Acura RL

Impressions: The RL flagship is a high-style, high-tech and definitely high-performance model that's fit to lead the rest of the Acura lineup. Aluminum is extensively used in key structural areas and bolt-on body panels — hood, trunk lid, etc.— to save weight. A standard 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 runs through a five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Rather than being a take-no-prisoners (as in, add-no-features) kind of luxury car, the 2007 RL branches out to provide three "models", removing some features that were standard and making them available as options. For example, last year, the leather- and wood-adorned interior was fitted with a standard satellite radio/navigation screen that includes real-time traffic-flow information in the top-20 metropolitan areas in the continental United States. No matter where you're going, it can direct you to 1.7-million different street names. For 2007, this becomes part of the extra-cost Technology Package that also includes headlamps that swivel up to 20 degrees to follow the RL's path. These were also standard last year. Other packages add Michelin run-flat tires, a pre-collision system and adaptive cruise control that helps the RL keep a safe following distance. Climate control — the kind that helps to tame the elements outside the car — is under the direction of a unique all-wheel-drive setup that puts 70 per cent of the power to the front wheels during normal driving. Push the RL a bit and the balance shifts to the rear. When cornering, the system can even send up to 100 per cent of the available rear torque to the outside wheel. According to Acura, "overdriving" the outer wheel dramatically improves cornering stability. Base price: $49,300 (2006) Type: Four-door sedan Base engine (hp): 3.5-liter SOHC V6 (290) Optional engine: None Layout: Front-engine, all-wheel drive Transmission: Five-speed automatic Mileage (city/hwy): 18/26 Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags; anti-lock brakes; stability control; traction control Weight (lb.): 4,000 Basic warranty: 4/50,000 Roadside assistance: Yes Web: acura.com