All Topics > Cars > Acura > 2005 Acura RL Preview >

2005 Acura RL Preview California

NEW YORK, NY - Front-wheel-drive cars are so last year, so gauche, so passe.

Local Companies

GOODIES SPEED SHOP
831 424 0861
350 main street
SALINAS, CA

UsedJapanMotors
866-418-3229
EmeryVille
Houston, CA

Moua Auto
(916) 428-8400
3439 La Grande Blvd
Sacramento, CA

Oakland pontiac
(866) 729-9721
Oakland Auto Center
Oakland, CA

Stockton Lincoln Mercury Mazda
(209) 477-3374
3003 Auto Center Cir
Stockton, CA

Santa Monica Bmw
(310) 829-3535
1127 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA

C A R S
(818) 989-9716
15020 Oxnard St
Van Nuys, CA

Car Pro's Kia
(909) 455-9600
8 Rio Rancho Rd
Pomona, CA

Rancho Ford Lincoln Mercury
(951) 699-1302
26895 Ynez Rd
Temecula, CA

Ford Center of Yucca Valley
(760) 365-2353
55189 29 Palms Hwy
Yucca Valley, CA

2005 Acura RL Preview

provided by:

(Continue to more photos from MyRide.com)

Introduction

NEW YORK, NY - Front-wheel-drive cars are so last year, so gauche, so passe. It's the automotive equivalent of celebrities dabbling in kabbalah. Everyone is doing rear- or all-wheel-drive, so jump on the bandwagon or be left behind in Evan Marriott-ville. Well, no, not really. For those who live in areas with iced-over roadways, there are plenty of FWD sedan choices that keep better traction in the slippery stuff than RWD and that weigh and cost less than AWD. But there is an unfounded consumer perception, perpetuated by enthusiast publications, that luxury vehicles and front-drive are diametrically opposed. True, it's a matter of physics that rear-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles handle curves better than nose-heavy front-drive cars, but not all luxury cars must be sporting machines. Nevertheless, consumers often choose more favorably reviewed rear- or all-wheel-drive luxury vehicles, and if you're not playing on that field you're in danger of losing sales.

What It Is

As such, that stalwart of front-drive, Honda, is giving its luxury division, Acura, a new 2005 RL sedan with standard all-wheel-drive. Showcased at the 2004 New York Auto Show in what Acura billed prototype format, the 2005 Acura RL's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive System (SH-AWD) distributes torque not only between the front and rear wheels, but also to the right and left wheels. Acura claims to be the first one to offer this system. "Wait a second," you say indignantly, "Hasn't the ATTESA E-TS on the Nissan Skyline GT-R been doing this for years?" Well, yes, but that system can only take away torque from the wheel with the least amount of traction; it can't add power to the wheel with more traction as on the SH-AWD system. Score one for Acura.

Continue to 2005 Acura RL Preview Review from MyRide.com

Featured Local Company

GOODIES SPEED SHOP

831 424 0861
350 main street
SALINAS, CA

Read more about 2005 Acura RL Preview

- 2009 Lincoln MKS Preview California
- 2007 Acura RDX Preview California
- 2005 Chevrolet Uplander Preview California
- 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera Preview California
- 2007 Acura RDX Review California
- 2005 Lotus Elise Preview California
- 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Preview California
- 2005 Mercury Montego Preview California
- 2005 Saleen S281 Preview California
- 2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Acura TSX California

Regional Articles