Acura Reveals 2009 TL
Acura has released the first image of the production 2009 TL sport sedan, going on sale this fall. While full specifications have not yet been announced, Acura does say that for the first time the TL will be available with their Super Handling All Wheel Drive system (presently on the RL). Acura also says that this new TL will be the "most powerful Acura ever," and previous reports tell us that two engines will be offered. The base front wheel drive model will have a 280 horsepower 3.5 liter V6. Step up to the AWD version, and you pack a 3.7 liter with 310 ponies. All wheel drive and 300ish horsepower sounds a lot like the RL. And what about the RL? Likely to move upmarket next time around, but exactly how so is still speculation. What is not speculation is that Acura is moving forward with the snow plow grills, which just debuted on the 2009 TSX, and it ain't pretty. While the press release also touts more driver technology (Bluetooth microwave oven, DVD hot pockets), let's just hope Acura didn't take the driving experience from hero to zero as they did on the new TSX.
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I thought the grill was weird at first too, but I've recently found it to be rather interesting, in an exciting sci-fi kind of way.
The new (snowplow-nosed) Acuras look like they were styled using a big mallet on the clay model. [BANG!] [SMASH!] [BANG!] "There." "That's the final design; send it to production." -----------
I like it a lot! I'm not sure why people are surprised that the RL technologies are trickling down the model line. It's been the way of car tech forever - introduce in higher models then bring it down. VTEC is a perfect example. The TSX looks great in person and so does the MDX. The TL will also look great in person and will sell.
Enough with the "Bugs Bunny got a grille" look. The powers that be at Acura can certainly do better than this. More is not more, folks!