2011 Acura RL presents slight changes to an aging package — Autoblog

2011 Acura RL presents slight changes to an aging package — Autoblog
For the 2011 model year, Acura has freshened up its flagship RL sedan. What exactly does "freshened up" mean when it comes to the RL? It may not look like much more than a cosmetic touch-up, but there are quite a few new tricks going on under the nip-tucked skin.

The 2011 Acura RL continues to utilize the 3.7-liter V6 engine with 300 horsepower that powers all four wheels courtesy of the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. New to the powertrain, however, is a six-speed Sequential Sportshift automatic transmission. It's a smooth-shifting unit that allows for the occasional sporty dash courtesy of the wheel-mounted paddles while also improving fuel economy by two miles per gallon on the highway – EPA ratings come in at 17 mpg city and 24 highway.

An upgraded gearbox is nice and all, but since this is an Acura we are looking more for new technology. The 2011 RL is fitted with Hemholtz resonators in the wheels (a "world's first" for a passenger vehicle). These chambers sit in the center portion of the inside of the wheel and help diminish road noise, which results in a quieter cabin. Coupled with increased floorboard insulation, the 2011 Acura RL behaves like a library out on the road. Unless of course you twist the knob for the ELS audio system.

Up front, the grille of the 2011 Acura RL has been revised to soften the angry-hawk nose while retaining a signature Acura look... opinions are divided on how successful the new schnoz may be. Brand new 18x8-inch 15-spoke aluminum wheels help fill out the wheel wells and get wrapped in Michelin Pilot all-season rubber.

Overall, the changes to the 2011 Acura RL are minimal, minus the upgraded transmission and in-wheel noise reduction technology. We had a chance to very briefly sample the '11 model on the roads north of San Francisco and there's unfortunately not much to get excited about. The rest of the lineup, regardless of how one feels about the styling, presents a sporty driving experience that doesn't eat into the luxury. The RL feels heavier than it should while presenting a driving sensation that feels much more aged compared to its Acura siblings. We understand that its aimed at a different segment of the market, but that doesn't mean it should lose the driving characteristics long-time Acura buyers have come to expect.


 [Read more: Autoblog]