2005 Acura RL Photo Gallery

Acura has slowly but surely been establishing an edgy, performance-related image for itself over the past few model launches, and at long last the division's dull RL flagship is getting a similar makeover. Some of the concept's styling cues may be slightly exaggerated, but we expect the concept's proportions and themes to carry over to the production car hitting showrooms this September. We also expect to see the concept's Super-Handling all-wheel-drive (SH-AWD) system. At its heart is an intelligent rear axle with a planetary gearset that takes the driveshaft speed and increases it by five percent. Then a pair of electromagnetic clutches apportions torque on demand to the rear wheels. With the increased input speed, the clutches can route extra torque to the outside rear wheel, which naturally spins faster than the front wheels in a turn. All of this is said to enhance cornering dynamics, and provide rear-drive dynamics with all-wheel-drive sure-footedness.Click here to watch the Acura video.