Info on the 2009 Acura TL from Consumer Guide
Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2009 Acura TL
Acura's best-selling car makes a big break from parent Honda Accord with all-wheel drive, more power, and aggressive no-clone styling. It's on the way for 2009.What We Know About the 2009 Acura TL
The Acura TL is based on the Honda Accord, and with the Accord redesigned for 2008, a new TL can't be far behind. And it isn't. In fact, it's on the way for 2009.Honda is very good at keeping secrets, so the next iteration of Acura's best selling car is still largely a cipher at this point. But we can make some educated guesses based on persistent rumors.
For starters, the 2009 Acura TL should switch from front-wheel drive, which Accord retains, to the Super-Handling AWD used for Acura's RL flagship sedan and RDX and MDX sport-utilities. That's a welcome and overdue move in our book. Even with standard traction control, today's front-drive TL doesn't put its power down very well, prone to irritating wheelspin and torque steer sideways pulling with even moderate throttle. All-wheel drive will eliminate that, making for a safer and more rewarding drive. Not coincidentally, it also lets the TL take on prestigious AWD sports sedans from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The 2009 Acura TL should also get a more-potent base engine, with the current 3.2-liter V-6 replaced by a version of the Type-S model's 3.5. We think horsepower will check in at around 275, up from 258, matched by fatter torque output that should benefit midrange acceleration with an automatic transmission, which will probably remain mandatory. To keep pace, the Type-S would go from 286 to maybe 300 horsepower, also with more torque in the bargain. Given Honda's usual emphasis on the best fuel economy with the lowest emissions, both TL engines should employ the company's cylinder-deactivation feature.
We also don't rule out some kind of sequential manual transmission for the Type-S, perhaps to replace the optional automatic as another "brag" feature to match the vaunted German brands.Accord's 2008 redesign brings slightly greater size and sharper, sportier lines. The TL should follow suit, but styling differences with Accord will be even more pronounced so that only the most car-savvy eyes can spot the shared basic structure. Acura is eager to move upmarket to be more competitive against the Big Three Germans, plus Infiniti and Lexus, and planners have decided a unique "Acura look" is key to that effort. While we don't expect anything as wild as the recent Acura Advanced Sedan Concept, the next TL should be more "sculpted" than the current model, an aggressive mix of edges and curves.
A Notable Feature of the 2009 Acura TL
The TL is already very well equipped--one reason it's been a Consumer Guide Best Buy for several years--so all current standard and optional features should carry over, which is notable in itself. Acura will doubtless offer a few new gizmos, but we can't imagine what they might be.
Buying Advice for the 2009 Acura TL
Today's TL is a mighty tempting midsize sports sedan, and will be a hard act to follow. Nevertheless, the 2009 Acura TL should be worth waiting for, especially if the all-wheel drive, extra power, and distinctive styling materialize as rumored.2009
Acura TL Release Date: Still to be determined, but sales should be underway by summer 2008. We'll have a better handle on timing once the inevitable thinly disguised "concept" appears at a major auto show, which should happen in late 2007 or early '08.
First Test Drive: Also TBD, but spring 2008 looks right to us.
2009 Acura TL Prices:
Acura's upmarket push suggests higher prices, but how much higher remains to be seen. There's certainly a big-enough gap with the RL sedan that the 2009 Acura TL could move up without encroaching on the flagship, say into the $37,000-$40,000 range.
Acura's best-selling car makes a big break from parent Honda Accord with all-wheel drive, more power, and aggressive no-clone styling. It's on the way for 2009.What We Know About the 2009 Acura TL
The Acura TL is based on the Honda Accord, and with the Accord redesigned for 2008, a new TL can't be far behind. And it isn't. In fact, it's on the way for 2009.Honda is very good at keeping secrets, so the next iteration of Acura's best selling car is still largely a cipher at this point. But we can make some educated guesses based on persistent rumors.
For starters, the 2009 Acura TL should switch from front-wheel drive, which Accord retains, to the Super-Handling AWD used for Acura's RL flagship sedan and RDX and MDX sport-utilities. That's a welcome and overdue move in our book. Even with standard traction control, today's front-drive TL doesn't put its power down very well, prone to irritating wheelspin and torque steer sideways pulling with even moderate throttle. All-wheel drive will eliminate that, making for a safer and more rewarding drive. Not coincidentally, it also lets the TL take on prestigious AWD sports sedans from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The 2009 Acura TL should also get a more-potent base engine, with the current 3.2-liter V-6 replaced by a version of the Type-S model's 3.5. We think horsepower will check in at around 275, up from 258, matched by fatter torque output that should benefit midrange acceleration with an automatic transmission, which will probably remain mandatory. To keep pace, the Type-S would go from 286 to maybe 300 horsepower, also with more torque in the bargain. Given Honda's usual emphasis on the best fuel economy with the lowest emissions, both TL engines should employ the company's cylinder-deactivation feature.
We also don't rule out some kind of sequential manual transmission for the Type-S, perhaps to replace the optional automatic as another "brag" feature to match the vaunted German brands.Accord's 2008 redesign brings slightly greater size and sharper, sportier lines. The TL should follow suit, but styling differences with Accord will be even more pronounced so that only the most car-savvy eyes can spot the shared basic structure. Acura is eager to move upmarket to be more competitive against the Big Three Germans, plus Infiniti and Lexus, and planners have decided a unique "Acura look" is key to that effort. While we don't expect anything as wild as the recent Acura Advanced Sedan Concept, the next TL should be more "sculpted" than the current model, an aggressive mix of edges and curves.
A Notable Feature of the 2009 Acura TL
The TL is already very well equipped--one reason it's been a Consumer Guide Best Buy for several years--so all current standard and optional features should carry over, which is notable in itself. Acura will doubtless offer a few new gizmos, but we can't imagine what they might be.
Buying Advice for the 2009 Acura TL
Today's TL is a mighty tempting midsize sports sedan, and will be a hard act to follow. Nevertheless, the 2009 Acura TL should be worth waiting for, especially if the all-wheel drive, extra power, and distinctive styling materialize as rumored.2009
Acura TL Release Date: Still to be determined, but sales should be underway by summer 2008. We'll have a better handle on timing once the inevitable thinly disguised "concept" appears at a major auto show, which should happen in late 2007 or early '08.
First Test Drive: Also TBD, but spring 2008 looks right to us.
2009 Acura TL Prices:
Acura's upmarket push suggests higher prices, but how much higher remains to be seen. There's certainly a big-enough gap with the RL sedan that the 2009 Acura TL could move up without encroaching on the flagship, say into the $37,000-$40,000 range.
2009 Acura TL info from Car and Driver
Acura begins testing the replacement for its bestselling TL.
BY ERIK JOHNSON, PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA PRIDDY & CO. AND DAVID DEWHURST
August 2007
The TL —arguably the most handsome Acura—has been on sale since the 2004 model year, so it’s clearly due for a change. I mean, when the pants I’m wearing went out of style fifteen minutes before I even tried them on, how behind the times is a four-year-old car?
A lot, some would argue, so it’s probably good that Acura has been spotted testing the TL’s replacement, which is expected to go on sale as a 2009 model. The current TL is Acura’s top-selling model, with more than 71,000 sold last year—the next bestselling Acura, the MDX crossover, sold just over 54,000 copies—so the all-new TL clearly represents an important car for the company.
Even covered with layers and layers of camouflage, the styling appears to take some cues from Acura’s 2006 Advanced Sedan Concept, including the MDX-style, wide-slat grille clearly visible through the disguise. We’d advise Acura, however, to keep the resemblance subtle, as the armadillo/mole styling of the concept wasn’t exactly well-received.
In the past, many Acuras, including the TL and MDX, were designed by Honda R&D types in the U.S. But in May, Acura opened a new $15 million design studio in Torrance, California, to separate Honda and Acura design in the future. We’ll see what a $15 million wall does for future Acura design.
In the meantime, four exhaust tips hint at the performance capabilities of the next front-wheel-drive TL, which we expect will be available with some form of Acura’s fine Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, or SH-AWD. Our spies reported witnessing surprisingly agile moves from this mule, so we’re crossing our fingers. SH-AWD, which can be found on the RL sedan as well as the MDX and RDX SUVs, can shunt power front to rear and side to side in the interest of maintaining a cornering line.
As for powertrains, the outgoing model offered a 258-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 and added the 286-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 for the TL Type-S. Both got 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway mileage. We would not be surprised to see 3.5-liters all around for the new TL, maybe pulling in the 3.5-liter from the ’08 Honda Accord, which is more efficient (19/29 mpg) than the 3.0-liter it replaces.
BY ERIK JOHNSON, PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA PRIDDY & CO. AND DAVID DEWHURST
August 2007
The TL —arguably the most handsome Acura—has been on sale since the 2004 model year, so it’s clearly due for a change. I mean, when the pants I’m wearing went out of style fifteen minutes before I even tried them on, how behind the times is a four-year-old car?
A lot, some would argue, so it’s probably good that Acura has been spotted testing the TL’s replacement, which is expected to go on sale as a 2009 model. The current TL is Acura’s top-selling model, with more than 71,000 sold last year—the next bestselling Acura, the MDX crossover, sold just over 54,000 copies—so the all-new TL clearly represents an important car for the company.
Even covered with layers and layers of camouflage, the styling appears to take some cues from Acura’s 2006 Advanced Sedan Concept, including the MDX-style, wide-slat grille clearly visible through the disguise. We’d advise Acura, however, to keep the resemblance subtle, as the armadillo/mole styling of the concept wasn’t exactly well-received.
In the past, many Acuras, including the TL and MDX, were designed by Honda R&D types in the U.S. But in May, Acura opened a new $15 million design studio in Torrance, California, to separate Honda and Acura design in the future. We’ll see what a $15 million wall does for future Acura design.
In the meantime, four exhaust tips hint at the performance capabilities of the next front-wheel-drive TL, which we expect will be available with some form of Acura’s fine Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, or SH-AWD. Our spies reported witnessing surprisingly agile moves from this mule, so we’re crossing our fingers. SH-AWD, which can be found on the RL sedan as well as the MDX and RDX SUVs, can shunt power front to rear and side to side in the interest of maintaining a cornering line.
As for powertrains, the outgoing model offered a 258-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 and added the 286-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 for the TL Type-S. Both got 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway mileage. We would not be surprised to see 3.5-liters all around for the new TL, maybe pulling in the 3.5-liter from the ’08 Honda Accord, which is more efficient (19/29 mpg) than the 3.0-liter it replaces.
Warranty Clarification
Some asked about the Warranty for both the Acura TL and TL Type-S.
Here they are:
Original Warranties and Ownership Benefits
Bumper to Bumper (mths/miles)
48/50,000
Powertrain (mths/miles)
72/70,000
Corrosion Perforation (mths/miles)
60/unlimited
Roadside Assistance (mths/miles)
48/50,000
Here they are:
Original Warranties and Ownership Benefits
Bumper to Bumper (mths/miles)
48/50,000
Powertrain (mths/miles)
72/70,000
Corrosion Perforation (mths/miles)
60/unlimited
Roadside Assistance (mths/miles)
48/50,000
Could the Acura TL (Type-S too) be Redesigned in 2008?
Motor Trend is reporting that the Acura TL is going to be redesigned in 2008, not 2009 as previously reported.
2008 Acura MDX: Redesign.
2008 Acura TL: Redesign. AWD and more power likely.
Could be interesting...
2008 Acura MDX: Redesign.
2008 Acura TL: Redesign. AWD and more power likely.
Could be interesting...
A picture of the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe
Could the 2009 Acura CL be close to this? It looks pretty sharp. I'm hoping the TL does as well.
2007 Acura TL J.D. Power Ratings
J. D. Power Ratings
ACURA TL
Initial Quality Study (IQS)
Manufacturing Defects
Overall Manufacturing Quality **** (out of 5)
Mechanical Manufacturing Quality ****
Body & Interior Manufacturing Quality *** 1/2
Feature & Accessory Manufacturing Quality ****
Design Defects
Overall Design Quality **** 1/2
Mechanical Design Quality **** 1/2
Body & Interior Design Quality **** 1/2
Feature & Accessory Design Quality *** 1/2
Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL)
Overall Appeal **** 1/2
Performance **** 1/2
Comfort **** 1/2
Feature and Instrument Panel *****
Style ****
Legend:
Among the best *****
Better than most ****
About average ***
The rest **
www.jdpower.com
As you can see here, the 2007 Acura TL did quite well in the J. D. Power Ratings.
Acura TL Type-S
ACURA TL
Initial Quality Study (IQS)
Manufacturing Defects
Overall Manufacturing Quality **** (out of 5)
Mechanical Manufacturing Quality ****
Body & Interior Manufacturing Quality *** 1/2
Feature & Accessory Manufacturing Quality ****
Design Defects
Overall Design Quality **** 1/2
Mechanical Design Quality **** 1/2
Body & Interior Design Quality **** 1/2
Feature & Accessory Design Quality *** 1/2
Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL)
Overall Appeal **** 1/2
Performance **** 1/2
Comfort **** 1/2
Feature and Instrument Panel *****
Style ****
Legend:
Among the best *****
Better than most ****
About average ***
The rest **
www.jdpower.com
As you can see here, the 2007 Acura TL did quite well in the J. D. Power Ratings.
Acura TL Type-S
Cars.com review
Cars.com Acura TL Review
2007 Acura TL
Vehicle Overview
Acura's bestselling sports sedan receives a midcycle makeover for 2007. The performance-oriented Type-S edition — dormant on the TL for three years — returns, adopting the automaker's 3.5-liter V-6 to make 286 horsepower, a 28-hp increase over the base model, which uses a 3.2-liter V-6. The TL retains its front-wheel-drive status, however, rebuffing early hopes that the Type-S might include Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.
Acura dramatically redesigned the TL for 2004, promising greater performance and sportier handling. A standard V-6 worked with either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission; the latter has been dropped in the base model but is available in the TL Type-S.
Honda's luxury division launched the TL as a 1996 model. Produced in Marysville, Ohio, the TL competes with such sedans as the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35.
Exterior
Compared with earlier models, the current TL sedan exhibits a wider, more aggressive stance. For 2007, changes include new fog lights mounted on each side of the front air dam, as well as redesigned taillights. The TL Type-S adds front ground effects, quad exhaust and black chrome trim.
The TL's body displays a pronounced wedge-shaped cabin-forward profile, led by a shield-shaped grille that incorporates a large logo. Acoustic windshield glass is installed. High-intensity-discharge headlights operate with both low and high beams. A power moonroof is standard. Alloy wheels hold 17-inch tires; high-performance summer tires are optional on the TL Type-S. Other Type-S enhancements include a stiffer suspension, stronger brakes with Brembo four-piston front calipers and thicker underbody stabilizer bars.
Interior
Five people fit inside the TL. Leather-trimmed seats are standard, and a 10-way power driver's seat is equipped with power lumbar support. Each TL includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a tilt/telescoping steering column, and an Acura/ELS eight-speaker surround-sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer and DVD audio. Steering-wheel buttons operate audio, cruise-control and voice-recognition functions.
Brushed-aluminum trim accents the dashboard. Acura's optional navigation system features voice recognition, real-time traffic monitoring and an 8-inch display screen; it's optional on the base TL and standard on the Type-S.
Other additions include redesigned instrument gauges and a new three-spoke steering wheel. The TL includes wood trim and blue cockpit lighting, while the Type-S has red lighting, embossed headrests and carbon fiber trim.
Under the Hood
Operating with a drive-by-wire throttle, Acura's 3.2-liter V-6 produces 258 hp at 6,200 rpm and 233 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. In the TL Type-S, a 3.5-liter V-6 comes from Acura's larger RL sedan. Here it makes 286 hp at 6,200 rpm and 256 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The TL's five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission permits manual gear changes. A six-speed manual, which works with a limited-slip differential, is available in the TL Type-S.
Safety
Antilock brakes include electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist functions. Side-impact airbags, dual-stage front airbags and side curtain airbags are standard. A passenger-side position sensor controls airbag deployment. An electronic stability system is standard.
2007 Acura TL
Vehicle Overview
Acura's bestselling sports sedan receives a midcycle makeover for 2007. The performance-oriented Type-S edition — dormant on the TL for three years — returns, adopting the automaker's 3.5-liter V-6 to make 286 horsepower, a 28-hp increase over the base model, which uses a 3.2-liter V-6. The TL retains its front-wheel-drive status, however, rebuffing early hopes that the Type-S might include Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.
Acura dramatically redesigned the TL for 2004, promising greater performance and sportier handling. A standard V-6 worked with either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission; the latter has been dropped in the base model but is available in the TL Type-S.
Honda's luxury division launched the TL as a 1996 model. Produced in Marysville, Ohio, the TL competes with such sedans as the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35.
Exterior
Compared with earlier models, the current TL sedan exhibits a wider, more aggressive stance. For 2007, changes include new fog lights mounted on each side of the front air dam, as well as redesigned taillights. The TL Type-S adds front ground effects, quad exhaust and black chrome trim.
The TL's body displays a pronounced wedge-shaped cabin-forward profile, led by a shield-shaped grille that incorporates a large logo. Acoustic windshield glass is installed. High-intensity-discharge headlights operate with both low and high beams. A power moonroof is standard. Alloy wheels hold 17-inch tires; high-performance summer tires are optional on the TL Type-S. Other Type-S enhancements include a stiffer suspension, stronger brakes with Brembo four-piston front calipers and thicker underbody stabilizer bars.
Interior
Five people fit inside the TL. Leather-trimmed seats are standard, and a 10-way power driver's seat is equipped with power lumbar support. Each TL includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a tilt/telescoping steering column, and an Acura/ELS eight-speaker surround-sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer and DVD audio. Steering-wheel buttons operate audio, cruise-control and voice-recognition functions.
Brushed-aluminum trim accents the dashboard. Acura's optional navigation system features voice recognition, real-time traffic monitoring and an 8-inch display screen; it's optional on the base TL and standard on the Type-S.
Other additions include redesigned instrument gauges and a new three-spoke steering wheel. The TL includes wood trim and blue cockpit lighting, while the Type-S has red lighting, embossed headrests and carbon fiber trim.
Under the Hood
Operating with a drive-by-wire throttle, Acura's 3.2-liter V-6 produces 258 hp at 6,200 rpm and 233 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. In the TL Type-S, a 3.5-liter V-6 comes from Acura's larger RL sedan. Here it makes 286 hp at 6,200 rpm and 256 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The TL's five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission permits manual gear changes. A six-speed manual, which works with a limited-slip differential, is available in the TL Type-S.
Safety
Antilock brakes include electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist functions. Side-impact airbags, dual-stage front airbags and side curtain airbags are standard. A passenger-side position sensor controls airbag deployment. An electronic stability system is standard.
Acura TL Sales for 2006
The performance luxury sedan TL continuing as Acura's top-selling model, recording annual sales of 71,348 units.
From Acuranews.com
From Acuranews.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)