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2005 Acura RL Prototype Preview

Coming Out of Obscurity is a Surety

When was the last time you saw an Acura RL drive by? If your home town is anything like mine, I cant remember seeing one for some time. Or maybe its not that there are just so few out there, but that none of us would notice if one did pass by.

After all, Acuras stylists didnt exactly crack open a new box of crayons when they drew the Japanese brands flagship sedan. Its one of those non-offensive cars, ideal for an executive on the rise who enjoys sitting in the lap of luxury but still needs to be careful not to upstage the boss.

I spent a couple of one week stints with Acuras flagship RL over the last five years or so, nice quiet weeks where life seemed to slip by in serene ambivalence, at least while driving.

The old version of the Acura RL definitely flew under the radar in terms of looks, but Acura has big plans for this new version. (Photo: Acura)

Its a really well made car, filled with the expected creature comforts of a top-tier executive shuttle and pretty good on fuel to boot. Its just, well, boring.

As recently experienced, borings not good enough for Hondas premier division. One drive in the radically improved 2004 TL would be enough to clarify anyones outlook on the future of Acura. It took only two glorious weeks in both 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic

An all-new Acura RL made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan earlier this month. (Photo: Acura)

variations to convert me to the brands new philosophy.

And its not just about driving dynamics, which regarding the TL is about as good as front-wheel drive cars get. More so, the cars superb exterior panel fit and interior quality and workmanship is among the best in the industry, equal to brands such as Audi and BMW and superior to Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz.

So with the lesser TL being as good as it is, even more would be expected of the next-generation RL, right?

The new RLs distinctive shape is a natural progression from its conservative predecessor to a much bolder design. (Photo: Acura)

With the introduction of the 2005 RL prototype at the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan earlier this month it looks like Acura hasnt let us down. Its distinctive shape not only shows a natural progression into a bolder design language, but also the same high levels of interior styling and quality, plus the promise of more power and an all-wheel drivetrain. All this should help what has always been an entry-luxury brand step up another rung in the ladder of desirability.

"The RL Prototype really makes a statement about Acuras focus on performance," commented

Acura designers seem to be in a heated battle with Mazda over the use of the trapezoidal front grille. (Photo: Acura)

Dick Colliver, executive vice president, sales. "When you combine the high output engine, the sport tuned chassis and Acuras revolutionary all-wheel-drive system, you get a driving experience that other cars in its class just cannot match."

The next-generation RL is as sleek and wind-cheating as any sedan the brand has ever created, completely unique from its rear three-quarter view due to a bustled rear decklid that drops down at each side and at back before meeting up with jewel-like taillamps.

From the front the RL is all Acura, albeit a more rakish version than anytime previous. Still, the brands designers seem in a heated

The interior of the 2005 RL is much more upscale than the outgoing car, here being appreciated by one of the many media attendees that came to witness the new cars launch. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

battle with Mazda over the use of the trapezoidal grille, with the RL looking similar to a full-size Mazda6 in photos at least. It comes across as more distinctive in the sheetmetal, which is a good thing considering prospective buyers will need to separate with about $50,000 for the RL, and therefore might take offense to sharing styling cues with a non-premium brand.

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