Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    LA Auto Show: A Bit Of Sport Hybrid For The Acura RLX

    William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    November 19, 2013

    It has been quite the wait for the Sport Hybrid version of the RLX since we first saw the concept at 2012 New York Auto Show. But Acura has spilled the beans on the 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid which will be debuting at the LA Auto Show tomorrow.

    The Sport Hybrid is comprised of a direct-injected 3.5L V6 engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with a built-in 35 kW electric motor, two 27 kW electric motors in the back that take the place of drive shaft and rear differential, and a 260 Volt lithium-ion battery pack.

    The Sport Hybrid system will work like this: The V6 drives the front wheels, while the two electric motors drive the rear wheels. The electric motor in the transmission charges the battery pack. The electric motors will also handle braking and provide torque vectoring to improve cornering.

    Acura says this system gives the RLX Sport Hybrid comparable 0-60 MPH times to V8 rivals and fuel economy numbers of 28 City/32 Highway/30 Combined.

    The RLX Sport Hybrid's tech doesn't end there. Inside, there is a new push-button selector for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a advance heads-up display.

    Source: Acura

    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

    Press Release is on Page 2

    2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD: The Most Powerful and Technologically Advanced Vehicle in Acura History to be Showcased at LA Auto Show

    11/18/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif.

    The 377-horsepower Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD luxury-performance sedan will be on public display for the first time this week at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, showcasing Acura's dynamic new three-motor hybrid system.

    The 2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which launches next spring, is the first vehicle to deploy Acura's new three-motor hybrid powertrain technology. The system combines a highly efficient, direct-injected V-6 engine with an all-new, Acura-designed, 7-speed dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor and an electrically powered variant of Acura's highly regarded torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).

    This advanced new hybrid powertrain delivers exhilarating driving performance with incredibly responsive power delivery and precise, sure-footed handling performance like no other vehicle in its class. Supported by the instantaneous torque delivered by its high-output electric motors, the RLX Sport Hybrid runs a 0-60 mph time comparable with competitor's V8-powered machines. This performance, however, is coupled with a 28/32/30mpg (city/highway/combined) EPA fuel economy rating1, which is in the range of 4-cylinder-powered luxury sedans.

    Powertrain and Drivetrain

    The RLX Sport Hybrid's 3.5-liter, 310-horsepower, i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) includes an idle-stop feature to help maximize fuel efficiency. The engine is mated to an all-new, 7-speed dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor. In automatic mode, the transmission provides highly responsive and intuitive gear selection, including matching engine revs during downshifts, in manual mode, the Sequential SportShift paddle shifters give the driver gear selection control to make virtually seamless ratio changes.

    The electric SH-AWD system on the RLX Sport Hybrid eliminates the conventional drive shaft and rear differential, replacing them with two high-output 27-kilowatt electric motors. The rear motors dynamically distribute both positive (drive) and negative (regenerative braking) electric-motor torque, depending on driving conditions, and which torque vectoring assists in cornering. The system is further aided by a 35-kilowatt front electric motor that supplements engine torque to the front wheels and provides regenerative brake torque to charge the vehicle's 260-volt lithium-ion battery pack.

    Body and Chassis

    With a longer wheelbase and wider greenhouse than competing mid-luxury sedans, the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD delivers full-size interior space in a nimbler, mid-size luxury sedan package. The RLX boasts the longest rear-seat legroom (38.8 inches), and best front (59.6 inches) and rear (57.0 inches) shoulder room in the mid-luxury class. The RLX advanced body design makes extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminum, further aiding its outstanding fuel efficiency, straight-line performance and superior handling agility.

    In front, the RLX's double-wishbone, lower double-joint front suspension with Amplitude Reactive Dampers significantly improves handling agility, driver confidence and security, and ride sophistication. In back, the RLX's multi-link rear suspension is optimized for a flat ride during cornering, confident turning capability, and a smooth ride in a variety of urban, highway and open road scenarios.

    Technology

    Acura technology firsts on the 2014 Sport Hybrid also include the Acura electronic gear selector and Acura Head-Up Display System. The Acura electronic gear selector replaces the conventional, center console-mounted shift lever with an efficiently packaged push-button array that allows the driver to easily select the desired drive mode-Park, Drive and Reverse, as well as Sport and Normal driving modes. The Acura Head-Up Display System provides the driver with at-a-glance access to key driving information projected on the windshield. Display modes include Sport Hybrid system operation, turn-by-turn navigation, speedometer and compass, as well as alerts from various driver-assistive systems.

    The RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD features Acura's signature Jewel Eye™ LED headlights, which offer outstanding light distribution and excellent down-the-road illumination performance and light characteristics. The RLX taillights utilize periphery LED illumination that is both effective and highly distinctive.

    With the expanded range of standard and available technology features built into the RLX, substantial engineering effort was put into making each feature intuitive and easy-to-use. The focal point of the new instrument panel is a large, 8-inch color screen that combines audio/information and navigation functions and provides access to an array of customizable features. An additional 7-inch color On Demand Multi-Use Display™ (ODMD) touchscreen is positioned within easy reach and controls the audio system and many other features.

    Audio and Connectivity

    Exceptional audio performance has long been an Acura hallmark, and in the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, two audio systems are offered. The Technology package includes the Acura/ELS Studio® Premium Audio System with an advanced 14-speaker array. In the Advance package, the 14-speaker Krell system - with speakers and amplifiers engineered by Krell, one of the most respected audio companies in world - sets a new benchmark in automotive audio performance.

    The RLX is equipped with the next-generation AcuraLink® cloud-based connected car system, delivering a comprehensive array of media, convenience, and security services via embedded two-way communications and web-enabled devices. AcuraLink® leverages Pandora® interface for streaming audio and the Aha™ by Harman cloud-based interface to provide users with thousands of customizable cloud-based news, information and media feeds. The next-generation AcuraLink® also delivers an array of available, subscription-based, security and convenience features, such as AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ featuring freeway traffic and, for the first time, surface street traffic information.

    Safety and Driver-Assistive Technologies

    The new RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD offers an extensive array of advanced safety, visibility and driver-assistive technologies that put the RLX on the leading edge of collision avoidance and assisted driving capability. Standard and features include a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), along with Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Blind Spot Information (BSI) system.

    Utilizing Acura's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, along with seven airbags (including a driver's knee airbag), the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is anticipated to earn top-level safety ratings, including a 5-star NCAP Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS "TOP SAFETY PICK+" rating, plus a GOOD rating in the IIHS small overlap front collision test.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    caddycruiser

    this car sucks, should be dropped, like the Cadenza with it

    Have you actually driven one? To say Kia and Acura in the same sentence is a bit of a sacrilege.

    It may not be a 100k per year seller, but the engineering and performance of this car is impressive. Drive one, if you get a chance.

    Add 3 electric motors to it and a 7-speed DCT, and it should be even more so.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    this car sucks, should be dropped, like the Cadenza with it

    Have you actually driven one? To say Kia and Acura in the same sentence is a bit of a sacrilege.

    It may not be a 100k per year seller, but the engineering and performance of this car is impressive. Drive one, if you get a chance.

    Add 3 electric motors to it and a 7-speed DCT, and it should be even more so.

    I know you have to sell them CaddyCruiser, but this is an ugly duckling that will not become a swan. Hard to drive something that visually is so terrible. Fact that many humans are visual so this has got to be stunning and it is not IMHO.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell

    this car sucks, should be dropped, like the Cadenza with it

    Have you actually driven one? To say Kia and Acura in the same sentence is a bit of a sacrilege.

    It may not be a 100k per year seller, but the engineering and performance of this car is impressive. Drive one, if you get a chance.

    Add 3 electric motors to it and a 7-speed DCT, and it should be even more so.

    Sure, it's a technological powerhouse but it totally misses the mark on styling. At the same time, BMW can get similar performance from a diesel while returning better fuel economy numbers.

    I think of it like this: Acura threw all that hybrid technology at this car, yet the highway mpgs are easily beat by a V6 8-speed Chrysler 300.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    Which V8 rivals?

    32 highway is nothing to crow about for that much tech.

    Exactly. Unless they mean the Volvo S80 if that still has a V8. Because the V8s in an E550, 550i or Jaguar XF would smash this thing.

    And you can get 38 mpg from a 5-series or A6 and 45 mpg from an E-class so they didn't win their either. These Japanese companies bet on hybrids and they aren't really the answer.

    Edited by smk4565
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    Which V8 rivals?

    32 highway is nothing to crow about for that much tech.

    Exactly. Unless they mean the Volvo S80 if that still has a V8. Because the V8s in an E550, 550i or Jaguar XF would smash this thing.

    And you can get 38 mpg from a 5-series or A6 and 45 mpg from an E-class so they didn't win their either. These Japanese companies bet on hybrids and they aren't really the answer.

    They could have done a skateboard base so a much bigger battery, then use pure CNG or BioDiesel Generator and have the auto fully driven AWD by electric motors. This would be Rockin! :)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • smk4565
      Genesis News: Genesis debuts a Long Wheelbase G90 Black Edition

      By smk4565 · Posted

      But we don't really need 600 mile EVs.  What we need are EV's that replace the 100 kWh battery with a lighter, cheaper 75 kWh battery and get the same range.  
    • Robert Hall
      Permanent Car Spotters

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      Was out and about in my neighborhood this afternoon and saw not one but two Cadillac ELRs within a couple blocks…a dark red one and a pearl white one.   Also saw two CT6s (dark gray and black) and a CT4 V series in bright blue.  
    • G. David Felt
      Genesis News: Genesis debuts a Long Wheelbase G90 Black Edition

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Keep in Mind that Mercedes came to the party late. Kia/Hyundai/Genesis were the first investor with Factorial Energy for Solid state and then a year later Mercedes joined the investors party. Both have prototype assembly lines that come online this spring to actually product production grade battery packs. Right now, both are using hand-built versions and have pretty much the same range. Genesis RV90 EV SUV is supposed to have the first battery packs from the Hyundai Assembly line in them when they go on sale next year. That would put them ahead of Mercedes. Bigger part is when both companies push it through out their whole product portfolio to maximize the performance while minimizing cost. I can imagine the G90 Long wheelbase sedan above having this battery pack and being in the 600 mile plus range. We are in exciting times, and it will be interesting to watch how Mercedes and Kia/Hyundai/Genesis maximize these solid-state battery packs.
    • G. David Felt
      Genesis News: Genesis debuts a Long Wheelbase G90 Black Edition

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Warren Buffett was the lead investor in BYD and as a financial requirement made BYD review and apply all of Demming and Drucker's approach to manufacturing like they did for Toyota and most of Japan when the U.S. Auto industry ignored them. BYD is in many ways ahead of many other auto companies world wide in quality as well as technology. Excellent read: Deming versus Drucker. Management Titans Clash Like Rivals in… | by Paul Daoust | SCIO Asset Management Inc. | Medium
    • trinacriabob
      Exhibiting more soul than I usually do - 2024 Kia Soul for one week

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      I remember when the Kia Soul hit the market, together with its jingle about a “little bit of soul.”  I still think the name is clever. Yet, it has taken me this long to actually drive one.  It was because of a situation where the rental agency had run out of compact sedans. The Kia Soul doesn’t look like anything else.  It’s quirky and even an ugly sort of cute.  When it was first released, its cartoon-like front grille “expressed” sadness.  It has been minimally changed during its run and, currently, the front grille looks a little “angry” … and with an underbite.  The side profile is largely unchanged.  Now, the rear door and surface are vertical and its rear taillamp assembly has morphed to wrapping around the edge of that entire surface. In being so vertical, getting into and out of the Soul is easy.  That feeling of verticality extends to the interior of the cabin.  The front of the cabin is spacious enough, the rear of the cabin is sufficiently spacious, and the rear storage space, without the rear seat folded down, is not exactly generous.  To get the full benefit, the rear seat needs to be folded down.  Clearly, a person who buys one has penciled out their needs and has figured that the Kia Soul might work for them.  Some reviewers have said that the dashboard is a throwback to another era.  I believe they were addressing how rounded the different volumes were.  I’d agree that roundedness was very popular in past automotive design, but this dash set-up is unique to the Soul.  The interesting thing is the illumination at night, which seems to change colors – without adjustments I was aware of, the colors were shades of purple and pink.  Having clusters of instruments grouped in these rounded clusters was easy to work with.  The steering wheel in this model was a urethane one, and, anymore, this always gives a vehicle an entry-level feel.   On the main pod, the speedometer is to the left and the tachometer (where one needs to multiply the digital number x 1,000) is on the right.  Fuel and temperature gauges are included and worked in around the edges of the above.  There is an information dialogue box between them where you can see tire pressure and other readouts as you toggle through them. The Soul’s center stack dash pods are very sensible.  This includes both infotainment screen and the climate control panel.  The console is also simply laid out. The Soul’s engine has a subdued rhythmic note, but it’s not hushed when pushed.  This is an economical Kia vehicle.  The engine is a 2.0-liter 4 cylinder unit and it is not turbocharged.  Thus, it makes 147 horses.  Power comes from a CVT, as Hyundai has left the geared automatics behind several years ago, when even Rios (and Accents) had 6 speed automatic transmissions. The Soul is conventional in its mechanics, seeming like a vehicle somewhere between a Kia Rio and a Kia Forte that has been raised up.  That explains its ride and handling, which is probably closer to that of the Forte than to that of the Rio.  This means that, while not premium grade, it is nimble and smooth enough.  Sometimes, it’s the go-kart effect as you slalom around city traffic that “imparts” more agility than would be experienced on two-lane highways or freeways. With its powertrain, it has what it needs for everyday driving and even sprinting away from a light or onto a freeway ramp.  In so doing, the CVT will begin to spool up the rpms, but it doesn’t give the sensation of “sticking” at those higher rpms the way some CVTs did in the mid-2010s.  As for passing up a steep grade or at high speed, this would be more challenging and would need to be “studied.” The seating is upholstered in tougher fabric, which is firm and reasonably comfortable. It is intended to do the job without trying to exhibit uptown workmanship.  If wanting to look over your shoulder to change lanes or pass, the unusual slanted window in the rear sail panel and the thick rear pillar might be slightly intrusive.  The Soul’s greenhouse is not a big glassy one. The Soul is very predictable and easy to live with, though not exactly awe inspiring.  For this sort of packaging, the pricing is in the respectable $22K to $27K MSRP range.  Also, many of the advanced safety electronics are included.  That said, it’s a little brainy, but, while it’s not the brainiest of vehicles, it has more brains than it does looks.  So, if you’re a little quirky, or want to be, choosing this vehicle could be a logical extension of that. The Kia Soul has been on the market for a long time, sales crested a few model years ago, sales have dwindled with each successive year after that, and, at this juncture, it is still available. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING  

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search