SpicyMikey

I'm sure someone's not going to like it, but that looks very good IMO. Worlds better then the current gen. Gotta see more angles and also in person, but that looks like a homerun.

cai06

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-image?...tsx_pr-001.jpg

Look how the headlights bulges..

ostrich

Though "the grille" looks much better with the new TSX than the atrocious RL, I still think that it could be better. I still like the MDX grille better than this. The MDX grille looks more luxurious than this.

Now, overall though, I think that the new TSX will be a HOT HOT HOT car! Can't wait for the full press release! I guess Acura needs to do some damage control after the debut of the awful 2009 RL and the TSX might just save their derriere...

Now, let's see what the new TL will be like...

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Wow, there's a way to screw up a nice headlight.

ostrich

BTW, if the "new grille" is here to stay, then I think that it was a grave mistake that Acura has made by giving the RL a MMC. They should have just left the thing alone, let it just be completely re-styled for 2010, and then integrate the new design elements into the new car. As it is, that new RL grille looks awful.... but I guess at least the TSX is somehow showing us that it might possibly work, if it's well-integrated into the other design elements of the vehicle.

robarsan

To me, the grill looks like a toothless guy with a pinch of snuff between his lower lip and gum. Not my idea of class.

neuronbob

Very much OT, but it looks REALLY good. REALLY good. The grille fits with the overall style of the car here. Doesn't work at all in the RL. Here's hoping the FMC RL works overall as well. Frankly, Acura might as well have left our 2G RL alone other than improving on all the interior features it did.

Rexorg

This is OT, but Acura just released a pic of the '09 TSX. Yes, it has the fugly "beak" and looks kind of like the current TL-S. See it at: www.hondanews.com

Rexorg

Please ignore my last post. I guess it's too early in the morning for me to be posting. I'm going back to bed.

lumpulus

Amazing how it can look so much BETTER on the new TSX. As I said...it's all about symmetry.

It flows nicely on the TSX(Those bulges are from the new Accord light housings, I'm not surprised they are there.) I'd love to see a +2 or +3 version of those TSX wheels on the RL as well.

TampaRLX-SH

It certainly has appeal on the TSX, but it is well integrated to the front end panels. Again, just how a little more effort could have made the RL more tolerable, if not appeal to more. What was done to the RL was not well executed or considered, it was forced.

I like the TSX, but I think the current TSX, like the RL is timeless.

The only part of the grille that does not appeal to me is the brick paver style grille inserts in the upper and lower grille. But since they are blacked out it is not very noticable.

This should not have a detrimental impact on the TSX and I preay they do something well integrated for the TL. For the RL, I simply cannot get past the front end to appreciate the other enhancements to the car.

krio

well SpicyMickey yesterday we were prophetic you and I about the new brand grill on the TSX. It looks really good, as I thought.
In the TL will look even more better...

Even more good news for me.
one week ago my MDX went to Germany in Bremen by see... To-morrow I'll get it, after 2 months of long waiting.

Chuck091279

Still don't like the grill or the bulging headlights. Diesel option will be nice though.

JAB00

The new TSX looks good.

dwboston

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that this is the end of the RL as we know it. Though we know better, the RL hasn't been differentiated enough from the TL. Too many of the differences were things that weren't easily explained like build quality and materials, SH-AWD (which many didn't apparently care about anyway), and the technology that subsequently made its way into other Acuras and Hondas. The market responded with lower and lower RL sales until the price had to be discounted down to almost TL levels to sell, thereby diluting the difference even further. Looking at the new TSX and expecting a similar good design for the TL, I expect that the TL will be moved slightly further upmarket, and with SH-AWD, will be all but indistinguishable in terms of technology and features to most buyers. It wouldn't shock me at all for the 2010 edition of the current RL to be the last, and for an all new, re-named, "higher-end" model to come out for the 2011 model year.

In the end, I guess the masses were right. They couldn't tell much difference between a TL and RL, and most of us were lucky to take advantage of pretty good discounts on a great car, which while good for us financially, hurt the brand and model reputation. Coupled with the grille disaster on the 2009, I think this is the end for the RL.

lsbuffs

Oh my. Haven't been to the forum in a couple of days and see what you miss? Truly let out a gasp when I paged back and saw the pictures. They really can't let that grille go into production. How long does it take to retool the production lines?

Love my '05 more today than ever before. Wife will be happy to know I won't be spending the boy's college money on a trade in for the '09.

static808

The "new" grille looks good on the TSX but I am still amazed as to why go with a radical design across the line. I mean if they just kept it centered in the middle, they would have the best of both worlds. I guess they want to make a statement. Still not impressed.

Totally love my 05RL. I might just keep the damn thing for a long time...

Acuraboy7

2009 RL pics and BTW ewwwwww I'm not impressed:http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-rl.html

Rob144

Here's one of the few other cars with a hood-line higher than the headlights/fenders. It looks discordant here, too.

SpicyMikey

agree, terrible look. lines need to match up to flow. It looks like a mistake

TampaRLX-SH

Not to get OT from the RL....

But here are more shots of the EuroAccord, particularly the rear and interior.

Aside from the grille, it appears to be the same as the TSX.

This will be a winner in and out to me. Still I like the current TSX. But this is more attractive and well integrated, unlike the 09 RL.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-...o-spec/634895/


It appears that the corporate grille can be integrated into a full body design without too much objectionable styling. So why force it upon the RL with a full model redesign just 1-2 years away? Just a bad attempt to force the RL into the corporate mug.

The TSX and TL have been in redesign for some time. This MMC to he RL was abrupt, forced and poorly executed. It is too obvious they were careless with the RL.

dwboston

Even the grille on that Euro Accord would have been an improvement on the RL. It's the 05-08 grill in a shield motif. With the Acura "A" in the middle that would have been a winner.

I won't be satisfied until Colliver is exiled to a used car lot in Alaska.

TampaRLX-SH

Alaska deserves better...

gavine

Look at the bright side. The new RL grille could have been like this (oink oink) ->

Mike_TX

Even Subaru realized this was a loser ... the new one isn't bad.

.
.

black label

Little off topic, but the MDX is getting a "secret" mid model refresh as we speak. They will start to show up in about 3 months. All tech and sport packages get the power lift gate. I bring it up because it shows that they do listen to peoples complaints (sometimes). Could we get a new grill on the RL before the end of 2008? Maybe.

Now back to your regularly scheduled RL conversation.

SpicyMikey

What! I just bought one 3 months ago.

I wonder if it's getting the new grill

black label

^^^
That would go against the listening theory. "good news Mr. Customer, you'll get the power lift gate, but we'll need to make your MDX hideous as well"

TampaRLX-SH

I can almost overhear the exec boardroom conversation...

"We MUST have a new corporate style, iconic grille. It MUST be deployed on all models within the calendar year....."

"But it conflicts with styling of current models. We cannot retool fast enough to make it integrate with the current body styles...."

"Make it fit. Use duct tape if you have to...."

"But it looks awful, tacked on, an afterthought...."

"MAKE IT FIT! It MUST make them the same on ALL models!...."

"But what if no one likes it?...."


"At least they will know, it's an ACURA..."

*sigh*

Rexorg

Got this reply from Honda Japan about the '09 RL: "Ah so desu ka, Rexorgsan." Translation: "Oh, so that's the way it is, Mr. Rexorg."

Rob144

It is possible to overdo the Corporate-look thing. Especially true for automobiles that are in a mostly similar size category like Acura sedans are.

I like to think I'm pretty car-savvy, but I saw an Audi A8 today, and could not tell it apart from an A6, at least on approach. Same for the A6 and A4, to an extent.

I think people are going to have a hard time telling a TSX from a TL on the showroom floor. They'll know the RL, though..... And I guess they'll know they're Acuras.

Rob144

black label

They already do! If you look at the front of the TSX and TL they have very similar design cues in the headlights and grill.

tommyz

I am going to renew my ? i posted a few weeks ago.

I have a 2005 TL 35k miles. If i keep it and dont trade it i need new tires and brakes.


was looking at the RL. Should I , get the 08 RL ? I was looking forward to the 09 but it seems like a dud by the pictures.

I probably could get a good price for a 08 now. Im in SOCAL

VOdoc

If you like turning over cars every 3 years, you might want to check out Acura's lease on the 2008 RL. Looks like it's the stripped model. Newspaper ad says $499 + tax per month plus $3000 cap cost reduction plus DMV plus tax due at signing. Haven't checked the money factors and residuals. Might make sense if you want to know in advance how much depreciation you're on the hook for.

If you're happy with the '05, new tires and brakes will cost you a lot less than a new car.

Senneca01

What makes the M interior a disaster? I guess I don't see it.

dwboston

All the buttons under the Nav screen. It's way too busy. Also the stupid analog clock on that flat wall of wood or plastic that looks like wood. I guess if we liked it we'd own Infinitis.

static808

The Infiniti interior is nice. It has an updated look to the NAV but the buttons are a little wacky. What seriously turned me off is the matte wood finish. It looks like that sticky wood wall paper you put on your basement walls.

To me, its downright hideous for a $50K car. But they are outselling the RL so I guess I am in the minority on the wood look

SpicyMikey

To be honest, it doesn't look any more busy then the RL. I think the M's interior looks OK from that photo.

However, I do agree about the wood on the center console. Not a fan of that look. The 09 RL has plood on the console now also. The only negative I have to the revisions on the interior.

Mike_TX

As a former M owner ('06 M45), I can tell you the wood is real - not plood. It's African rosewood, as I recall, and Infiniti went with the matte finish to counter the complaints that real wood with those high-gloss finishes look as much like plastic as plastic.

As for the interior being ugly or overly busy, I disagree. No more buttons than the RL, which most consider to be the Button Queen. (I personally LIKE buttons, but it seems a lot of people don't.) Otherwise, the M interior is a beautiful flow of shapes and materials. And the analog clock is of course a trademark feature ... you can ignore it, though, since there's a digital clock display in the nav screen.

My only complaint about the M interior is the wide console. I really appreciated the narrower console in the RL.

.
.

DivinDude

I'm a current 07 TL-S owner and was hoping to upgrade to the RL in the next year or so but after seeing the 'new' RL at the Chicago auto show yesterday, I can say that I've scratched it off my list. The interior is nice but the exterior looks awful (the back isn't so bad, but the front looks awful with that cheap looking cheesy grill). I'm not ready to get an 08 yet, so maybe I'll look for an 08 left over when I am ready.
I'm seeing some of the grill styling queues on the new TSX already, and the verdict is out until I see it in person, but so far it's "not wonderful yet"