The Acura RL has always had a hard time fitting in. Much like people you might have known in high school. Trying to hang with the popular crowd but always falling short. The current RL is satisfactory, but in a group filled with the latest and greats from Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Infiniti, it's tough to demand some spotlight. The 2013 RLX concept is Acura's latest attempt to fit into the large luxury sedan category.
Shown at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, Acura previewed the concept with a beautifully artistic video shot along the streets of New York City, where there's even a cameo from a much-older Acura Legend.
Never one to shy away from green technology, the RLX-concept has Acura's new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, which features a 3.5-liter V6 engine, along with three electric motors, two-of-which supply power to the rear wheels. The engine is rated at 370hp, and mated to a seven-speed transmission—green, indeed. Acura has hopes to gain notoriety by nabbing that much-desired 30+mpg rating. As noted, a FWD model will be available with a 310hp engine.
Acura has filled the cabin with technology that will suit any technophile. The newly-updated AcuraLink and Ultra-Premium 14-speaker sound system give the driver and passengers access to internet and email, streaming internet radio, and multiple safety features. With a dual-screen set-up in the dash, which Acura has named On Demand Screen, your hands are free from the monotony of buttons.
The clean lines of the sedan show that Acura isn't taking any chances with its flagship sedan. The stately sedan is sleek and sophisticated for its intended audience. The exterior design has come under some scrutiny, with some saying the concept is too plain, while some say the concept resembles other sedans already on the road. I really cannot see anybody being completely turned off by the design, yet it's beautiful enough to attract a larger clientele to Acura. The pendulum grille lives on, but designers have made it a subtle, attractive signature piece. Up-front, Acura installed its latest Jewel-Eye headlights, which are made up of LEDs to help guide the driver into turns and give a more precise glow to the road. Acura also fitted its concept with unfortunate 20-inch rims that will hopefully disappear when it reaches production.
In a category blurred with beautiful sedans and tech-filled cabins, the RLX may have a chance to draw in a new crop of drivers that love luxury and sport, yet crave green-tinged efficiency when necessary.
For more, see www.Gaywheels.com .
Auto news
—Ford's hybrid: Ford is taking on Toyota in the hybrid market with its new C-Max small minivan, the Washington Post reported. The C-Max will have a base price of $25,995 when it goes on sale this fall—$500 less that Toyota's Prius V wagon. Also, Ford claims that the C-Max is more efficient than the Prius, which gets an estimated 42 mpg in combined highway and city driving.
—Saving Saab: The largest union representing Saab's employees in Sweden, IF Metall, has written an open letter to President Obama, asking him to help save the company, according to Fox News. While Saab looks for investors, the cars in its lineup had been engineered under General Motors ( GM ) ownership and were being produced under license from the U.S. automaker—licenses that GM would not be extend to new owners because of intellectual property issues.
—Little red Corvette, gone: Illinois is seventh in states with the most Corvette-related thefts, according to a USA Today item. From 1981 through 2011, 4,092 Corvettes were stolen in Illinois, trailing ( in order ) California, Florida, Texas, New York, Michigan and New Jersey. The 1984 model is the one that has been stolen most often ( 8,554 across the country during 1981-2011 ) .
—Carjackers charged: In Detroit, three young men have been charged in the assault and carjacking of pastor/gospel Marvin Winans, who delivered Whitney Houston's eulogy in February, NPR.org reported. Montoya Givens and Christopher Moorehead, both 20, and Brian K. Young, 18, are charged with carjacking, unarmed robbery and conspiracy. Winans, 54, sustained scrapes and bruises; his 2012 Infiniti SUV, wallet and Rolex watch were taken, with the vehicle being recovered.
—Scorsese takes on Rolls-Royce: Legendary film director Martin Scorsese will work on a movie that will detail the history of the Rolls-Royce automotive brand, according to Fox News. Scorsese is acting as the producer of the movie, titled Silver Ghost. Silver Ghost will focus on motoring pioneer Lord John Douglas-Scott Montagu; his wife; Cis; and his secret love affair with his secretary and mistress, Eleanor Velasco Thornton.
