Welcomed touches
Confidently en-route to our evening destinations, my entourage also enjoyed the RL's punchy and clean ELS stereo system, limitless music selection from the XM satellite radio, and masterfully assembled interior. The latter might be the Japan-built flagship’s greatest asset-- featuring beautiful trim materials and a top-tier atmosphere of fragrant, leather-lined comfort.
Front door mounted pull-out storage drawers and a split centre console help keep front-seat occupants organized and un-cluttered on the go, and the button that collapses the rear-seat headrests is a treat to use when heat-stroked passengers are napping against them.
End of the day, RL has everything it needs, and a little more, without going completely overboard.
The races
Too bad it couldn’t fly, though.
Hours of walking to and from the Gilles Villeneuve on each of three days left legs sore and feet blistered-- though the payoff came from many hours of screaming race-car exhausts, gunshot gearshift sound effects and some crowd-stirring high-speed action.
Saturday F1 qualifying came and went. Crowd-pleasing Lewis Hamilton ran out of fuel, even exiting his still-coasting race car to push it down the track via the spoiler. He went on to win the next day, just moments before fans rushed the security fence for a walk around the track. It was all quite a show -- followed by a bittersweet departure the next morning.
A relaxing ride home
The RL’s highway experience offered a welcoming and quiet refuge for the long ride back to Sudbury after 3 long days of noise and sun. RL cruises quietly while coddling its guests and giving the driver a steering and handling equation set beautifully between sporty dynamics and high-luxury comfort. The resulting feel is one favourable for relaxing, but without requiring the driving enthusiast to check their soul at the door.
The 3.7 litre VTEC V6 engine uses about 9L/100km of premium gas during real-world cruising, and the super-slick (and standard) SH-AWD system helps make the car feel half its size should drivers decide to push it around some corners. Ultimately, RL is relaxing when required, frisky when prodded, and remarkably solid throughout. A unique character indeed.
Complaints? Just 2 minimal ones. The RL’s non-folding rear seats mean larger cargo may need to stay behind or be packaged cleverly. And though the engine is smooth as glass and audibly restrained, its 300 horsepower can sometimes feel taxed when burdened with a car full of people and gear.
End of the day, the RL’s $69,500 pricetag is a relative bargain in many circles-- and it comes with an air of modesty and sensibility that the brand’s shoppers will appreciate. To get around a strange city comfortably and efficiently without a whole lot of undue attention, it’s a tough luxury sedan to match.
Confidently en-route to our evening destinations, my entourage also enjoyed the RL's punchy and clean ELS stereo system, limitless music selection from the XM satellite radio, and masterfully assembled interior. The latter might be the Japan-built flagship’s greatest asset-- featuring beautiful trim materials and a top-tier atmosphere of fragrant, leather-lined comfort.
Front door mounted pull-out storage drawers and a split centre console help keep front-seat occupants organized and un-cluttered on the go, and the button that collapses the rear-seat headrests is a treat to use when heat-stroked passengers are napping against them.
End of the day, RL has everything it needs, and a little more, without going completely overboard.
 |
| The resulting feel is one favourable for relaxing, but without requiring the driving enthusiast to check their soul at the door. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
The races
Too bad it couldn’t fly, though.
Hours of walking to and from the Gilles Villeneuve on each of three days left legs sore and feet blistered-- though the payoff came from many hours of screaming race-car exhausts, gunshot gearshift sound effects and some crowd-stirring high-speed action.
Saturday F1 qualifying came and went. Crowd-pleasing Lewis Hamilton ran out of fuel, even exiting his still-coasting race car to push it down the track via the spoiler. He went on to win the next day, just moments before fans rushed the security fence for a walk around the track. It was all quite a show -- followed by a bittersweet departure the next morning.
A relaxing ride home
The RL’s highway experience offered a welcoming and quiet refuge for the long ride back to Sudbury after 3 long days of noise and sun. RL cruises quietly while coddling its guests and giving the driver a steering and handling equation set beautifully between sporty dynamics and high-luxury comfort. The resulting feel is one favourable for relaxing, but without requiring the driving enthusiast to check their soul at the door.
The 3.7 litre VTEC V6 engine uses about 9L/100km of premium gas during real-world cruising, and the super-slick (and standard) SH-AWD system helps make the car feel half its size should drivers decide to push it around some corners. Ultimately, RL is relaxing when required, frisky when prodded, and remarkably solid throughout. A unique character indeed.
Complaints? Just 2 minimal ones. The RL’s non-folding rear seats mean larger cargo may need to stay behind or be packaged cleverly. And though the engine is smooth as glass and audibly restrained, its 300 horsepower can sometimes feel taxed when burdened with a car full of people and gear.
End of the day, the RL’s $69,500 pricetag is a relative bargain in many circles-- and it comes with an air of modesty and sensibility that the brand’s shoppers will appreciate. To get around a strange city comfortably and efficiently without a whole lot of undue attention, it’s a tough luxury sedan to match.
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