Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Extra Mile: 2014 Acura RLX

This week, we're driving the all-new 2014 Acura RLX, currently in the midst of a media advertising blitz in both print and television.
Promoting luxury to a new level, four-wheel steer and beautiful jeweled headlamps in its advertising, RLX is Acura's first major "RL" renovation in many years. Albeit slow to react with this much needed update, RLX receives an upfront Test Drive "pat on the back."
Replacing the five passenger mid-size RL sedan, RLX starts at just $48,450 and then escalates through several models to arrive at the top line Advance, which is our test this week. Advance lists for $60,450 and comes fully loaded with the Acura amenities consumers have come to love.
A most important mechanical advancement is better fuel economy with way more power from a smaller engine. This enhancement comes from Acura's premium fuel, 3.5-liter 310 horsepower V6 mated to a six speed automatic. The results are 20 city and 31 highway, excellent numbers considering the 310 horses and RLX's size and weight. In comparison, few competitors come close to delivering numbers like this, unless of Hybrid design.
RLX's wheelbase is 2-inches longer while width increases 1.7-inches wider. This results in more room for passengers, especially those in the back seat. However, thanks to engineers tackling both front and rear overhangs, the new RLX is about the same size as the RL it replaces.
Advance models feature many standard items which cost more in the lower classes. They include rearview safety camera, Krell Premium 14 speaker audio system, XM radio, Bluetooth, SMS Text Messaging, Navigation, heated front seats, push button start, tri-zone climate control, leather trim, power rear sunshade, power moonroof and more than 25 other features. There are two interior digital screens with a "mouse like" controller for navigation and stereo, which takes some time getting used to.
Acura's Advance model comes with an impressive high-tech package as standard fare. Included are Lane Keep Assist, which literally drives the car back on the road if swaying; Adaptive Cruise Control with low speed follow; Collision Mitigation Braking (helps prevent a rear end collision and even stops the RLX completely), rear heated seats, parking sensors and auto dim side mirrors.
Additionally, all RLX models come with standard safety items like four-wheel dynamic control ABS disc brakes, forward collision warning sensor, all expected airbags (including driver knee), electronic brake distribution, vehicle stability and a lane departure warning, all of which enhance passenger safety and overall roadworthiness.
Another achievement is RLX's "rear steer" function, called Precision All Wheel Steer. This system delivers an extraordinary level of handling precision and control, and is the first system that enables the rear wheels to adjust to angles independently of each other. This function works in tandem with the aforementioned stability assist and dynamic braking system.
Outwardly, Acura designers stay conservative with the new RLX theme, and end with an impressive, discreet, luxury motoring contribution. The Jewel Eye headlamps are its most aggressive statement, where eight LEDs shine through 16 lenses. Each lens pair is precisely aimed to focus the LED beam over a longer and wider surface area, enabling the driver to see clearly without blinding oncoming traffic.
RLX currently comes in front-drive format, but an all-wheel-drive RLX Hybrid boasting a 370-horsepower V6 mated to a three-motor electric hybrid and a seven-speed automatic will be available later this year. Fuel mileage is expected to be 30 city and 30 highway, and with AWD and 370 ponies under the hood, it may well be the most popular of the breed.
Important numbers include a 112.2-inch wheelbase, 18.5 gallon fuel tank, 3997 lb. curb weight and 14.7 cu. ft. of cargo space.
In summary, Acura's RLX is quiet, comfortable, loaded with luxury and indeed all new. It's a major move forward and will allow Acura to again compete for the top spot in the mid-size, full luxury sedan segment.
An RLX test drive should be in order if shopping this highly competitive market.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Tuesday Tech Tip-Acura TL Braking System



The TL’s disc brakes are backed up by several electronic systems to provide you with enhanced braking under any circumstance.

The Brake Assist system detects emergency braking by monitoring the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed and steps in to ensure the ABS system is activated—terminating immediately upon the driver’s release of the brake pedal.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Car Care Tip of the Week:

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Don't forget to check tire tread and pressure!

Neglecting your tires and letting them become under inflated can lead to tire failure and other issues. At least once a month, make a point to check the pressure in all of your tires using a tire gauge. If your tires need more air, fill them up to the correct psi for your vehicle. If you don’t know your vehicle’s psi, you can find this number on the tire’s information label located on the driver’s side doorjamb or in your owner’s manual.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Acura RLX roominess, four-wheel steering commands notice

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For years, the RL cruised along as Acura's flagship sedan. But its standing was that of an also-ran.

There was nothing intrinsically wrong with the car. In fact, it has always enjoyed high ratings for style, reliability and durability. It just didn't sell.

The rap was that it couldn't compete with other luxury cars because it didn't offer a V8 engine. Its V6 engine, though plenty powerful, didn't have the cachet of eight cylinders. The fact that the current model came standard with sophisticated all-wheel drive didn't help.

Another argument was size and price. It was virtually the same size, but more expensive, than Acura's lower-priced sport sedan, the midsize TL.

All of this conspired to tamp down the RL's customer appeal, to the point where nationwide sales in 2012 totaled an embarrassing 379. It was the sort of thing that could cause a company to order a public execution.

But Acura has benefited from a shift in public opinion, along with a new two-prong strategy to distinguish the car, now called the RLX, from the rest of the Acura pack as well as from other luxury cars.

It's still a midsize, close in dimensions to the TL, which remains a sports sedan and less expensive. But the interior space has been boosted to provide nearly Lincoln Town Car backseat head and knee room. The RLX also competes handily with other midsize luxury sedans like the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-series, Lexus GS and Infiniti's new Q50.

Though it still offers only six-cylinder power, it benefits from the seismic shift from bigger engines to smaller power plants with fewer cylinders.

It can be seen across the automotive spectrum. Cars that once carried V8 and V6 engines now are motivated by V6 and four-cylinder engines and even, in some cases, by tiny motors with three cylinders.

It's all about fuel economy and computers. The smaller engines deliver improved fuel economy. And with computer wizardry and turbo charging, they provide power and performance as good or better than their predecessors. One prime example: the much-praised BMW 328i, which now has a turbo four-banger instead of the previous model's in-line six-cylinder.

The 2014 Acura RLX is no slouch, either. Though it doesn't have a turbo, it punches out 310 horsepower from an all-new V6 with 3.5 liters of displacement. That's as much or more than most customers will need or want. A minor downside is the six-speed automatic transmission, which competes against seven- and eight-speed automatics. For enthusiastic motoring, it does offer manual shifting via paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

But the killer app is on the first prong of Acura's strategy to make the RLX into a new contender: front drive with four-wheel steering.

Sound familiar? It should. Back in the 1980s, Honda offered its Prelude coupe with the same concept. It was a mechanical setup that steered the rear wheels opposite the fronts at low speeds to enhance parking and other maneuvers.

As the speed crept up, the rear wheels would switch and turn the same way as the fronts to enhance lane changes and hustling around curves. Mazda had a similar system on its 626 model, though it was hydraulic.

The four-wheel steering on the 2014 RLX works roughly the same. But it now is computer controlled, with each rear wheel operating independently. Sensors determine exactly how much each rear wheel needs to turn to maximize handling in a given situation.

It works as advertised. Flog the RLX around an autocross course and it changes directions, even on a 180-degree switchback, with little fuss. The rear wheels simply track behind the fronts. In automotive parlance, the rear-wheel steering nearly cancels out under-steer -- that prejudice of front drive cars to hurtle straight ahead in turns.

Acura is not done yet. Later in the model year, it will introduce the new version of the RLX with all-wheel drive. This has become an imperative among luxury cars, whether they start out with rear or front drive.

In addition to the nifty performance, the 2014 RLX nails the luxury car aspects with full safety and technology equipment, including the new Acura Link system, which integrates navigation and smartphone technology to, among other things, provide the driver with instant reports on urban and suburban traffic, as well as that on freeways.

The tested RLX had a starting price of $49,435. With options maximized, it had a competitive sticker of $61,345.