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)

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)

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)

"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)

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)

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