Acura Racing's ILX Build for 25 Hours of Thunderhill

The countdown is on!

 

The all new 2014 Acura RLX goes on sale starting March 15th!

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Acura RLX boasts singular driving experience

The 2014 RLX luxury sedan is the most sophisticated Acura production car in history, topping even the Acura NSX sports car that's still revered by auto enthusiasts.
Replacing the flagship Acura RL sedan this year, the RLX even has its own driving experience that comes from a new suspension and new all-wheel steering system that electronically adjusts toe-in and toe-out at the rear tires for improved tracking in curves and corners.
Designed by the man who helped craft the NSX suspension and who formerly worked on Honda's Formula 1 race team, the new, standard Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) system makes the RLX feel as if it's directly dialed in with the driver.

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Also notable: Combined city/highway fuel economy for the RLX is more than 24 miles per gallon and bests Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW competitors. The RLX's direct injection V-6 comes standard with Variable Cylinder Management that automatically deactivates some engine cylinders when they're not needed, thus saving gasoline.
Though it has the same overall length as the mid-size RL, the RLX has surprisingly generous rear-seat legroom — 38.8 inches — which surpasses that in the Infiniti M and Mercedes E-Class sedans.
In addition, the RLX offers new safety features, including a system that gently steers the car back into its lane if it detects wandering over the center line. This works only if there is lane marking that is detectable by the system.
Meantime, adaptive cruise control with Slow Speed Follow can bring the car to a full stop in certain circumstances if the RLX is headed for the rear-end of a stopped vehicle in front of it.
But the RLX, like its RL predecessor, is front-wheel drive, rather than the rear-wheel drive that some sporty luxury sedan purists prefer.
Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price is up only $250 from its predecessor Acura RL.
A base RLX has a starting retail price, including destination charge, of $49,345. All RLX models come with a 310-horsepower V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The RLX also is the first top Acura sedan to include jeweled-look, light-emitting diode headlights.
Other standard equipment includes leather-trimmed seats and stitched leather instrument panel cover, moonroof, push-button start, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, Acura/ELS premium audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, two sizable display screens in the dashboard and a rearview camera.
Buyers can move up through four trim levels to add navigation, lane keeping, a new Krell audio system with 14 speakers, sunshades and ventilated seats.
In comparison, the starting MSRP, including destination charge, for a rear-wheel drive 2013 Infiniti M37 is $49,605. The M37 has a 330-horsepower V-6 and seven-speed automatic, but the base audio system has six speakers and dual, not three-zone, climate control is standard. The M37 also comes with high-intensity discharge headlights, rather than LED lights.
While the federal government fuel economy ratings for the RLX are 20/31 mpg for city/highway travel, the mid-size M37 is rated at 18/26 mpg.
Another competitor, the Lexus LS 460, has a starting retail price of $72,885 and comes with a 386-horsepower V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. Classified as a mid-size sedan, the LS 460 is rated at 16/24 mpg in city/highway driving by the federal government.
The RLX still has some of the heavy Acura "helmet shield" design on its nose. But it's mild, and the flowing lines on the sides and strong rear end give the car a luxury appearance.
The interior of the top-of-the-line RLX with Advance package was top-notch in fit and finish, with small gaps between trim pieces and everything lined up perfectly.
This RLX included additional acoustic glass that helped keep the interior so quiet, front-seat passengers conversed in light tones.
P-AWS wasn't noticeable until the driver went around a curve at good speed and discovered how stably — maybe the word is magically — the 16-foot-long RLX tracked through.
The system provides more stable handling on slippery surfaces, too.
The most fascinating aspect during the test drive, perhaps, was how little the steering wheel had to be turned to keep the car on track in the curves and how balanced the sizable RLX felt.
Indeed, on mountain switchback roads, the RLX remained firmly planted and was so tenacious, its back-and-forth motions from one curve to the next created some carsickness for the driver.
The lasting impression: How the RLX molds itself to the driver's capabilities and habits, rather than forcing the driver to learn the car.
It's true the 3.5-liter V-6 is single overhead cam and only produces 310 horses and 272 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. This is less than what many competitors deliver. But the RLX is some 160 pounds lighter than its predecessor RL, and the test RLX felt plenty powerful, even if power delivery wasn't race-car instantaneous.
Unleaded premium is the recommended fuel, so a fillup of the 18.5-gallon tank these days could cost more than $72.
Then again, with an average of 24.3 mpg during the test drive on mostly country roads and some highway travel, the RLX's range on a single tank was a good 450 miles.
The sweeping design of the dashboard away from passengers gave an airy feel to the interior.
But seat cushions could be a tad longer to better accommodate long-legged passengers, and the two display screens take some getting used to.
There are no 2013 RLs as the RLX is arriving now in showrooms as an early 2014 model.
Later this calendar year, Acura will introduce a gasoline-electric "sport" hybrid version of the RLX that promises to generate more than 370 horsepower.

Acura MDX Wins “Best Cars For The Money” Award From U.S. News & World Report

The dynamically styled,   seven-passenger 2013 Acura MDX has been named the moved to file: "Best Luxury 3-Row Midsize SUV for the Money" by  U.S. News & World Report in its 2013 Best Cars for the Money awards.                                      The Acura MDX has long been recognized as a benchmark vehicle in its class, combining outstanding performance and fuel efficiency with a spacious and versatile cabin, refined luxury appointments, and advanced Acura-exclusive technologies such as Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®), Acura/ELS Surround Premium audio,
Acura Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and blind spot information system (BSI).
          "The Acura MDX continues to serve as the benchmark vehicle in its class and this award is evidence of that," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations. "We can't wait to launch the next-generation 2014 Acura MDX later
this year. The all-new luxury performance SUV will advance on the current MDX's already great dynamic performance, while improving fuel economy and
luxury comfort."
            The "Best Cars for the Money" methodology combines quality and value data into a composite score. Within each of 21 award categories, the vehicle with the highest score is named the "Best Car for the Money" in that category. Quality is measured by the overall score a vehicle achieved in the U.S. News car rankings at the time the awards are published. The rankings, updated monthly at www.usnews.com/cars, compare cars on the basis of safety, reliability and a consensus of industry experts' opinions. Value is measured by a combination of a vehicle's five-year total cost of ownership and the average price paid for the vehicle at the time the awards are published.
The 2013 MDX is powered by a 300-horsepower,
all-aluminum, 3.7-liter VTEC® V-6 engine mated to a
Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic
transmission and Acura's torque vectoring Super
Handling All-Wheel Drive system. The MDX, featuring
Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™)
body structure, achieves a top 5-star U.S.
government safety rating, and a TOP SAFEY PICK
rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety.
 *MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, vehicle
options and destination charge of $895.00. Dealer
prices may vary.
**Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings. Use for
comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will
vary depending on how you drive and maintain your
vehicle.

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2014 Acura RLX Detailed Trim and Pricing Info Released

We recently had our first spin in the 2014 Acura RLX, and not surprisingly the luxury brand’s new flagship will hit showrooms with a long list or standard and optional features. Acura has recently released full details and pricing on the RLX, meaning we now have a much better idea about what standard equipment is included with each of the five trim levels. The base 2014 Acura RLX starts at $49,345 including the $895 destination fee.

As previously reported, the 2014 Acura RLX will come standard with a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 producing 310 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six speed automatic with paddle shifters. Also new is its Precision All-Wheel Steer system, which changes the toe angle of the rear wheels depending on steering and brake inputs. Standard features include tri-zone climate control, LED headlights, 8-inch infotainment screen, a 7-inch secondary touch-screen display, hands-free keyless access for the front doors and the trunk, 18-inch noise-reducing wheels, satellite a 10-speaker sound system with HD radio, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming audio.

Next in the lineup is the RLX with Navigation, which costs $51,845 and adds navigation with voice recognition, color infotainment screen, and a revised AcuraLink system, which adds a number of Internet-based features and apps. The $55,345 RLX with Technology Package includes 19-inch noise-reducing rims, premium leather, a blind spot monitoring system, 14-speaker ELS Studio audio system, noise-reducing acoustic glass (for all windows except rear window), rain-sensing wipers, power retractable side mirrors and hands-free keyless access for all four doors and the trunk.

 

Rounding off the five trim levels are the RLX with Krell Audio and RLX with Advance. The RLX with Krell Audio costs $57,845 and adds a Krell “ultra-premium” 14-speaker sound system, rear door sunshades and a power-operated rear window sunshade. The RLX with Advance carries a price tag of $61,345 and adds adaptive cruise control system, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Lane Keeping Assist System. The Advance package also includes front and rear parking sensors, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, lighting for the rear-seat foot wells, and auto-dimming side view mirrors.

The RLX goes on sale next month. Later this year, Acura will roll out the RLX equipped with the Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which adds an electric motor at each rear wheel for a total power output of 370 hp.

Source: Acura

Acura RDX Tops German Competitors for KBB.com 5-Year Cost to Own Award

Car buyers tend to fixate on the price tag when shopping, but Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com points out that a vehicle's total purchase cost usually accounts for less than half of its total cost of ownership during a five-year period. The automotive site recently found that the redesigned 2013 Acura RDX offers the best long-term investment in its segment when all costs are considered, presenting the compact crossover with a 2013 KBB.com 5-Year Cost to Own Award.

KBB.com determines its 5-Year Cost to Own Awards by evaluating each vehicle on a broad range of criteria, including Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, projected depreciation and costs for financing, insurance, fuel, repairs, scheduled maintenance and state fees. Besting the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and 2013 BMW X3 in the Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover category, the Acura RDX is projected to cost $49,620 during the first five years of ownership, with KBB.com editors citing its combination of style, performance and fuel efficiency as reasons for its lasting appeal.

"To maintain value in a luxury segment, a vehicle not only has to be able to keep day-to-day costs down, but it needs to have a look and feel that won't lose their luster after a few years," said Joel Avery, general manager of Acura of Peabody, a Massachusetts Acura dealership. "The new Acura RDX is designed to meet both those needs; it has sophisticated style lines and a sportier ride, but it also maintains the brand's signature quality and reliability."

On sale since last spring, the 2013 Acura RDX boasts a sport-tuned suspension and a 3.5-liter V6 that outputs 273 horsepower, an increase of 33 horsepower compared to the previous engine. Even with that added responsiveness, the crossover can return up to 28 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, while an available all-wheel-drive system gives those in the Snow Belt added confidence on wintry roads. Outside, a sleeker design simultaneously improves aesthetics and aerodynamics.

The redesigned Acura RDX was attracting buyers to dealerships long before getting the nod from KBB.com, with nine straight monthly sales records through January. Last month, the RDX moved 2,489 units in the United States, a 182 percent sales increase year-over-year. Those strong results helped Acura's overall sales jump by 13 percent year-over-year in January.

"Acura's latest designs and drivetrains appeal equally to the heads and hearts of drivers, and buyers are responding," added Avery. "With the launches of other new models on the way, including the RLX flagship sedan in March, we expect sales numbers to further impro ve as the year goes on."

Source: PRLeap.com

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2014 Acura NSX - Upcoming NSX Has Future On Track

Set to drop into showrooms in 2014, the tantalizing resurrected Acura NSX may be off to the races as well. During an interview with SpeedTV.com, Honda Performance Development VP, Steve Eriksen indicated the NSX belonged on the track. We are wondering where it will race and in what configuration. Electric cars are racing to the clouds on Pikes Peak so anything is possible. It’s still unclear how the combining of the American Le Mans and Grand Am racing series will shake out but the NSX fits the specs of Grand Am’s GX +class, which caters to alternative fuel technologies. Heck, the car’s electric motors could be ditched completely and the NSX aimed at traditional Super GT.

Source: SuperStreetOnline

Acura at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival

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Honda And Acura Will Offer Siri Eyes Free On 2013 Model Cars

The number of vehicles that will support Siri’s hand-free integration, called Eyes Free, has grown yet again. Honda has announced that the Accord as well as the Acura RDX and ILX 2013 models will include the feature, according to Engadget.
Says Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of automobile product planning, American Honda:

Offering Honda and Acura owners Siri and its Eyes Free mode via Bluetooth is an incredible opportunity to provide next-generation connectivity and meet our customer’s ever-changing needs.

At this month’s CES, Hyundai announced that they would include Eyes Free in some of their 2013 model vehicles.
Siri Eyes Free mode was introduced by Apple at last year’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). At the event, Apple announced that it had partnered with a number of car manufacturers to integrate Siri into their vehicles. These initial partners were: BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda, and General Motors.
Pricing on Siri Eyes Free on Honda and Acura vehicles has yet to be announced.

Source: Engadget