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2014 Acura RLX

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Acura, First Drives, Luxury

Good. But Good Enough?

Spoiler alert: The 2014 Acura RLX is a good car. But that shouldn't come as a surprise. Despite the fact that Acura is subject to a lot of criticism for things like its odd positioning in the automotive landscape, questionable styling choices in recent years, and the fact that, more or less, its products feel like lux'd-up Hondas rather than something truly unique, the cars have always been inherently good - decent to drive, nice to sit in and reliable to own. That's what happens when you ride that sort of "affordable luxury" line.

Because Acura's sedans don't really fit into any one definable segment, the brand hopes it can draw customers from a broader range who aren't necessarily dedicated to a certain marque. And while there's certainly rhyme to that reason on the more entry-level end of the spectrum, that proposition makes less sense as you move toward higher price points. (Have a gander at the Hyundai Equus, if you will.) On the other hand, Acura pulled data from a 2012 Strategic Vision survey that showed the number one purchase decision for luxury buyers last year was value for the money, with manufacturer reputation coming in at a close second.

Which brings us to the 2014 RLX, a flagship that will compete in the mid/high luxury segment, battling cars like the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, but, according to Acura, reaches up into 7 Series and A8 territory, as well.

"This is the best car Acura has ever produced," said Michael Accavitti, the automaker's vice president of national marketing operations. And he may be right. But is it truly good enough to be a more renowned player in this higher-end segment than the outgoing RL was? (That shouldn't be too hard, given the fact that the RL was the worst-selling car of 2011.) We hit the roads around Napa Valley to find out.

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2014 Acura RLX originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acura RLX pricing and launch plan detailed

Michael Harley — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Acura, Luxury

Acura has released pricing for its upcoming flagship, the RLX, at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Powered by an all-new direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 rated at 310 horsepower, the front-wheel-drive sedan replaces the outgoing RL model (2011's worst-selling car of the year) as the automaker's new flagship.

In addition to boasting the most spacious passenger cabin in its mid-luxury class, the new range-topping Acura features the automaker's first-ever application of Precision All-Wheel Steer and Jewel Eye LED headlamps. Standard equipment includes Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning, with Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, and Blind Spot Information (BSI) system trim and option specific.

The four-door will initially be sold in five grades (prices exclude a destination charge of $895):

RLX - $48,450
RLX with Navigation - $50,950
RLX with Technology Package - $54,450
RLX with Krell Audio Package - $56,950
RLX with Advance Package - $60,450

While the new model doesn't officially go on sale until mid-March, to provide potential customers "with the opportunity to experience the numerous new technologies," Acura will preview its sedan at dealers during a "Destination RLX" program beginning in February.

As previously mentioned, an even more powerful version of the RLX, equipped with Acura's new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) and a 370-hp powerplant, will debut later this year.

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Acura RLX pricing and launch plan detailed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Acura RLX replaces SH-AWD with P-AWS

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Acura, Luxury

After teasing us with the thinly veiled concept earlier this year, Acura has officially taken the wraps off its all-new flagship sedan, the 2014 Acura RLX. Aside from its huge step forward in terms of styling and luxury, the new RLX could very well be the most advanced Acura model ever.

While the previous RL could have been one of the blandest luxury sedans of its time, the RLX builds on stylish cues introduced this year on the ILX and RDX. One of the car's signature elements is its jewel-eyed LED headlights that could end up rivaling Audi for the most distinctive in the business. The rear view of the car isn't as unique as the front, but no less attractive with LED taillights that have a slight BMW vibe and odd, chrome-ringed reflectors at the bottom of the fascia. The interior is exactly what we've come to expect from Acura with its dual-brow instrument panel and a sporty three-spoke steering wheel.

On the technology front, the RLX debuts driving features such as Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS), Adaptive Cruise Control with a low-speed follow feature and Agile Handling Assist while the interior gets a high-end Krell audio system, cloud-based AcuraLink and a multi-angle back camera. P-AWS allows the RLX actively and independently adjust the angle of the rear wheels for better agility and braking. Acura ended up cutting almost 275 pounds from the RLX's curb weight (compared to the RL) thanks to the use of high-strength steel and aluminum.

The 2014 RLX uses a 310-horsepower, direct-injected V6 to power the front wheels through a six-speed automatic, and it will go on sale in the spring; the 370-hp RLX hybrid goes on sale later next year.

Scroll down for Acura's press release.

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2014 Acura RLX replaces SH-AWD with P-AWS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Acura RLX to debut at LA Auto Show

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Acura, Luxury

During a mid-year speech being delivered in Japan, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO Takanobu Ito stated that the production 2014 Acura RLX sedan will be revealed at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. The RLX Concept (pictured) first debuted at the New York Auto Show this past April.

The most significant part about the RLX package will be its use of Honda's new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which is essentially a through-the-road electric all-wheel-drive system. This new technology uses three individual motors, and combined output is said to be somewhere around 370 horsepower, the bulk of which comes from a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. When the RLX Concept debuted, there was talk of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, but we'll see if that actually flows through to production.

A less-powerful, 310-horsepower, front-wheel-drive version of the RLX is also said to be in the cards. Acura initially stated that the RLX would be capable of achieving at least 30 miles per gallon in both the city and highway driving cycles.

We'll have more details about the 2014 RLX closer to its debut. The LA Auto Show festivities kick off on November 28. Scroll down to read Acura's press release, containing the full notes from Ito's speech.

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2014 Acura RLX to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acura RLX revealed in production form by patent filing

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Acura, Rumormill, Design/Style, Luxury

If you're looking for a phrase to capture the excitement of a new flagship sedan, "patent filing" is probably not it. Then again, the 2014 Acura RLX is the replacement for the Acura RL, the least interesting luxury sedan extant. (And yes, we're including Lincoln in that assessment.)

Car and Driver says these images were pulled from a European patent database, claiming that this is, in fact, the new RLX that will go on sale next year. The car pictured in these images adheres quite closely to the RLX Concept displayed at this year's New York Auto Show, with only slight changes to the front and rear fascias and more generic wheels. The side character line that runs from the top of the fender back to the rear door is there, as is the rest of the shape.

In between bashing Acura for its dull design, C&D speculates that the Honda luxury brand may show the production RLX at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Check out all five images in our gallery.

Acura RLX revealed in production form by patent filing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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