2011 Acura RL

2011 Acura RL

Acura has unveiled an updated (lightly) design for the flagship 2011 Acura RL - the design, clearly derivative of the previous model, features what Acura calls a new signature look to the front fascia.
That new signature look consists of a matte-silver finish wide bar across the grille along with thin silver bars in the upper and lower front fascia. A lighter finish silver trim surrounds the new grille.

 2011 Acura RL

2011 Acura RL matte finish is repeated at the rear end in a lip that goes across the trunk above the license plate. The tail lamps combine crystal clear lenses with traditional red.
An all-new 3.7-liter V6 engine highlights performance upgrades. The 300-horsepower, 271 lb-ft. of torque SOHC motor features Honda's VTEC system. Unlike on the old 3.5-liter powerplant, the 3.7-liter unit uses VTEC on both the intake and exhaust and still meets ULEV-2 emissions standards.

2011 Acura RL

Gone is the five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission, in is a new six-speed Sequential SportShift to take over shifting duties for all models. Like the five-speed transmission it replaces, the new unit with an extra cog includes "smart" F1-style steering wheel-mounted paddles and a new straight-gate console-mounted shift lever.
The latest generation 2011 Acura RL also features the availability to use the paddle shifters when the shifter is in drive, not just manual mode. The system allows the driver to up or downshift on the fly -- such as for passing maneuvers -- but will revert back to automatic mode if it detects the driver is no longer shifting.

2011 Acura RL

Suspension modifications and steering upgrades are also included. The 2011 Acura RL continues to use Acura's SuperHandling all-wheel-drive, but has more of a rear-drive bias than the previous generation.
Inside, the RL benefits from changes including a new interior color (Sea Coast), new Dark Burlwood textured trim, improved feel thin-thread stitching for the steering wheel and a new bright silver color for the dash meters. Other changes include the addition of available back-up sensors, a revised back-up camera angle to improve rearward visibility and improved dialing function for Bluetooth HandsFreeLink.

2011 Acura RL

The latest-gen RL is available in three variations: 2011 Acura RL, RL with Technology Package and RL with Advance Package. All RL's feature the 3.7-liter V6 engine, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, leather trimmed interior, power actuated front seats, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control system, power moonroof, power windows, Acura/Bose Surround Sound audio system, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink connectivity and a Multi-Information Display (MID) that allows easy access to multiple electronic functions.
An available Technology Package includes a satellite-linked Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather, rear view back-up camera, back-up sensors, Active Front Lighting System (AFS), ventilated front seats, and a simulated burlwood accented steering wheel and shift knob. The top RL trim is the Advance Package which adds Acura's Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), power folding side mirrors and genuine maple wood instrument panel trim.

2011 Acura RL

2011 Acura RL Wheels feature a new 18x8-inch diameter 15-spoke aluminum design, matched with performance-minded Michelin Pilot all-season tires. While the new wheels add a look of visual sophistication, they also deliver mechanical sophistication thanks to the first-ever use of resonator wheel technology. In an effort to quell road noise transmitted to the RL's cabin, the new noise reducing wheel uses a polypropylene Helmholtz resonator that encircles the center portion of the inside of the wheel. Such resonator wheel technology significantly lowers middle frequency noise (between 100 and 500 hertz). Combined with the added use of insulation material on the floorboard areas of the RL, there is a 1.3 dB reduction in interior noise— representational of a 15-percent improvement.
Braking comes from a four-wheel disc brake system utilizing four-piston aluminum front brake calipers matched with 12.6-inch diameter ventilated front brake rotors and 12.2-inch rear rotors with single-piston calipers. Braking is aided by four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

2011 Acura RL

When equipped with the Advance Package, linked to the RL's braking system is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) that uses a grille-mounted millimeter-wave radar unit to monitor the distance between the 2011 Acura RL interval between it and the vehicle directly ahead. If following distance becomes too close, the ACC system warns the driver and applies the brakes if necessary.
On the safety front, active head restraints are also newly standard.

2011 Acura RL