As innovative as it is instinctive, the available CMBS system is powered by a radar transmitter behind the RL's front grille that determines the distance and closing speed of vehicles directly ahead of you. If the closing speed exceeds a programmed threshold, the system alerts you with audio and visual alerts. If no braking or speed reduction is detected, the system will begin pulling the driver's seat belt and automatically begin light braking. If all warnings have been ignored and the system determines an impact is unavoidable, strong braking is automatically applied to reduce the collision speed and mitigate the force of the accident.

The RL is like a mobile sound studio that rivals most people's home theatres. It begins with a truly cutting-edge 260-watt digital amplifier that powers 10 acoustically and strategically positioned speakers. The in-dash, 6-disc CD/DVD-Audio DTS® changer reads various audio media formats that feature 5.1 digital surround-sound. With such amazingly high audio resolution, dynamic range and full frequency response, the system delivers premium sound with exceptional fidelity throughout the RL's interior cabin, making any seat the best seat in the house.

The Acura RL can pinpoint your location almost anywhere in North America or access its search directory to help you find directions to those hard to find places. This innovative system recognizes up to 600 verbal commands, and is equipped with bilingual voice recognition software. To help you find your way easily, it also features real-time directions by voice or guiding map display. Simply ask the system to show you the most direct route to your destination, offer an alternate route or, with the Zagat Survey Ratings®, help you pick a restaurant.

Imagine being able to keep in touch without ever having to lift a finger or taking your eyes off the road. That's one of the technical advancements you'll benefit from in the RL. Simply program and link your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to the HandsFreeLink telephone interface. Then make, receive and transfer calls without having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Just press a button, say the word and – providing your programmed mobile phone is located inside the cabin – calling numbers will be displayed, your phone will respond to voice activation and you will hear the caller's voice over the RL's audio system. What's more, the system operates in English or French, and is capable of seamlessly integrating up to six different compatible phones, turning your RL into a command centre where you are the commander.

The RL's available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system allows you to set a time interval based on the distance of the car in front of you. During highway cruising simply engage the ACC and the system will prompt you to choose a short, medium or long interval between you and the vehicle ahead. The system will then maintain the exact throttle speed, and if required automatically apply moderate braking, to ensure your selected distance is maintained.

*Available on the RL Elite Package

The RL seems to anticipate your needs. Take the Smart Entry system. As long as your RL key is within sensor range, simply touch the inside of the driver's side door handle to unlock the door. Follow the same procedure on the passenger's side: touch the inside of the door handle and the system will unlock all the doors. In fact, you can open the trunk, start the engine, drive, shut the engine off, and re-lock all the doors – all without ever touching a key. Plus, with the programmable driver recognition system, mirrors, seats and climate controls can all be personalized at the push of a button.

Everything you expect from a V-8 engine comes standard in the RL's VTEC V-6. At 290 hp, the 3.5-litre, 24-valve VTEC V-6 engine is one of the most powerful ever found in a production Acura. With lightweight aluminum-alloy block and heads for improved efficiency and heat shedding, it's also one of the most technically advanced.

The RL's VTEC engine perfectly balances low-end torque and high-end power. One drive and you'll experience amazingly responsive power across the complete rpm range. How? The innovative VTEC engine uses two entirely different camshaft profiles. At low speeds, VTEC provides lower valve lift and a shorter cam profile opening, resulting in higher gas velocities and greater low-end rpm torque. As your demand for engine speed increases, VTEC switches to a cam profile with higher valve lift and longer opening duration, resulting in greater airflow and a big boost in high-end rpm horsepower. The net result? Abundant power and a thrilling drive.

Meet the groundbreaking Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system – one of the world's most advanced all-wheel drive technology. Fine-tuned for the Acura RL, SH-AWD helps you gain more traction in less than perfect conditions and gives you the confidence to carve precision corners in every other condition. The closest anyone has come to reinventing the wheel.

The RL's sports-car feel runs deeper than mere horsepower. A sophisticated, electronically controlled, speed-sensing variable-assist power rack-and-pinion system provides sports-car like response while on the open road, but adds assistance during low-speed manoeuvres, such as parallel parking. The exceptional precision of the rack-and-pinion system is amplified by the RL's optimized kingpin geometry in the front suspension, which helps eliminate any shimmy at highway speeds and during excessive steering forces, such as those created when a wheel hits a rock or pothole.

Mounted just behind the spokes of the RL's leather-wrapped steering wheel, you'll find paddle shifters specifically designed to deliver an extra boost of excitement to the already quick-shifting, 5-speed automatic. With every click of the paddle, you'll experience the exhilaration of Formula One™ inspiration.

An exceptionally smooth responsive ride awaits you at every turn with the RL's 4-wheel independent double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension systems. Further ride enhancement comes from the lightweight aluminum components mounted to aluminum subframes to help isolate the cabin from road harshness and noise.

The rear multi-link design provides all the high performance benefits of the double-wishbone setup, including solid resistance to lateral forces and diminished rear lift during braking. Plus, substantial front and rear stabilizer bars control body roll in corners, delivering exceptionally precise handling and an enhanced connection with the road.

One look at the RL's large diameter, dual-outlet exhaust and you get a strong hint at an engine enriched with confident attitude. The standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with large-diameter tires and wider tread enhance your feel for the road and reinforce the RL's sophisticated style and overall sporty appearance. There's no mistake. The RL is a smooth performer.

Even the longest distance between two points seems shorter when you're sitting comfortably in one of the two tightly bolstered, perforated leather-trimmed front seats of the Acura RL. The leather is supple, glove soft and incredibly durable. Finding the ideal driving position is easy with the 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with power-adjustable lumbar support and programmable driver recognition memory. Now, wherever you're heading your seat will feel exactly as it should – perfect. And for front side passengers, there's a 4-way power adjustable seat with power lumbar support as well.

An additional measure of sumptuous driver and passenger comfort comes from the standard heated front seats, and available ventilated front seats. Featuring two heat settings, each seat offers a little extra cold-weather comfort. Plus, for warm-weather relief, the front leather seats feature the available benefit of in-seat ventilation. This is just another way the RL meets your every need.

Behold innovation. Easy to read and reach steering wheel-mounted controls let you adjust the audio, telephone, Multi-Information Display and engage the cruise control – all without ever having to remove your hands from the luxurious leather-wrapped steering wheel.

An already quiet ride is made even quieter with the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system that reduces unwanted street, or exterior noise by up to 10 dB. Simply put, ANC counters external noise with opposing frequencies emitted from the sound system. Two ceiling microphones monitor low-frequency noise and when detected the ANC system counteracts and cancels the disturbance with an equivalent waveform. Further silence also comes from noise-insulation components and materials found in the dash, floor, roof, and engine areas.

In the RL, luxury is more than skin deep. On the surface, it's easy to admire the curly maple wood trim and leather that add an additional level of beauty and elegance. But there's more at work underneath. Take the tight seams between body panels; doors that close with a solid thud; progressively illuminated gauges that are easier to read in varying light conditions; chrome bezels around key instruments and gauges; and the fluid feel of the audio knobs all demonstrate its precision craftsmanship.

Maximum safety is achieved with six airbags designed to protect all occupants inside the RL. Depending on the point and force of impact, the RL will deploy: dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags that activate at one of two rates depending on severity of the impact; front side airbags with the innovative passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System that will not release if the system detects a small-sized or improperly positioned passenger; and side curtain airbags with state-of-the-art rollover sensors. All of which means that wherever you go in your RL, you'll feel safe and secure.

The RL offers an advanced braking system to help you drive safely. Its Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps maintain steering control when braking hard on wet, slippery, or loose surfaces, while Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) balances braking forces at each wheel to help compensate for passengers and the weight distribution inside the cabin. Plus, there's a Brake Assist feature that senses a panic stop and applies maximum braking power to help you stop quickly.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Correct tire pressure is critical to safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. Enter the RL's innovative Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that continually monitors the air pressure in each tire. If pressure drops in any tire, a transponder attached to the wheel's valve stem transmits the information to a receiver and a warning appears on your instrument panel indicating which tire requires attention.

Maintenance Interval Reminder System
Instead of following a traditional kilometre-and-calendar maintenance schedule, the RL instinctively calculates service needs based on your driving habits. This advanced system takes into account engine revolutions, stop-and-go traffic experience, weather conditions and the frequency of short trips to determine when your next service visit should be. The system also helps coordinate oil servicing dates and other maintenance items to minimize your visits to the service department.

The advanced 4-channel Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) system with Traction Control will automatically detect and correct understeer or oversteer situations, sometimes before you're even aware there's a need. The system intuitively analyzes the conditions, and then reduces throttle and/or applies braking to individual wheels. Should a loss of traction occur during acceleration on slippery surfaces, Traction Control will compensate to get you safely underway.

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights
The RL uses high-powered HID headlights to produce an intensely brilliant beam of focused light to enhance your ability to identify what's ahead.

Active Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The available Active Front Lighting System automatically swivels each front headlight up to 20 degrees to illuminate long curves at night, enabling you to see further into the turn than ever before.

*Available on the RL Elite Package.