Acura TL
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{{Infobox Automobile
|name=Acura TL
|manufacturer=Honda
|production=1996–
|class=Midsize luxury car
|body_style=4-door sedan
|related=Acura CL
Honda Pilot
Honda Accord
Acura MDX
Honda Odyssey
|predecessor=Acura Vigor
|similar=Lexus ES
Cadillac CTS
Volvo S60
Infiniti G35
}}
The Acura TL is a midsize luxury car from Honda's luxury Acura marque. It was introduced in 1996 to supplant the Acura Vigor and was a badge engineered Japan-market Honda Inspire sedan until the third-generation version. It is Acura's bestselling car.
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1996 (1G TL)
The 1996 2.5 TL was available with the 2.5 L 176 hp (131 kW) SOHC 20v 5-cylinder engine from the Vigor. The 3.2 TL used the 3.2 L 200 hp (149 kW) SOHC 24v V6 from the second-generation Acura Legend. The very first 1996 Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on March 28, 1995.
Although it was designed to replace the Vigor, it also technically replaced the Acura Legend coupe. The 3.5 RL (Honda Legend in Japan) that debuted alongside the TL was a large car designed for a soft ride, in marked contrast to the previous two generations of Legends which were sport sedans with taut proportions.
The second-generation 3.2TL (the 2.5 was dropped) was built in Marysville, Ohio, alongside the Honda Accord. These cars were imported into Japan and sold as Honda Inspire in the Honda Clio dealer network, and as Honda Saber in the Honda Primo and Verno dealer networks. The only difference between the two cars were the front grille; the Inspire/Saber were also available with a 2.5 L Honda J-series VTEC V6 engine exclusive to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM).
1999
In 1998, Honda revealed the TL-X concept car, showing a preview of the second-generation TL which would debut a year later. The second-generation TL (now called 3.2 TL) was released in 1999 and was now derived off the USDM Honda Accord platform. It was available with a newly-designed 3.2 L 225 hp (168 kW) SOHC VTEC J32 V6 mated to a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with SportShift. The very first 1999 Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on August 4, 1998. The only option on the sedan was a hard drive based navigation system.
2000 (2G TL)
Image:IMG 3589.jpg In the second year of production, the Acura TL was given slightly more features, including a five speed automatic transmssion, with sportshift. The added gear allowed for slightly better fuel economy and acceleration when compared to the previous 4 speed automatic transmission with sportshift. Other notable changes include the addition of side impact airbags for the front passengers and a change of format for the navigation system. The 2000 TL switched the hard drive for a dvd based navigation system. Now, the entire continental United States was accessible with the navigation system. One could theoretically drive from one coast to the other with the new navigation system. The 1999 TL navigation system stored the maps in zones; there were 5 different zones for the U.S.
2002
In 2002, the TL got a minor makeover, with a refreshed front fascia, redesigned tail lights, an in-dash CD changer as well as a few other features. A Type-S model was also added, adding 35 hp (26 kW) as well as 17" wheels, firmer seats and suspension.
For the 2001 model year, a re-designed coupe version of the TL was introduced, the 3.2CL. While it was mechanically identical to the TL its sales never came close to that of its sibling model and, as a result it was discontinued in May 2003.
2004 (3G TL)
The first third-generation Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on September 30, 2003. On October 6, 2003, the third-generation Acura TL (the 3.2 moniker was dropped) was released for sale in North America. Developed mainly in the United States by a team led by Erik Berkman with bodywork penned by American Honda designer Jon Ikeda, the new TL is built in Marysville, Ohio, and is derived from the latest USDM Honda Accord. It is powered by a 270 hp (201 kW) 3.2 L 24 valve SOHC VTEC V6 engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic with SportShift or 6-speed manual.
As of March, 2004, Honda offers to the public a factory-sanctioned "tuner package" version of the TL: the TL A-SPEC. This version features a suspension tuned by Makoto Tamamura, an indication of the TL A-SPEC's aggressive engineering. In addition, an underbody kit, spoiler, limited edition A-SPEC steering wheel,"a-spec" badge on the back, and 18" rims are standard issue on the A-SPEC package. When installed at purchase, the car's 4 year/50,000 mi warranty applies to the package as well.
The 3rd generation TL is also the first car in the US market to include a 6 disc DVD-Audio system, output through an 8-speaker system, engineered by Panasonic and tuned by Elliot Scheiner. The system also plays back normal audio CDs as well as DTS audio discs, CD-Audio, CD-Rs and CD-RWs. The car is also equipped with a Bluetooth HandsFree Link (HFL) system, integrated with the audio system, to allow for hands-free usage of your cell phone (provided the phone also supports Bluetooth). The driver can simply voice-dial the number and carry the entire conversation over the car's built-in audio system; when receiving a phone call a display will show caller ID if it is supported by the phone. The driver also has the capability to transfer current calls between the car and his phone when exiting or entering the TL. There is also a phone book which can store personal phone numbers within the car's memory. With the built-in XM Radio tuner, owners can elect to pay a monthly subscription after the complimentary 3 months subscription expires from Acura for XM radio, which provides over 100 digital channels via satellite. Image:2005tl1.jpg
Sporting an Alpine-designed navigation system, the 3rd generation TL also accepts voice-commands like "Find nearest police station" to "Go home." The navigation system features an 8" touch-screen LCD which allows for easy viewing of the road ahead.
The JDM Honda Inspire debuted around 4.5 months earlier (on June 11, 2003) and marked the branching out of the TL line from the Inspire. The Inspire is basically a 7th-generation USDM Honda Accord V6 with minor trim changes, and the addition of Variable Cylinder Displacement, which shuts off half of the engine when not needed to boost fuel economy. The Saber was discontinued and the new Inspire is being sold at Clio, Primo, and Verno dealerships.
Honda is currently mum on the prospects of exporting the newest Acura TL to Japan, but sources point it out as highly likely, either being badged Honda Vigor (most likely) or Honda Saber. It is rumored that the TL might also make it to Europe, as the first and second-generation Legends were beloved there.
Acura TL became the best selling luxury sedan with more than 79,000 sold in 2004.
2005
2005 TL received Passenger Airbag Cutoff indicator and extra stitching on front seats. There are several minor changes made(such as change in seat belt anchor mount) which are not published. Image:2005tl2.jpg Image:2005tl3.jpg
With very competitive MSRP range, Acura TL is often seen as "Unbelievable Value For the Money" among car critics.
2006
2006 TL received TPMS(Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and a new computer logic(M/T only). The new horserpower rating of 257HP is due to a change in testing procedures, despite the engine remaining the same.
Acura TL is still the best selling luxury sedan in North America. Its main competitor is Infiniti G35 sedan. Its indirect competitors are BMW 3-Series, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac CTS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus ES, Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, and the Lexus IS.
2007
2007 TL is due for a Minor Model Change before 2009 redesign. It will most likely receive clear taillights, redesigned front bumper and headlights, and additional horsepower with a revised intake/exhaust system.
It has been rumored that the 2009 Acura TL will use SH-AWD as used in the current (2006) Acura RL. Rumored new engine choices are the 3.5L used in the current RL or a DOHC 3.2L engine.
References
- "2004 Acura TL A-SPEC: No assembly required to enjoy this factory-spec tuner package", an article by John Kiewicz on page 136 of the March, 2004 issue of Motor Trend
External links
- Acura USA
- Acura TL - Official US Site
- DJ Dream Cars - Acura TL Specifications & Information