See 2013 Acura RLX Full Photo Gallery

Acura unveiled the successor to the 2012 Acura RL at the New York Auto Show. Officially the Acura RLX shown on the stage was a concept, however, the production version, which will be a 2013 model, is unlikely to be radically different.

The luxury sedan features an athletic look that is about the same size as the 2012 Acura RL overall, but has a wheelbase that is two-inches longer with a two-inch shorter front overhang. The result is a mid-size luxury sedan with the interior space of a large luxury sedan. The front end features Acura's new Jewel Eye LED headlamps (a new design for the brand) which use a dual stacked array with 10 separate high-intensity LEDs.

See 2013 Acura RLX Full Photo Gallery

The Acura RLX concept is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine and its Sport-Hybrid SH-AWD system with three electric motors that generate more than 370 hp combined and are mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Acura says that the result is V8-like acceleration with four-cylinder fuel economy that is estimated at 30 mpg for both city and highway. The production version of the 2013 Acura RLX will also offer a 310 hp, front-wheel drive configuration. The body has been significantly lightened with high-strength steel and aluminum, while updates to both the front and rear suspension, and Acura's new Precision All Wheel Steer will improve handling.

Safety features on the production 2013 Acura RLX will include Acura's Collision Mitigation Braking System and the all-new Lane Keep Assist system. Both forward collision warning and lane departure warning will be standard.

On the inside, dual LCD screens (an 8-inch display and a 7-inch touch screen provide one-touch access to audio, climate control, navigation, smartphone and voice-to-text SMS text messaging, while a new, 14-speaker premium audio system will be available in addition to the base surround sound system. Both audio systems will provide MP3 capability as well as Pandora and Aha radio interfaces. A navigation system with voice recognition, real-time traffic, Bing search function and the AcuraLink concierge will be available.

The 2012 Acura RLX will go on sale early next year.

Here's what others are saying:

Automobile: "The current Acura RL may technically be Acura's largest, most expensive offering, but as the midsize TL range has grown in terms of size and sophistication, the supposed flagship of the Acura brand hardly offers anything its more mainstream sibling doesn't. That will soon change."

Motor Authority: "Whether it's successful on the driving front is a matter to be settled after a test drive, but from the sheer aesthetics point of view, the RLX does the trick for us, for the most part."

MotorTrend: "Acura hopes that the RLX will enjoy more success than its predecessor thanks in part to its sharper sheetmetal and all-new powertrain, the latter highlighted by a dual-clutch automatic transmission."

The New York Times: "(The Acura RLX concept is) a bit more shapely than the RL, but not to the “remarkable” degree the company was promising in briefings last year."