Spied: 2013 Acura RLX

[omoderncultureo]

A friend of one of our readers captured this nearly undisguised RLX trolling the streets of Torrance yesterday. The shooter says this photo was taken at Torrance Blvd and Crenshaw Blvd in Torrance nearby Honda headquarters.

Link

[Ross1013]

Yes

[rimtrim]

I don't understand why Acura doesn't bring back the Legend name for this car. Even if they want to stick with the letter names for their other models, the RL has been basically a slow-motion flop since it launched back in the '90s. After all that time, I bet Acura Legend is still a much more recognized name than Acura RL. Bringing back the name would be a good way to reboot.

-Andrew L

[TetsuoShima]

The back reminds me of a Camry/Lexus.

[Ross1013]

I don't understand why Acura doesn't bring back the Legend name for this car. Even if they want to stick with the letter names for their other models, the RL has been basically a slow-motion flop since it launched back in the '90s. After all that time, I bet Acura Legend is still a much more recognized name than Acura RL. Bringing back the name would be a good way to reboot.

-Andrew L

Yup...they missed a huge opportunity to say "We are BACK" by reviving the Legend name in conjunction with the NSX.

American Honda still have their heads up their asses, as far as I'm concerned.

Tetsuo--you don't see any of the last-gen BMW 7-series in there? I do.

There is some Lexus resemblance, but that's inevitable.

[Mabe]

I don't understand why Acura doesn't bring back the Legend name for this car. Even if they want to stick with the letter names for their other models, the RL has been basically a slow-motion flop since it launched back in the '90s. After all that time, I bet Acura Legend is still a much more recognized name than Acura RL. Bringing back the name would be a good way to reboot.

-Andrew L

Yah, that name is like a Legend or sumptin tss tsss

[Biff Beltsander]

I don't understand why Acura doesn't bring back the Legend name for this car. Even if they want to stick with the letter names for their other models, the RL has been basically a slow-motion flop since it launched back in the '90s. After all that time, I bet Acura Legend is still a much more recognized name than Acura RL. Bringing back the name would be a good way to reboot.

-Andrew L

I'd read an article in a car magazine around the time the Legend and Vigor names were replaced by letters. Acura felt that people were talking about their new Integra, their new Legend, and people were not mentioning the name Acura where as Lexus or Infiniti customers would proudly boast about their new Lexus or Infiniti. I noticed it myself, people would mention Legend yet never Acura. The same conversation might contain "the big Infiniti" or the "Lexus coupe". They wanted the brand to stand out more then the models.

However, with cars like the Legend (which remained the Honda Legend in places where the Acura name does not exist) becoming cars like the RL it's no wonder the brand lost interest among buyers.

Went from a desirable coupe and sedan.

To a very dull sedan that did nothing better then any other car in it's class in one generation.


Why don't they bring back the nameplates? They need brand recognition more then ever and if they still believe what they did in the 90's then we won't see an Acura with anything more then letters and numbers anytime soon.

[VarianceVQ]

Changing the name is going to make people whine about their cars less?

Hell, I get the feeling some of you would complain about their cars even more than you already do:

"OMG, how dare they tarnish the Integra name with this POS!"

"LOL, you call that a Legend? Honda has lost its way!!"

Some of you are already up in arms about the new NSX.

[DrewSXR]

I'd read an article in a car magazine around the time the Legend and Vigor names were replaced by letters. Acura felt that people were talking about their new Integra, their new Legend, and people were not mentioning the name Acura where as Lexus or Infiniti customers would proudly boast about their new Lexus or Infiniti.

Yup, that was the reason. The Legend and Integra names were overshadowing the Acura brand name.

I don't think naming it "Legend" would do that much for sales, but it would be an interesting experiment though. RLX sounds silly to me.

[Biff Beltsander]

Yup, that was the reason. The Legend and Integra names were overshadowing the Acura brand name.

I don't think naming it "Legend" would do that much for sales, but it would be an interesting experiment though. RLX sounds silly to me.

Sadly names, names some of us thought were pretty cool like Vigor (I really liked that one) and names that had style like Legend would make very little difference in today's market.

[czykvw]

Working at Acura dealership most of the customers that own a RL's are 60+ so the RLX cant be that Xtreme. If it was it would run the risk of messing with its target audience. The RL has always been for the older crowd. Plus they already show the RLX on the acura website under future models.

And for the people that are saying Acura has lost its way, they havent. Acura just grew up..
its time to let go. No more need4speed fartcan fast fastbacks, this is a more mature Acura now.

These commercials show how acura has "grown up"
as in not targeting college kids anymore and targeting college graduates.

[kraut_pauer79]

looks like a bunch of re-hashed Lexus lines and styling cues.

[WhistlerYOW]

Yah, that name is like a Legend or sumptin tss tsss

Oh, Chip.

[rimtrim]

Yup, that was the reason. The Legend and Integra names were overshadowing the Acura brand name.

Yes that's the same reason Lincoln gave for switching to the MK names. That strategy is working so well for both of them

-Andrew L

[2.0T_Convert]

My only commentary is anyone who thinks just slapping the name Legend on the back of the RL/RLX car will result in increased sales is cray cray.

[koko12]

I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised with the new RLX. From this video it looks like a very imposing and elegant vehicle.

[J-Tim]

I don't understand why Acura doesn't bring back the Legend name for this car.

Don't worry. The name Legend still exists, only if you buy it as a Honda though.

Oh, and you'd have to travel overseas to pick one.

[Burnette]

I don't like the front end treatments on any Acura, those grills are horrible. There was a thread here about the MDX and how people see them everywhere, so maybe they have enough out there who like their current design philosophy. I guess I'm not their taget audience. The car in the above video seems like a show car, blingy super big wheels and "out there"gimmicky headlights. This is suppose to target sixty year olds?

[Impeccable]

Thr problem with the 1996 Acura RL was that it was a 1991-1995 legend in drag. Honda cheaped out and didnt make it all new on top of that kept it around for so damn long. I had high hopes for the current RL but the TLs styling was so elegant that I just couldn't bring myself to like its bland jellybean looks.

[AQ]

I wonder if Rolex will take issue with the RLX nameplate.

[omoderncultureo]

Link

[joe13472000]

Always were nice cars.

Although too bad it's not an RSX (Integra) instead of an RLX - then I might start caring about Acura's again.

[Inspector Detector]

The back reminds me of a Camry/Lexus.

It reminds me of how Honda set themselves apart long ago by being the first Japanese company to set up a luxury division in the USA, that now is about as exciting as the Camry you mentioned, even with the upcoming new NSX.

[Mazda 3s]

Went from a desirable coupe and sedan.

To a very dull sedan that did nothing better then any other car in it's class in one generation.

I'm sorry, but they both look bland. That Legend looks like a luxo Accord of the same vintage. Throw the Legend rims on the RL and it looks better; throw the RL rims on the Legend and it looks dull.

[Subaruski1]

Thr problem with the 1996 Acura RL was that it was a 1991-1995 legend in drag. Honda cheaped out and didnt make it all new on top of that kept it around for so damn long. I had high hopes for the current RL but the TLs styling was so elegant that I just couldn't bring myself to like its bland jellybean looks.

My Dad owned two of the Legends, a chipped GS coupe with the 6 speed and a 94' sedan. The coupe was amazing. It was the first car I ever rode passenger at 125mph+ in. He then bought the first gen RL, lowered it and put 18s on. I remember him letting me borrow that car when I was teenager and it still definitely turned heads. Then came a 99' RL, that was his last one. He said it had digressed way to much from the first coupe he had. It was pretty yawn zzzz

[Impeccable]

It better come with wheels like the concept not some bland swirly 5 spokes like every other acura sedan

[Smoltz]

And for the people that are saying Acura has lost its way, they havent. Acura just grew up..

That must be why when the new TL came out they sold thirty percent less than the previous year.

[LuckyDogg]

My Dad owned two of the Legends, a chipped GS coupe with the 6 speed and a 94' sedan. The coupe was amazing. It was the first car I ever rode passenger at 125mph+ in. He then bought the first gen RL, lowered it and put 18s on. I remember him letting me borrow that car when I was teenager and it still definitely turned heads. Then came a 99' RL, that was his last one. He said it had digressed way to much from the first coupe he had. It was pretty yawn zzzz

From a mechanical point of view, weren't they all really the same car?

[Pinstripe]

I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised with the new RLX. From this video it looks like a very imposing and elegant vehicle.

Actually, to my eye, it looks worse in this video then in the spy photos. It looks generic, with Cruse taillights and a completely emotionless and forgettable fascia.

The Hybrid AWD tech looks interesting, but that doesn't say luxury, neither does a stupid sport button!

And why did they copy Buick's commercial?

[InternetMeme]

Actually, to my eye, it looks worse in this video then in the spy photos. It looks generic, with Cruse taillights and a completely emotionless and forgettable fascia.

The Hybrid AWD tech looks interesting, but that doesn't say luxury, neither does a stupid sport button!

And why did they copy Buick's commercial?

I think quite the opposite. I think it looks fantastic- but then again I'm a sucker for anything with tube led tails

Seriously though, the car doesn't need to completely stand out and be boldly different from everything else on the road. Acura tried that with the TSX/TL/RL and the finished product was awkward. I like the fact Acura is getting back to their roots of making handsome and timeless designs that may be mildly generic but still elegant and beautiful.

[rice is burning]

I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised with the new RLX. From this video it looks like a very imposing and elegant vehicle.

Thanks for posting that video. I have no doubt that Honda still has the best engineers around.

Automotive News has a good piece on Honda. Basically they've spend the last couple of years turning the company upside-down and they're just about finished with that. There are very good things to come.

I hope so, it's my favorite car company. I know it's an internet trend to bang on Honda, and if you're a moron internet blogger you can easily write dumbass stories about Honda's demise. I think Honda is about to be epic again.

[A.Wilder]

The back reminds me of a Camry/Lexus.

me too.

[czykvw]

That must be why when the new TL came out they sold thirty percent less than the previous year.

True. But I see the new TL everywhere now. So it was a rough start, mainly because of that beak, didnt transfer well in advertisements. Its just one of those cars you had to see in person. And people did, and no its everywhere like a 3 series. And the design is radical, but its still a TL.
Same sleek, long headlights, same exact grille outline, but instead of being open its filled in. Same with the bottom pointy grille inserts. Same side profile, long front with a short trunk. Just like the previous gen.

[Biff Beltsander]

True. But I see the new TL everywhere now. So it was a rough start, mainly because of that beak, didnt transfer well in advertisements. Its just one of those cars you had to see in person. And people did, and no its everywhere like a 3 series. And the design is radical, but its still a TL.
Same sleek, long headlights, same exact grille outline, but instead of being open its filled in. Same with the bottom pointy grille inserts. Same side profile, long front with a short trunk. Just like the previous gen.

The RL did not have a beak originally. The problem was that the brand had less cache the other brands and even less every year. The car was not bad looking yet reviewers said it had a smaller interior then it's direct competitors. Also the looks were really nothing too impressive, not bad yet not distinct.

[gtboost]

the RLX is the first Acura I have actually liked in a LONG time.

I think it looks great.