HONDA

Acura RLX luxury sedan shown the door after this year 

The Acura RLX will exit the US at the end of 2020 as the brand reassesses its future lineup, the company confirmed on Friday.
Automotive News first reported Acura had informed dealerships that the RLX would not return after this year. The brand told Roadshow, "With SUVs leading the luxury market, the highly successful RDX and MDX now serve as the volume leaders of the Acura brand." The brand also suggested the MDX would pick up the torch as a flagship vehicle for the Japanese luxury marque.
"The next-generation Acura MDX will elevate its role in leading the Acura lineup," the brand's statement added.





Acura first launched its RLX sedan in 2013, introducing a front-wheel-drive version, then following up with an all-wheel-drive Sport Hybrid model. For the 2018 model year, Acura gives the RLX Sport Hybrid a whole new front end, reflecting the automaker's current styling.
Acura doesn't compete in the large luxury sedan segment, so the RLX Sport Hybrid, its largest sedan, goes up against cars like the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus GS. 



The drivetrain for the RLX Sport Hybrid is very innovative. It uses a 3.5-liter V6, assisted by an electric motor, to drive the front wheels, and two electric motors driving the rear wheels.
With electric motors at the rear wheels, Acura implements active torque vectoring to aid handling, where the outside wheel in a turn delivers more torque, leading to very predictable behavior.
With its hybrid drivetrain, not only does the RLX Sport Hybrid deliver excellent handling, but its average fuel economy approaches 30 mpg. 





Although the RLX is out, it'll stick around in other countries, specifically Japan where it's sold as the Honda Legend. For the US, Acura will focus on the TLX , which has started to inch into the RLX's shoes in recent years as it's grown in size. Acura added that it "will soon reveal" the 2021 TLX with a "performance-focused" ethos. 





The next TLX will also revive the Type S badge at the brand and create a new era of Acura performance.

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