Rob144

The TSX is, of course, the Honda Accord for most of the rest of the world, so it has "cred" and is naturally competitive.

The TL got a name for itself with the 2G model -- which still looks good. The latest one is not without appeal, but went a somewhat different direction from its predecessor.

Goes to show that good cars can succeed in spite of the name.

Will the RLX be co-branded as a Honda Legend, or a unique model (a la the TL)?

For all the grief we give, I still have to think designing, developing, and producing a car is a heck of a lot of hard work. Yes, the marketers and brand positioners can mung things up (think current RL), but the engineering and manufacturing know-how that goes into a car seems pretty amazing if you stop to think about it (think current RL).

They are now pushing the envelope to point where AWD with electric motors is an interesting concept -- and one that has probably taken years to develop. It's a gamble.

Like it or not, Acura's lineup is ultimately the product of many constraints.

getakey

I agree that it does not seem that the dynamics will be comparable. Seems like in this new setup, the rear motors will mostly be used for torque vectoring. The good news is that electric motors have a flat torque curve.
Also, there won't be the high loses that we currently have in the AWD transmission.

M T L T L

Thats exactly my point. Without any drive shaft, all the gas engine's n (the 3rd motor's) power will go to the front wheels. This system will work much better on NSX's configuration which is opposite.

neuronbob

I'd do it if I bought one. Or I'd REbadge it as "Legend" so that the guys further up the food chain at Acura would finally get it that they made an error in changing the name to something that the majority of the car buying public gives 2 (shutyomouth )s about.

getakey

How about a prize for first person to find and post a leaked pic?

oo7spy

getakey brings up a great point. You are simply looking at the hp number and not the torque. IIUC, electric motors generate more torque than HP. You also have to be in the 6k RPM range to get the full 220 HP at the wheels with the current RL, and I don't know of many people that are hitting 6k RPM in the corners.



I'll give them my .

getakey

interesting
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...cura-line.html

Does anyone have the torque curve for our current RL?
Looks like a 20KW electric motor can deliver 184 lb-ft of torque.
Would like to compare to the 70% delivered to rear in current SHAWD at reasonable rpm in corner as 007 suggests

neuronbob

I'll see if I can find my Acurazine stickers.

MASK

If they add an X to RL ...
then they should remove the L from FLAGSHIP.

This is Honda beating a Dead Horse.

M T L T L

+1

getakey

How about a Mega Lotto ticket

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

^^ I've got both...

TonyCD

Rob, I agree with you that good cars can succeed in spite of a poorly chosen name. I'm just saying that good cars shouldn't have to.

I'm not suggesting that Honda/Acura isn't making good cars; I love mine. My point is that those names don't have to be poorly chosen. Nothing is forcing Acura into the "constraint" of renaming the Legend (as it's still called everywhere but America) or the TL (a name they still own). Nothing, that is, except its executives' own bad judgment.

Grappling for a metaphor: Some of us may be forced by circumstances to carry a gun, dangerous and inconvenient as that may be. None of us has to voluntarily put the barrel in our own mouth and pull the trigger.

vhdoshi

Hey guys, was I right or what ! Holy cow, I can't believe I was right. Damn, am I psychic or what ! ha ha LOL

By the way, I think a Moderator should make a new sub-forum for the Third Generation RL (aka RLX) soon. So, then all these discussions and threads about the new 2013 RL/RLX can go under the new sub-forum. Right ?

Once the NY Auto Show happens, I am sure there will be lots of new threads about the new RL/RLX and they will be in the current second generation RL forum, unless someone creates the Third generation RL/RLX forum.

mayflowerman

"Acura officials last year told Inside Line that the RL replacement will be:
- larger than the current car
- will have best-in-class legroom, combining the cabin space of a BMW 7 Series sedan with the agility of a 5 Series
- seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The SH-AWD hybrid system also gets a high-performance lithium-ion battery and will provide "acceleration equivalent to V8 engines, as well as fuel efficiency equal or superior to inline four-cylinder engines," the company said."

We'll know more April 6th!

mayflowerman

Correction, we'll know more when American Honda Motor Co., will introduce the concept vehicle at a press conference held on April 4, 2012 at 1:50 PM (EST) in the Acura booth

TonyCD

VH, the idea you suggested was frankly so random and off-the-wall, I was about to post the question of whether it was floated on this board as a trial balloon by someone directly or indirectly connected to Acura just to gauge our reactions.

Welllll...was it?

neuronbob

Thanks for the info, been looking for this.

As for the new "RLX forum", the admins will make that change after the official announcement, so not until later in the week probably, and depending on their schedule. I suppose it would be "RL/RLX" forum because the RLX is really the 3G RL.

mayflowerman

The press conference will be webcast live on www.acuranews.com. Press materials will be posted at www.acuranews.com immediately following the press conference.

oo7spy

The top line to the left of the crossing and bottom to the right is the torque.


https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/dyno-completed-today-baseline-runs-697144/

And Bob's thread, but his dyno sheet has been removed. What's up Bob?
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/m-003-my-rl-dynoed-part-2-post-mod-results-videos-pix-499256/

getakey

007 - thanks
Interesting, I didn't think the torque was that flat.
I must have the torque value wrong on the electric engine. Couldn't be that high (184) for a 26 hp motor

getakey

Hmm - I just read article on MB's hybrid and they do say the 20KW motor produces 184 ftlb (250 NM) of torque! I believe electric engine torque is max at 0 rpm, so full torque can be applied from dead stop. Can't wait for specs on the RLX

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012...+Congress%2529

getakey

I don't remember seeing this before (sorry if repost)

http://blog.caranddriver.com/acuras-...ectric-motors/

vhdoshi

Hey Tony & Bob,

No, I am not a ninja, spy or troll. And I do not have any connection to Acura at all. It was just a lucky guess. I'm just an average joe who loves his Acura RL

It just suddenly came to me one day, and a lightbulb went off above my head. That's why I posted it as a question in the forum.

I can't wait to go to the NY auto show this weekend !!

getakey

I hope you can report back in detail with pics!!!

neuronbob

Damn you imageshack! I guess they deleted some images before I managed to pay. (They just started charging for anyone above 500 images and I paid rather than move my 1000 pics off the site. Booooooo Imageshack!) I'll find it and put it back up when I get a chance.

Pix or Seriously, have fun!

oo7spy

Electric motors put out much more torque than HP. The Fiskar Karma puts out like 900+ ft-lb or something stupid like that. I would rather have torque than HP any day.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

alfadoctor

It is all marketing, fewer names, the more recognition by consumers. The consumer would be confused by the TSX, TL, RL so in their mind where does the RL fit and what goes inside the TL vs the TSX. What difference is there between the TL and the RL? So by badge simplification, you get a consumer that knows top and bottom of the sedans with IRX and RLX.

It is like owning a BMW vs a RL...to draw a comparison from a parallel...Iphone vs Android. Everyone has been sold on the BMW as THE car to own like an Iphone. The RL suffers from exposure *that can be both good and bad* Think of the RL as the Android in this scenario. The right marketing would push those sales through the roof as has Apple done with the Iphone.
Honestly, I don't want a BMW and I don't want an Iphone. I am happy with the RL we own and my Android works just as well as the Iphone for what I need it for and it was cheaper.

Over on my other BB we are discussing why FIAT hasn't brought over the new Alfa's for the dealerships that are here. It has been since 1995 that Alfa Romeo has pulled out of our market here in the USA. The company is selling cars all over the world bu here and have resolved many of the issues that were plaguing the marque. At least we are getting Acura's to buy and I still wait for the Alfa Romeo to show up. *sigh*

EL19

iTrader: (4)

^^ Android phones outsell Iphones LOL But of course there are more different variations of Android phones that Iphones so you can sell more. i get what you're trying to say though. It does make sense for Acura to have all sedans as Blank-LX (ILX,TLX,RLX) and trucks as Blank-DX (RDX, MDX, ZDX) The names will just have to grow on us. TLX-S has a ring to it though

getakey

so, tomorrow is the news conference, right?

ktrulez

yep at 1:50pm, watch it via webcast.
tension is building!

Black Widow Gen2

Will there be any avalable links posted here for the webcast? Me wants to seeeeee!

CadiGTi

Fox and Friends did a live spot this morning from the NYC auto show at the Acura space. The RL was on stage under a thin cloth cover. Did not show much, but the roofline and C-Pillar which were visible look to be strikingly similar to the all new 2014 Impala which is also there.

I will be at the show Saturday.

Curious how the new RL will be priced and fuel efficiency gains.

BDoggPrelude

Here you go.

Black Widow Gen2

Reading>me.

Thanks, man.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I want my click back. . .

TSX69

neuronbob

C'mon 1:50 PM! Let's see some actual pix and specs!

PS All comments on the new 3G RL/RLX will be merged into this thread.

TSX69

I assume that the rims will never make it to production but it is interesting how all the lines kind of come together in front of the side mirror area. They definitely tried to reduce the front overhang. Please let there be chrome door handles on some versions ....