This fall will see the unveiling of the all-new 2009 Acura TL and to whet our apetites in anticipation Honda has presented us with the first image. The 2009 model will be powered by the most powerful engine ever to bless the TL , rumours state this could be the 300-horsepower 3.7L already found in the RL and MDX.
Two versions of the model will be available starting with the FWD base model which will probably be powered by 280-horsepower 3.5L and a high spec Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) version powered by the afore mentioned 3.7-liter engine.
First Image of All-New 2009 Acura TL Released
All-New 2009 Acura TL
Set to Debut This Fall
By Clinton Deacon
July 11, 2008 4:00 PM
Filed Under: Acura, Japanese
Comments
afterace2
July 11, 2008 4:29 PM
they have designed the most hideous grille ever, and put it in all models...
Heanus
July 11, 2008 4:48 PM
hmm the front of this acura is quite a decent improvement from the old TL...however the headlights remain nearly identical to the old. Not that its a bad design or anything...a bit more innovation and creativity would polish up the look of this TL a bit more. The back is still yet to be seen, though at first sight, it appears to leave an impression of a Lexus GS350. The slope of the C pillar which follows through to the back end, promotes a coupe-esque flow to the car. The muscular stance shows hints of the Acura TSX/ Honda Accord Euro.......
Heanus
July 11, 2008 4:52 PM
OHH and the grill...yess the grill well its more of a 5-point SHIELD rather a motor car grille. Well...its different!! but it doesnt appeal to me NOW but might grow on me if i see it round the block
Alfafox5
July 11, 2008 5:10 PM
Well, there you have it, Kia now makes more attractive cars than the once elegant, lean, simple Acura brand. This is so sad, they are building cars that look like Transformers - the problem is they don't turn into anything cool once you buy them! I have loved Acura for a long time, especially the clean and timeless lines of the Legend, the RL and others. Now we have this mix of angles, bends, and unfinished lines and for what? They want to appeal to a younger audience? Young does not mean blind. The challenge is that this car will have a great interior as always, so people will likely look past the exterior, since they wont have to look at it very much. The surprise will be when people choose a new Saturn/Opel or a stylish Buick over a technologically sound machine. Lost, that is all Acura seems to be at this time, lost. Just think of the original TSX/Euro Accord... they STILL look great even five+ years later. THAT is the Acura that had a reason to keep living, this hyper-stylish mess will age faster than fresh fruit left in the desert. Too bad... I am gonna go think about the original Legend coupe now. :o|
Bremen_Koenigsegg
July 11, 2008 6:37 PM
Can someone please tell the North America marketing department of Honda/Acura to never, ever use the word "super"? Where did they get the idea this was a good word to use? The 70s? That department serves a single, albeit important, purpose, and I am not convinced they really get it. I'm starting to think the same is true about their design department, judging by this and the face-lifted TSX.
benz_man
July 11, 2008 7:41 PM
OMG, I haven't liked this grille since they showed it in concept. With SH-AWD, this thing will drive phenomenally. The body lines look seductive enough, and the interior will be great. Just that grille...
timdog595
July 11, 2008 7:59 PM
im not a big fan of any acura cars, but this one looks pretty darn good!
RobERob
July 11, 2008 10:50 PM
I am. I own the current TL, however, my feelings about this new TL are a bit mixed. I see a kaleidoscope of other cars mixed into it's design. I'm sure over time it'll take on it's own face but in regard to "the grill," I too think they should've made that piece of jewelry less of a focal point. Just accent the grill Honda! No need to give it a huge head band.
desiathate
July 11, 2008 8:22 PM
....People people it looks much better in person just look at the tsx !!!
jsb
July 11, 2008 9:47 PM
Don't worry if you don't like the grille, Acura changes it every year anyway.
soto
July 11, 2008 11:08 PM
Look closer...Camry styling cues! Japanese auto makers copy European and other Japanese designs! Yawn
wjaprep
July 11, 2008 11:51 PM
Am I the only one who sees just a very tad bit of 7 series and Nissan Maxima?? and Yes, lots and lots of Camry.
JTZ
July 12, 2008 12:28 AM
hmmm... interesting .. it looks like a conglomeration of many luxury cars on the road .... But i have to admit it looks fresh and it may not be exactly beautiful but it definitely catches your eye in a good way ... And that is very important! brand recognition... But i have to say Lexus Acura and Infiniti all have very similarly designed automobiles... I think i understand why Chris Bangle chose to dramatically change BMW's design philosophy.... In the end BMW, MB and Audi are more instantly recognizable compared to Acura, infiniti or lexus. But only BMW has pioneered radical shapes and designs through its entire collection... Yes Audi has the R8 and MB with the SLR .. but look at its other models... on the other hand look at the difference between a 3 coupe, 6 and a 1 .... But you know instantly that all 3 are BMW :) ... genius (Im leaving the 7 out on purpose- the prodigal son... which has not yet returned sadly- lets hope the new 7 is as bad as it will get)
joshg_5
July 12, 2008 2:19 AM
Wow, the old TL was my favorite car, I even forgave it's FWD drive train! This is such a shame... all they had to do was put the 3.7 SH-AWD in the current get, slap on type-s and there you have it, the ultimate Japanese Sedan, and a Euro competitor. Wow Acura, you need to be slapped for producing cars that just look Bloated!
quilla_b
July 14, 2008 3:50 AM
i think Honda is taking a bold step to be more creative. the design of the grille is exactly that. i like what they are doing and their direction with this TL. It is not stunning but its got charisma nonetheless. I hope this is the beginning of design innovation for Acura.
Vision7
July 14, 2008 7:00 AM
Honda's new design language is quite polarizing. I know many marques are trying to style more distinctive front ends (Audi's oversize grill, Mitsubishi's "shark-nose" front end, etc.) but the leading edge of this car, along with the RL and the MDX is quite ugly. We'll see how it will hold up with the consumers but I have a feeling that Honda may have to do it's own emergency cosmetic surgery to this vehicle and to the RL like Subaru had to do with the Impreza from a few years ago. Only time will tell.
andy
July 14, 2008 11:34 AM
WTF..toyota camry headlights with lexus GS bodyshape .??? ..north american design team sucks like sh*t ..,american cant design car, that how they do .look at ugly american cars like ford and chrysler, you will see their mind
Damian6
July 15, 2008 7:39 AM
I dunno. The japanese cars never really do it for me. They always end up looking "Toyish" or "plastic". I guess its a good luxury car for the money but nothing i would show off.
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