2004 Predictions!
I tried to base this on the competition, and what Acura\Honda has been doing with other cars in their line up. Go ahead and make your predictions!

Honda/Acura is so conservative, that I wouldn't expect drastic changes. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the design of the RSX show up in the new TL body. RSX items like the gauge cluster, (altough I hope they go to electro lumen style) headlights, little antenna nub, and a slightly more rakish body as the RSX has. Look for door handles from the NSX.

I think a good chance these things will show up on the 2004 TL's

- Rear Motorized Sun Shade (option) 80%
(This is showing up on the competition)

- Aluminum door sills 90%
(The competition has it)

- auto up driver window 90%
(as seen in RSX)

- Window down feature from remote 60%
(ala Mercedes, this is becoming more common)

- Electro-Lumen Gauges 70%
(ala Mercedes, Cadillac, Lexus, Infiniti)

- Trip Computer 90%
(all cars in it's category now have trip computers,
Acura knows how to make them ala MDX)

- a new interior color with a lighter wood trim 100%
(look for something similar to that seen in Lexus, I expect
their will be 3 interior trim choices )

- RDS Radio 60%
(not a biggie, but it is showing up everywhere)

- Onstar Mirror on non navi TL's 80%
(Acura has finished toying around with Onstar,
and most likely will add it to all TLs)

- Dual Climate control 100%
(The competition has it, the TL will have it)

- 10 to 20 hp bump in power 100%
(All the other manufactuers have bumped up
the horsepower, Lexus, BMW, Infiniti, I expect
Acura will follow suit.)

- side mirror turn markers 25%
(this one might be a stretch)

- 7 speaker stereo system (optional) 75%
(Something to compete with everyone else)

- door handles will become pulls rather than current clams, 80%
(Look at MDX, seems to be the trend in cars of the class)

- Type S , will have a body kit difference and Type S Logoized
Floormats , and aluminum trim - 90%
(Seen the aluminum
show up in the CL-S 6spd. The TL-S is doing better
than expected, I see them giving it a bit more special
attention, and can afford to tool in some additional
changes for it.)

Possible but, wouldn't bet on it.

- a 3.5 TL & TL-S 50%
(This would be nice, the Infiniti has gone to the 3.5, with the
RL going to V8, they won't be stepping on the RL's toes, it
may also show up as a S-Type 3.5 only)

- 6 speed TL-S 40%
(I think if the CL-S 6 spd goes away, it may show up in
the TL-S, just for bragging rights in the major mags)

- SL Wagon 40%
(Everyone is putting out a wagon, not that Acura will,
but the new accord platform will have a wagon varient,
so it Honda/Acura is interested in wagons again. If
anything in the Acura fleet was going to be a wagon,
I would say it would have to be the TL would be it!)

- rear folding seat 10%
(I don't think people like carrying around the goods in
the acura but they might add this)

 

nice wishful thinking..... but I think there will be a good chance that the 2004 will get the 3.5 engine from the RL. Acura likes to use leftover parts, so if they bump the RL to a v8, then they have the 3.5 to work with for the 2004. At least I hope.

Also the 2002 TL has auto up and down on the drivers window already

Everything else you mentioned is really good.

 

I thinks it very likely that several of the features you mentioned will find their way to the 2004 model to help ensure it retains it's value and performance based competitive edge. My personal guess however (and it's just a guess) is that no significant sheet metal changes will occur on the TL-S before the 2005 model. If you are correct regarding the TL-S sales doing better than expected, and given the super-conservative nature of Acura, I think they may want to milk this and the success of the RSX for another year and just add a few more inducements to the TL-S while they decide on the fate of the CL. I believe that they do want to spice up the looks of the TL but I don't think they would be gutsy enough to radically change two models (CL & TL) in simultaneous or even back to back years.

 

The current TL-S body style is fine. Its just the headlights that i think horribly ugly. :yack:

 

hum.. I hate the new headlight and grill, it grows on me but still... I like the 99-01 way better...

I think there are gonna be a few things that we can look foward to.

1. folding rear seat, and perhaps more legroom at the back less trunk space. The Accord got more rear legroom then the TL, now!!!

2. small things like Trip computer, and perhaps compass on rearview mirror... that sorta of things.

3. as far as the engine and drive-train goes... I think the next gen. TL will easily have 240hp for the base model at least, and above 275 horses for the type-S model. It's very possible to see 250-260hp for the base, and around 300hp for the type-S model, but Acura will have to use AWD system. Which they already have with the MDX, and on the JDM accord.

I have a lot hope for the next gen. TL. And only time will tell what we gonna get with the next gen. TL...

 

I thought the current RL engine didn't have VTEC, no way would they make a new car without a VTEC enginge.

 

No my predictions but my wishes

- Auto up/down all windows and sunroof. you could make windows go up with the key from the outside if you leave one open.

- Auto headlights.

- Auto dimming side mirrors.

- Electronic steering column. With easy to exit feature and attach to the memory.

- 6sp manual transmission

- Some minor changes to the body, but nothing drastic. New handles. Like the ones on BMW, MB.

- AWD.....please please please.

- A better weight distribution. Closer to 50/50

- Smoother engine.

- Faster close to 300hp

- Engine spec display on Navi screen. Trip computer. How many miles before tank is empty.....etc.

- TV tuner on Navi screen, just like the saber.

- Offer more options to US costumers like Inspire. Cameras, etc.

- Keep the price under $38k this will be the best car ever built.

Come on HONDA you can do it.

 

you forgot about the stock lowering height with stock tein coiliovers and must not forget about the comptech supercharger from factory, whatelse oh yeah standard 6000k hid in both fogs and low beams and standard 19 inch rims.....

 

Not my concern. We could do that ourselves after we buy the car. You have to leave something to make your car more unique.

 

I will stick with MOTOR TRENDS predictions.
The TL models will have more EURO styling & better performance.
I also will stick with my predictions as what ever the RL has the TL will have alot of. This could be saftey stuff such as side curtain airbags. I also think it may have an all AWD or RWD drive platform.
I also think that if any of you have seen the pictures of that proto type car the Dualnote. This is a concept by HONDA that it may very well be the next TL. I have seen that car in the Magazines & on TV. It was even in a HONDA TV add but it was a bit more rounded.

 

i agree but my wallet dont..hahaha..

 

Im going to disagree on the wagon and the handles, I agree on most of the other stuff. I think the new headlights look ten times better than the old ones. The folding rear seat is a must, but what does acura know. I think it will incorporate a DVD player into the navi when the car is in park, just like lexus SUV. Also, I think they will beef up the tranny. Also, as my last prediction I think that a NOS fogger system will be standard, ala Fast and Furious.

 

i should have waited to get my car.