2001 Acura 3.5 RL Press Kit
INTRODUCTION
The Acura 3.5 RL is the flagship sedan of the Acura lineup. The
product of an intensive research and development effort in which
every nuance of the interface between driver and car was examined,
the 3.5 RL luxury sedan takes Acura to a new level of comfort,
performance, refinement and human engineering. At the same time, the
3.5 RL delivers an engaging driving experience with the confident
handling, immediate response, advanced safety engineering and high
levels of performance Acura drivers have come to expect.
Dramatic improvements in comfort, ergonomics, noise, vibration and harshness and performance have made it the quietest, smoothest, most refined Acura ever built. The 3.5 RL is a world-class luxury sedan, competing with the likes of the Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Lexus GS 300/400 and LS 400, and the Infiniti Q45.
The 3.5 RL is powered by the largest engine with the most torque ever produced in an Acura sedan. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine develops its peak torque at an extraordinarily low 2800 rpm, giving immediate throttle response, authoritative acceleration and the on-demand power typical of a big-bore V-8, but with the light weight and packaging efficiency of a V-6.
The 3.5 RL comes in one fully equipped trim level, with a long
list of standard luxury amenities including the HomeLink In 2001, the 3.5 RL receives carpeted floor mats standard and an
emergency trunk opener. The only factory option for the RL is the
DVD-based satellite-linked Acura Navigation System with coverage of
the continental U.S. and more than 37 million points of interest.
GENERAL CONCEPTS AND GOALS OVERVIEW Every 3.5 RL is equipped with an all-aluminum, 3.5-liter,
single-overhead camshaft V-6 engine with four valves per cylinder,
producing 210 horsepower @ 5200 rpm and 224 lb-ft of torque @ 2800
rpm. Direct ignition, Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and a
three-stage Variable Induction System enhance drivability, low-end
response and overall performance. A balancer shaft is used to
eliminate primary couple vibration, resulting in extremely smooth
engine operation at any rpm. The 3.5 RL meets stringent LEV (Low
Emission Vehicle) standards.
A four-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission is
standard. "Grade Logic Control" software is used for improved
acceleration and reduced gear "hunting" while driving uphill and to
enhance engine braking on downhills. A gated shifter is used to give
the driver a more intuitive sense of shifter position.
The 3.5 RL features a front-wheel-drive powertrain design for
lighter weight, enhanced packaging efficiency and handling stability.
Four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension ensures optimum
balance of precise handling and luxury ride quality. Special
low-friction joints and dampers provide improved ride compliance
while hydraulic bushings are used in the rear suspension for reduced
road noise. Four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front rotors
provide excellent stopping, and an Acura-designed four-wheel ABS is
provided as standard equipment. The RL also features a sophisticated
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system that's specifically tuned to
enhance the cornering and acceleration performance of the powerful
front-wheel drive vehicle.
The unit-body chassis of the 3.5 RL is engineered for excellent
bending and torsional rigidity for improved handling precision, a
more solid feel and optimal isolation of undesirable noise and
vibration.
An available satellite-linked Acura Navigation System employs GPS
and gyroscope locating systems to provide audio and visual guidance.
The DVD system has 14-times greater data capacity to speed route
calculation time, while the big new seven-inch liquid crystal display
(LCD) unit is mounted in the upper section of the center console for
easy viewing.
The 3.5 RL comes equipped with an unusually long list of standard
luxury features, including an interior trimmed with soft leather and
burled Tendo-camphor wood; an acoustically tuned eight-speaker
Acura/Bose OVERVIEW The 3.5 RL engine was developed with two major goals in mind:
first, to provide maximum power at the engine speeds used in most
day-to-day driving (1500 rpm to 4000 rpm). And second, to be both
quieter and smoother than any engine in Acura history.
The engine is located longitudinally, moving weight to the rear of
the car for the 60/40 weight distribution deemed optimum for a
front-wheel-drive sedan. The longitudinal mounting also yields
benefits in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance, because
it allows the use of softer and better located engine and
transmission mounts.
An electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission,
with Grade Logic Control software, is standard on every 3.5 RL.
ENGINE BLOCK The main bearing journal supports are generous for added rigidity,
resulting in significantly reduced vibration in the 300-to-800 Hz
range. The improvement in stiffness has raised the resonant frequency
of the engine block an impressive 20 Hz.
PRIMARY COUPLE BALANCER CRANKSHAFT BLOCK-FORGED CONNECTING RODS Because of the imprecise nature of the conventional forging
process, the connecting rods of all other auto engines must be sorted
according to weight, with rods of approximately equal mass assigned
to each particular engine to achieve proper reciprocating balance.
Even in rods that happen to have equal overall mass, the distribution
of metal density throughout conventional rods can vary enough to
affect strength and engine balance.
The rods of the RL are forged with a new "block forging" system in
which the steel blank is struck, at extremely high pressure, from
five directions at once. This process has no allowance for excess
metal; it has nowhere to go in the ultra-precise block-forging dies.
Accordingly, the blanks that will be forged into RL rods are machined
before the forging process, to exacting mass tolerances. In other
words, the material that will become an RL connecting rod has been
precisely measured and balanced before it ever enters the forging
dies.
As a result of this process, RL connecting rods are the most
precisely balanced of those in any production-automobile engine.
FULL-FLOATING PISTON PINS CYLINDER HEAD/VALVETRAIN The combustion chamber is designed with a generous "squish" area
formed by the piston and cylinder head to promote rapid and complete
combustion by increasing the turbulence of the fuel air mixture
around the centrally located platinum tipped spark plug.
VALVE TIMING TIMING BELT VARIABLE INDUCTION SYSTEM PROGRAMMED FUEL INJECTION FOUR-SPEED GRADE LOGIC CONTROL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION The transmission also uses Grade Logic Control to enhance
performance on uphills and downhills. Using "fuzzy logic" software,
the Electronic Control Module senses when the 3.5 RL is traveling
uphill and holds the transmission in a lower gear, even if a
reduction in throttle position would otherwise dictate an upshift.
This prevents "hunting" of the transmission between gears in steady
uphill driving. Also, on downgrades, the transmission holds third
gear instead of automatically shifting to fourth, letting engine
braking help keep the RL from picking up unwanted velocity.
A refined torque converter is used to enhance performance and to
achieve optimum fuel efficiency. The converter has been developed to
reduce the "creeping" effect at idle, making the vehicle
extraordinarily easy to hold with the foot brake at a stoplight.
A gated shifter is used in the RL, helping the driver sense the
position of the lever without diverting attention from the road.
ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC ENGINE MOUNTS In addition, the main engine mounts have been located very close
to the center of mass of the engine/transmission unit, more
effectively isolating the primary inertial couple effect at idle.
This change has resulted in significantly reduced vibration felt at
the front seat in the critical 500 to 1200 rpm idle and off-idle
range.
LIQUID-FILLED SUBFRAME MOUNT OVERVIEW Like all Acura models, the RL is designed as a true driver's car,
with suspension tuning to give the car nimble and sporty handling
while maintaining excellent ride comfort.
LOW-FRICTION DOUBLE-WISHBONE SUSPENSION LOW ROLL CENTER LIQUID-FILLED REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHING VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM By monitoring input from six vehicle sensors, the VSA can
calculate a predicted range of vehicle response while constantly
monitoring the vehicle's actual response and the driver's control
inputs. If the actual response is outside of the predicted response
range -- as when cornering forces exceed the tire's performance, for
example, VSA automatically intervenes with corrective action. In the
case of oversteer during hard cornering (which might lead to spin),
VSA applies braking to the outside front or rear wheel to help
counter the unintended yawing tendency. On the other hand, if
understeer becomes pronounced, VSA applies braking to the inside
front or rear wheel to help turn the RL back onto the intended
course.
Unlike some vehicle stability systems, which can seem intrusive to
enthusiast drivers, the Acura VSA is calibrated to add to stability
and predictability, without stifling the driving enjoyment of the
RL's carefully engineered chassis and double wishbone suspension. An
indicator light flashes on the instrument panel while the system is
actively stabilizing the vehicle. A cockpit switch is provided to
disable the vehicle stability and traction control aspects of the
system while leaving the antilock braking system fully functional.
BRAKING SYSTEM ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM The ABS enhances steering control during hard braking. Speed
sensors at each wheel send signals to the ABS control module; if the
system detects impending wheel lockup, it first holds, then reduces
hydraulic pressure to the affected wheel, letting it regain traction
before full braking resumes. The ABS function is also highly
effective on split-friction surfaces, in which one side of the
vehicle has significantly less traction than the other.
In the highly unlikely event of an ABS failure, a warning light is
illuminated on the instrument panel. In such a case, the control
module cancels the ABS function, allowing the standard braking system
to operate normally. The system used in the RL is a design that
weighs 1.3 kg less than the previous-generation ABS system.
TRACTION CONTROL ROTARY-VALVE, VARIABLE POWER-ASSISTED, RACK-AND-PINION POWER
STEERING WHEELS AND TIRES OVERVIEW The high rigidity of the 3.5 RL unit-body structure reduces noise
and vibration in the passenger cabin, enhances handling precision and
stability, creates excellent safety performance and increases overall
durability. A high proportion of galvanized panels are used in the
3.5 RL structure and body panels for enhanced corrosion protection
and overall longevity.
OVAL-SECTION FRONT TOWER BAR FOAM-FILLED B- AND C-PILLARS HONEYCOMB FLOOR PANELS BODY
OVERVIEW The 3.5 RL has a low coefficient of drag of 0.32 and a coefficient
of lift of 0.102, resulting in greater high-speed stability and a
very quiet, distraction-free interior environment.
PRECISE FIT AND FINISH VISIBILITY PAINT PROCESS AND CORROSION PROTECTION CRYSTAL-CUT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY SIDE-MIRROR AIR DEFLECTORS AUTO-OPEN POWER MOON ROOF UNDER-CHASSIS SPOILER OVERVIEW MATERIALS The center console of the RL features rich Tendo-camphor wood that
has been carefully contoured, finished and preserved by a deep
protective clear coat.
SEATING In testing, the RL seats decreased the upward force felt by test
subjects by 50 percent over conventional seats; that is, the subjects
felt the jarring of irregular road surfaces only half as strongly as
with a conventional design.
Human factors research revealed that the human body has its own
resonant frequency; that is, the vibration frequency at which the
internal organs of the body pick up an outside vibration and resonate
with it. If felt strongly, vibration in this frequency range is very
unpleasant, and human test subjects generally gauge the vibration
felt in a moving car on the level of vibration felt in this narrow
range, between 5 and 10 Hz or cycles per second.
To damp out as much of this vibration frequency as possible, the
configuration of the springs in the RL seat cushions were analyzed
using the NASTRAN finite-element analysis program. Six different
designs were tried before one was found that performed to Acura's
exacting standards.
Other details in the seat design include gently rounded thigh
bolsters at the front to avoid digging into the driver's and
passenger's lower thighs. And the front lateral seam, which often
runs across under the thighs, has been moved forward and down,
eliminating this possible source of discomfort.
The front seats have even been designed to make rear-seat
passengers more comfortable. The backs of the seats are concave,
giving rear seat passengers nearly an inch more knee room. And the
seat rail structure was designed to give rear-seat passengers nearly
an inch more horizontal foot room, while the underside of the seat is
carpeted to prevent shoe scuffs.
The driver's seat is eight-way power adjustable. It is linked by a
memory system with the outside mirrors and electronic tilt and
telescoping steering wheel, allowing one of two preset configurations
to be accessed at the touch of a button. The front passenger's seat
is four-way power adjustable. Both front seats are also heated.
The rear seats are designed and built to fit full-sized adults in
total comfort as well. A fold-down center armrest incorporates its
own dual beverage holder, and a pass-through to the trunk allows long
objects to be carried without soiling or marring the interior.
INTERIOR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE SPEED-SENSITIVE INTERMITTENT WIPER AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SYSTEM INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS The engine's response to the throttle, for example, has been
carefully analyzed and developed by fine-tuning the engine powerband,
PGM-FI fuel injection system, transmission control unit and the
physical layout and geometry of the throttle pedal itself. It has
been developed to give a controlled feel that harmonizes, not only
with the brake pedal and steering, but also with subjective human
expectations of the effect a given push on the throttle will have on
vehicle acceleration and speed. Every system has been optimized to
give the driver what he or she asks for the first time, instead of
forcing the driver to make a constant series of approximate control
movements and subsequent corrections.
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MICRON AIR FILTRATION HEAT-REJECTING GLASS AUDIO SYSTEM Eight speakers are used: two 2.5-inch tweeters mounted in the
front doors, two 6.5-inch single-cone full-range speakers in the
lower front door panels, two 5.25-inch full-range speakers, mounted
in the rear-door panels and two 6 x 9-inch low-frequency drivers in
the rear package shelf.
From the easily accessible, dash-mounted control unit, audio
output is sent to the auxiliary power amplifier unit located in the
trunk. Separate amplifiers are provided inside the unit for each of
the six individual front speakers. Each tweeter has a 12.5-watt
amplifier while each of the four full-range speakers has its own
25-watt amplifier and the two rear speakers, which act in concert as
subwoofers, share a 100-watt amplifier. Total music system power is
225 watts.
The antenna for the various receiver systems are all built into
the rear window. These include the AM/FM antenna and the antenna for
the radio-based keyless entry system. The elimination of the antenna
mast lessens complexity and reduces wind noise for the rear-seat
passengers.
ACURA NAVIGATION SYSTEM The Acura Navigation System unit uses Global Positioning System
(GPS) data received from satellites, as well as its own inertial
guidance system, to precisely pinpoint the location* and velocity of
the car. When asked to guide the driver from one location to another,
the system provides both audio and visual cues, helping the driver to
find the proper destination quickly and easily and with minimal
distraction. Verbal instructions such as, "Keep right" or "Next exit
on the right" give the driver the basic direction, and a visual LCD
moving map with a directional arrow, located high on the center
console, provides detailed information on street names, turning
instructions and driving distances. The navigation system also
provides information and directions to 3.7 million local restaurants,
theaters and points of interest.
The seven-inch, color LCD display has a picture-in-picture
capability, so you can see the "big picture" map and get detailed
turning instructions simultaneously. The system will also display
your current position coordinates at any time, and a balloon function
instantly shows the address of any location you select on the map.
You can also search for a selected point of interest simply by
inputting its phone number. The voice guidance control has 11
different volume settings and automatically mutes the audio
entertainment system front speakers momentarily when direction
commands are given.
SECURITY/IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM * Major metropolitan areas are mapped in detail by the system.
OVERVIEW DUAL AIR BAGS AND AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS DUAL-STAGE PASSENGER AIR BAG The airbag system logic also controls the operation of the
seatbelt pretensioners, which automatically tighten the seatbelts
during a collision to help hold occupants in place.
SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION REAR CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS FRONT AND REAR CRUMPLE ZONES EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE XENON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS
The Acura 3.5 RL is designed to provide:
The Acura 3.5 RL is available exclusively as a four-door sedan in a
single trim level featuring a full complement of standard luxury
features and amenities.
2001 Acura 3.5 RL - Powertrain
The 3.5 RL is powered by a 3.5-liter, all-aluminum, single-overhead
camshaft, 90-degree V-6 engine that produces 210 horsepower at 5200
rpm and 224 lb-ft of torque at a very low 2800 rpm that is designed
to go 105,000 miles before its first scheduled tune-up. Four valves
per cylinder and a three-stage variable induction system help to
provide both high torque at lower engine speeds and excellent
breathing at higher engine speeds. The 3.5 RL meets LEV (Low Emission
Vehicle) standards.
Like other Acura engines, the block of the RL engine is an aluminum
pressure casting with cast-in iron liners, a design known for its
light weight, excellent rigidity and outstanding long-term
durability. The crankcase is designed with a deep skirt and extensive
webbing for added rigidity, reduced noise and reduced vibration. The
RL engine is a slightly undersquare design, with a bore of 90.0 mm
and a stroke of 91.0 mm, for a displacement of 3474 cc.
To further reduce vibration transmitted to the passenger cabin, the
RL engine features a rotating balancer shaft, mounted to the right
side of the engine block. The belt-driven balancer counteracts the
rocking tendency inherent in 90-degree V-6 designs.
The forged steel crankshaft is microfinished, an extremely precise
finishing process developed originally from the Formula One engine
program to reduce friction and enhance durability. The metallurgy of
the main bearings is also a direct result of Honda's F1 program of
the late eighties and early nineties. The surface of the bearings has
a unique, pyramidal structure, allowing space for enhanced oil
retention and resulting in lower friction and improved long-term
durability.
The connecting rods of the 3.5 RL are forged using a unique process
that results in parts of high strength and unprecedented uniformity.
The RL engine is the first automobile engine in the world to be
produced using this advanced technology.
To reduce the engine noise caused by contact between the pistons and
piston pins, the RL engine uses a full-floating piston pin design in
which the clearance between the piston and piston pin has been
reduced. Typically the piston pin is a press fit in the rod, and a
larger clearance between the pin and the aluminum piston allows the
piston to rock freely. In the RL design, the pin moves freely in the
rod, and the piston rocks freely on the pin as well; the piston pin
is essentially free to "float" between the piston and the rod. This
change alone has resulted in a significant 5db noise reduction.
The RL engine features a four valve per cylinder valve train with
pent-roof combustion chambers. A single camshaft for each
cast-aluminum cylinder head is driven by a flexible, toothed belt.
Hydraulic lash adjusters are used for quieter running and reduced
maintenance.
Conventional high-performance engines typically use a substantial
amount of valve overlap to achieve better breathing at higher rpm
with the intake and exhaust valves opening simultaneously at Top Dead
Center between the exhaust and intake strokes. At low rpm, however,
this allows blowback of the fuel-air mixture, with exhaust gas
creating a pressure wave that reverses the flow of the fresh incoming
charge. To prevent the resulting unstable combustion -- and
relatively rough running -- at low rpm, the RL camshaft timing has
considerably reduced valve overlap, resulting in smoother low-speed
running and improved low-rpm torque. The advanced four valve per
cylinder design, along with the Variable Induction System intake
tract, combine to maintain excellent high-rpm power output.
To further reduce noise, the resonant frequency of the timing belt
has been tuned by altering both its width and its material. The
position of the belt tensioner was also optimized as part of the
intensive effort to reduce overall engine noise.
To tune the intake system volume and length for optimum torque at any
rpm, the RL uses a three-stage intake system. To enhance cylinder
charging by making use of resonance effects in the intake tract, the
engine uses a longer intake tract at low rpm, transitions to a
mid-length tract in the mid-range and then is opened completely for
high-rpm running, letting the inertia effect of the moving column of
air in the system enhance cylinder filling at higher engine speeds.
The system has been designed and tuned for the special
low-rpm/high-torque tuning emphasis of the RL engine.
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) compensates for varying driving
and atmospheric conditions, providing enhanced drivability and engine
efficiency in a wide variety of conditions. Data on coolant
temperature, air temperature and density, manifold vacuum, engine
rpm, throttle position, crankshaft position and exhaust oxygen
content is interpreted by the Electronic Control Module (ECM), which
determines fuel injector duration and timing, as well as ignition
timing and transmission operation. To reduce the pulsing noise
emanating from the fuel injectors, a special sound-dampening unit is
mounted at the junction of the fuel delivery tube and each individual
injector.
The advanced, computer-controlled automatic transmission of the RL is
the product of an intensive development program that focused on
smooth shifting, responsive operation and state-of-the-art efficiency
and drivability.
To reduce vibration at idle, the RL uses hydraulic engine mounts with
two different damping rates: a soft rate that allows the
engine/transmission unit to move more freely at idle and a stiffer
rate that positions the powertrain more firmly during driving.
Between 820 and 850 rpm, the damping characteristics of the mounts
change automatically; a small solenoid valve closes, restricting the
flow of fluid from chamber to chamber thus increasing the damping
rate.
To reduce engine noise under acceleration, the subframe mounts
between the engine/transmission/suspension assembly are filled with
hydraulic fluid of a specifically tuned viscosity. The resulting
softer damping rate further isolates the passenger compartment from
engine and road noise.
2001 Acura 3.5 RL - Chassis
The 3.5 RL is equipped with four-wheel independent double-wishbone
suspension with coil springs, four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated
front rotors, an Acura-designed Antilock Braking System (ABS) and
stabilizer bars in both front and rear. The goals in developing the
RL chassis were to increase overall cornering ability and make the
response of the chassis to driver input as linear and predictable as
possible while at the same time achieving a smooth, well-controlled
ride -- and reducing noise, vibration and harshness to a remarkable
degree.
The double-wishbone suspension layout of the RL allows precise
control of wheel movement while isolating the damper units from the
side-loading and resulting friction. The front suspension uses
unequal-length upper and lower control arms and a tubular stabilizer
bar, while the rear suspension is a combination of a longitudinal
trailing arm, three lateral links and a tubular stabilizer. For
excellent stability and improved ride quality, added anti-squat and
anti-dive geometries were built into the RL suspension. To achieve a
compliant ride without compromising handling response or cornering
capability, the RL suspension also uses a number of innovations to
reduce friction throughout suspension travel. The stabilizer bars use
highly efficient ball joints at either end, as well as
self-lubricating bushings at the sub-frame mounts. The upper arms of
both the front and rear suspension have low-friction ball-joint
bushings where they attach to the main structure, reducing overall
friction while enhancing rigidity of the suspension assembly. The
dampers of the RL have an advanced Progressive Valve design for
increased damping control at low damper speeds while retaining quick,
fluid response to large impacts. Special Teflon seals within all four
damper units reduce friction even further for improved ride quality.
To give the RL a stable, predictable feel during hard cornering,
while improving overall lateral-acceleration capability, the
suspension geometry was designed with lower roll centers than
previous Acura luxury sedans. The roll center of the front suspension
is 59 mm above ground level and 70 mm above ground level at the rear.
This has resulted in increased cornering performance, from 0.77 g to
0.80 g, as well as more predictable response at the limits of
adhesion.
To reduce road noise and harshness, the bushing at the front of the
rear-trailing arms is a liquid-filled design, instead of the more
conventional rubber-damped bushing.
Building on Acura's long history of advancing the science of
automotive handling stability and control, the 3.5 RL comes standard
with a state-of-the-art Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system.
Developed in cooperation with Bosch, this four-channel system
orchestrates the throttle and each of the RL's four disc brakes
independently to seamlessly integrate traction control, anti-lock
braking and stability enhancement processes under widely divergent
road and driving conditions.
Large, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes are standard, with
ventilated rotors in front for minimal fade and excellent heat
dissipation. By fine-tuning the leverage ratio of the brake pedal and
the response characteristics of the power-brake vacuum diaphragm, the
RL engineering team achieved reduced stopping distances while making
brake response more linear and intuitive. Combined with the
"low-creep" torque converter, these refinements also help make it
easier to hold the RL at a stop.
The 3.5 RL has a four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that is
integrated into the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system. The ABS
system operates in three-channel mode during straight-line braking
(apportioning braking power to the front wheels independently and the
rear wheels in tandem), and then automatically switches to
four-channel mode when the VSA system senses high cornering forces.
This allows the ABS system to take advantage of weight transfer to
the outside of the turn during cornering and apply higher brake
pressure to the outer rear wheel for braking performance.
The traction control aspect of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
system works just as seamlessly. When wheel slip is detected under
acceleration, differential braking and engine controls are called
into play to modulate the amount of power put to the ground. In
situations where the drive wheels are on surfaces with different
friction properties, such as when one drive wheel is in water while
the other is on dry pavement, the system applies braking action to
the wheel that's slipping, allowing the tire with better grip to move
the vehicle. In addition to independent control of the front wheel
brake, the system can also reduce total engine power output to keep
wheel spin in check.
The speed-sensitive variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
uses a rotary valve that senses torque applied to the steering wheel
and a vehicle speed sensor to vary power assist accordingly. The
system adjusts steering assist for easy steering in parking-lot
conditions and quick, precise steering feel at speed. The RL utilizes
a magnesium-cast steering wheel for lighter steering feel, and a
dynamic damper in the steering shaft for reduced wheel vibration.
The RL is equipped with P215/60R16 MXV4 Plus Michelin tires on 7.0 JJ
x 16 cast-aluminum alloy wheels to maximize handling while minimizing
road noise. The tires of the RL are of a special
low-rolling-resistance design, which yields outstanding ride
characteristics and improved fuel mileage while achieving excellent
handling response and overall grip. The tires are an All-Season
design, for enhanced traction on wet roads as well as on dry
pavement.
2001 Acura 3.5 RL - Structure & Body
The 3.5 RL has a stamped-sheet-steel unit-body structure, designed to
have a very high level of overall rigidity in both bending and
torsion. The highly rigid structure was developed using a Cray
supercomputer running the NASTRAN finite element-analysis program
originally developed by NASA for building space vehicles. The chassis
was made even more rigid by a rear support gusset, a large bulkhead
bracket and rear crossbeam stabilizer.
Instead of a conventional tubular steel front brace between the
firewall and the upper front-suspension locating points, the RL uses
an oversized, oval-section tower bar brace, as well as a reinforcing
plate that ties the firewall and front cowl section. This design
increases rigidity as much as 12 times over a conventional round tube
design, reducing cowl shake on rough roads and in spirited driving,
while increasing steering precision.
For reduced cabin-noise transmission, the B- and C-pillars are filled
with a special heat-expanding rubberized foam material that expands
to fill the hollow pillar during the baking cycles of the painting
process.
Special lightweight honeycomb panels are used in the floor structure
to increase rigidity and reduce noise and vibration. These panels are
composed of a resin-impregnated fiber matrix bonded top and bottom to
thin-gauge galvanized steel sheets.
The 3.5 RL body design is intended to impart a muscular stance and
dynamic appearance while maintaining an enduring elegance and
sophistication. The body of the 3.5 RL is significantly taller than
previous Acura luxury sedans, for improved headroom, especially in
the rear seats, and a more substantial exterior appearance. The 3.5
RL flanks are designed with high, relatively prominent "shoulder"
lines, for a strong, masculine appearance, and the front
grille/fender/bumper area is designed with a very clean, integrated
configuration, giving a more massive, yet aerodynamically efficient
look.
The RL is engineered and painstakingly assembled to have a level of
fit and finish second to none in the luxury sedan class. Panels have
been combined and integrated, wherever possible, to eliminate gaps
and seams.
The tall, spacious-feeling greenhouse of the RL is designed to give
the driver and passengers a clear, panoramic view of the road ahead
and the surroundings to the sides and rear for enhanced safety. The
driver's front, side and rear views are largely unobstructed, due to
slim, yet highly rigid, roof pillars. The body is designed to give
the driver a clear sense of the boundaries of the car, for more
secure maneuvering and parking.
The RL is built with a high proportion of galvanized steel panels,
most of them galvanized on both sides for superior corrosion
protection. All visible surfaces are protected by a 23-step, 4-coat,
4-bake paint process, with special antichip primer and special
chip-resistant paint used in areas that are likely to be struck by
stones or other debris. The paint process is so precise and exacting
that personnel who work in the painting section of the factory wear
special contamination-free clothing while working and are checked for
colognes or other cosmetic chemicals that might cause the slightest
contamination of the painting environment. Chassis panels are
protected by corrosion-resistant undercoating material, and body
cavities are injected with an oil-based anticorrosion wax that
displaces moisture for even better protection.
The ultra-high quality appearance of the RL is enhanced by a special
crystal structure cast into the inner surface of the RL rear
outer-lens assembly.
As an example of the extraordinary lengths taken to reduce wind
noise, the outside rearview mirrors are designed with a small wind
deflector, or spoiler, that directs oncoming air down and away from
the mirror assembly. By detaching the airflow under the mirror, the
deflector reduces the pressure gradient between the air rushing
around the mirror housing and the still air behind the mirror,
eliminating a "whistling" effect there that has been identified as a
cause of wind noise in the wind tunnel.
The RL includes an innovative power moon roof. The outer moon roof
panel first tilts up, for increased ventilation, and then opens
completely with one additional touch of the control button.
Heat-rejecting privacy glass is used, and the moon roof is programmed
to pause at the 130 mm position during closing to help ensure
passenger safety.
A special spoiler, located immediately behind the front bumper, has
been developed to reduce airflow under the RL, thereby reducing the
high-pressure air under the front of the body and diverting it to
flow around the sides and over the top. This reduces drag and
front-end lift and also reduces wind noise, helping to give the RL a
remarkably quiet interior, even at high speeds.
2001 Acura 3.5 RL - Interior
A great deal of attention was given to the design, materials, comfort
features and convenience amenities of the 3.5 RL interior, from major
issues such as control location and passenger head, hip and shoulder
room to smaller details such as extra-large beverage holders and a
special compartment intended specifically for the driver's
sunglasses. The overall design thrust was to give the interior a very
open, relaxed ambience, much like the comfortable living room of an
elegant, yet casual, contemporary luxury home.
The leather seating surfaces that give the RL its luxurious look and
feel are carefully hand-selected American hides that are tanned with
an innovative process that helps the leather retain its soft, supple
feel and resilient strength far longer than conventional automobile
interior leather. The oils in conventional leather tend to slowly
evaporate out of the hides, especially when the car is parked in the
bright summer sun. This causes leather to prematurely age and dry out
over time. It has another annoying side effect -- the oil that
escapes from the leather is then deposited on the rear window and
windshield glass when the interior cools, eventually causing a
persistent and hard-to-remove "fogging" effect on the glass. The
leather used in the RL is specially treated to resist this
phenomenon; it reduces window fogging 90 percent better than
conventional leather.
The driver and front passenger seats are the products of extensive
research and development. They are designed to absorb vibrations and
bumps and to provide outstanding comfort without sacrificing the firm
support needed in enthusiastic driving.
The RL is the most lavishly equipped Acura ever built. Advances in
soundproofing throughout the car make its interior by far the
quietest in Acura history. Nearly everything is standard, including
cruise control, individual reading lights, power windows, door locks,
moon roof and remote keyless entry. The center console features an
adjustable, two-position armrest and an illuminated storage area with
a 12-volt accessory power outlet and tray designed to hold a cellular
phone.
The RL is equipped with an automatic, speed-sensitive intermittent
wiper system that slows down the wipers when the RL is stopped or
moving slowly and increases their speed when vehicle velocity
increases. The wiper blades are specially designed to reduce noise
while in operation.
In the RL, a sensor at the front of the instrument panel senses
outside illumination levels; when darkness occurs during automatic
mode, the headlights, taillights and instrument panel lighting are
automatically turned on for nighttime convenience. When the vehicle
is parked at night, the lights are left on after the ignition switch
is turned off, but go out automatically when the driver's door is
opened.
Acura automobiles have always been known for their high level of
ergonomic design and control harmony; the RL takes us to a whole new
level of human engineering. The instrument panel is configured with a
"trinocular" design. A large center speedometer and associated gauges
monitor driving functions. A left-side, slightly smaller circle
contains the tachometer while a symmetrical right-side circle
includes the fuel gauge and less-used, yet important indicators. The
instruments have large displays and are illuminated, even in daytime,
for easy recognition. Much time and effort has gone into minimizing
the attention needed to understand and monitor each particular system
and to make each switch and control nearly as easy to use the first
time as it will be after years of familiarity.
The RL is equipped with a state-of-the-art automatic climate control
system and air conditioning system. The system is not only powerful
in terms of cooling capacity and efficiency, but it is also extremely
quiet, even when quickly cooling the interior on a hot Death Valley
day. Even rear-seat passengers have personal control over the
direction of heating or cooling air coming their way. Great pains
have been taken to ensure cooling uniformity from front to rear, and
an innovative subcondenser has been added to the A/C system,
improving the efficiency of the unit substantially. In controlled
testing, the A/C system cooled the interior from 100 degrees to 70
degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes--quicker than any other competitor
in its class.
A state-of-the-art air-filtration system removes pollen and other
contaminants from the interior environment. The filter element is so
fine, it can trap all particles of 3 microns or larger, including
almost all pollen and dust, and inhibits the passage of bacteria as
small as 0.5 microns as well as some components of cigarette smoke
and particulates in diesel exhaust. The filter has two layers: both
are composed of felt-like, nonwoven fabric fibers, and one layer is
electrostatically charged to help attract and trap even more dust and
other airborne particles.
Special solar-energy-absorbing, green-tinted glass is used in the RL,
minimizing the effects of the hot sun on the interior and its
occupants. This reduces the load on the climate control system for
better cooling efficiency, delays the temperature rise in the
interior when the vehicle is parked, and further protects the
interior leather and other materials from the effects of solar
radiation.
The Acura/Bose audio system for the RL is the most impressive
ever designed for an Acura automobile. Developed and tuned by Bose
Corporation specially for the RL, the music system is acoustically
optimized to provide clear, authentic sound in any seating position
of the interior and automatically compensate the balance of bass,
treble and midrange for any volume level. It features an AM/FM tuner,
cassette and a six-disc CD changer mounted in the trunk.
The Acura Navigation System is the only factory-installed option
available on the fully equipped 2001 3.5 RL. It features a seven-inch
matte-finish touch-screen that resists fingerprinting and is easy to
read. Smart logic allows you to type in your destination with only a
few keystrokes, and route calculation time is very fast. You can also
preprogram a route with up to five destinations, or have the moving
map display icons for gas stations, restaurants or ATMs. And with a
Digital Video Disc (DVD) on-board database, the entire continental
United States is contained on a single disc.
A remote keyless entry system is standard on the RL. The keyless
entry system is radio-controlled -- this gives much better range than
a conventional infrared system, allowing the driver to unlock the RL
or activate the "panic button" antitheft function while still a
considerable distance from the car. A special electronically coded
key prevents the car from being started, even if a mechanical
duplicate of the proper key shape is used. A transponder, built into
the key, signals the immobilizer control unit the key is genuine. If
the car is hot-wired, or an unauthorized key is used, it simply will
not start. This system is a substantial deterrent to theft.
2001 Acura 3.5 RL - Safety
The 3.5 RL is not just the most luxurious and impressive Acura sedan
ever built it also incorporates state-of-the-art safety engineering.
Advances in strength and rigidity of the unit-body structure, as well
as innovations in side-impact protection and airbag technology make
the 3.5 RL as safe and secure as it is comfortable and gratifying to
drive. And, for increased driver control, standard equipment includes
an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) system that incorporates traction control functions.
Three-point lap-and-shoulder belts are provided at all seating
positions. A dual front airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
helps to protect the driver and front passenger in a moderate to
severe frontal impact, and automatic seat belt pretensioners help
keep front passengers firmly in position in order to take advantage
of the protection afforded by the air bag system.
To enhance the protection of the front seat passenger during a
variety of frontal impact collisions, varying air bag deployment
power is used in the RL. The Honda R&D designed system, which
uses a dual-stage inflator, is the first such design ever to be used
on an automobile and automatically adjusts the deployment of the
front passenger SRS airbag based on the severity of the crash. During
a slower speed collision, the dual-stage inflator system for the
dash-mounted air bag is triggered in sequence, resulting in slower
overall air bag deployment with less initial force. During a higher
speed collision, both inflators operate simultaneously for full
immediate inflation, to correspond with the greater impact force.
The RL features seat-mounted side air bags for the driver and front
seat passenger. The front passenger seat is equipped with an
innovative system designed to disable side air bag deployment and
prevent injury to a small child or small statured adult if he or she
leans into the side air bag deployment path. A series of seven
sensors in the passenger seatback determine the height and position
of the occupant to assist the system in determining if it is safe to
deploy the side air bag. If the person is in the deployment path of
the side air bag, the system will prevent the side air bag from
inflating. When the child returns to an upright seating position, the
side airbag will reactivate so it can deploy and protect the person
in a side impact.
Dual anti-intrusion beams in the front doors, as well as expanded
polypropylene hip and shoulder pads, built into the door structure,
help protect front- and rear-seat passengers in a possible lateral
collision. Anti-intrusion door beams are also used in the rear doors.
And innovative, expanded polystyrene liners, installed above the
front doors and inside the A-pillars, help give front-seat passengers
added head protection in side-impact situations.
To allow a child seat to be securely positioned in any of the back
seat positions, rear child seat tether anchors are standard in the
RL.
The RL's structure is designed to deform progressively in both front
and rear impacts, letting the front and rear sections absorb the
energy of a collision while helping to keep the highly rigid
center-passenger section intact. Straight frame rails, front and
rear, give the structure the strength necessary to help the RL
withstand offset collisions at either end, with reduced possibilities
for passenger injury.
The RL is equipped with an emergency trunk release located inside the
trunk.
The RL features Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with
double the total illuminating power of conventional halogen
headlamps, enhancing visibility and active safety performance.
Standard fog lamps are integrated into the bumper fascia for improved
performance in combination with the HID headlights. The HID headlight
bulbs also last twice as long as halogen bulbs and require less
energy to operate.