Acura RL

Acura RL
2005 Acura RL (US)
Overview
Manufacturer	Acura
Production	1995–2012
Model years	1996–2012
Assembly	Sayama Plant, Sayama, Saitama, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury sedan
Body style	4-door sedan
Chronology
Predecessor	Acura Legend
Successor	Acura RLX

First generation (KA9)
1996–1998 Acura 3.5RL (base)
Overview
Also called	Acura 3.5RL Honda Legend
Production	December 15, 1995—2004
Model years	1996–2004
Designer	Mitsuhiro Honda Tamotsu Okamoto (1993)
Layout	Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L V6 C35A
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.6 in (2,911 mm)
Length	1996–1998:195.1 in (4,956 mm) 1999–2001:196.6 in (4,994 mm) 2002–2004:196.7 in (4,996 mm)
Width	1996–1998:71.3 in (1,811 mm) 1999–2001:71.4 in (1,814 mm) 2002–2004:71.7 in (1,821 mm)
Height	1996–1998:54.5 in (1,384 mm) 1999–2001:56.5 in (1,435 mm) 2002–2004:54.5 in (1,384 mm)

Second generation (KB1/KB2)
2005–2008 Acura RL
Overview
Also called	Honda Legend Acura 3.5RL
Production	2004–2012
Model years	2005–2012
Designer	Toshinobu Minami (2002)
Layout	Transverse front-engine, all-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2005-08: 3.5L 290 hp (220 kW) 2009-12: 3.7L 300 hp (220 kW)
Transmission	2005-10: 5-speed automatic with sequential sport shift 2011: 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2005-09: 110.2 in (2,799 mm)
Length	2005-08: 193.6 in (4,917 mm) 2009-12: 195.8 in (4,973 mm)
Width	2005-09: 72.7 in (1,847 mm)
Height	2005-08: 57.1 in (1,450 mm) 2009-12: 57.2 in (1,453 mm)

The Acura RL is a full-size luxury sedan that was manufactured by the Acura division of Honda for the 1996–2012 model years over two generations. The RL was the flagship of the marque, having succeeded the Acura Legend, and was replaced in 2013 by the Acura RLX. All models of the Legend, RL and RLX lines have been adapted from the Japanese domestic market Honda Legend. The model name "RL" is an abbreviation for "Refined Luxury."

The first-generation Acura RL was a rebadged version of the third-generation Honda Legend, and was first introduced to the North American market in 1996, to replace the second-generation Acura Legend. The second-generation Acura RL was a rebadged version of the fourth-generation Honda Legend, introduced to the North American market in September 2004, as a 2005 model. This iteration of the RL received an extensive mid-generational facelift for the 2009 model year, and a further update for 2011. The third-generation debuted for the 2014 model year as the Acura RLX.

In 1996, Acura introduced the Acura 3.5RL, known internally as "KA9," to replace the Legend. Acura dropped the Legend name when market research showed that consumers knew Acura products by their model names, "Legend" and "Integra," and did not necessarily associate the names with Honda's "Acura" brand.

The 3.5RL's longitudinally mounted V6 engine had its center-line mounted in-line with the car's axis, and not transversely (i.e., 90 degrees offset from the vehicle axis) like most other front-wheel-drive cars. This longitudinal placement allowed for a smaller turning radius and easy in-town maneuverability, as well as 56/44 front/rear weight distribution.

In late 1998, the 1999 3.5RL received a front and rear facelift with integrated foglights, revised bumpers and hood, as well as driver and front passenger side airbags. The suspension and chassis were stiffened, and new alloy wheels were offered.