I had the chance to drive a prototype 6 speed 2003 CL-S 6 speed through Honda R&D! Can't give details of how. Here is my general assessment.

The good; The car is very quick with a manual. The motor is so smooth and willing to rev to redline and pulls hard in 2nd and 3rd gear. The spacing felt just right as well. 6th is actually geared shorter than 5th compared to my auto. About 2400 at 70. 5th was about 3000 at 70. The handbrake obviously was moved to the console. You can also be in 3rd or 4th at 35 and it is still smooth. No chugging or balking. They lightened the steering feel at low speeds to make it easier to turn with one hand which is not bad at low speeds, but it seems too light at higher speed and felt twitchy.

Needs improvement:
The shifter feels a bit too much like a Civic and the rest of the car seemed unchanged (suspension, exhaust, etc.) The clutch was also a bit soft. You also have to wait on the 1-2 shift to declutch for the revs to come down to make a smooth shift.

If they get the shifter feel closer to the directness of a BMW or Nisaan 300zx, add some tone to the exhaust and maybe slightly stiffen the front suspension, it will be great and worth trading in for.

 

DAMN, AWESOME!!

So do you know when its coming out???

 

I can't afford it.

 

how come u can't give details?? does anyone "know" u took it out?? y is it a 2003 model?? if the Emergency brake was moved to the center console, what did the cup holders look like??

thanx for the input and glad u enjoyed the ride.

 

You cant give us more details on lets say the Body or the Mirrors

 

Why can't you give details on how you were blessed with this opportunity? You know we have a bunch of skeptics on here!!!

This thread should be quite entertaining!

 

agreed

 

You should change the tread to I DROVE THE 6-SPEED!!!

 

2003 , just in tme to trade in my current cls for the 6 speed, do u guys think they will make the engine 300 hp anytime soon? to go along with the 6 speed.

 

What do you mean you can't give us the details of how? Of course you can give the details how... we have time to listen. You can also give us the details of the cosmetic changes done to the car.

 

The drive was arranged through a contact at Honda R&D in Torrance, CA.

The car itself was a 2002, wheels, tires and all. No details on any other changes and they would not tell me what was planned.

I could not tell for sure if the motor had changed and they would not tell me if it will have more power or not. It sounded about like mine (though I have a K&N which has a bit more intake noise) Given where the competition is, I suspect it will stay at 260hp. Trust me, it didn't need more. It will be enough that some people will be in over their head.

The handbrake did not disturb the cupholders though the car had one fabricated out of some stange looking weave material (not meant for production and not carbon fibre). It may have been slightly smaller but I could not tell. It was located to the right of the cupholders and slightly forward.

Forgot to mention the pedals were well spaced for heal/toe downshifting

 

Please, Please, Please, give some details on the body. What are these "subtle" changes I keep hearing about. I've heard the 2002/3 CL-S will have '02 TL style headlights. Is there any truth to the rumor? I've been down to multiple Acura dealerships and everyone is being tight-lipped about it.

Nothing more frustatin' than wait'n

Holla

Verse374

 

I've been told that they will be out late September to early October. I've had my name added to list to be contacted as soon as they arrive. WEEEEDAAWWGGY!!!! can't wait

 

Hey thats great that you got to drive one. Our "sport shift" is quite the same.

 

I want to see Acura do a CL in a RWD 6 Speed... that will make me switch in a heartbeat. I'm not sure if just a 6 speed is a good thing, especially with all this traffic and hills in San Francisco.

 

the stupid dealers and mike harvey didn't know a single thing about the 02 and they wanted me to put a down payment on it. the 02 better have a stupid stick shift.

 

hear that JAYRU you're shit out of luck...

 

I guess it's about personal preference. I passed on the 3.0 CL because it wasn't a stick. Before that I was looking for 6spd '95 Legend. It must be a good thing because it's hard to find one of those now for less than 24 to 25g's. We'll see

 

Lucky you!! I returned the invitation but didn't get picked, DAMMIT!!

Nobody likes me...

 

How bad was the torque steer when you accelerated hard?

 

There was some torque steer I think partially because of the lighter steering. I noticed that they also had no VSC switch and it would squeel an inside tire quite easily while accelerating away in a turn.

 

Why would the handbrake be moved due to a shift?

 

[ 08-17-2001: Message edited by: friendlydacat ]

 

was there a "TYPE S" logo on the knob like the auto???

did the steerinch wheel have that b;acl/chrome acura symbol?

did you notice the rims looked a little weird?..like the TL-S rims??

 

What are you talking about?
http://www.ocautotrader.com/html/oct...&ADID=16722353

 

first, great info racer on the "prototype"

prototype is the key word , this means anything can change from now to 2002-2003..that is why they have people test it to see how they react to it....racer on the question form thing.... put this under improvements:

for the base model the car is excellent..i hope to see change in the CL type S with a 300-320 HP 3.5 V-6, better stiffer suspension, a little loader exhuastm, oh and take the limiter off

Mike- i guess because it would work better on the transmission...all the manuals have them in the middle...i can;t think of any manual cars that have the same parking brake as we do on the floor maybe i am wrong about that.

Amir- i dobut they would put type s and emblems all over the place...this is due to the fact that it is a prototype and nothing is slated in marble already...about the body questions people ask...i know for a fact that some companies make a car for people to drive with just a engine 4 wheels a sterring wheel and what ever NEW product they need help on, soe companies go as far as to cover up the whole body with cardboard type panels so no one can tell the body design..i drove the 2002 ford explorer once when i lived in detroit about 1 1/2-2 years back and this is what they did they only uncovered the products they needed help with.

later,
dantes

 

How would you like to do a quick speed shift, but slam the e-brake to the floor instead of the clutch? I'll go for a ride in YOUR car while YOU do it , but I'd hate to do it in mine!
Most of us probably would not make the mistake, but the same jack-asses blowing their RSX-s engines would be making some serious donuts in a 6-spd CL w/ 4 pedals on the floor!

[ 08-17-2001: Message edited by: jdl75 ]

 

Let me get my boots on..... it's getting really deep in here.....

 

hey gmilian, where do u live, i live near mike harvey, and i agree, they're a buncha idiots there