2005 Acura Rl Review

Coming Out of Obscurity is a Surety

When was the last time you saw an Acura RL drive by? If your home town is anything like mine, I cant remember seeing one for some time. Or maybe its not that there are just so few out there, but that none of us would notice if one did pass by.

After all, Acuras stylists didnt exactly crack open a new box of crayons when they drew the Japanese brands flagship sedan. Its one of those non-offensive cars, ideal for an executive on the rise who enjoys sitting in the lap of luxury but still needs to be careful not to upstage the boss.

I spent a couple of one week stints with Acuras flagship RL over the last five years or so, nice quiet weeks where life seemed to slip by in serene ambivalence, at least while driving. Its a really well made car, filled with the expected creature comforts of a top-tier executive shuttle and pretty good on fuel to boot. Its just, well, boring.

As recently experienced, borings not good enough for Hondas premier division. One drive in the radically improved 2004 TL would be enough to clarify anyones outlook on the future of Acura. It took only two glorious weeks in both 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic variations to convert me to the brands new philosophy.

And its not just about driving dynamics, which regarding the TL is about as good as front-wheel drive cars get. More so, the cars superb exterior panel fit and interior quality and workmanship is among the best in the industry, equal to brands such as Audi and BMW and superior to Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz.

So with the lesser TL being as good as it is, even more would be expected of the next-generation RL, right? With the introduction of the 2005 RL prototype at the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan earlier this month it looks like Acura hasnt let us down. Its distinctive shape not only shows a natural progression into a bolder design language, but also the same high levels of interior styling and quality, plus the promise of more power and an all-wheel drivetrain. All this should help what has always been an entry-luxury brand step up another rung in the ladder of desirability.

“The RL Prototype really makes a statement about Acuras focus on performance,” commented Dick Colliver, executive vice president, sales. “When you combine the high output engine, the sport tuned chassis and Acuras revolutionary all-wheel-drive system, you get a driving experience that other cars in its class just cannot match.”

The next-generation RL is as sleek and wind-cheating as any sedan the brand has ever created, completely unique from its rear three-quarter view due to a bustled rear decklid that drops down at each side and at back before meeting up with jewel-like taillamps.

From the front the RL is all Acura, albeit a more rakish version than anytime previous. Still, the brands designers seem in a heated battle with Mazda over the use of the trapezoidal grille, with the RL looking similar to a full-size Mazda6 in photos at least. It comes across as more distinctive in the sheetmetal, which is a good thing considering prospective buyers will need to separate with about $50,000 for the RL, and therefore might take offense to sharing styling cues with a non-premium brand.

No such qualms should affect those on the inside of the RL, mind you. Its not only much more upscale than the outgoing car, but delivers up the luxury in a positively unique manner. Some character traits remain, such as the familiar “T” shape formed by the horizontal wood strip across the dash and vertical center stack, but the use of dark tones mixed with platinum metalwork makes for a total package that is less austere, and more intimate overall.

While the new RL offers a commodious interior front and back, Acura promises a more intimate relationship between man and machine, a driver-oriented luxury car in sharp contrast to some of its rear-passenger coveting contemporaries. But just because Acuras new luxury car is to be sporting, doesnt mean it needs to follow the lead of Lexus, Infiniti and all of the Germans. Rather, the RL will not feature V8 power, but instead deliver up a more powerful version of the trusted single-overhead cam, 24-valve 3.5-liter V6, good for 300 horsepower while still delivering much better than average fuel economy and LEV2-ULEV emissions standards.

Thats a lot of power to put through the front wheels, Acuras traditional drive layout, so an all-wheel drivetrain has been chosen to optimize power while minimizing torque-steer, common to powerful front-drivers. All-wheel drive will also benefit traction in inclement weather, making the RL an ideal car for northern winters.

But to simply call Acuras new drive system all-wheel drive would be doing it an injustice, as the Japanese marque makes it quite clear this is the most technically advanced all-wheel drive system any automaker has ever put into production. Therefore, it is dubbed SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive), a title it reportedly lives up to.

What makes it different? It boasts a new rear differential sporting the worlds first electromagnetic operated clutch, making it possible for torque to be distributed not only between the front and rear wheels, but also from side to side between the left and right wheels. A variety of sensors placed throughout the RL gather information about steering angle, speed, lateral Gs, etc., all sent to the on-board ECU, which in-turn disseminates the information gathered the SH-AWD system. Next, SH-AWD alters the ratio of power sent to each of its four wheels. The ratio between front and rear axles varies from 30:70 and 70:30, with left to right power distribution ranging from 0:100 to 100:0. This unique approach allows drive torque to not only push and pull the RL forward, but also aid in high-speed maneuverability.

But Acura doesnt stop offering innovative solutions with SH-AWD. Making matters even more intriguing, a rear axle acceleration device is built into the new RL. A what? When accelerating through a corner, a cars rear track can often fall out of line as the inside wheels are not rotating as quickly as those on the outside. Jeep had a problem with this when it first introduced full-time four-wheel drive on its old full-size Cherokee. The system, now archaic compared to modern all-wheel drive systems, would stretch its drive chains (chains arent used anymore) during sharp radius turns on dry surfaces at slow speed, forcing premature replacement. While modern systems dont suffer the same costly consequences, the effect of one side of wheels trying to turn at a different rate than the other side, and not being able to, reduces traction. To compensate, Acuras system accelerates the outside rear wheel faster than the inside one. This in turn creates a constant neutral feel, said to be very accurate in response to a drivers input.

Between the RLs stellar all-wheel drive system and its powerful engine is a 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission that not only allows a driver to gear up and down via a lower console mounted shift lever but also sports F1-type paddle shifters attached to the steering wheel. Being that Acuras parent company Honda is doing especially well in its 2004 F1 campaign with BAR, the tie to motorsports premiere league is all the more relevant.

Keeping the RLs bodyweight down is a large dose of aluminum components, including its hood, trunk, front fenders, sub-frame, and suspension. The latter is of the 4-wheel independent double-wishbone variety, of course, said to deliver a “linear cornering feel,” with optimal “cornering traction and a smooth ride.” If its at all related to the TL this should come as no surprise.

The prototypes 5-spoke 20-inch alloy rims, wrapped in 255/35R20 Michelin high-performance rubber wont help smooth out the bumps, however, but they look sensational and will no doubt aid the RL through the slalom. Behind the wheels reside large diameter slotted rotors clamped down on by 4-piston calipers for what should be impressive braking capabilities.

Additional technical goodies include Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), part of a headlight cluster that incorporates a “bending” beam to help the driver see around corners - an option currently available on new Lexus models and others.

Something that has never been offered before, however, is AcuraLink. Basically its a new in-car satellite-based navigation system that delivers real time traffic information to help the driver to avoid traffic trouble spots well before getting caught up in a jam. The system makes use of the XM NavTraffic service, and is said to report continual traffic info, including flow (traffic speed), accidents, and freeway construction. Currently the service is available in twenty major cities throughout North America. Acuras nav system was already considered the best in its class, but now it leaves everyone far, far behind.

Another feature that leaves its competitors in the dust of antiquity is Acuras phenomenal DVD-audio system. Currently available in the 2004 TL, the 10-speaker Acura/Bose DVD-audio system has to be heard to be believed, as it delivers a clarity and depth from its six channel surround sound I previously wouldnt have believed possible.

Techies should also take heart in the fact that Acura is keeping up with the Joneses by debuting its new Keyless Access System on the RL, basically a convenience feature that unlocks the drivers door, trunk and allows the car to be started by anyone who has the key fob in their pocket or purse - theres no need to click the remote or slot the key into the ignition.

Safety features include front, side and side-curtain airbags, plus Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

So, with what is expected to be eye-opening handling and adrenaline inducing acceleration, combined with a full load of technical wizardry plus Acuras renowned fuel economy, build quality and reliability, the RL should find its way out of obscurity and into many more executive garages than the previous version. It will take some time for the new car to attach itself to the collective consciousness of the upwardly mobile, of course, but once on the radar screen Acura should have a sales success on its hands. And dont expect any noticeable changes before this “prototype” arrives at your local dealer this fall.