Nxtassy

As far as I know, all 4G TL's 2009-2012 came with an "Acura" badge located at the top left of the rear trunklid. This was addition to the stylized "A" symbol marque badge centered on the trunklid. It looks as though that has changed on the 2013 model which will clearly help differentiate it from 2012 models.

I had some time to kill Saturday so I stopped by one of the local dealers and they just received the first of the '13 models. This one is a fresh one just manufactured 9/4/12 per the build sheet on the front passenger seat.

Low and behold it does NOT have the "Acura" badge on the trunklid, rather just the stylized "A" marque symbol, "TL" and "SH-AWD" badges.

At first I thought it was a quality-control production problem as this car is serial number 000006 (the 6th one built for 2013), but after checking marketing material http://www.acura.com/ebrochure/ebroc...modelYear=2013 I noticed the photos show the 2013 model without the "Acura" badge.

Interesting!

djtanveer

That is interesting. Nice find.

birdy*feet

Is that CBP on umber!???

Nxtassy

Yes, per the photo of the window sticker it's Crystal Black Pearl / Umber Interior (the only color an Umber interior is available with on 2013 models).

jspagna1

Interesting. It is fresh for sure.

Edward'TLS

Check out some more '13 cars. The factory may have missed installing the badge for the 1st production batch, after retooling for the '12 to '13 model changeover.

Nexson

That doesnt seem right at all, but the brochure don't lie! Why would acura not advertise????

edit, now that I think about it, most cars just have the model on the back, I am sure this was done to help dealers identify quickly the year.

Nxtassy

For good measure, the 2012 Model:

Zelaya

iTrader: (1)

Wait a minute there's have to be more changes other than the "Acura" emblem.

Hapa DC5

^ probably nothing substantial. '13 will most likely be the last year of the 4th Gen.

Nxtassy

Based on the 2013 TL brochure, the only other changes to the new model are colors...

https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/2013-tl-specifications-867960/

Hapa DC5

From Acura.com

Hapa DC5

Limelight

Cool - when I take delivery of my 2012 on Friday, I'm going to debadge the "Acura" and then it's a 2013!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I like it much better without the ACURA on the back. I took mine off.

birdy*feet

Sigh. I lusted for this combo but alas could only find black on black when I bought my '12...

Anyhow, interesting find for sure, and thank you for sharing. I'm actually surprised that they removed the Acura badge, but it definitely looks cleaner without it.

Rocket_man

The ILX and new RDX are the same way. It is not a fluke, it appears to be the way they are doing their badging going forward. Maybe trying to look a little more upscale but not saying 'Acura' just letting the badge speak for itself.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Maybe Acura has been looking at all the clean trade-ins they get and noticing the volume of people who cared about them took some of the badges off....

cagilber

Wow, that does look a lot better.

While cleaning my car last night as I dried off the back I did think the "Acura" was a bit overkill as everyone or almost everyone knows that's what the big caliper A logo was.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

my only problem with it now, is that its not symmetrical.



one side of the trunk is cluttered while the other is a virgin.

types1fan

+1

Ant$

I would take off the "TL" as well...

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

That's exactly what I was thinking. If it bought one I would definitely be busting the hymen on the left side

Actually, I'm lying...I'd take both the TL and SH-AWD off and have the right side be a born again virgin.

Zelaya

iTrader: (1)

It really don't make any sense why Acura will only remove just the left emblem. I always like the idea of debadge the whole thing...decision, decision. Thank you for sharing this photos.

RPhilMan1

Now where are the '13 6MTs? Come on, Acura! Produce!

SeismicGuy

The best thing for us 2012 buyers is that there is nothing at all different to distinguish the 2012 from the 2013 except to the forum types like us. I have never before bought a new car that didn't instantly look "old" the next year due to subtle but noticeable changes. Early 2012 buyers (those who bought back in 2011) really got a nice bonus of having a car that is "new" for 3 years.

timecop

I never thought of it that way!

I'm guessing the non SH-AWD models will only only have the "TL" emblem. I think that would look really bad (could be wrong) just being standalone on the right. It's kinda like the Accord/V6 badging combo now...except reversed and inverted?

JT4

I took my ACURA letters off also, I feel it gives it a cleaner look.

under9hell

On the Lexus forum some people were accusing Lexus trying to cut cost for not installing the badge lol. So Acura saves about 10 cents per car for doing this!

I really like the clean look but never had the gut to remove the Acura letter by myself :/

Ant$

is the ACURA and TL stuck with adhesive on the back?

or will there be holes if we attempt to remove?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^the "acura" and "TL" are held in place by 3M tape.
use heat(boiling water or hair dryer) to get it to become sticky.
then you can peel off.
might have to use goo gone or the like to get the rest of the adhesive off.
finish it off by waxing!

012TL-GLM

Nice, Acura did half the work for us de-badgers

Is there really no tech change in the 2013? I figured the NAV system would at least be reading back text messages or at least displaying them?

Ken1997TL

This. Keep both off or on.

Ken1997TL

That would require a complete redesign of the navi system on the last model year of this generation.

As far as I know, only the '04 RL got that kind of special treatment.

misu

When I got mine last year I felt it had way too many badges so I removed everything but the big A. Fishing line and goo gone.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

in reality, it probably saved acura a million dollars by cutting this out....

nanos

very interesting detail. That means I accidentally changed my trunk into a 2013 model back in 2010. ha

jiggaman

nanos you should work for Acura design team!

boss2k

how do you take that Acura logo off , isnt there holes when you do that or is that its just stuck on with glue

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^the "A" or caliper?

yes it has two plastic mounts that go through the trunk