Acura News: Next Acura RL To Be Shown At New York, SH-AWD To Be Optional

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

January 27, 2012

Acura has confirmed that the next generation RL will be shown at April’s New York Auto Show. The RL will stick with a V6, but gains a hybrid component and direct injection. The RL also gains an optional all-wheel drive system known as Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which is similar as the system shown on Acura NSX Concept in Detroit.

Sport Hybrid SH-AWD uses the V6 hybrid to power the front wheels and two electric motors in the rear, individually powering each wheel. Sport Hybrid SH-AWD takes the current RL’s AWD mechanical setup and transforms it into an electronic system. Mated to a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the promise is provide the power of a V8 while returning the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder.

Acura says the next generation RL will essentially share dimensions with the current RL, but will grow in the interior. Styling will share cues from the new ILX, with a more rear-drive design and large rear fenders.

More details will be revealed when the RL is shown in April.

Source: Auto Guide

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[67impss]

"Styling will share cues from the new ILX, with a more rear-drive design and large rear fenders."

RWD cars have large rear fenders

[G. David Felt]

But will they fix that Ugly Buck Tooth Grill?????

The Acura current Grill has got to be one of the worst in the auto industry. It reminds me of a beaver with a single big tooth to cut down all the trees.

[frogger]

I'll be shocked if it's anywhere near good looking, RL has always been a dud.

[Drew Dowdell]

It's going to "look" RWD, but not actually "be" RWD.

[Robert Hall]

It's going to "look" RWD, but not actually "be" RWD.

I wonder if that means there will be more than 3 inches between the front wheel well opening and door line... that dimension is what really pegs something as looking FWD or RWD, at least w/ today's FWD models, IMO. That and the related wheelwell intrusion into the interior because of not enough distance between firewall and wheel wells (the front wheel wells shouldn't intrude into interior space on a front engined car, that's just weak design, IMO).

In the old days at least w/ some FWD models like the pre-86 GM E-bodies you couldn't tell by looking at them...

Edited January 27, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

It is transverse mounting of the engine that pushes the wheels back. The old dodge monaco and intrepid have their front wheels relatively forward.

[SAmadei]

It is transverse mounting of the engine that pushes the wheels back. The old dodge monaco and intrepid have their front wheels relatively forward.

But thats because the compact packaging allows the maker to chop 4-8 inches out of the car... that leg room that disappears is only noticed by certain long legged people... which don't include the females pushing 55% of those auto decisions. The non-transverse mounting only give you some extra legroom because space would otherwise be wasted on the sides of the rear of the transaxle housing.

[balthazar]

Wait; it's going to be badged "SH-SH-AWD" ???

[Paolino]

Wait; it's going to be badged "SH-SH-AWD" ???

Sh...sh... it's a secret

[smk4565]

Wait; it's going to be badged "SH-SH-AWD" ???

Well no, the hybrid will be the Acura RL SH-SH-AWD-DIV6-h.

And this is exciting, I always wanted a $60,000 Honda Accord, so I can't wait. Hard to tell if I want the RL more or the $90,000 NSX that won't outrun a Nissan 370Z.

[G. David Felt]

They have lost touch with the public and what the public wants.