When Acura redesigned its flagship RL in 2004, it loaded on the goodies: all-wheel drive, navigation system, 10-speaker stereo and radar that warns drivers of an impending crash.
It has a price tag to match: $49,915 with shipping, about $6,000 more than the previous-generation RL.
Oops.
Now Acura has concluded that its slow-selling flagship needs help.
Auto Spies perspective: We applaud Acura for being honest and admitting there is an issue with the RL.
If you remember correctly, AutoSpies.com was the ONLY media outlet in the world that not only panned the car but also predicted it would be a slow seller.
All the other publications (including Autoweek, the source of this article feared for those ad dollars more than they feared you readers, so they all caved and wrote complimentary reviews.
Here's just a taste of what they said:
Auto Week 2/7/05 Legendary: Acura has found its way back to the big game with the new RL-The game has changed with this latest RL, and even if the car yet relies on a V6 for power, at least it’s a meaty V6, with a peak 300 hp at 6200 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque out of 3.5 liters of all-aluminum VTEC engineering.)
The RL package is a compelling one, and given its sharp interior styling and genuinely handsome exterior, we can think of little reason this Acura shouldn’t give the big guns some competition.
For all the content, style and performance that come in the 2005 RL, we think Acura has finally produced another contender.
They compared it to:
OTHERS CONSIDERED
Audi A8 L
BMW 745i
Mercedes-Benz S430
As you can see, they were still high on crack from the free junket and the big ad deal they cut...
We here at Auto Spies will NEVER let our opinions be bought no matter what the manufacturers think.
You won't see this happen here.
Our goal is to be the most visited automotive site in the world.
If we do what's right for you the customer, we're guaranteed to make our goal reality.
Now, let us help Acura with advice on how to fix the RL.
1. Price the car in the high 30's, reasonably equipped. Lets' face it, the current RL really should be competing with the 3-series, not the 5.
2. Fix the brittle suspension.
3. Make steering less numb.
4. Do some giveaway leases to build a little momentum back.
For the next generation RL:
1. It needs to be a much larger car (LS size)
2. It needs a V8
3. It needs to be as good as an LS for 20% less
4. Design needs to be much more radical and convey a real attitude.
5. Make the interior even nicer than it already is.
6. Don't allow your dealers to charge over sticker when this car makes it to market.
Full autoweek article here