Acura's new alphanumeric nomenclature is

starting to feel familiar. When the Honda's luxury division first proposed

dropping a name full of history and meaning like Legend for a series of

letters and numbers, it seemed lunacy.

But familiarity breeds recognition. As the new names sweep through the

Acura lineup, they have begun to create their own identities. The Vigor

has become the TL, the CL coupes have arrived, and when the Integra is

redesigned for '98, the cycle will be complete.

One defense of 3.5RL versus Legend is that the 3.5RL is a thoroughly

different car. The Legend had a sporty edginess under a layer of luxury,

while the 3.5RL takes its name very seriously. The initials stand for Refined

Luxury, and the car is an exquisitely refined piece of work--smooth, cossetting,

and deeply luxurious rather than sporting. Introduced in mid-'96 as an

all-new model, it continues into 1997 unchanged.

In appearance, the RL aims for an upright, conservative look. The low

lines and sharp edges of the Legend have been replaced by a more formal

profile, and the extra inch and a half in height yields a more traditional

shape reflecting a sober elegance.

The new front-drive sedan is about the length of a Lexus LS 400, with

a little more headroom and a little less legroom in the rear. The average-sized

trunk has a packable square shape, with a handy niche molded into the side

to keep briefcases from skidding. A narrow pass-through in the center of

the rear seats lets you fit skis in the trunk. (The uplevel RL Premium

includes a ski sack at the pass-through.)

One of the hallmarks of luxury is quietness, and Acura has gone to great

lengths to create the hushed environment that you'll find inside the RL.

The exceptionally rigid body helps reduce noise and vibration, and several

clever exterior bits do the same. The side mirrors have tiny spoilers that

deflect air downward, reducing wind noise. Another spoiler below the front

bumper diverts air to flow more quietly and has the added benefit of reducing

front end lift at high speeds.

The RL provides a sumptuously comfortable interior, with a high level

of standard equipment to erase your cares and ease your spirits. We tested

the Premium model ($44,435), which adds a short list of extras to the basic

models extensive list of standard features: interior walnut trim, heated

seats and outside mirrors, a Bose audio system, and traction control (as

well as the aforementioned ski sack).

Entering and exiting the RL is eased by the automatic steering wheel

that glides up and out of the way when you turn off the ignition. Upon

start-up, you can use one of two memory settings to restore the wheel,

mirrors and seat to your preferred positions. A power moonroof is standard.

The leather seats are soft on first contact, and remain supportive over

the long haul. The long seat cushions support the thighs, and side bolsters

on the seatbacks hold your back in place.

Rear seat comfort is particularly high, a carryover from Japan where

cars like this often are chauffeur-driven. Extra kneeroom has been carved

into the front seatbacks, and the broad track under the front seat leaves

plenty of foot room. The undersides of the front seats are even carpeted

to prevent shoe scuffs. Rear-seat passengers can adjust the temperature

with controls at the back of the center console.

Acura claims its climate control system has the quickest draw in the

West, or at least in its class, with an air conditioning system that can

cool the car from 100 degrees to 70 degrees in 15 minutes flat, faster

than any of its competitors. Since our visit with the 3.5RL occurred in

the dead of a midwestern winter, we can't vouch for the a/c claim, but

it reflects the intense refinement that went into every detail of the car's

comfort quotient.

The Lexus-like illuminated instruments convey necessary information

clearly and elegantly. Controls are intelligently arranged, pleasant to

touch and operate, and comprehensible without recourse to the owner's manual.

The speed-sensitive windshield wipers adjust their rate to the car's speed.

The headlights turn on automatically. Even the leather has been treated

to reduce the amount of oil that evaporates in the sunlight, and Acura

claims that RL's leather seats produce 90% less window fogging than conventional

leather.)

Our only complaints are aesthetic quibbles. The wood trim could have

been laid on a little more generously. And the center dash console, with

its high-tech trapezoidal shape and materials, looks a little hard-edged

in this otherwise soft environment.

On the other hand, that high-tech look seems exactly right when the

optional satellite navigation system is installed. The six-inch screen

is linked to GPS satellites and a database of maps. Enter your destination

and your route will appear on the screen. A pleasant, reassuring female

voice gives you turn-by-turn directions.

The navigation system is a $2000 option on the Premium model. The map

database covers California and Las Vegas, and (as of April 1997) the Eastern

Seaboard from Maine to Florida.

The standard audio setup includes an eight-speaker AM/FM/cassette system

with a rear-window in-glass antenna. The Premium model is fitted with a

Bose audio system that has an extraodinarily rich, full sound. It includes

a six-disc CD changer that can be mounted in the trunk or in the center

storage console--a location that eats up some storage space but that we

find more convenient than the trunk.

The RL's performance matches its interior appointments: exquisitely

well-executed in an unobtrusive way.

The RL is powered by a smooth and silent 210-horsepower 3.5-liter V6,

the largest engine Acura has ever produced. Even more impressive is its

torque: 224 pound-feet at an unusually low 2800 rpm. That helps give the

V6 the aggressive launch of a V8 and plenty of available power at most

speeds.

The V6 is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission that has rather

firm shift points for a luxury car. The transmission incorporates Honda's

Grade Logic Control, which tells the transmission to stay in lower gears

on hilly roads. This reduces hunting among gears while climbing hills and

makes the most of engine braking on downhills.

The RL's ride and handling are fully in step with its luxury goals.

The ride is silky, without the slightest harshness or wallow. The speed-sensitive

power steering provides good road feel at higher speeds and plenty of assist

at low speeds.

Safety is a high priority at Acura, as seen in the lengthy list of safety

equipment. Dual airbags, big disc brakes with ABS, seatbelt tensioners,

side-impact protection (although not side airbags), and innovative padding

to increase head protection are all standard. The Premium model has traction

control--less critical on a front-drive car but still provides some welcome

control enhancement on slippery roads.

Acura has employed its formidable store of technology and intelligence

to develop a lovely car whose hallmark is an exquisite sense of ease, comfort

and luxury. The RL doesn't have the firm ride and taut handling of a classic

German sport sedan, but it provides an effortless driving experience. The

accurate steering, good visibility, supportive seats, well-placed controls

and rich silence and powerful V6 all combine to create a confident, relaxing

environment whether you are driving long distances or dodging local traffic.

The RL faces some stiff competition from the booming entry-luxury class

just below it--cars like the Audi A4, Lexus ES 300, Cadillac Catera, and

Mazda Millenia S. On the other hand, compared to cars like the Cadillac

Seville (from $44,660), Lexus LS 400 ($53,395), Infiniti Q45 ($48,890)

and Mercedes E320 ($45,395), it's a bargain. And Acura's reliability and

excellent service organization help make the RL as easy to own as to drive.