Acura TLX Spied With A Beak Job
Acura has a habit of debuting concept cars that look nearly identical to the production version – which is part of the reason why we’re showing you the concept version of the Acura TLX, when undisguised photos of the real thing have surfaced.
Over at Vtec.net, spy photos from KGP have surfaced of an undisguised TLX. Without the big wheels and fire engine paintwork, the TLX looks much more subdued, with a mix of ILX and RLX styling cues. The TLX will replace the TL and TSX, both fine cars in their own right. The TL 6MT SH-AWD was, in my opinion, a rather underrated car. Despite its ungainly looks, it proved to be an entertaining performer in deep snow, thanks to the trick AWD system and the meaty Blizzaks installed by Honda Canada. The TLX will get both a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 3.5 V6 powertrain with DCT and 9-Speed automatic transmissions respectively- no word on an MT option.
More by Derek Kreindler
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I don't know what Acura is doing. For 25 years I've watched Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti develop. Lexus has beat it into my brow that it is all about quality; Infiniti is the Japanese BMW, and Acura has a beak.
Aren't those wheels just ugly interpretations of the BRZ/FRS rims? Even the color / finish scheme is the same, just thicker more ugly spokes.
It's funny really, Acura has always been in this predicament since the early 90s. They offered more "soulful" cars back then but they were perceived as boring yet capable. Go read a 22 year old review of the Legend or Integra (not a GSR or Type-R), they had bland styling back then. acura sales were suffering until the MDX. The 3rd gen TL developed some enthusiasm for the brand but of course, it was FWD and just not good enough for the burgeoning internets. The prior-gen TL folks didn't upgrade to RLs, they went to the MDX. Personally, I think this is a good looking car which will age well just like the Integra and Legend of 20 years ago. And even back then, the drivetrains weren't cutting edge but they were highly developed, proven, and very smooth. Especially when everyone else is going goofy with their styling. BMW was criticized in the 90s for being bland, yet now we prefer the E39 as the "classic" BMW. We wanted a unique looking Acura that didn't look like a copy of something else and we ended up with the 4th gen TL. Of course, I say this as a former owner of a 92 Integra GSR, 98 3.2TL (short-Legend), 02 3.2TL (first Accord based TL and my cousin has it now with 227k miles) and my is the current owner of a 12 Accord. I guess I'm biased in seeing that Acura is still making fine cars and they're not going downhill but they've stayed relatively stagnant in the sedan market for over 20 years. The problem I see is that why get an Acura when you can get an Accord. My favorite Acura sedan would be the 05-09 RL, love to have one of those but they didn't sell because Audi.
Build a damn RWD platform. How many times must it be said. Those front overhangs look ridiculous.