#AcuraRL

Honda has announced a recall of roughly 250,000 vehicles globally for an electronics glitch that could cause the brakes to be applied even when the the pedal has not been pressed.

Set to go on sale in early 2013 to replace the RL, Acura’s RLX sedan will arrive at dealerships looking slightly different than the concept we saw in New York if the patent images here are, in fact, the production model.

Acura has confirmed that the next-generation RL flagship luxury sedan will make its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April. The car will continue to use a V6 engine, but will gain a hybrid component and use direct-injection as well as an innovative new all-wheel drive system referred to as Sport Hybrid SH-AWD – similar to that showcased on the NSX Concept.

Ahead of the recent Tokyo Motor Show, Honda invited a group of journalists out to its Twin Ring Motegi race track facility for an information download on its future engines and transmissions, as well as a chance to get behind the wheel of some of the new products.

Unfortunately, seat time was too minimal for even a first-drive style piece of each of the vehicles present. Still, we thought we’d share our impressions of cars that ranged from high-tech prototypes to models we’ll never see.

Read the complete story below:

Known for its technology innovations, Honda’s R&D efforts have been somewhat lackluster as of late. The Japanese automaker appears to have turned a corner, however, announcing a long list of new engines and technologies.

The 2010 Acura RL holds the dubious title of Canada’s Worst Selling Car, with just 33 sold in 2010. Our northernly neighbors, who by all rights should be swayed by the car’s roomy interior and all-wheel drive, don’t seem to care for the car, and neither do Americans.

For 2011, the RL gets yet another refresh, but we have a hard time fathoming if anyone will care about Acura’s big sedan, which is long past its expiration date. The big news for this year is a 6-speed automatic and a bump in fuel economy, from 22 to 24 highway mpg. Special Hemholtz resonators help dampen road noise and are fitted inside new 18″ alloys, which should excite both geriatrics and their ungrateful grandchildren who want to borrow the car cruise the streets of Boca Raton.

Hit the jump to read all about the new Acura RL, but we suggest you have a strong cup of coffee first.

[Source: Acura]

A slew of new product info and rumors have popped up, detailing big (and little) changes across Acura’s product portfolio. Updates are planned for the TL, while the there’s more news about the new sub-TSX model, as well as a new direction for Acura’s flagship RL.

First there were rumors that Honda would axe the Acura RL, and then came the official word that it wouldn’t, but here is the first sign that the RL continues to carry on – even if the car has become irrelevant.

Honda is preparing to recall an unspecified number of vehicles due to a brake-related issue similar to that announced yesterday in a Toyota recall of 1.5 million vehicles.

Yesterday it was announced that the RL would be cut from the Acura lineup. But today, Honda officials in the U.S. are saying “not so fast.”

Honda is set to make some big changes to its product lineup, at home and abroad, eliminating the Acura RL and dropping the gas-powered Civic model from its lineup in Japan.

Acura continues to talk about being a tier-one luxury automaker, but while Honda’s luxury arm keeps to talking the talk we’re not seeing a lot of walking. Recently the folks at Car & Driver had a chat with a few Acura execs during the launch of the new ZDX model – a seemingly niche-market vehicle that Acura somehow believes helps elevate them to (or nearer to) tier-one status.