Photo: Acura
When Acura introduce its all-new 2014 RLX last year, it had hoped that the RLX Hybrid would be on sale by this spring. Fast forward to August, and the hybrid version of Acura’s flagship sedan has yet to roll into dealerships thanks to some sort of technical problem with the new model.
In an interview with Wards Auto, Mike Accavitti, Acura division senior vice president and general manager, won’t confirm what the problem with this car was, article speculates that lithium-ion battery shortages or issues with the advanced Super-Hand All-Wheel Drive system that uses a trio of electric motors. The hybrid drive system used in the RLX Sport Hybrid will also be featured in the Acura NSX (whenever that car arrives), which recently suffered a catastrophic failure when it burned to the ground while testing at the Nürburgring.
Regardless of the problem, Acura has likely worked out the kinks since initial units have been shipped to the U.S. from Japan.
“They should be arriving here within the next month or so, and hopefully they’ll get to dealerships soon after that,” Accavitti said.
The RLX Sport Hybrid pairs a 3.5-liter V-6 with a seven-speed automatic transmission, which are then combined with an electric motor at the front wheels and two drive motors at the rear wheels. Total vehicle output is 377 hp to go along with the EPA-rated fuel economy estimates 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Of course, the RLX Sport Hybrid hasn’t been the only new Acura launch to suffer a delay. Earlier this year, the intro of the all-new TLX sedan was pushed back as well, which was done to ensure that Acura got all of the advanced components operating properly before customers were able to buy them. Acura refers to the TLX as its “most technologically advanced” car ever.
Regardless of the problem, Acura has likely worked out the kinks since initial units have been shipped to the U.S. from Japan.
“They should be arriving here within the next month or so, and hopefully they’ll get to dealerships soon after that,” Accavitti said.
The RLX Sport Hybrid pairs a 3.5-liter V-6 with a seven-speed automatic transmission, which are then combined with an electric motor at the front wheels and two drive motors at the rear wheels. Total vehicle output is 377 hp to go along with the EPA-rated fuel economy estimates 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Of course, the RLX Sport Hybrid hasn’t been the only new Acura launch to suffer a delay. Earlier this year, the intro of the all-new TLX sedan was pushed back as well, which was done to ensure that Acura got all of the advanced components operating properly before customers were able to buy them. Acura refers to the TLX as its “most technologically advanced” car ever.
Google News