2008 Acura RL

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Interior

The RL interior is designed to integrate richly elegant luxury and cleanly efficient design. At the same time, the interior makes the most advanced technology ever built into an Acura easy to use and intuitive to operate.
The RL feature list is astonishing, with a standard Acura/Bose DVD-Audio system that delivers surround sound in all seating positions, Acura Navigation System and a Rear-View Camera with 8-inch screen.
The side power windows on the RL are made of glass that is 5 mm thick to reduce cabin noise. Each window features an auto-open and auto-close function as well as an anti-pinch safety feature and key-off operation.
Rich curly maple wood sweeps across the instrument panel on RL with the Elite Package while high quality simulated wood grain is utilized on the RL.
Interior materials are the finest in Acura history, including the glove-soft, hand-selected leather used on the seating surfaces. Two different interior leather colours are available: Parchment and Black.
The leather wrapped steering wheel incorporates the most commonly used controls, allowing the driver to keep their hands on the wheel while using them.
The RL with the Elite package features perforated leather trimmed ventilated seats with heating and cooling to allow both front passengers to either heat or cool their seats.
The RL has a generously sized 371-litre trunk that is fully finished, with all wiring concealed and the rear parcel shelf speakers and navigation unit fully protected.
The RL has a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, dual-mode automatic climate control system that lets the driver and front passenger set temperature modes to their individual liking.
One of the advanced features of the RL is its Keyless Access System with driver recognition for driver\'s seat, steering wheel, outside mirrors, climate control, audio system settings and presets, and select navigation system settings.

 

Exterior

1. The Acura RL combines performance, technology and luxury in an athletic package that pushes the boundaries of automotive design on multiple fronts.
New for 2008 are the Lakeshore Silver Metallic and Platinum Frost Metallic exterior colours.
The RL Elite Package trim features Acura\'s Active Front Lighting System where the left low-beam unit can swivel left, and the right low beam can swivel right, to improve illumination while cornering, or to illuminate around the corner of an intersectio
The exterior paint on the Acura RL uses an environmentally conscious water-based process. Six different exterior colours are available.
The RL wheels are 17 x 8J-inch cast aluminum alloy. They are an inch larger in diameter and one inch wider than the 16 x 7JJ-inch units found on the previous generation. The spare wheel is a 17 x 4T unit.
The RL is equipped with the largest tires ever offered on a production Acura sedan. Original equipment is a P245/50R17 98V high performance, all season tire that delivers outstanding cornering and is M+S (Mud and Snow) rated.
A power moonroof with tilt, auto-open/close, auto-reverse and key-off operation is standard.
The exterior mirrors are heated with driver recognition, reverse gear-tilt-down and integrated directional signals.
Front fog lights, integrated dual-outlet exhaust and headlight washer system are all standard features on the RL.

 

Mechanical

3.5-litre, SOHC, VTEC™ V-6 engine produces 290 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 256 lbs.-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm.
The current generation RL incorporates Acura VTEC™ (Variable Timing and Lift Electronic Control) , which is a major contributor to the engine\'s large gains in horsepower and torque over its predecessor.
Although the RL powerplant has made large power advances over its predecessor, it has also become much cleaner. It now meets the US CARB LEV-2/ULEV emissions standards.
The RL requires no scheduled maintenance until 160,000 kilometres, other than periodic inspections and normal fluid and filter replacements.
To maximize acceleration performance, fuel economy and driver control, the RL has a standard 5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control.
Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™), is the first and only all-wheel-drive platform that distributes the optimum amount of torque not only between the front and rear wheels but also between the left and right rear wheels.
The RL includes Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which automatically adjusts the front/rear brake pressure to suit conditions, while an anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps the driver retain directional control in hard braking situation.
The RL utilizes a drive-by-wire throttle system that eliminates the need for a conventional throttle cable.
To eliminate unnecessary service stops while ensuring that the vehicle is properly maintained, the RL has a Maintenance Minder system that automatically monitors the vehicle\'s operating condition.

 

Safety

The RL is equipped with a comprehensive array of the latest technologies to enhance active safety (accident avoidance) and passive safety (crash safety performance).
Dual-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger are designed to provide maximum protection for the head and chest during a moderate to severe front collision.
Large sized side airbags are mounted in the outboard area of each front seatback. They are designed to provide upper torso protection in the event of a sufficient side impact.
The front passenger\'s seat is equipped with Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), the system utilizes sensors in the passenger seatback to determine the height and position of the occupant, and determine if it is safe to deploy the side air bag.
In a sufficient side impact, the side curtain airbags in the RL deploy from roof modules, providing head protection for front-seat as well as rear-seat occupants.
To help reduce injury in a frontal impact, the RL with the Elite Package includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), which will automatically apply the brakes if an impending collision is detected.
The RL includes a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child-seat mounting system for the outboard rear seats.
The RL features 3-point seat belts in all seating positions.
Passengers are protected by side impact door beams, impact-absorbing crumple zones and the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure.