Acura RL: Difference between revisions

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The first-generation Acura RL was a [[badge engineering|rebadged]] version of the third-generation Honda Legend, and was first introduced to the [[North America]]n market in 1996, to replace the second-generation [[Acura Legend]]. The second-generation Acura RL was a rebadged version of the fourth-generation Honda Legend, introduced to the North American market in September 2004, as a 2005 model. This iteration of the RL received an extensive [[Facelift (automobile)|mid-generational facelift]] for the 2009 model year, and a further update for 2011. The third-generation debuted for the 2014 model year as the '''[[Acura RLX]]'''.

| transmission = 4-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]

| wheelbase = {{convert|114.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = 1,654–1,725 kg (3,646–3,802 lb)

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===2005–2008 A-Spec Performance Package===

 

 

The performance part of the package included the A-Spec sport suspension and A-Spec 18-inch alloy wheels, which allowed the use of more sports-oriented lower profile tires.

Some have suggested that the Acura RL's failure in the market was due to its initial pricing which was perceived to be out of its bracket. Honda Japan believed that the new RL offered more features and performance than the base version of its luxury competitors (i.e., the base six-cylinder [[BMW 5 Series#E60/E61 (2003–2010)|BMW 5 Series]]),<ref name="John LeBlanc's 10 worst redesigns"/> and suggested that it could charge more, though Honda Canada disagreed. The RL's initial MRSP was $69,500 CAD, considerably more than the six-cylinder BMW 525i and close to that of the V8-powered 2005 BMW 545i at $70,000 CAD.[https://archive.today/20130411113358/http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/02/15/preview-reborn-rlx-leads-in-refinement-and-innovation/] At the RL's price point, most consumers expected a V8. Furthermore, they did not perceive the Acura brand as being on par with its German rivals (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz) and expected more value from the Japanese marque, particularly with Acura's more expensive offerings (as opposed to entry-level offerings like the Acura TL which were much more successful in their price brackets).[http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-rlx-first-drive-review.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217051908/http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-rlx-first-drive-review.html |date=2013-02-17 }} The damage from Honda Japan's alleged hubris was done, perhaps giving the RL an unfavorable image that could not be removed, even though Honda Canada has since reduced the RL's price as well as releasing a decontented trim to hit a lower price point.<ref name="Autos.canada.com">{{cite web |url=http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=ebd3dab9-f974-4fc2-a4e1-d321bdf1bb5b |title=Driving.ca - Road test: 2009 Acura RL |publisher=Autos.canada.com |access-date=2010-10-03 |archive-date=2011-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521004336/http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=ebd3dab9-f974-4fc2-a4e1-d321bdf1bb5b |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although other Japanese manufacturers have had limited success in the mid-luxury market which has been dominated by the Germans, the [[Lexus GS]] 350 and [[Infiniti M]]35 (which debuted around the same time as the second-generation Acura RL) sold considerably better than the Acura RL as they followed a strategy of undercutting the German executive cars with lower pricing and/or more standard features.<ref name="Leftlanenews.com"/><ref name="wheels.ca"/> Late in its production lifespan the RL also faced competition from the [[Hyundai Genesis]] which was less expensive yet similarly refined, while featuring rear wheel drive and an optional V8 engine.<ref name="blogs.wsj.com"/>

 

 

===Safety===