Jump to content

Acura RL Super Handling AWD System


Mallard

Recommended Posts

Saw this on another forum so I figured I'd post it over here.

 

http://www.world.honda.com/HDTV/news/2004-4040401a/

 

12 min vid on how the SH-AWD system works. VERY cool.

 

Rumor has it Honda took the RL to the Nurburgring with a production Skyline GTR and didn't leave until they could beat it's lap time. :cool:

 

Some info:

While visiting Japan last week I picked up the latest issue of BestCar Magazine. Inside this issue is a multi-page article regarding the new RL. The article is currently being translated, but so far there are some very interesting points.

 

The author of the article says he has been tracking the development of the RL/Legend since a development prototype was tested at the Nürburgring last year. According to the article, an RL/Legend test mule with a prototype SH-AWD sytstem was tested at the 'Ring against a Skyline GT-R. The article states that the RL's lap times consistently bested the GT-R. The author makes the statement that the SH-AWD's performance dynamics are so innovative that he's convinced current systems from Nissan's GT-R, Subaru's Imprezza (WRX), and Mitsubishi's Lancer - leaders in AWD technology, are a step behind. He goes further and suggests that SH-AWD's performance handling dynamics are so groundbreaking that it threatens to surpass BMW's M5 class (hmmm - we shall see).

Also:

...the production car lap record for the famous old 12.95-mile Nurburgring. Currently it stands at 7min 59sec, set by a Nissan Skyline GTR in 1995. But given that the Skyline set the time during its development stage and was free of the speed limiter that prevents UK versions from doing more than 156mph, we can no longer count it as the true production car record holder. Especially as it's far from clear how much turbo boost the GTR was running during the lap, or how much tweaking the rear-wheel steer system had undergone.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=18&h=&t=133095

 

Reading some posts on here it looks like the Carrera GT holds the current production car record.

 

Although here http://www.roadracers.co.uk/nring.htm

it says it's a Caterham 7

 

Either way, if an RL beat a Skyline GTR it's f'ing fast.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

last i checked, the lap record for a 'street legal' car stands at 7:18. it was set by a HEAVILY modified donkervoort (lotus 7 style car), topping radical's best run by 1 second...

 

some onboard video from the radical's run:

http://www.radicalmotorsport.com/gallery/ring2b.mpg

 

:eek:

 

[ 08. March 2005, 12:35 AM: Message edited by: recklessOP ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking at how the rear is set up I can see replacing those clutch packs(or whatever they called them) as being really pricey. Since it'a a Honda I wouldn't bet you could get any more then 150,000 miles outta it before they need replacing. :) Still, if you are buying the RL new you probably aren't worried about maintenance costs.

 

CJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...