Daniel

Torrance, CA - September 1, 2004 -- The 2005 Acura RL combines performance, technology and style in an athletic new luxury package that pushes the boundaries of automotive design on multiple fronts. No production car at any price has ever offered more advanced electronic technology or drive-system sophistication. And none has made its driver more connected-with real-time traffic information, personal assistance, phone communication and audio entertainment. True to form for Acura, the many advanced systems of the RL are engineered to function smoothly, efficiently and intuitively. Similarly, the RL upholds another basic Acura tenet: comprehensive standard equipment. In the case of the RL, everything is standard. There are no factory options. The only available RL options are a few select dealer installed upgrades.

In creating this new luxury vehicle, Acura designers completely redefined the RL concept and repositioned it at the leading edge of its category. Its new shape is much more taut and athletic, and its acceleration and cornering performance is dramatically improved to challenge the most capable German sports sedans. Comfort, quietness and ride quality are also substantially improved. The 2005 RL serves clear notice that Acura has upped the ante in its category.

The innovation built into the RL begins with the most powerful engine ever offered in a production Acura. The new 3.5-liter VTEC(TM) V-6 engine develops 300 horsepower (a remarkable 33-percent increase compared to its predecessor) and torque has risen to 260 lbs.-ft. (a 12-percent increase). In spite of developing much more power from the same displacement, the new RL engine meets much tougher emission standards and delivers comparable fuel economy as compared to its predecessor.

A new 5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control sends power to the standard Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM)) system, which dramatically elevates cornering capability. This innovative full-time system distributes power precisely front-to-rear and side-to-side in the rear. In addition to providing the expected traction advantages of all-wheel drive, SH-AWD does something no other current AWD system can: It increases the rotation speed of the outside rear wheel during aggressive cornering to help the car turn more effectively under power. This lessens the cornering load on the front tires to reduce understeer and improve handling balance and total cornering grip.

The extremely rigid Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure of the RL features extensive use of high-tensile steel and lightweight aluminum components to take construction beyond conventional safety protocols while keeping weight in check and providing a solid platform. Optimized independent front double-wishbone and independent multi-link rear geometry, larger brakes and aggressive new 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires work together to further enhance the reflexes of the RL.

The elegantly styled interior includes perforated leather-trimmed seats, fine wood accents and top-rate materials. These are complimented by the most advanced electronics available, including Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition(TM), innovative AcuraLink(TM) satellite communication system with real time traffic, Active Noise Cancellation(TM) system (ANC), and a spectacular-sounding Acura/Bose(R) 10-speaker Surround Sound System with 6-disc CD, DVD-Audio and DTS(R) changer and AM/FM tuner. Safety is also enhanced with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), side curtain airbags, and standard OnStar(R) service.

These advances-and a lot more-combine in the all-new 2005 Acura RL; the strongest, most powerful, best handling and most luxurious sedan Acura has ever built.

POWERTRAIN FEATURES

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM))
5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control
3.5-liter VTEC(TM) V-6 engine
300 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
260 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm
VTEC(TM) (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) valvetrain
Drive-by-wire throttle system
Variable flow exhaust system
11.0:1 compression ratio
High inertia dual-stage intake manifold
Direct ignition system and detonation/knock control
Computer-controlled Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Meets CARB LEV-2 ULEV standard, which cuts NOx by 77% compared to LEV-I LEV of previous 3.5 RL
105,000-mile tune-up interval
BODY & CHASSIS FEATURES

Unit body with extensive use of high-tensile steel and aluminum
Lightweight aluminum front and rear subframes
Heated outside mirrors with driver recognition, reverse gear tilt-down and integrated directional signals
Independent double-wishbone front suspension
Independent multi-link rear suspension
Electronically controlled, speed-sensing, power assist rack-and-pinion steering
17 x 8-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
P245/50R17 98V high performance, all season tires
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA(R)) with traction control
Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with Active Front Lighting System (AFS)
LED backlit gauges with progressive illumination
Flush junction between side glass and B-pillars
Power moonroof with tilt, auto-open/close, auto-reverse and key-off operation
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE FEATURES

Acura/Bose(R) 10-speaker Surround Sound System with 6-disc CD, DVD-Audio and DTS(R) changer and AM/FM tuner.
Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition(TM) and real time traffic allows communication between Acura and the vehicle
Active Noise Cancellation(TM) system (ANC)
Keyless Access System
HandsFreeLink(TM) wireless telephone interface compatible with Bluetooth mobile phones
Multi-information display
OnStar(R) service
GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, dual-mode automatic climate control system
Driver's 8-way power seat with power adjustable lumbar support
Front passenger's 4-way power seat with power adjustable lumbar support
Electronic tilt and telescoping steering column with driver recognition
Power rear sunshade
Rear side sunshades
Remote retractable rear headrests
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
SAFETY FEATURES

Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure
Side impact door beams
Impact-absorbing crumple zones (front/rear)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with location and pressure indicators
Driver's and front passenger's dual-stage, dual-threshold airbag Supplementary Restraint System (SRS)
Driver's and front passenger's side airbags with front passenger Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
Side curtain airbags for front and rear outboard seats
3-point adjustable height seat belts with load limiters and front pretensioners
3-point seat belts at all seating positions
Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR)
Front head restraints adjustable for height and tilt
Rear adjustable head restraints
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child-seat mounting system
MARKET SUMMARY

V-6 powered sedans are the highest volume sellers in the RL segment. Because they represent the core of the market, Acura decided to build the best V-6 powered luxury performance sedan possible. Hence the 300-hp V-6 powered 2005 RL was created. Eschewing a V-8, which counts for only 15% of the vehicles sold in this market segment, meant not only that the RL would be lighter and more nimble, but also powerful and balanced.

Key 6-cylinder competitors in the RL segment include the BMW 530i, Audi A6, Lexus GS 300, and Mercedes-Benz E320. With its SH-AWD system as standard equipment, the RL has a distinct advantage over each of them. Only Audi and Mercedes-Benz offer all-wheel drive systems-but at considerable extra cost.

POWERTRAIN

Powering the RL is a compact new aluminum-alloy 3.5-liter SOHC VTEC(TM) V-6 that is mounted transversely rather than longitudinally as in the previous 2004 3.5 RL. Significantly lighter, narrower by 1.4 inches and shorter by 2.4 inches, the new engine is also substantially more powerful, producing 300 hp and 260 lbs.-ft. of torque compared to 225 hp and 231 lbs.-ft., respectively, in the previous 3.5 RL.

The new engine is also cleaner, meeting stringent CARB LEV-2 ULEV emissions targets, which are significantly cleaner than the LEV standards of the previous 3.5 RL. Preliminary fuel economy figures are 18 mpg City/26 mpg Highway.

The RL comes standard with a 5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control. Gears may also be shifted manually via a new multi-gate shifter located on the front center console.

The defining powertrain feature of the 2005 RL is Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive, or SH-AWD. The system continuously varies the torque split between the front and rear wheels, and left and right rear wheels. To help the RL arc through corners with better chassis balance and more total grip, in a turn SH-AWD also overdrives the outside rear wheel at a faster speed, using engine torque to help the car rotate into the turn.

BODY & CHASSIS

The RL body fits its role as a mid-luxury sport sedan perfectly. It is taller, wider, and has a wider track than before, but it is also shorter overall. These dimensions, contribute to a more muscular appearance and a much more aggressive dynamic personality.

The new unit body structure is stiffer for improved handling precision, and utilizes a variety of steel grades in different areas where maximum strength is required. In addition, the hood, front fenders, trunk lid, front and rear subframes, bumper beams and major suspension components are manufactured from aluminum to reduce weight. Some of these components are formed using an advanced "blow forming" process that allows intricate shapes to be created without increasing the weight of the part.

Careful attention was paid to smoothing airflow over, under and around the body, across the flush side glass and across the windshield wipers. A cowl garnish was installed at the lower part of windshield to reduce air turbulence, while an advanced exterior-mirror design also contributes to improved quietness inside the car.

Exterior lighting is dramatically upgraded with the Active Front Lighting System (AFS). To help the driver see around corners or intersections, the left or right low beam headlight can swivel automatically up to 20 degrees outboard when certain steering angle and speed conditions are met. Xenon HID low-beam headlights, LED mirror integrated directional signals in the exterior mirror housings and Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp dramatically brighten visibility. Daytime Running Lights are standard for the first time on an Acura in the U.S., as is the Keyless Access System.

The independent front double-wishbone and independent multi-link rear suspension use aluminum arms and mount on aluminum subframes. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA(R)) with traction control, large 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and larger 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires set new standards for RL dynamic performance.

INTERIOR

The interior of the 2005 Acura RL is more than just luxurious, sporty, and fully equipped with comfort and convenience features. That's because its AcuraLink(TM) satellite communication system includes the first ever U.S. application of real time traffic information. That means that in 20 U.S. metro areas , the RL driver will be able to see traffic tie-ups on major freeways in a graphic onscreen representation in real time. This allows drivers to re-route themselves to clearer traffic corridors without relying on ambiguous radio traffic reports.

Other features in the RL interior are equally appealing, beginning with its luxurious new styling, perforated leather-trimmed seats, and dramatic LED backlit gauges with progressive illumination. Premium technology defines the interior just as it does the powertrain and chassis. These technologies includes a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, dual-mode automatic climate control system, an Acura/BOSE(R) 10-speaker surround sound system with DVD-AUDIO 6-disc changer with 500 times the clarity of a typical CD system, MP3 and WMA capability and standard XM(R) Satellite Radio.

Premium features continue with Active Noise Cancellation(TM) (ANC), which neutralizes low-frequency booming sounds in the interior, and HandsFreeLink(TM), a hands-free phone interface that is compatible with many Bluetooth phones for a seamless cellular communication experience-in the car or away from it. Other technologies include a Multi-information display, OnStar(R) service, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with location and pressure indicators, and the Maintenance Minder System.

SAFETY

With the RL, Acura embraces active as well as passive safety as essential goals. Active safety features that help a driver avoid an accident include SH-AWD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA(R)) with traction control, and 4-wheel disc brakes. ABS and Brake Assist also help contribute to greater driver control. HID Xenon plasma-arc low-beam headlights and Active Front Lighting System (AFS) contribute to superior nighttime visibility.

The 2005 RL is the first Acura to feature the Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure. It is designed to help dissipate collision forces, while enhancing crash protection for occupants and passengers in other vehicles. Excellent test results are anticipated for the government New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) collision tests and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests.

The RL features a driver's and front passenger's dual-stage, dual-threshold airbag Supplementary Restraint System (SRS). Side curtain airbags that provide head protection for all outboard seating positions are also standard equipment. The RL also has seat sensors that monitor the weight on the front passenger's seat and the position of the occupant. These automatically turn off the passenger's front airbag if they detect an infant or small child may be in the seat or the side airbag if the occupant is out of position.

Available OnStar(R) service notifies emergency services automatically if the RL is involved in any accident where the airbags deploy.

Source: American Honda Press Release

benjamin

Price?

yianni64

Wow. Um, so many features, standard. Damn. 6 disc changer with dvd-a, mp3 and wma, thru 10 bose speakers, wow.

iNteGraz92

:werd:
this is what many people are waiting for

redgoober4life

Only at 8 way power drivers seat? By golly, i need 18 ways!

integboi220

did i read it right? its not gonna be full leather interior but rather perforated leather-trimmed seats?? i think the RL should have full leather cause leather-trimmed seats seem pretty cheap for a car in this segment

kazi

I think if you check out some of the standard material used in these $40-50k luxo cars segment, you'll see that they're also using leather trimmed or some synthetic material (e.g..."Leatherette").

MrFatbooty

Um yeah, you guys are misinterpreting what "perforated leather-trimmed seats" means. Any leather seat, in car equipment-speak, is called a "leather-trimmed seat." The seats in the RL are covered with perforated leather, i.e. the leather with which the seats are covered has little holes in it to help it breathe a little better and not make your ass quite so sweaty when you sit on it. That is all. It's still a full leather interior, as the article makes no mention of the words vinyl or leatherette.

velfarretokyo

I have to say that the new RL is certainly an impressive car. Not only is it technologically advanced and sophisticated, but it finally has a beautiful exterior and a fitting engine.

More&Faster

cant wait to hear what the car mags have to say about it. i wanna see how it really stacks up to the competition.