Filed under: Sedans/Saloons (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Japan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/), Acura (http://www.autoblog.com/category/acura/), Honda (http://www.autoblog.com/category/honda/)

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/acurarlrender_450.jpg (http://news.windingroad.com/car-buying/speculation-acura-targeting-lexus-next-gen-v8-powered-rl/)
When we had the current-generation Acura RL in the Autoblog Garage (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-acura-rl/), we thought that its understated design was attractive enough, but opined that it looked rather anonymous in the face of competitors such as the BMW 5-series (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-bmw-5-series/233559/), Infiniti M35 (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-infiniti-m-4/477796/) and especially the new Cadillac CTS (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-cadillac-cts-1/127215/). What may be a bigger problem to consumers is the lack of a V8 engine option, especially considering that even Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detroit-2008-2009-hyundai-genesis-revealed-phil-collins-would/) has seen fit to offer its top-level sedan with V8 power. Additionally, the current RL is based on a front-wheel-drive chassis architecture, and although we found that the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system worked rather well, the new RL might get an AWD system based on a rear-wheel-drive chassis.
If rumors from Japan's Best Car agazine hold true, expect to see a new 4.5 liter V8 in Acura's recently redesigned flagship sporting over 400 horsepower. The rendering shown above appears to be a current-generation Accord, which is already quite large, stretched out in every direction. A U.S. version for Acura would surely get a grille more in-line with its current angular design theme which was shown off (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-acura-reveals-2009-rl-more-style-more-power-mor/) at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month. Since this is just a rendering, we won't judge its looks much, but we would hope that a production version of Acura's RL flagship would look significantly different than their mainstream sedan, the Accord.
Gallery: 2009 Acura RL (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chicago-2008-2009-acura-rl-reveal/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/2009-acura-rl-1280-6_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chicago-2008-2009-acura-rl-reveal/626503/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/2009-acura-rl-1280-5_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chicago-2008-2009-acura-rl-reveal/626520/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/2009-acura-rl-1280-10_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chicago-2008-2009-acura-rl-reveal/626496/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/2009-acura-rl-1280-11_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chicago-2008-2009-acura-rl-reveal/626506/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/2009-acura-rl-1280-12_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chicago-2008-2009-acura-rl-reveal/626529/)

[Source: Best Car via Winding Road (http://news.windingroad.com/car-buying/speculation-acura-targeting-lexus-next-gen-v8-powered-rl/)]

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