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��� The 3.5-liter engine is Acura���s ���rst direct-injection engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). The engine produces 310 hp. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Says chief engineer Yousuke Sekino, ���The transmission gear ratios are set 14% lower, greatly improving acceleration and fuel economy. Traditionally, you set higher gear ratios to improve fuel economy. However, with VCM, we could lower the ratio to expand the range for threecylinder operation. This improves fuel economy at low-engine load, while achieving exhilarating performance in all ranges.��� previous-generation model has a 3.7liter, port-injected V6 that produces 300 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is not only more powerful, but it provides better fuel economy: EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, vs. 17/24 mpg (although it should be noted that the previous RL came as an AWD vehicle and the 2014 RLX is FWD.) The engine features electronically controlled Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which means that it can operate on three cylinders depending on factors including throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, and transmission gear selection. The VCM deployment is transparent to the driver, in part because there is a 28-volt Active Control Engine Mount System that counteracts the changes brought on by switching from six cylinders to three and back. The sort of performance sought while engineering the chassis for the RLX was to provide a setup that would respond to the ���will of the driver,��� to, as Sekino says, ���to provide a synergy between man and machine.��� There are multiple elements that contribute to this, with the most notable being ���Precision AllWheel Steer,��� (P-AWS), which provides rear-wheel steering. The amount of steering is 1.8 degrees, which is said to be a sufcient amount to improve the handling while not being noticeable by the driver. Steering & Suspension P-AWS uses independent electrical actuators, special control arms, and suspension uprights for the rear wheels. An electric control unit is linked to the electric power steering, vehicle stability assist, braking, and engine control systems via a dedicated Control Area Network (CAN). It takes into account measures including steering input, engine speed, road speed, the transmission, throttle piston, brake pressure, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration. As a result, the system provides rear-wheel settings (remember: these are independently actuated, not linked) as required by the situation. So, for example, when braking, there can be toe in of both wheels. When performing sharp, low-speed turns, the rear wheels are out of phase with the front wheels. Accelerating out of a corner, there is toe in to increase yaw, thereby counteracting understeer. In addition to which, the RLX has a new aluminum front subframe and a new double-wishbone, lower double-joint front suspension. The subframe, which uses die cast front corners (squeeze casting was used for the front corners on the previous-generation car), is 82% more rigid that the previous-generation subframe. In addition to the dual-piston, dual-valve dampers (called ���Amplitude Reactive Dampers��� and sourced from ZF-Sachs) front and back (the rear suspension is a multi-link design). All of these factors contribute to a ride that is solid without being too stif. Sekino: ���We believe we have created a unique Acura ���agship sedan that is diferent from competitors. It is a car where every customer can feel exhilaration.��� 43