With a powerful VTEC®-V-6 engine, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ System (SH-AWD™), and class-leading standard features, the Acura RL has carved a niche for itself in the extremely competitive luxury performance category. For 2007, the RL is now available in three trim levels to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. They are the RL, the RL with Technology Package plus CMBS™ and PAX® Tires.
RL with Technology Package includes Acura Satellite Navigation System and AcuraLink™ with Real Time Traffic, Active Front Lighting (AFL) and an upgraded wood interior. The RL with Technology Package plus CMBS™ and PAX® Tires adds Acura's Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) and Michelin® PAX® Run-flat tires.
Acura also introduces a new exterior color - Platinum Frost Metallic - which replaces Celestial Silver and Meteor Silver.
"The Technology Package for the RL provides the next level in Acura safety," said Dick Colliver, vice president, sales. "The addition of CMBS and PAX Run-flat tires to the existing suite of safety features highlights Acura's commitment to safety through innovation."
The RL's 3.5-liter, 24-valve, all-aluminum VTEC engine generates 290hp at 6200 rpm and 256 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. A variable flow exhaust system helps generate additional horsepower. It is equipped with two close-coupled primary catalytic converters for quicker light off and a secondary underfloor catalytic converter, which help it to meet LEV2-ULEV standards. In addition to the extra power, the RL achieves fuel economy of 18/26 mpg (city/highway).
The RL features a 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission that enables gears to be shifted manually using the shift lever on the center console or with the paddle-shifters located on the steering wheel. This compact gear box features wide gear ratios optimized for precise shifting, dynamic performance and superior fuel economy.
The new optional Technology Package continues Acura's first application of the Collision Mitigation Braking System. Using a millimeter-wave radar unit located inside the grille, the CMBS system monitors the distance and closing rate between the RL and the vehicle directly in front of it. It then uses that information to continuously calculate the likelihood of a frontal collision.
CMBS can operate in up to three stages. In the first two stages, if the system determines that the closing rate between the RL and the vehicle directly in front has decreased beyond an acceptable level, the RL uses audible, visual and tactile warnings to alert the driver and help the driver avoid a collision, and in stage two, applies light braking. If the system determines that a collision has become inevitable, the system activates its third stage, retracting the driver's and front passenger's seatbelts and activating the brakes to reduce the speed of impact and mitigate the damage of a collision.
This optional package also includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). ACC not only functions like a conventional cruise control system but also compensates for varying traffic flow, adjusting vehicle speed automatically by applying throttle and braking to maintain a consistent following interval (measured in seconds) between the RL and the car directly in front.
The third component of the RL Technology Package is Michelin® PAX® Run-flat tires. This unique tire and wheel design helps provide enhanced mobility and convenience by allowing the RL to drive up to 125 miles at 50 mph following a tire puncture.
And while the RL is one of the most comprehensively equipped vehicles in its class from a safety standpoint, it is no less well equipped from a performance standpoint. It features an all-wheel drive system that gives it the most precise handling in its class. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ System (SH-AWD™), an innovative all-wheel drive platform that distributes the optimum amount of torque not only between the front and rear wheels but also between the left and right rear wheels. During straight line cruising and moderate cornering, up to 70 percent of torque is delivered to the front wheels.
During full throttle acceleration or spirited driving, up to 70 percent of available torque is directed to the rear wheels for increased acceleration and enhanced cornering. In addition to varying the torque front to rear, SH-AWD™ varies the amount of torque to the left and right rear wheels. When cornering, this ground-breaking technology overdrives the outer rear wheel by up to 5 percent using an exclusive acceleration device, while electromagnetic clutches send up to 100 percent of rear torque to that wheel to dramatically enhance the RL's cornering, steering feel, handling and stability. The result is class-leading cornering performance and cornering stability as well as enhanced traction on dry or wet surfaces.
To complement the high performance powertrain, Acura gave the RL a highly rigid unit body structure that is also light due to aluminum sub frames, hood, trunk lid, and front fenders. The trunk lid and fenders are made using an innovative new blow molding process, which increases rigidity and allows shaping that would not be possible with other molding methods.
The RL, along with the all-new RDX and MDX SUVs, utilizes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure designed to enhance passenger safety. The ACE structure helps to disperse collision forces over a larger frontal area. The system also helps provide enhanced protection for vehicle occupants while increasing compatibility with other vehicles in a frontal collision.
The RL's chassis and 4-wheel independent suspension components are tuned to complement the SH-AWD™ system and deliver a linear cornering feel, optimum cornering traction and a smooth ride.
The standard 17x8-inch alloy wheels are fitted with P245/50R17 98 V-rated Michelin all-season high performance tires that fill the wheel wells and add to the RL's aggressive stance. Large 4-wheel disc brakes with aluminum 4-piston front calipers, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist provide optimum stopping power.
The RL's exterior styling reflects the abundant power under the hood. In front, a dramatically sloping hood leads down to an aggressive front fascia with angular headlight treatments, a signature Acura five-sided grill and distinctive lower air intake openings. A sleek cockpit, a forward sloping beltline and a short deck lid accent the RL's pronounced wedge shape, making it look fast from any angle.
RL models equipped with a technology package also features the Active Front Lighting System (AFS) for increased illumination and visibility. Low beams swivel up to 20 degrees in either direction in response to vehicle speed and input from the steering wheel. During straight-line driving the headlights perform like conventional systems by illuminating the road directly in front of the vehicle. When cornering, the inboard light swivels according to input from steering and vehicle speed sensors to illuminate a larger area of road surface throughout the corner, thus minimizing blind spots.
Inside, the RL with technology package is as luxurious as it is sporty. The interior features rich leather, genuine wood trim, and an assortment of leading-edge technology including standard real-time traffic information integrated into an in-car satellite navigation system featuring AcuraLink™*.
Utilizing Acura Real Time Traffic™, the large 8-inch navigation screen can display a variety of up-to-the-minute traffic information where available, including flow (traffic speed), accidents, and construction on freeways in 44 major metro areas including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Flow and accident information are updated continuously, allowing drivers to take the least congested route to their destination.
In addition to enabling the real-time traffic feature, the AcuraLink satellite communication system allows for communication between Acura and the vehicle, providing customers with the latest diagnostic information specific to their vehicle as well as vehicle-related messages. Working with the HandsFreeLink™ wireless telephone interface, drivers can respond to messages or one-touch-dial Acura dealers and Acura Roadside Assistance (TLC) using their Bluetooth phone.
The RL also features a premium 10-speaker Acura/BOSE® DVD-Audio system that uses Bose Cabin Surround™ circuitryto deliver surround sound to all seating positions. This innovative system utilizes eight distinct channels (compared to two on a typical premium stereo system) to deliver sound resolution 500 times greater than CD. In addition, Centerpoint™ signal processing circuitry processes stereo recordings to five independent channels to deliver simulated surround sound from conventional CDs. Road, wind and other intrusive noise is neutralized through the application of AudioPilot noise compensation technology, which monitors cabin noise and adjusts the sound balance accordingly.
Also part of the Technology Package is the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™. This easy to use system features a menu of 560 voice commands, a comprehensive destination guide with over 7 million points of interest, 3-D graphics for freeway interchanges, on and off-ramps and turn-by-turn voice guidance. In addition, 1.7 million U.S. cities and street names may be accessed through the voice recognition command. The system can be accessed through the steering wheel-mounted voice recognition buttons or by using the Interface Dial located on the instrument panel.
The RL also features a Bluetooth®-based wireless phone interface as standard equipment. The HandsFreeLink™ wireless telephone interface enables a Bluetooth wireless interface with mobile phones, allowing calls to be made and received utilizing the RL's steering wheel-mounted HandsFreeLink button, which connects their phone to the system
The RL is the first Acura equipped with the Keyless Access System, which allows owners to lock and unlock doors, open the trunk, and start the car without using a key. The RL's key fob is equipped with a transmitter that communicates wirelessly with sensors in the car. When the fob comes within approximately two and a half feet of the car, the system links and the doors can be locked or unlocked simply by touching the door handle. The engine is turned on and off by using a switch on the steering column.
In addition to the ACE body structure and the optional Technology Packages, the RL incorporates an assortment of the latest safety systems and devices including a full complement of front, side and side curtain airbags, as well as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA™).
The RL has earned 5 Stars, the highest possible ratings awarded, in frontal and side crash tests and a 5-star rollover resistance rating from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The RL is only the fourth vehicle in the history of the program to earn the top rating of "five stars" in all three categories.
Acura celebrated its 20th anniversary in the United States on March 27, 2006 and offers a full line of technologically advanced luxury performance vehicles through a nationwide network of more than 260 dealers throughout the United States. The 2007 Acura lineup features five distinctive models, the RL luxury sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbo-charged RDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the award-winning MDX luxury SUV.
The RL, like all 2007 Acura models, is covered by a six-year or 70,000 mile limited powertrain warranty in addition to the four-year or 50,000 mile limited standard bumper-to-bumper warranty.
For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please go towww.acuranews.com.
*XM Satellite Radio and the AcuraLink Satellite-Based Communication System are not available on RL models sold in Alaska and Hawaii
