‘08 Chicago: The Singular Face of the 2009 Acura RL
Acura pulled the wraps off of its new 2009 RL today at the Chicago Auto Show, displaying a vehicle that has greater performance, better equipment, and improved luxury over the outgoing car. The new RL is also sporting a whole new look, one that may prove polarizing amongst all but the most die-hard Acura fans.
Though from most angles the revised styling of the RL seems fairly clean and conservative; the rather ostentatious front end treatment of the car, most notably the chevron shaped front grill, could prove a deal-breaker for some potential buyers.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch live and stock galleries of the 2009 RL, or through the jump to read on.)
Those self-same buyers are likely to be much more excited about the tweaking Acura has done to the RL’s powertrain. The car is sure to offer a sporting drive with power coming from a larger 3.7-liter V-6, that doles out 300 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel drive of the previous RL returns for 2009, and is said to be quicker when responding to driver input.
Refinement in the RL also looks to hit record levels for Acura, as the new car boasts an active sound control system, as well as offering acoustic glass, and more sound insulation. A Bose surround-sound system Acura navigation system, and Bluetooth capacity round out the RL’s package.
Take a look at the press release below, and then tell us how you feel about the RL in comments.
Redesigned 2009 Acura RL Debuts at Chicago Auto Show
Bold Styling, Larger Engine, and Improved Handling Help RL Raise The Luxury Performance Bar.CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2008 – The redesigned 2009 Acura RL luxury sedan made its world debut today at the Chicago Auto Show. Featuring bold, sleek exterior styling, an upgraded interior, advanced technologies and powerful new engine, the RL once again pushes the limits of performance, style, and luxury. The 2009 RL will go on-sale this spring at Acura dealerships nationwide.
The 2009 RL furthers cutting edge technology with the addition of new high-tech items including AcuraLink® weather, AcuraLink® Traffic Rerouting™, XM® Note, Active Sound Control, and Bluetooth® Audio to an already robust list of features found on the previous RL. To enhance handling, new chassis technology abounds in the drivetrain in the form of an improved Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ system, a revised steering system, upgraded coil springs, better performing shock absorbers, larger rear stabilizer bar, and more aggressive wheels and tires. Performance improves with the RL thanks to a new, larger 3.7-liter V-6 that incorporates the first ever SOHC use of VTEC® valvetrain actuation for both the intake and exhaust valves.
“RL represents the very best we have to offer in terms of engineering, technology, performance, luxury and safety
Comments
detroit9000
Oops, I fell asleep.
Nissan's really bringin' it to Honda. Is it the Frenchies?
Scott
Looks even cheaper than the old car. I got all excited looking at the headline, thinking there was somethingnew with the TL (RWD or AWD maybe), then come to find out it's an article on the new RL. YAWN....
Jeb
Yeah, the headline threw me.
Sharky
Great, now it looks even more like an Accord. What, exactly, is new here other than that ridiculous grille? I hope the new TSX turns out better -- much better.
andrew
Looks like a great set of standard features. I'm sure it drives nicely, too. The big problem with this car is that it has no personality. Despite the reworked grill, VW headlights, and bangled taillamps, I can't help but feel that it still looks fairly nondescript, like a fancy Accord. Honda is not doing a good job of differentiating the Acura brand, from Honda itself or from any of the other premium brands.
Paul
BRING BACK THE INTEGRA!!!!!
mena
The title threw me too. The new RL is just as boring and uninspiring as the old one.
94 taurus owner
What did Honda do to it, I thought it used to the most wonderful looking car (next to the mustang and my taurus)ever made by
Acura.
The Stig
Headline = TL
Article = RL
Huh?
VMMVMMM
Yeesh, that beak is grotesque.
Corco16446
God that car is boring. The front end isn't even that interesting.
I'd be more likely to buy a brand-new 1984-90 Acura Legend. That was a cool car.
john
ugly, ugly beak.
Iain
I agree with all the above. And to further add to the 'what's the point?" discussion, note that the engine is now a 3.7 litre V6 (again, no V6) with 300 hp with a 5 SPEED auto. How the heck does Acura expect to compete when its competition is offering around 350 hp either 6 speeds or 7 speeds in their boxes? The extra gear makes a big difference to gas mileage on the highway...
94 taurus owner
WHAT'S THAT ACCORD REAR END DOING ON THERE!!!!!!
Sharky
Corco16446 - Not to be nitpicky but the Acura Legend didn't exist in 1984. Acura as a brand came along in 1986.
Ducati Minor
As Hondas become nicer, Acuras become staler.
alain
Why did Honda put Tranzor-Z's breastplate on the front end?
I want to like the RL... I really do. It's just that its hard to love something so BLAND.
Patrick from Astoria
Two words: Bottle opener.
Jonathan Fung
The TL is a beautiful car. And I think Seyth means to say the RL in the headline. Because if the TL turned into that thing...it'd be a very sad day. And honestly, this minor facelift still won't save the tanking RL. If not bland anymore, the front end becomes somewhat repulsive.
‘08 Chicago: The Singular Face of the 2009 Acura TL
[...] WindingRoad.com [...]
Austin
My first thought before I read the headline was..."Hey, next generation Saturn Aura!"
britney's tennis coach
The 2009 TL specs are rumoured to be:
- same chevron / stealth fighterish beak / grill (bad)
- AWD (great)
- ~310-330HP (good but not fantastic)
for me, the beak's gonna probably be a deal breaker on the new TL... I don't get what they are thinking on the RL, MDX, TL grills... major mistake
Matt
Uhhh...the gearshift is kinda nice.
I guess I'm one of the few who actually liked the previous generation. Maybe I can get a good deal on of them? Although, judging from these comments, the value of used RLs might go up. Damn you Acura!
Bob
Oh, my poor eyes! This does not bode well for the new TSX and the next NSX. What the hell is going on over there in Acura's design department? It's like they're in a contest with Subaru for the title of Fugliest Cars from Japan. I have to say even Bangle was never this bad. Acura, please spend the money and hire some decent exterior designers. The ones you have are killing you. The Hyundai Genesis is going to kick this RL's ass all over town.
Shumly
This thing looks more like the older version TL. A pathetic and half hearted attempt by Acura if you ask me. They got the SUV (MDX) spot on I have to say.
Winding Road » Archive » 2009 Acura TSX to Debut at New York
[...] to stray wildly from the form of the last car, but it has been clearly updated, most obviously with Acura’s new corporate grill. While the new face is the same basic shape as was debuted last week on the new RL, it seems to [...]
Winding Road » Archive » Speculation: Acura Targeting Lexus
[...] Acura just unveiled its refreshed 2009 RL, and plans to unveil the all-new TSX in New York, Japan’s Best Car Magazine is already [...]
toronado455
That bright bar across the grill looks tacky. It literally looks "tacked on".
It reminds me of those hideous aftermarket chrome grills that were afflicted upon many Cadillacs during the 1970s - usually seen in the Beverly Hills area.
Robb Kucharek
I own two Acura's at the moment a 2003 Cl Type S and a 2006 TL with NAV
Acura/Honda have lost sight of what made buyers like myself come back over and over again in my case 16 times.
The Integra was a stunning affordable car in its first two body styles. The Legend was ahead of it's time. It should have never been killed off.
Bring back the names and models we fell in love with. I'm now looking to trade my 03 Cl Type S and it will not be on an Acura or Honda. Sorry guys you have lost a buyer. Oh yeah tell Saturn you love their grill on all the new Acura's! YUCK
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