2005 Acura RL A-SPEC

Acura unveiled an A-SPEC performance package for its RL luxury performance sedan at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas. It will go on sale in the spring of 2005 at Acura dealers nationwide.

The all-new Acura RL, which went on sale last month, features a bold new design, a powerful 300-horsepower engine, the SH-AWD all-wheel drive system and an assortment of leading-edge technology including a real time traffic information system.

The RL A-SPEC package enhances the already crisp handling and aggressive styling with a track-tuned suspension package that lowers the car by approximately 3/4 inch, 18-inch alloy wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport tires, an underbody kit, and a deck lid spoiler. The RL A-SPEC kit will be priced at approximately $5,500 plus dealer installation and covered under a factory warranty.

Acura RSX A-SPEC Concept : 2005

The RSX Concept first made its debut at the 2001 SEMA show and is updated to reflect the significant changes made to the Acura RSX for 2005.

The Concept RSX features a chassis that has been widened five inches compared to stock, with an aggressive body styling kit, fender flares, carbon fiber front and rear spoilers and HID headlights.

It boasts racecar suspension tuning, large 19-inch "black chrome" wheels, prototype Michelin F1 tires and Brembo brakes. Inside, fully customized interior features carbon fiber accents, a race-style instrument panel and custom gauge cluster.

Acura Blaupunkt Acurabot

This highly modified 1994 Acura Integra LS was completely rebuilt over a seven week period between November's SEMA show and the January 7th start of CES.

Owner Tajai Das of Xclusive Concepts first bought the car in 1998 as a stock, non-Vtec, Integra LS. By 1999 he had begun to customize the car's appearance, soon taking the Best Vinyl Graphics category at the 1999 Import Revolution show in his native Ontario. "That was it," Das recalls. "From that moment, I was hooked."

The Acurabot has since undergone three separate overhauls, each time raising the bar on performance, appearance, and sound. By 2003, Das had assembled what he considered his dream team for the third customization of the Acurabot, and the car took Best in Show awards across Canada, and took the Best Stereo Display at Hot Import Nights Chicago, edging out Blaupunkt's acclaimed Evil-Z.

The car has always had a Transformers-inspired theme, a nod from Das to his childhood. "When I realized that great showcars had to have a theme, I knew mine was going to be based on Transformers," says Das. "It unites my childhood toys with my obsession for cars, and I love when someone tells me that they the car brings them back to childhood memories." In addition to the extensive transformers mural work, the centerpiece of the install features a motorized replica of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the transformers franchise.

The most recent overhaul of the Acurabot took place in period between the 2004 SEMA show in November, and the 2005 CES: just seven weeks. "This rebuild is the hardest we've ever worked to get a car ready," comments Das. "In order to get everything we wanted to do finished in time, I had to be creative getting these guys to work to their absolute limits. In the end, we were all absolutely exhausted, but I think we are all in agreement that this is the best work we've done yet. The car speaks for itself."

Acura RDX Prototype : 2006

The highly anticipated Acura RDX Prototype SUV debuted today at the North American International Auto Show. Combining sport utility with sports sedan handling and performance, RDX features an innovative 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine,


Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM)), and is designed to redefine the entry premium SUV segment. This near-production prototype provides an advance preview of the all-new RDX that will go on sale this summer.

"The RDX Prototype represents the forward thinking that will be seen in the next generation of Acura light trucks," said John Mendel, senior vice president, Auto Operations. "It is loaded with leading edge technology and it exemplifies what we call intelligent performance: a sporty, luxurious and functional SUV that has outstanding performance yet is also fuel efficient."

RDX features an all-new 2.3-liter i-VTEC(R) four-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates 240 horsepower and 260 lbs-ft of torque. This is the first application of forced induction technology in Acura history.

The revolutionary i-VTEC Turbo technology uses a variable flow turbocharger, which is exclusive to the RDX, and provides dramatic performance benefits while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency. To complement the all-aluminum high-performance engine, the RDX utilizes Acura's steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to manually operate the 5-speed sequential SportShift(TM) automatic transmission.

Acura RSX Type S

Since its debut in July of 2001, the RSX sports coupe has been an unqualified success, winning an array of industry awards including being named to Car and Driver's "10 Best" and Ward's "10 Best Engines" lists.

To maintain the RSX's position as the benchmark in its class, Acura's dynamic sports coupe receives substantial performance and styling enhancements for 2005 that update its dynamic looks, refine and modernize the interior and make it even more fun to drive.

For 2005, the high performance Type-S model receives engine and exhaust system modifications that boost horsepower from 200 to 210 and torque from 142 lb-ft to 143 lb-ft. Engine output was optimized by applying high performance camshafts and enlarging the diameter of the intake duct by 10 percent. A larger diameter exhaust pipe and free-flowing catalytic converter helped to boost horsepower by increasing exhaust flow by 10 percent.

Remarkably, given the considerable power, RSX Type-S engine meets stringent CARB Low Emissions Vehicle-II (LEV-2) standards and is designed to run for 110,000 miles before the first scheduled tune-up.

The Type-S is equipped exclusively with a 6-speed, close-ratio manual transmission for quick, responsive shifting. For 2005, the final drive ratio on this transmission was lowered to provide even quicker acceleration while shift feel was improved by applying carbon synchronizers on fifth and sixth gear.

To meet the demands of the true driving enthusiast, the chassis of the RSX features track-tuned suspensions and steering systems for exceptional handling precision, outstanding cornering grip and a smooth, controlled ride.