Acura TL

I"ve posted the 2009 Acura TL Accessory Brochure on the next page.  The images are thumbnails so you can click on these to get a full resolution picture.

TORRANCE, Calif. - 09/15/2008 Acura today announced pricing for the all-new 2009 TL performance luxury sedan that will go  on sale at Acura dealerships nationwide on September 24th, with all-wheel-drive models  planned for sale in November. For the first time ever in an Acura vehicle, the newly redesigned TL will be available with  a choice of two different VTEC® engines while also offering both front wheel-drive and  all-wheel-drive (TL SH-AWD®) models. MSRP pricing for the 3.5-liter V-6 equipped TL is  $34,955 and the TL with Technology Package is $38,685. For TL models equipped with Acura's  Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ system, MSRP pricing for the 3.7-liter V-6 powered TL  SH-AWD® is $38,505, while the TL SH-AWD® with Technology Package is $42,235. In addition,  the TL SH-AWD® with Technology Package is also available with an exclusive 19-inch alloy  wheels and high-performance summer tire package for an MSRP of $43,235. Destination and  Handling of $760 remains unchanged and is not included in the MSRP.

John Davis and the guys at Motorweek have previewed the all-new 2009 Acura TL.  This was an introduction drive so there are no instrumented tests, but I'm sure they are coming soon.

Download Here ('right click' and 'save as'): Motorweek 2009 Acura TL Preview

TORRANCE, Calif. - 07/10/2008 The all-new, completely redesigned 2009 Acura TL employs dramatic new styling along with a luxurious interior that includes more driver relevant technology than ever. Featuring the most powerful Acura engine ever, the 2009 TL will be available in two distinctive versions including the first ever application of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) on TL. Available in the fall of 2008, the new TL will deliver a driving experience that achieves new highs within the performance luxury sedan category.

Grab the wheel and hold on tight! Twist the new integrated key and remote. Blip the throttle. Cue the cool driving soundtrack. Feel the clutch start to engage. Stall the engine. Thus begins my first drive in the new TL Type-S 6-speed. To be fair, the new clutch and the increased torque of the 3.5 liter engine made this the only occurrence of this during my test drive.

This review has three parts, the 2007 TL, TL Type-S, and the TL Type-S with 6-speed manual transmission. Let's start with the standard TL.

This is one of those occasions when I'm happy to be wrong! I had once predicted that the Type-S moniker would pass into history with the RSX Type-S. Now Acura has gone and made a liar out of me by reintroducing the TL Type-S for 2007. I'll have more info and my full review out soon, but for now please take a look at this short video segment from Motorweek.

Download the MotorWeek video here: Car Keys: Acura TL Type-S

Acura TL- This was the first video we completed, and later this year, it will be redone to reflect the new features added to the car since it's 2004 introduction. It should be noted that although the video states that the car has 270 horsepower, the new SAE testing standards now rate that engine at 258. Also note that the 2006 cars have Tire Pressure Monitors standard.

Please Download my Short Introduction First: My Personal Greeting

Download the Video Here: TL Introduction Video

For 2006 the TL gains some safety improvements. The new direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) places a sensor in each wheel to continually monitor tire pressures. The system will alert drivers via a display on the dash if a tire is running low and actually identifies the exact tire. New blue center console lighting better compliments the LED dash gauge cluster.

I’ve asked a few of my TL clients to provide their thoughts on the car and their purchase experience. You will find more client letters on my old webpage: http://satoauto.com/testimonials/testimon.htm

The TL receives the smallest changes with only a new mounting point for the front seatbelts for this second year car.

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.

Our previous Ride and Drive events that I have attended were held at an old Navy Airbase in Alameda (RSX), a parking lot for a horse racing track (CL), and California Motor Speedway (TSX). The 2004 TL was going to be held at a beautiful hotel in downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko! What was Acura trying to tell us about the new TL?

Not too much is known about Acura’s plans for the third generation TL. It is suspected that they want to answer the challenge put forth by some of the new product out there, but price points and feature content is still shrouded in mystery. For now, enjoy these pictures of the TL Concept car.

Back in 1994 Acura introduced the all-new Integra. This groundbreaking car set new standards for performance compacts, and single handedly redefined the category. It outlived cars from the competition and when they introduced new models, the Integra still beat them in the showroom and on the track. The BMW 318ti, Toyota Celica, Nissan 200SX, Infiniti G20, Ford Probe, and Mitsubishi Eclipse all came and went during the Integra’s long life.

The 2000 3.2 TL has received minor revisions to keep it far ahead of the pack in this competitive near-luxury segment. Acura has developed a new intake manifold that improves throttle response and enables maximum torque to arrive 300 rpm sooner. This coupled with the all-new 5-speed Sport Shift automatic transmission enables a 4/10ths of a second improvement in the 0-60 times AND a 2-mile per gallon improvement in highway mileage. On the safety front, the 2000 TL gets the sophisticated smart airbag system from the RL - including side airbags.