oo7spy

Damn them.


:ibwanttomakeajokeinpoortasteaboutrecentdisastersb utdon'twanttocomeacrossasinsensitive:

TampaRLX-SH

neuronbob

Don't even get me started. I'll just end up by ranting about the loss of the V8 Mugen Legend Max again.

afjock21

I hope the new RL isn't gay. It looks like it could be, but mustn't Acura realize this is pretty much it? 2012+TL is a fine looking auto after some rhinoplasty and other minor touches.

Any dates for the 2013 RL? Besides these stupid looking photos with the silly wheels/non rhinoplasty beak.

The headlights is really all we got to look forward to so far....

neuronbob

^^^
Nothing more specific than "beginning of 2013" for release.

JonFo

Finally, it took more than a darn decade, but the promise of the drivetrain tech from the 2001 DualNote concept car finally makes it to production!

By 2007 I had hoped they would have a hybrid based on that concept, but at least the RL SH-AWD was in a nice package, so I got that and love it. Bland styling and all.

The new RLX SH-SH-AWD drivetrain is exactly what I've been waiting for. Should be a blast.




2001 Honda DualNote Concept with SH-AWD hybrid drivetrain

JonFo

While I’m extremely pleased with the new drivetrain, the styling of the RLX is leaving me a bit underwhelmed. They really need to work more on the nose. Smaller opening, no ‘Shield’, less chrome.
Love the lights.

The high profile of the nose is not as graceful as the 2005 – 2007 RLs, but its silly regs that force that.

Rear is fine, but side profile lacks ‘energy’ or ‘beauty’. It’s functional, not offensive, and might do. But they missed an opportunity.

I also hope they work some more on the interior over the next few months. Again, not bad, but in their flagship, it needs to be great.

This is definitely top of my short-list for a new ride in late 2013 or early 2014. Main competition for me is the Audi A7/S7, which defines exterior/interior beauty (except, again, the gapping radiator grill).

Why is it brands continue to create horrid grill designs? Especially a century on, can’t we manage airflow any better and relegate the ‘radiator’ as a design element to the history books?

oo7spy

I think it's funny how Acura introduces a new, edgy, daring design in the 2009 TL and people shit bricks. Then when Acura tones it down, they aren't daring enough.

neuronbob

I will maintain that Acura did not screw up the looks of the RLX. Really, only those wild-assed wheels need replaced.

TSX69

TOV has this labeled as the 2013 Honda Accord but me thinks that it is the RLX:

oo7spy

Forbidden file!

TSX69

http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1069172

oo7spy

Eww.

jhr3uva90

Yup, looks like an RLX to me. I look forward to seeing it totally undisguised.

TampaRLX-SH

I spotted this Honda LEGEND update on Wikipedia...

"The international Legend variant will cease production in late 2012 and 2013-2014 [sic] RLX production will take place in Japan but will be built alongside the 2015 NSX in Ohio from 2015 on."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Legend

Should I like the RL(X) in person and decide to replace my RL with it....2014 will be my year.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Since the RLX is due out in "the beginning of '13", what type of discounts do you think one can expect for an RL in say...December of this year?

I know that some MD dealerships gave huge discounts on the previous gen E-Class (up to $18K per car) when the current gen came out.

TonyCD

What will hold down the discounting is that Honda has made sure very few 2012 RL's exist.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Valid point. Only 1,096 RL's were sold in the U.S. last year. If I could find an RL Tech for $40K, I'd probably jump on it.

BDoggPrelude

Good to see they are out testing it. They have a lot to do if they are going to release it by the end of this year as a 2013 model.

TSX69

Breaking News:
2014 Acura RLX Spied

We’ve seen the concept, but here are the very 1st photos of an Acura RLX prototype on the road! Actually, this went right from an enclosed transporter into a secure garage—but we managed to snap a couple of distant photos before the RLX was tucked away for the night. Its testing partner this week happens to be a BMW 535i.

Acura’s soon-to-be newest flagship debuted in “concept” form at this year’s New York Auto Show, and will likely reach dealerships in early 2013 as a 2014 model.

This prototype is sporting Acura’s “Jewel Eye” LED dual-stacked high-intensity headlamps, which will surely become the RLX’s signature.

Although car companies don’t usually talk about future products—even when concepts are introduced—the Acura RLX press release tends to spill the beans regarding powerplants: A 3.5-liter direct-injected VTEC V6 and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission to produce over 370 horsepower and offer 30 mpg city and highway (in the concept model), but Acura also mentions a 310-horsepower front-wheel drive version.

Read more in the Acura RLX intro press release below. In the meantime, we’ll be staking out the garage!

getakey

Wonder what they will call that paint color option

Rocket_man

"White Pearl Priddy Migraine"

Benush

Haight Ashbury Groooovey Pearl!

The interior will be Special Brownies Tan with Shrroom trim and stitching

TangoCharlie

Acura buyers are smart. They've looked at the recent RLs and asked "why should I buy this car?" First of all it looks like there was no effort made to distinguish the exterior from the '12 Accord Sedan. The base price is $48K and the goes to about $56K with packages (no addtional options). I've priced the high end Accord EX-L V6 and added wheels, spoiler, etc and it maxed out at $35K.

I know the RL comes with a 3.7 and the Accord a 3.5, but it does not seem worth it to spend $13-21K more for nothing more than a few tweaks and a name. The 17/24 gas mileage is worse than the Honda Pilot.

By comparison, the high end Camry with options is in the low $30K and the ES 350 ranges from $37K base to $48K with the best package and options. And the two barely look anything alike.

I am in no way comparing Honda with Toyota, or Acura with Lexus, but each standard brand VS its luxury counterpart, and what you get for your money. I love my TL, and I don't feel that I bought an overpriced version of a Honda branded car. I feel like I bought an Acura say it with pride.

oo7spy

I don't think you have ever seen an RL in person. I have said it before but will say it again. Anyone who thinks an Accord looks like or is comparable to an RL doesn't know anything about cars.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Tango that post added absolutely no value... it didn't help your post count nor did it provide any actual evidence comparing the RL to other cars/brands.

Thanks for buying a TL and keeping our car unique.

oo7spy

I'm glad they changed the wheels.

TampaRLX-SH

Those are the wheels from the 11-12 RL with the tire noise cancellation resonators.

TampaRLX-SH

I call these characters 'web board seagulls'.

They fly in, dump their load and fly off cackling at the carnage they hope to create.

Typically they never contribute, nothing is positive (unless backhanded) and like many web bullies are true cowards. They cannot debate, only attack and do so in a manner they are shielded from consequence, for which the web is a playground.

I believe their agenda is shallow and barely guised from the obvious need for self affirmation. They take pride in seeding issues with no merit. Such mental giants typically take muse with invalidating a child's belief in Santa Claus.

The world has no shortage of ugly and stupid. But I have yet to understand how both seem to come equipped with a PC and internet access.

oo7spy

I questioned that. I suppose they aren't as bad as I thought IF they are painted black.

Benush

^^^^^^

On one of my email accounts I have

If only closed minds came with closed mouths

I sold my RL to a friend (who still thinks it's the best car he has ever owned) because it wasn't what I expected, but it was a dang lot better than the TL I test drove and makes the Accord seem like a much less sophisticated second cousin. Yep flame way all you TL and Accord owners! I'm old. thick skinned and I can take it!!

I so hope the next generation is what I had wanted the 2nd gen to be, but I check the national web sites and Acura dealers every week looking for my next RL (just in case the 2013/14) isn't what I dream of. Because even a 5 year old RL is significantly better than most of the new junk on today's car lots!

The TL IS a nice car, but drive a new (or older TL) for a month and then drive an RL (built 2005 an up) and if you can't notice a tremendous difference, then you can't notice it. Most of the rest of us who consider out RL's precious CAN tell a BIG difference. I'll admit that the technology advancements have been applied to the newer models down the line, but I expect that the new RL will have technology that won't be seen in the TL. IL, etal. for many years.

My biggest frustration is that when the 2013/14 does come out there will be a long list of nay-sayers who want to pick at the superfluous (yes I needed spell check!) crap and forget just what a marvelous and forward thinking machine Acura has created.

Okay - back off my box and thanks TampaRL for calling a barnacle a barnacle (well okay a turd dropping seagull...)

mikiTL

If you drove and sat in the rl you'd know the difference. I'm glad you're happy with the tl, but honestly you can try to convince yourself that the rl isn't worth the extra money, but you get what you pay for. In Japan, the inspire is the fwd flag ship. The legend has design elements much like the Jdm inspire and accord because they belong to the Honda family. The rl appears small but it's bigger than the tl. It's exterior has been wrapped in a way to minimize its bodily size, which works great for narrow roads. The rl/legend is actually touted as one of the best if not THE best awd sedan available for conditions that really need it. The ones who bought the rl are actually the smart ones.

oo7spy

Too bad at the rate he's going, it will take 8 months before we get a retort.



...or maybe that's a good thing.

BDoggPrelude

ROFL. Always funny to hear from the Peanut Gallery. So basically you think that there's no difference between an Accord and an RL but you are "proud" you bought an Acura TL, not an overpriced re-badged Honda. Your entire post reeks of ignorance. I have an RL, my wife has a TL and my mom has an Accord. I've spent plenty of time driving all three of them. The TL may as well be an Accord with "A" emblems compared to the RL. There is no comparison in the build quality, amenities and overall drive of the RL and the TL. Put the TL up against the Accord and the similarities are so obvious it makes me almost ashamed of the TL.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

TSX69

http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1072117

wstr75

The RLX car in the VTEC link has large rear pillars, high door belt line and small rear window. This makes for limited visibility. Whenever I am put into a latest generation TL, I immediately notice the reduced view angles for the driver. The new RLX appears to have many of the same reduced visibility aspects as the TL (higher door belt line and larger rear pillars).

TonyCD

We're seeing this industrywide. I suspect a lot of the reason is toughened rollover and crash safety standards, including higher beltlines to protect occupants in crashes with SUVs and trucks.

Even our RLs now fare poorly in modern rollover tests.

TampaRLX-SH

Hence the deployment of rear view camera, multiple angle view cameras and blind spot monitoring systems.

I like enhanced technology as an aide to driving. My concern is the complacency too many drivers have with or without aiding technology.

I cannot remember the last time I saw someone do an over-shoulder-check while cutting me off, or nearly sideswiping me as they chatted on the cell phone (which prohibits the neck turn or the ability to flip on those flashy-blinky-light thingies).

I expect the RL(X) will have all of these aides.

neuronbob

I don't get why Acura has to camouflage the car when we already know what it looks like.