All-New 2009 Acura TL to Debut This Fall

This morning Acura revealed the first image of its upcoming 2009 TL sedan. The redesigned car follows exactly in line with the recently released TSX sports sedan and larger RL sedan, which goes on sale later this summer.

The 2009 TL will hit dealerships in the fall and features a number of revisions. All that Acura has told us is the TL will come in both front-wheel drive and a trim level with the company’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, which helps differentiate it from the Honda Accord.

Acura also says this will be the most powerful TL yet, the 2008 has 258 hp, and will feature a luxurious interior and more onboard technology than ever before. I’ll be driving one very soon and will report on the changes in the coming weeks.

Comments

[Mart]

Wow - working from the back it all looks great. And then you get to the grill...

What an earth are Acura thinking sticking that enormous metal plate thing on the front? The TSX was pushing it slightly, but this huge, ugly and heavy looking grill ruins what would otherwise be a handsome (if somewhat innofensive) design...

[J]

Finally something from Honda to go against the G35, at least in terms of drivetrain.

[Dave T.]

I think it looks pretty good even the grille. I think a solid shield or perferated one would look better but as is it kind of looks like a decepticon or something. Can't wait to drive it.

[George]

The Infiniti G35 is being upgraded to the 3.7 liter engine & 7 speed automatic for '09

Honda hasn't release specs, but if the 3.2 & 3.5 V6 stuck around I wouldn't be surprised.
Sure the output should be 260hp with front wheel drive & 290hp with 'SH-awd'

Has Honda developed a 6 speed automatic?
Has Honda upgraded the engines to dual overhead camshafts, so that camshaft phasers can be added?

[Keith]

Just wait until you see that grille on a lighter colored car...graceful, elegant, classy, luxurious are not words I would use to describe Acura's styling language.

[Lil'Tom]

Too bad the ones on the road have to made of metal instead of Photoshop.

If the grille could have a brushed finish rather than polished I think it would look better. The rest of the car looks great though.

[Jay]

Looks like the TL has moved up a class and borrowed some cues from the Lexus GS. It looks a lot bigger than the current TL. BTW, the new TSX has the same dimensions as the current TL which made me think twice about purchasing it. I could see myself buying this in a couple of years if they can fix the "guillotine" grille.

[Keith]

The Accord grew in the last redesign so the TL probably grew as well since it is based on the Accord. It may also look bigger because it looks like they have reduced the amount of glass area (higher sills).

[J]

One problem though. Will it grow too much in size making it big enough to compete with the GS?
Also, if the TL can offer SH-AWD, when will Accord offer at least some basic AWD?

Just read the announcement in Honda's Japanese website, it says the new TL will be equipped with the most powerful engine in the Acura lineup, not only most powerful TL. That should mean it will be north of 300hp which the RL's powerplant makes.

it looks better than the RL and the TSX but i'm afraid its taking shape of the Lexus Gs.

[ODY]

BLA BLA BLA

[ODY]

MAYBE THAT GRILL IS UGLY BUT ANY WAY TL IS BEST SELLING CAR IN HIS CLASS N THE NEW TSX SOLD MORE THE TL THIS YEAR ... N INFINITI COMES FROM NISSAN AND NISSAN JUST MAKE GARVAGE CARS WHEN NISSA GOT 90K NEED NEW MOTOR