Acura RLX tagged posts

The Acura SH-AWD system (short for: Super Handling-All Wheel Drive) is often described ambiguously in most automobile literature. Some articles even said it is an enhanced version of the Honda VTM-4, which is incorrect.

In this article, we will analyze the SH-AWD in detail, focusing on these three questions:

1. How does the SH-AWD work?
2. Why the SH-AWD can transfer large amount of power to rear wheels constantly, without worrying about the wear and overheating issues?
3. What is the difference between the Acura SH-AWD and the Honda VTM-4 system?

Overview: The SH-AWD Systems

Currently there are 4 different types of SH-AWD:

1. The SH-AWD used on the 2005-2012 Acura RL
2...

Review Index

2014 Acura RLX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 3 (Electronic Features, Controls)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 5 (Chassis)

Our test car is assembled in Japan in May, 2013, see the label on the chassis.

The RLX comes with double-wishbone type design for both the front and rear suspension.

But please do not be fooled by the “double-wishbone” name. On the RLX, it is not the traditional double-wishbone suspension which has both upper and lower A-arms.

For the front suspension, it has an upper A-arm, but there is no lower A-arm...

Review Index

2014 Acura RLX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 3 (Electronic Features, Controls)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 5 (Chassis)

The RLX is equipped with a naturally aspirated, direct injection 3.5L V6 engine, pumps out a maxium of 310hp at 6,500rpm, and 272 lb-ft of torque at 4,500rpm. The power is transmitted to the front wheels through Honda’s self-developed 6-speed automatic transmission.

Maybe unknown to some people, automatic transmissions developed by Honda has a completely different architecture...

Review Index

2014 Acura RLX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 3 (Electronic Features, Controls)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 5 (Chassis)

Even though the RLX has two LCDs to accept control command and display information, there are still a dozen of physical buttons and knobs on the center console.

It gave me some sense of complication during the first few minutes when I was sitting on the driver’s seat, but after playing with the system for a while, I found it to be easy to use – at least it is not hard to learn to use the major features that it provides.

The AC control part is easy and intu...

Review Index

2014 Acura RLX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 3 (Electronic Features, Controls)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RLX – Part 5 (Chassis)

Starts from the interior, the Acura RLX starts to show its value.

There are two things catches your eyes the first time you entering RLX’s cabin:

1. the 2 LCD screens on the dashboard
2. large percentage of the interior panels (door, dashboard, center console, armrests etc.) are wrapped in genuine leather, with fine stitching

I would like to expand the discussion on the above two points, because they represents the current trend of how automobile industry...