STARSHIP SUBS,
Soups, Catering, and
more...
Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2008 Acura RL by Cordell Koland If having the latest automotive technology is your passion, then the Acura RL may be your ticket. It appears to at least equal the mighty Europeans in terms of technology, and definitely beats them as a value proposition. To substantiate the latter claim, all of the technology and features discussed below are included in one list price, although there are two lesser-equipped models. The RL is one of the most quiet and refined sedans at any price. One of the most interesting features is active noise cancellation, just like your Bose headphones. In the RL, it reduces booming low-frequency exhaust noise in the interior. The system operates whenever the car is running and offers a very impressive 10 dB reduction in noise level in the frequency range below 100 hertz. The system utilizes two microphones and car's low-frequency audio speakers. Safety technology is a major focus in the RL. The sedan features headlight technology that allows low beams to swivel up to 20 degrees from side to side in response to vehicle speed and the degree to which the driver turns the steering wheel. The RL has a full complement of front-, side- and side-curtain air bags. The test RL was equipped with Acura's Collision Mitigation Braking System. This technology monitors potential rear-end collisions, uses audio, visual and tactile signals to alert drivers to the risk of collision, assists brake operation and tensions the front seatbelts to help reduce impact on occupants and vehicle damage should a collision become unavoidable. CMBS automatically applies the brakes to mitigate the severity of a collision, if the vehicle closing rate increases so much that a collision becomes unavoidable, CMBS can initiate hard braking to reduce the vehicle's speed, and tension the driver's and front passenger's seatbelts to help reduce the severity of the crash. So if you are one of the millions of addicted tailgaters on the road, this technology could save your life and those of others. Independent testing has established the safety of the RL, which has earned the highest ratings awarded during the most recent front and side crash tests for all seating positions and rollover tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In August, the RL received the highest rating given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for side-impact crash protection. Acura's navigation system always has seemed to be the best in the industry and the technology is still tops. Communication technology includes an innovative system that supplies real-time traffic information. The system provides data on the speed of traffic flow, accidents, and construction on freeways in major metro areas, allowing drivers to take an alternative route to reach a destination. The nav system also provides a guide to points of interest in the U.S and three-dimensional graphics for freeway interchanges and on- and off-ramps. The system can also access the Zagat Restaurant Guide. The audio system includes XM Satellite Radio and premium Bose amplifier, tuner, 10 speakers and a six-disc CD changer. The multichannel unit provides surround sound for all seating positions. AudioPilot technology monitors cabin noise and adjusts the sound balance accordingly. The Acura all-wheel-drive technology has the ability to redirect torque between the left and right rear wheels. In fact, the system can channel up to 100 percent of engine torque to the outer rear wheel when cornering. The RL also comes equipped with Acura's proprietary yaw and traction control. This should make the car virtually skid-proof on wet surfaces. In actual driving, the RL carves up mountain roads with ease as the car shifts power to the wheel most in need of traction to maintain balance. But I was even more impressed on fast freeway traffic in and around San Francisco, which is notable for congested, fast-moving traffic on degrading road surfaces. The RL's suspension and all-wheel-drive system transmitted the sensation that the car had a vice-like grip on the road and could be instantly maneuvered to meet unexpected conditions. My only reservation about the RL is the complicated center console, which houses a multitude of controls. Somehow, I missed the logic behind portions of the arrangement and some of the controls are too small for easy identification and use. Vehicle:
Acura RL
Price as tested: $54,370 Engine: Type: 3.5-liter V-6 Horsepower: 290 @ 6,200 rpm Torque: 256 lbs.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 16 mpg Highway 24 mpg Curb Weight: 4,074 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
