The LA Auto Show is a big event for most automobile manufacturers. Acura is no exception, and it took the opportunity to show off its brand new RLX sedan, which will serve as the company's flagship car. The automaker is bringing plenty of new features and improvements to its premium sedan, both in terms of performance and comfort.
Acura has added a 310-horsepower direct-injected SOHC 24-valve i-VTEC V-6 engine. The company is expecting it to have a best-in-class fuel economy of 20/31/24 mpg (11.8/7.6/9.8 L/100km) city/highway/combined. Those estimates are determined by Acura – the final EPA estimates are not available yet.
The car also comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.
Acura is including Precision All-Wheel Steer, which is designed to give extra control and improved handling. The system offers continuous control over left and right rear-wheel steering angles.
Acura's new flagship has plenty of exterior features that look interesting for luxury car buyers. It comes with features like an integrated rear sunshade, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and more. Other companies like BMW and Lexus offer these features, and Acura is making sure to keep on par with its competitors with the RLX.
There are plenty of luxurious features on the inside as well. The car comes with "premium materials" throughout, including wood-grain accents that give the interior a luxurious look. That's all well and good, but the exciting part is the technology inside the new RLX. The center console features two screens, the first of which is an 8-inch navigation screen, with the second being a 7-inch on-demand multi-use touchscreen. The smaller screen controls everything from the audio to the air conditioning.
Acura is offering two different audio packages for the RLX. The first package includes a 10-speaker ELS audio system with HD radio, XM radio, Pandora interface, USB connectivity, and an auxiliary jack. The second option includes 14 speakers from Krell Audio.
The RLX includes AcuraLink, which is designed to provide drivers with information, media, convenience, and security services. It connects with web-enabled devices to provide information such as real-time traffic, airbag deployment notifications, stolen vehicle tracking, plus remote locking and unlocking.
The RLX's safety features include lane departure warnings, lane keeping assistance, collision mitigating brake systems, blind spot information and others.
Acura did not announce the price for the 2014 RLX, simply stating that pricing will be made available closer to the spring (Northern Hemisphere) release time frame.
Source: Acura
