Test Drive: 2012 Acura RL Elite
Surrey, British Columbia – The ‘09 edition of Acura’s flagship, the RL, has been given a fairly extensive mid-cycle makeover that includes a new engine and transmission; its styling has been revised and there are some interior changes too. Acura also made some modifications to improve steering and handling and added a bevy of new technology and entertainment features.
Luxury sedan competition in the 60-grand price range is certainly varied and interesting, but glancing over at Lexus (its fiercest competitor) there is, surprisingly, no direct opponent to the RL.
The 2012 Acura RL Elite. From its sculpted, streamlined body style and luxuriously refined interior to engineering and amenities that inspire as effortlessly as they exhilarate, the RL Elite sets an ultramodern tone for ultimate sedan luxury. It’s flagship automotive technology without compromise or equal.
Active front lighting can automatically swivel the Xenon headlights up to 20 degrees in harmony with movement of the steering wheel and enhance driver vision while cornering at night. Lastly, Collision mitigation uses radar to calculate both distance and closing speed to a vehicle in front of the RL. If a programmed threshold is exceeded the driver first gets visual and audible warnings. Then the seatbelts are tightened, automatic braking commences and it gets progressively stronger, to reduce the force of an impact.
Driving impressions
A key performance feature of the RL is its Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. In addition to the added traction benefits of a conventional all-wheel-drive system, the SH-AWD system utilizes torque vectoring, and can rotate the outside rear wheel faster than the front axle speed while cornering. If an understeer situation is detected while cornering the SH-AWD system uses this action to cause what Acura calls a “yaw moment” as it generates a turn-in effect. Improved handling, balance and controllability are the main benefits of this system in all weather conditions, including a perfectly dry road.
While not a light vehicle (1,860 kilograms), the RL is not as heavy as other vehicles in this class, particularly some of its V8 engine competitors. Yet the lack of a V8 engine option for the RL has been cited as a reason for its less than spectacular sales performance. The V6 doesn’t give that initial burst of raw power that you typically get from a V8, but it can still move the RL very promptly. A 7.2 second zero-to-100 km/hour acceleration time was clocked at this year’s Canadian Car of the Year evaluation event, which is very respectable.
Verdict
A technically brilliant and a sophisticated luxury sedan, the Acura RL should not be overlooked just because it doesn’t fit neatly into any popular vehicle category and doesn’t offer a V8 engine.