The All-New 2004 Acura TL

It’s hard to believe that we’ve launched another TL! It seems like only yesterday that we were planning our ’99 3.2 TL premier party! That party was a mixed success since we had already sold out of the car and we literally had to request our new TL owners bring back their cars for us to show other clients. Fortunately everyone was pleased to help us.

Flash forward to late 2003 and we’re looking to start everything all over again. The new TL (the 3.2 designation has been dropped) has some pretty big shoes to fill. The outgoing model was the workhorse in the Acura lineup, leading the way for the RSX, MDX and TSX.
The new 2004 TL represents a new emphasis on performance and for the first time since the departed 1995 Acura Legend that a manual transmission will be paired with a V-6 in a 4 door sedan. This should give you some idea how serious Acura is about performance. Luxury has not been forgotten, with some new features not available in the North American market like DVD-Audio and a Bluetooth hands free cellular phone link (see the High Technology section).

Since we don’t get the Navigation equipped models in Hawaii, we will be selling only three versions of the new TL. The TL with automatic, the TL with the 6-speed manual, and the 6-speed manual with the High Performance Tire package (HPT). The major mechanical changes to the manual transmission models are the addition of 4 piston Brembo front brakes with larger discs and high friction brake pads. Manual models also benefit from a limited slip differential to enhance power delivery when cornering and improve traction under slippery conditions.

Efficiency
The TL showcases Acura’s commitment to efficiency. It all starts with aerodynamic efficiency. The TL has one of the best drag coefficients of any Acura vehicle, slicing through the wind with a 0.29 rating. This means increased fuel economy at highway speeds and also a quieter cabin. The addition of a front windshield with an acoustic inner layer and side glass that is 5mm thick (compared to 3.5 mm), reduce wind noise at highway speeds by a staggering 10db compared to the 2003 model.
 
Under the car, you’ll find extra care has been given to “air management.” There are covers under the engine and strategically placed panels to help smooth the air flow under the car. There’s even a genuine rear diffuser between the mufflers to aid high speed stability and enhance fuel economy. Inside the rear wheel wells you’ll find a unique material lining the insides of the fenders. It is an acoustic “carpet” material that dampens road noise better than the previous plastic liner.
 
The new TL has a much stronger chassis. This contributes to its improved ride and handling, and also to occupant protection. The unit body is 24 percent more rigid than last years TL, and the new hydro-formed aluminum alloy front sub frame is both stronger and 36 percent lighter than the previous steel frame. This sub frame serves as a cradle for the engine and front suspension. The engine is attached with special, electronically controlled, fluid filled engine mounts. These work in concert with other dampeners on the transmission and an additional lateral engine mount to control engine movement when opening and closing the throttle.

Acura has taken steps to improve the efficiency of the engine too. The car now sports a pair of catalytic converters right in the exhaust manifold itself (one on each cylinder bank). This design significantly improves cold start emissions and insures the car will meet the standards of an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle Tier 2 (ULEV2). To improve performance, Acura incorporated a true Cold Air Intake into the front grill. Carefully tuned ductwork directs cold air through the air filter and on to the engine where it provides a cooler, denser charge of air. Mix this air with the appropriate amount of fuel, and you’ll get greater combustion efficiency and more horsepower.
The suspension of the 2004 TL is a revised version of the last Type-S suspension. However, since the chassis of the car is 24% more rigid, the suspension can be more carefully tuned for performance with little loss of ride quality.
 
High Technology
The two systems that need the most explaining are the Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and the Multifunction Display. The Bluetooth HandsFreeLink allows users to link a compatible cellular phone and use the car as a “microphone and speaker”. This is how it works. A pairing process is used to “introduce” the car and phone. From this point on, the car will recognize the owner’s cellular phone whenever they get into the car, and link together. The owner can then dial and receive calls using Voice Commands and not have to take their hands (or eyes) off the road. There are 50 voice tags for phone numbers in the car’s memory and you can even talk directly to the car by pressing the “talk” button and saying, “call 2 5 5 – 1 2 5 5” and the car will recognize the numbers and place the call!

The Multifunction Display allows users to customize the operation of the convenience features to their liking. For example, one driver can set the car to have the interior lights stay on for 15 seconds and have the doors automatically lock when they shift from park. A second driver could select a 30 delay on the interior lights, and have the doors lock when they reach 10 mph. The car recognizes each driver by which remote control was used to disarm the security system.
 
The display also shows the owner when they should plan scheduled maintenance. It takes data from the cars computer to calculate when it’s time to change the oil, rotate the tires, replace the coolant and even a timing belt. The system is smart enough to schedule maintenance items together to minimize trips to the service department.

Summary
 The TL offers a significant jump in all areas over our previous generation 3.2 TL. It is truly an all-new car, from the new projector beam High Intensity Discharge headlights, to the neatly integrated tail pipes in the rear bumper, the ‘04 TL represents a new standard for luxury sedans in its class. The car has a distinctly European feel to it, but don’t take my word on this. Give me a call, come in to see and drive the TL and judge for yourself.