The 2009 Acura RL , a large luxury car, earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 's TOP SAFETY PICK award. Winners afford superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in their classes. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.

"Criteria to win are tough because TOP SAFETY PICK is intended to drive continued improvements such as good crash test ratings and rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard equipment on the RL," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class... // Ad-Hoc-News (Pressemitteilung)

winners must be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC). Known by different names and called Vehicle Stability Assist on the RL , ESC helps drivers maintain control in the worst situation
the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average-size man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck.

For more... // Business Wire

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Maybe it's the multitude of airbags and electronic stuff--or maybe the proud new bow up front gives it the extra oomph in crash tests. Whatever the reason, the 2009 Acura RL luxury sedan is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's newest "Top Safety Pick."

The institute--funded by the insurance industry, and tougher on cars in its crash tests than the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration--says the new Acura RL has superior crash protection as well as standard stability control, making it a natural selection for the IIHS' top honor.

Among the improvements that vaulted the new RL into the ranks of the safety elite are better rear... // TheCarConnection.com