1999 Acura 3.5RL Flagship Sedan
Leads Acura Lineup With Dynamic New Styling, Luxurious Appointments

TORRANCE, Calif. (September 30, 1998) - The Acura 3.5RL flagship luxury sedan has been extensively redesigned for 1999, featuring new styling, sportier handling and additional luxury and safety features, making it one of the most powerful and luxurious sedans in its class.

Beginning with a new exterior design, the 3.5RL has a more aggressive look. With a wider stance than the previous model and chiseled character lines, the 3.5RL exhibits a more stylish and elegant posture, resulting in enhanced aerodynamic performance. In addition, body rigidity has been increased to provide better handling while reducing interior noise and vibration levels.

Two major safety improvements for the new 1999 3.5RL are the addition of an advanced side air bag system and an industry exclusive, a dual-stage passenger supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbag. The sophisticated side air bags are mounted in the side bolsters of the driver and passenger front seats while seven sensors in the passenger seat determine the size and position of the occupant. The sensors will not allow the bag to inflate if a small passenger is leaning into the path of bag deployment.

To enhance the protection of the front-seat passenger during a variety of frontal impact collisions, a new dual-stage inflator varies the deployment power of the passenger front SRS air bag by reducing the rate of inflation during low-speed collisions.

To further enhance the '99 RL's sporty character, the double-wishbone suspension has been retuned to improve handling responsiveness. Increased damping rates and revised spring and bushing settings improve both cornering stability and ride comfort. Larger, more powerful disc brakes in the front and rear are combined with a four-wheel Antilock Braking System (ABS) for sure, predictable stops. New High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with powerful xenon bulbs provide exceptional nighttime visibility.

Interior improvements for the 1999 RL are designed to create a more inviting driver's cockpit and passenger's environment. New comfort and convenience features include a 6-disc CD changer, an automatic day/night rearview mirror, the addition of the HomeLink system to the sun visor, a burled-camphor-trimmed instrument panel and center console armrest with a pop-out beverage holder and an accessory power outlet in the center console beneath the cellular phone storage tray.

For 1999 the Acura 3.5RL is offered in one fully appointed trim level with only one factory-installed option, the Acura Navigation System. The second-generation Acura Navigation System is one of the most sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, satellite-linked navigation systems on the market today.

New functions available on the Acura Navigation System include current location details, which allow the driver to see his or her current location with the touch of a button, a balloon function, which offers address information of any location on the map display, key shading, which automatically shades letters that are not possible next letters when entering a destination via the touch screen, and finally, destination input by phone number, which offers drivers the option of inputting a phone number of a point of interest to pull up the location.

Like all Acura models, the 3.5RL is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Additional ownership benefits include Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC), which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.