Acura RLX
Acura RLX (KC1/2) | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 1,800–1,816 kg (3,968–4,004 lb) | 1,956–1,977 kg (4,312–4,359 lb) (AWD) 1,990 kg (4,387 lb)[2] (Legend) | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Acura RL |
The Acura RLX is a
Background and development
The
An October 2009 Car and Driver blog cited a dinner with Acura executives who acknowledged that the introduction of the new, larger, and in some guises, more powerful, fourth generation Acura TL made it difficult to market the then-current RL. In November 2009, an Autoweek article[4] reported that new Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told Automotive News that Acura is going to change course. Speaking of the worldwide economy before the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers, Ito said through an interpreter, "Pre-Lehman, we did have the idea to produce more multicylinder engines... I see the future of Acura as a merger of BMW and Audi -- something between high performance and high technology." As a result of this midstream change, Acura will be in a "low-growth period of developing new products," Ito said. "We were thinking that we could come up with glamorous, gorgeous products that would sell. Now, our premium products will be expressed in advanced environmental technologies, rather than glamorous things attached to the product," he said.
RLX Concept
On April 4, 2012, Acura unveiled the RLX Concept, a replacement for the RL sedan, at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.[5] The production model, which changed little from the concept, was unveiled globally at the Los Angeles Auto Show later that year.
History
The RLX went on sale on March 15, 2013. Production of the RL ended at the Saitama facility on June 16, 2012, to begin factory changeover to the RLX. The RLX is offered in two versions, a front-wheel drive base model equipped with All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS)
RLX Sport Hybrid
The RLX Sport Hybrid debuted at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.[7] Overall vehicle weight was up 357 lbs, with weight distribution (front:rear) improved from 61:39 in non-hybrids to 57:43 in hybrid models. It was offered as the Honda Legend in Japan. US sales began during September 2014, with 250 models produced for the 2014 model year and an additional 250 produced for the 2016 model year.
Powertrain
A
Hybrid models featured the VCM capability as well, with an added
A 72-cell 1.3 kWh 66-pound lithium-ion battery pack was placed behind the rear seat. Total system power output on hybrid was rated at 377 hp (281 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 341 lb⋅ft (462 N⋅m) of torque at 4,700 rpm. EPA estimated fuel economy was improved to 29/30/29 mpg (city/highway/combined). It was given a CARB emissions rating of LEV III SULEV30 compared with the non-hybrid's ULEV-2 ranking.
Chassis
The front subframe was made from aluminum. Front suspension used a double wishbone layout, while the rear was a multi-link with a
Interior
Standard perforated leather 12-way (4-way lumbar) front seats were heated and, on the "Advance" option package models, cooled, and rear seat room had been significantly improved. Rear legroom was similar to full size luxury flagship sedans (non-extended wheelbase versions). An 8-inch navigation screen along with a 7-inch touch screen display for audio, climate, and various shortcut controls with
An optional flagship 14-speaker Krell audio system replaced the Bose system used on the previous model RL.[8] A mid-level 14-speaker ELS Studio Premium system using Panasonic components was also optional.[9] The base ELS Premium system used 10-speakers.
Hybrid models included an electronic transmission gear selector,
Exterior
The RLX was the first Acura model to offer standard Jewel-Eye
The hybrid came standard with LED foglamps.
Safety
All models came standard with a multi-angle rear-view
Brakes with Brake Hold Control holding the car at a stop without the use of a brake pedal,
Moderate overlap frontal offset | Good |
Small overlap frontal offset | Good1 |
Side impact | Good |
Roof strength | Good2 |
- 1 vehicle structure also rated "Good"
- 2 strength-to-weight ratio: 5.18
Overall: | |
Frontal Driver: | |
Frontal Passenger: | |
Side Driver: | |
Side Passenger: | |
Side Pole Driver: | |
Rollover: | / 9.7% |
Facelift
For the 2018 model year, the RLX received a mid-cycle change; sales began in November 2017. The updated RLX incorporated Acura's new design language featuring its diamond pentagon grille, redesigned front and rear fascias, redesigned LED tail lights, LED head lights, a new wheel design, a redesigned hood, and chrome exhaust finishers. Changes to the interior had been made, including a new front seat design, steering wheel, wood trim, and an added Espresso interior color option. RLX featured AcuraWatch suite of safety features as standard, including an Acura first- Traffic Jam Assist and
US sales began in November 2017.
Discontinuation
2020 was the final model year for the RLX as the market shifts towards SUV / crossovers.[14][15] As a result, the TLX became Acura's flagship sedan. Although similar, the RLX was larger than the current TLX.[14] The 2021 TLX will take up an elevated position in the lineup as "the quickest, best-handling and most well-appointed [Acura] sedan".[16]
The Honda Legend, upon which the RLX was based, was initially continued on in other markets, including Japan. In June 2021, it was announced that the Legend would be discontinued at the end of that production year.[17]
References
- ^ US patent 695646S1, Hideaki Uchino, "Automobile and/or replica thereof", published 2013-12-17, issued 2013-12-17, assigned to Honda Motor Co Ltd.
- ^ a b c "Honda Legend specifications" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-03-19.
- ^ “Exterior Dimensions”, RLX 2020, [Fact Sheet] Acura, 2019, p. 10.
- ^ "Acura reverses product plans". Autoweek.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ^ Garrett, Jerry (2012-04-04). "Acura RLX: A Would-Be Flagship Awaits Its Berth". Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "Acura RLX Precision All-Wheel Steering (P-AWS), Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Prototypes". Automobile Magazine. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ Turkus, Brandon. "2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is the V8 alternative we've been waiting for [w/video]". Autoblog. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "First Listen: 2014 Acura RLX with Krell Audio - Sound & Vision". Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "New Cars, Car Reviews, Car Prices and Auto Shows – MSN Autos". Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "2014 Acura RLX". Motor Trend Magazine. 1 April 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "Vehicle details". Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "2015 Acura RLX 4 DR FWD". Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "Acura Reveals Striking New Design for 2018 Acura RLX; Debut Set for Monterey Automotive Week - Acura News". Hondanews.com. 2017-08-10. Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
- ^ a b "Acura to drop RLX sedan in North America after 2020 model year". Automotive News. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ "Acura RLX Luxury Sedan Phased Out over Slow Sales, 2020 is the Final Model Year". 16 May 2020.
- ^ "All-New 2021 TLX Elevates Acura Sedan Performance with Turbo Power, Dedicated Platform and Expressive Styling" (Press release). Torrance, California: Acura News. May 28, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ Gauthier, Michael (June 17, 2021). "Honda Kills Legend And Odyssey In Japan, America's Minivan Not Impacted". Carscoops. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
External links
- Acura RLX Archived 2018-03-30 at the Wayback Machine