and this means horsepower too The new GS should do 0-60 in the mid to upper 5s and so will the new M45 and probably the new STS. Honda dropped the ball on this one IMO.

 

It's true, the raw number is not very impressive, but when you consider the weight of the car...it gets a little better for the RL.

 

Did you read the article? It didn't say a word about snow or ice. The C&D folks loved the SH-AWD anyway. Just about nobody who doesn't go off roading actually needs awd, we certainly don't need it here either, but the SHAWD sure would be nice if it performs like they said.

 

What are you talking about, who said anything about snow or ice. If you read what I said I mentioned that I wish Acura would've made an RWD model also. It would've been faster and lighter. And I made the off hand comment that in FL we don't need AWD.

 

just saw a white legend coupe today car still looks beautiful after all these years

 

Yea they should of offered a rwd too.. Dont know why Acura just stops with just one drivetrain.

Lexus has GS300 400 and 430.. 3 different options of the same car. for people with different needs.

 

I've got to say - those preliminary performance numbers are quite disappointing. But, where you're lugging around over 4000 lbs....

I guess time will tell. Maybe retired techno-junkies are the target market for this car???

 

We just have to wait untill the RL's technology filters down the line to the less heavy cars.

 

with the active noise cancellation thing, I bet they can make some adjustment to the TSX and make it less heavy. Or the new RSX could be really lightweight.

 

Man...I want the TL to have 300HP by 2006, and the RL pushing out 350hp by 2006 =X OOh and then an option of a V8 for honda that pushes out 400hp =) but we all know that honda doesn't target V-8's.

 

300hp V6 is impressive, but they should offer a V8 as well like the infiniti does with the 35 and 45 option

i am thrilled to see they put this 300hp into the future TL as the type S~

 

actually 6.7 sec is pretty impressive for an AWD and 4000lb car with a 3.5L V6

only half a sec behind the lexus LS430

imagine the Nissan Quest has the same weight and 3.5L engine but is a whole second slower to the RL, the RL is a winner

 

Wow the Quest has 60 less HP, 18 less lb/ft torque than the RL, and is a second slower......simply amazing.

 

The Bentley Arnage T crub weight is 2585 Kgs...so the RL is very close to this weight...

Arnage T: 2585 kilogram = 5,698 lbs
Acura RL: 1,827 kilogram = 4030 lbs



wow....the LS430 isn't this heavy at 1,810 kilogram (3,990 lbs) from www.lexus.ca

 

Do any of you remember that rumor where the RL will outrun a Skyline GTR at the track due to its AWD being much better than the ATTESSA system I guess the GTR isn't so worried anymore

I love how rumors never meet up to expectations. I wonder if you can put the SH-AWD in a rear wheel drive (maybe the next NSX!).

 

forget the hp we need some more torque numbers as well.. 300hp with 280tq.

now we are talking Our torque numbers are always low. So dont worry about our hp.. which is pretty good

 

A more fair comparison would be the 3.5L V6 280HP FX35, weighs more, has more drag, and has 20HP less then the RL. While the RL is quicker from 0-60 in 6.7s, the FX35 takes 7.1s to reach 60. But when it comes to "street start" (e.g. accelerating from idle at WOT) the RL takes 7.8s whereas the FX35 only takes 7.2s.

 

Thats cause the SH-AWD probably has much higher drivetrain loss. I'm assumming you are comparing the RWD FX vs the AWD RL. A RWD will always be a bit faster from a roll with the same horsepower due to it being heavier w/more powertrain loss. From a dig, AWD > RWD.

 

Yea, it was RWD but remember it's an SUV that weighs more and has less power then the RL. Which still brings up that 7.8s in a street start for the RL is lacking without power braking.

 

Get over it already. I think I already mentioned this in another thread, and I think it was you who also brought this up.

The rumor was that the RL would outhandle the Skyline, not outrun it (um, duhh, why would anyone think the heavy RL would outrun the Skyline anyway?!).

The SH-AWD sends power to the outer wheel and that wheel helps push the RL through the corners...the ATTESA on the Nissan Skyline cuts off power to the inner wheel so that the outside wheel is pushing it through the corners. The amount of power that is already being used for the outside wheel does not receive any more help...so what's already propelling it through the corner is all that it's using...with the RL, up to 100% of the torque can be distributed to either real wheels at any time. So why do you think this type of set up would not be superior?

BTW, the SH-AWD has been named to Popular Science's list of 100 "Best of What's New 2004" link and is Japan's Car of the Year (Legend = RL) link

 

I wasn't trying to be mean. I was just pointing out that need isn't a factor. We don't need Xenons, air conditioning etc., they just improve our driving experience. The CD folks felt the same way about SHAWD. For people who like to drive (us on this forum) it probably would improve the experience for most of us. For my aunt Rita, who has the same tires on her Buick it came with ten years ago, she wouldn't even notice.

 

I'm sorry but I don't know what thread you are talking about. I saw the rumor on car&driver.com. I also never said the ATTESA system was superior to the SH-AWD, I just found the rumors pretty funny. Also, doesnt the SH-AWD only transfer a maximum of 70% of torque front to back. That means that one rear wheel can only get a maximum of 70% of its torque at best right? If you mean 100% left to right, then that makes sense but I thought maximum torque is only 70% front to back.

BTW, I prefer the AWD system on the G35 because in general, I prefer RWD relative to AWD. The G35x has a RWD bias until slip is detected than transfers 50% of its torque to the front wheels. When there is no slip, it uses 100% of its torque to the rear wheels.

 

While the rear can only get a maximum of 70% of the torque, 100% of that power can be transferred to either wheels.

I apologize, but I remember discussing this before with someone. If it's not you, my bad.

 

OK I see what you were trying to say. BTW A/C is a necessity in South FL.

 

Its okay...we're all auto enthusiasts. Soon as they stick this SH-AWD in a car with the S2000 platform, I'll be on a waiting list I wonder how much the AWD weighs though...the G35x is a PIG. I hear the Evo's AWD system is really light compared to most.

 

Irony: The Car & Driver for December 2004 has a road test on the new RL AND the Hybrid Accord, where both run IDENTICAL 0-60 & 1/4 mile times. (And the Accord is faster to 130mph)

Now I'm not saying the RL should be a rocket sled BUT, I think I'd have an issue with a $30G/30mpg Honda Accord being able run/outrun my $50G Acura RL. (Can one imagine a Camry V6 being able to run with an LS430?) $.02

 

You kids are too soft. Years ago I managed to live in Florida and drive an old Ford that had no air conditioning. But yeah, air would have improved my driving experience, I was just too poor to afford it.

 

Not sure I'd agree with that. I'm sure a Dodge Neon SRT could outrun plenty of more expensive cars...I'd still rather have one of those expensive cars over the Neon any day.

 

werd!

 

the current 300C will edge the SRT4 (stock) in performance and the SRT8 will eviscerate the SRT4. The 300C is at the top of the Dodge sedan food chain. Likewise, Mercury's Marauder with Ford (Though the LS V8 is right there with it.)

The new RL still falls on its face in performance. It's aimed at a V8-RWD Market: LS430, Q45, M45, 745i, S500 and A8 4.2. That said, it comes up short. SH is great for Lude drivers running the autoX but, the typical RL demographic here wont care as much for handling as they would for straightline acceleration out of a toll plaza or stop light.

Though Acura had a good niche with the V6-FWD (RL), they need to take the same hint that led to them finally putting a V6 in the Accord back in 1995.

 

Bring back the LENGEND! That car scared the living daylights out of the Europeans!

 

Another thing worth mentioning. The RL trunk and rear seat room is smaller than my 02 Type S!!!! WTF!!! (at least it seemed that way)

They should have made a car that was larger than an E class and smaller than an S class

 

The G35 is the fastest car in the Infiniti line (also the cheapest car).

 

The new Legend won 2004-2005 japanese car of the year