DRIVEN: 2005 Acura RL

By Mark Atkinson
Photos courtesy Acura Canada

The 2005 Acura RL is a technological tour-de-force aimed straight at the mainstream players in the mid-level luxury car arena: the BMW 5-Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Audi A6. After languishing for years in the ‘also-ran’ category with the previous generation RL that was criticized for being plain, underpowered and front-wheel-drive, the Japanese company has put its considerable efforts into ensuring the newly launched version leaps to the front of the pack.

While many were hoping – and some praying – that the RL would offer Acura’s first V8 and rear-wheel-drive chassis (bar the NSX), the 2005 RL sticks with six-cylinder power. And while the company couldn’t justify signing off on the expense of designing a new rear-drive platform, it has spent the cash developing a new all-wheel-drive system that hopefully can expand throughout the majority of the Honda and Acura lineups.



Acura calls the system SH-AWD, which stands for Super Handling – All Wheel Drive, a very Japanese name if ever there was one. Since Acura isn’t known for doing anything halfway, SH-AWD offers a clear benefit over its competitors.

According to Acura, “it can vary distribution of engine torque between the front and rear wheels, up to 70 per cent either way to optimize acceleration traction or cruising fuel efficiency. All of the engine power coming to the rear is directed to the outside wheel, and that one wheel is mechanically accelerated to generate additional turning force.”

It’s a development of the trick limited-slip front differential that highlighted the Honda Prelude SH model, only now driving all four wheels with lots of electronic control.



While going through the exact details on how the system works could take a dozen pages in itself, needless to say it does work. Turn-in on the RL is super-direct, especially for a large car that weighs in at 4,000 lb., and getting on the gas way early in a corner doesn’t have you screaming nose first off the outside of the turn.

Acura says that the system can be fitted to any of its platforms that feature a transverse mounted V6, so doing the math means that we could see SH-AWD versions of the TL, Accord, Odyssey and others.



But back to the RL. In typical Acura style, the engine is a development of its SOHC i-VTEC-equipped V6 range, this time in 3.5-liter displacement. The mill puts out an impressive 300hp @ 6,200 rpm, but only 260 lb-ft at a sky-high 5,000 rpm. That lack of low-end torque doesn’t help the hefty RL off the line, especially with a five-speed automatic. However, once it has a few revs behind it, the engine really comes into its own, and the RL is by no means a slowpoke.

The transmission itself features a manual-shift system, much like others in this segment, but Acura has added a pair of up/downshift paddles behind the steering wheel to complement the console shifter.



From a styling standpoint, the RL’s new clothes are certainly a departure from the old, staid sedan sheet-metal. It’s curved and subtle, with a more aggressive front end. The five-point Acura grille makes it’s appearance, tying the RL in stylistically with the rest of the Acura lineup. The rear makes use of a similar ‘bustle’ that Chris Bangle used on the BMW 7-Series, although it’s better integrated on the Acura. Five-spoke 17-inch wheels round out the tasteful package.

Inside, the RL really shines, with a beautifully designed dash and center stack. Two pieces of wood come swooping down from the doors to meet on either side of the HVAC stack, and truly are pieces of art. The controls for the navigation system and ventilation controls are well marked and a cinch to use, while the gauges are bright and easy to read.



Rear-seat room is at a premium, though, especially in this segment.

Acura also offers the same Bluetooth wireless connectivity between your phone and the onboard stereo system to give you hands-free voice-activated control over your calls that originally debuted on the TL.



The one problem that the RL will face in the market is its pricing and equipment levels. The RL comes in one specification – absolutely loaded – for a price of $70,700, including $1,200 for freight and PDI. The six-cylinder versions of its competition come in around the same price, but you need to hit the option lists hard to even get them near to the Acura’s equipment level. But there are always those who favour a V8, and for them, the RL will quickly drop off their radar.

But those in the know will realize that they’re already getting one of the most technologically advanced, best handling luxury sport sedans around. Super Handling indeed.