2013 Acura RLX

Much like the Accord has been for sister company, Honda, the Acura RL has been the flagship sedan for the luxury automaker for what seems like forever. Acura has just made it official that the RL’s 16-year run at the top of its lineup will end in 2013, but its replacement will bear a similar name, RLX. In a press release, Acura announced that the RLX will make its anticipated debut on April 4th at 1:50 p.m. at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

As with most Honda Motor Co. releases, Acura has remained very quiet on this upcoming release, so the facts and specifications are not yet known. We do know that it will bear Acura’s new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, an electric four-wheel drive system similar to that of theNSX Concept. This new RLX will include an all-new V-6 engine, per Inside Line’s report. Acura claims that the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system and V-6 engine will give the RLX V-8-like acceleration with a four-cylinder’s fuel efficiency.

Also reported is that the 2013 RLX will include a seven-speed transmission, which replaces the six-speed transmission on the 2012 RL. None of the aforementioned reports have been corroborated by Acura, so it remains just speculation. Don’t be surprised if the new RLX actually ends up being a slightly larger and redesigned version of its predecessor.

Regardless of speculation, the RLX is arriving in a crowded market that is overflowing with redesigned and restyled vehicles. Its main competition will come from the 2013 Lexus ES and the new 2013 Toyota yet-to-be-revealed sedan, both of which we will learn more about at the N.Y. Auto Show.

Images are of the 2012 Acura RL.

New Acura Flagship to Debut at the New York International Auto Show TORRANCE, Calif. - 3/28/2012

Announced today, Acura’s new flagship sedan will make its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. Employing an array of new Acura technologies, including the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, the concept vehicle will deliver an entirely new level of performance, sophistication and comfort.

Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., will introduce the concept vehicle at a press conference held on April 4, 2012 at 1:50 PM (EST) in the Acura booth. The press conference will be webcast live on www.acuranews.com. Press materials will be posted at www.acuranews.com immediately following the press conference.