The 3.5RL sedan enters the new millennium as Acura's flagship in the areas of automotive safety, innovation and luxury. All-new technologies for the 2000 model year include Acura's Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system and the application of a Digital Video Disc (DVD) database to the Acura Navigation System. These refinements to the RL follow the Acura tradition of building upon one innovation after another to engineer the finest premium performance vehicles in the segment.
"The technologies and safety innovations in the RL make this year's flagship sedan one of the most advanced vehicles ever produced by Acura," says Dick Colliver, executive vice president, Acura division. "With the Vehicle Stability Assist system and exclusive side air bag technology, the RL demonstrates that cutting edge technology and safety can be achieved without compromising the legendary Acura performance, comfort and style."
The new Acura Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system enhances driver control by adding lateral control to the RL's standard Traction Control System (TCS) and Antilock Braking System (ABS). This vehicle stability innovation is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden collision-avoidance maneuvers by managing the braking and throttle systems. The Acura VSA system has been specifically tuned to aid in the control of a front-wheel drive vehicle.
The RL offers numerous safety innovations including Acura's exclusive advanced side air bag system and a dual-stage, front passenger supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag. The side air bags are designed to deploy and help protect the driver and front passenger in a side-impact collision and are mounted in the outboard, upper seatbacks of both front seats. In the event of a collision, the side air bag system senses the direction and severity of the impact, then determines whether or not to deploy the side air bag. To help further ensure the safety of a small passenger, a series of seven sensors in the passenger seatback determine the size and position of the occupant to assist the system in determining if it is safe to deploy the passenger side air bag. This Acura exclusive side air bag system was engineered to reduce the potential for injuries to a small child from deployment of the side air bag itself.
To help protect the front-seat passenger during a frontal impact collision, a dual-stage inflator selects one of two deployment rates for the front passenger SRS air bag. During a lower speed collision, the dual-stage inflator system 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. When used in conjunction with the 3-point seatbelt with standard pretensioners, this technology reduces the potential for injury to the passenger from the deployment forces of the air bag.
In addition to safety and vehicle control innovations, Acura is a pioneer in the area of in-dash navigation systems in North America. For the 2000 model year, Acura is the first and the only automobile brand in the industry to offer a new Digital Video Disc (DVD) mapping database, providing coverage of the continental United States on a single DVD disc. The new DVD database has been programmed to include nearly eight times as many points of interest than the combined databases of the previous system, while a large 7-inch color LCD display with a new matte-finish touch screen reduces glare and fingerprinting. As the only factory option available in the RL, the latest Acura Navigation System with voice prompt is one of the most sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, global positioning system (GPS) satellite-linked navigation systems on the market today.
Complementing all the RL's safety and innovation technology is an all-aluminum, 3.5-liter, 24-valve V6 powerplant producing 210 horsepower and 224 lb.-ft. of torque. The peak torque output is achieved at only 2,800 rpm - allowing for confident acceleration from a stand still and ample passing power at cruising speeds. The longitudinally mounted engine provides better weight distribution for sure footed performance and handling.
Acura engine technologies, including direct ignition, Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and a three-stage Variable Induction System further enhance the RL's spirited performance and drivability. This is achieved while meeting strict Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) environmental standards.
The RL boasts a comprehensive array of comfort and convenience features designed to create a more inviting driver's cockpit and passenger's environment. Standard features include an Acura/Bose" 8-speaker sound system with 6-disc CD changer, computer-controlled automatic climate control system with micron air filtration along with the HomeLink" remote control system. Hand selected American leather envelops the 8-way adjustable power driver and passenger seats while rear passengers enjoy separate heating and cooling vents and a center armrest with trunk pass-through and ski sack. Burled Tendo-camphor wood trim adorns the instrument panel that houses the available Acura Navigation System.
The RL continues in the tradition of the grand touring sedans of Europe, featuring an aggressive body style with a long, sloping front hood and a short rear deck. The prominent, chrome pentagram grille exudes the Acura family design theme up front while a chrome accent bar graces the rear decklid area. An exclusive, 23-step, 4-coat, 4-bake painting process ensures rich colors and lasting durability, while a painstaking manufacturing process ensures high quality and a precision fit and finish. The RL is the flagship of the Acura model line and has been graced with all the safety, technology and styling credentials to rightfully claim this position.
Like all Acura models, the 2000 3.5RL is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Additional ownership benefits include Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC), which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.