Acura RL - Big car, small engine...

[Jesda]

Honda is devoted to its "simple is better, smaller is most efficient" design philosophy. Its what sells so many Civics, Accords, and Odysseys. But that same mindset crippled the NSX and continues to keep Acura on the bottom for luxury value and performance. If you own an Acura, youre either a practical luxury buyer, or a badge snob who didnt want to settle for a Honda.

Exception: there are models now that stand out, including the TL, TSX, RSX, and MDX. My Mom has an 04 MDX -- it drives and handles nicely without the "trucky" feel of other SUVs -- mostly because its just a beefier AWD version of the Honda Odyssey. The TSX, RSX, and TL emphasize compact and midsize sportiness but remain crippled by FWD configurations.

And the current RL? Proof that Acura can make great cars but still cant compete with Cadillac, MB, Infiniti, Lexus, Audi, and even Chrysler. I'm guessing the next RL will be FWD too.

-Jesda

[BeelzeBob]

The next RL is supposed to have a 300hp v6... Should be interesting. The Acura RL is a nice car...

[fastball]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

The next RL is supposed to have a 300hp v6... Should be interesting. The Acura RL is a nice car...

The new RL will have a 3.5 liter VTEC V6 with 300 hp and 280 ft/lbs tq. Standard will be their new SH-AWD, which will combine all wheel drive with their pattented ATTS (active torque transfer system). That's where the SH comes in (super handling). The ATTS can automatically transfer tq from the wheel with the most to the wheel with the least. This goes beyond traction control or Stabilitrak. The front and rear differentials acutally have electro-hydraulic clutches for each individual wheel which can adjust not just throttle and braking, but the amount of actual mechanical torque each wheel gets.

[Msilva954]

That new 3.5L 300hp 280Tq is going to be almost exactly like the 3.5-4.0L unit that Ford is developing right now for Lincoln,Merc,Ford.