Acura has given its RLX sedan a new look for 2018, including the brand's latest grille design, along with an "optimized" hybrid powertrain. The updated flagship sedan will make its public debut August 15 at California's Monterey Automotive Week.
Honda's luxury brand said the addition of the marque's new signature diamond pentagon grille, part of Acura's so-called Precision Crafted Performance design direction, gives the RLX flagship a more substantial presence.
Other styling updates include a newly-sculpted hood, new wheel designs and LED taillights, dual exhaust finishers and a gloss black rear diffuser.
The RLX comes with a hybrid powertrain, boasting three electric motors and a 3.5L V6 for a total of 377 hp, that Acura says it has "further optimized based on NSX learnings," but doesn't specify what that optimization entails as its power figures are identical to the 2017 model. Like the NSX, the RLX pairs one electric motor with its gasoline engine, and places the other two at the rear wheels to provide all-wheel traction and the handling benefits of Acura's Super Handling AWD system.
Another update is an AcuraWatch active safety suite that now includes a feature it calls traffic jam assist, which works with the car's adaptive cruise control to help keep the car in its lane and maintain a set distance from the car in front to reduce driver stress on heavily congested roadways.
The 2018 Acura RLX goes on sale in November.
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