Edmonton Journal: 2004 Acura TL climbs to higher class of luxury
11-25-2003, 09:21 AM
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Edmonton Journal: 2004 Acura TL climbs to higher class of luxury
http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmon...8-276688D87978
2004 Acura TL climbs to higher class of luxury
TL an affordable alternative to high-end luxury cars
Brian Harper
Freelance
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
While there are countless thousands of Honda Accord owners who are perfectly happy with their super-reliable sedans, few would claim the exemplary four-door demonstrates anything approaching character.
I'm talking about the "driver's car" variety of appeal coveted by people who profess to be motoring enthusiasts, gear heads or car freaks and who feel mechanical transportation is capable of possessing a soul.
Even people who are turning to Acura's four-doors to receive their fix have occasionally been left wanting by the luxury-performance division's somewhat antiseptic approach to engineering. This does not prevent the automaker from designing and building superior automobiles, but they can prove less fulfilling.
Witness the bulls-eye Honda hit with the second-generation Acura 3.2TL, introduced in 1998 as an entry-level luxury sedan. Its low starting price and copious features gave the competition fits and its competence was judged high enough that the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada awarded it Car of the Year honours. But only unbridled optimism would call it an outstanding driver's car -- the Type S version that came out a couple of years ago did move it closer to the mark.
A buoyant luxury sedan market has meant an increase in the number of competitors, all nibbling away at the TL's market share. Into this environment comes the third-generation 2004 TL, showcasing not only increased levels of luxury and performance, but also designed, says Honda, as an affordable alternative to buyers shopping the higher-end of the luxury market, such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 -- "drivers' cars" both.
In dealing with the previous-generation TL's rep and the new model's climb to a higher class of luxury competition, Honda has dug deeper into the character stash than it has in a long time, starting with styling. Where Gen2 tended to blend in with the covert sweep of its curves, the 2004 TL wears crisp, more sharply defined sheet metal that is definitely European inspired -- BMW-ish with a dash of Alfa Romeo thrown in.
The new TL's athletic stance requires an equally agile powertrain to back it up. Honda stuck with the previous TL's 3.2-litre SOHC V6 but built onto the technology of the Type S engine. New aluminum alloy cylinder block and heads, a new crankshaft and pistons and the VTEC system help the engine produce 270 horsepower -- 10 more than the '03 TL3.2 Type S -- and a stronger, broader torque curve. A five-speed Sequential SportShift manumatic is standard with a close-ratio six-speed manual available with the optional Dynamic Package. The sporty TL is quick rather than fast with a smooth, linear flow of power to the front wheels. In six-speed form, the
1,623- kilogram TL will hit 100 kilometres an hour in 6.9 seconds. Fourth gear acceleration to 120 km/h from 80 takes 7.1 seconds.
Even the manumatic function proves mildly entertaining. A short push of the lever quickly and accurately upshifts the transmission. And, when stopped, the computer defaults to first gear, although it wimps out by automatically short-shifting to second when one takes off again if the driver fails to upshift in time.
Driving it with gusto, one would still be hard pressed to recognize the TL as a front-driver, for which the sedan's suspension can receive a share of the credit. The double-wishbone front and five-link double-wishbone rear might be standard fare for Honda, but they have been tweaked to produce a noticeable improvement in ride and handling.
Honda says both the front and rear suspensions have built-in "toe" gain when the suspension reacts to bumps, further stabilizing the chassis on chewed up roads and during cornering. The bonus is that this doesn't come at the expense of ride quality, which is firm, not severe. Naturally, there is a complement of electronic minders to keep the TL on the shiny black stuff. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are all standard. The brakes are particularly strong and will stop the car from 100 km/h in a short 36 metres.
Acura again borrows a page from BMW when it comes to interior execution, choosing a simple, uncluttered layout that is still a notch or two above the German automaker's typically Spartan affair. Perforated leather-trimmed seats, aluminum trim and wood accents imbue the TL cabin with an open, airy feeling. LED back-lit analogue instrumentation gives the driver easy access to information. The only area of the dashboard that is too busy with buttons is the centre stack, which, in the tester, held Acura's optional navigation system as well as the climate control and audio systems. Thankfully, there are redundant audio controls and cruise control on the steering wheel.
Honda is particularly proud of the new nav system's English/French voice recognition software, which it says includes approximately 8.7 million points of interest in Canada and the United States and recognizes 180 verbal commands.
The navigation system uses a large, eight-inch, multi-functional touch-screen display which provides crisp, clear map readouts.
The TL also offers as options several other new technologies, such as a HandsFreeLink Bluetooth wireless-linked telephone system and a DVD-audio sound system, which, I have been told by audiophile friends who have heard it, leaves goose bumps.
Taller drivers will find the TL's front-seat headroom and legroom more than acceptable. The eight-way power driver's bucket seat with two-way power-adjustable lumbar support proves exceedingly comfortable on longer journeys. Despite the slightly shorter length and wheelbase of the new TL as compared with the previous generation, a couple of rear-seat riders, at least those under six-feet-tall, should find the accommodations to their liking.
Primary safety features in the new car include dual front air bags, dual side air bags and side curtain air bags. For people who do a lot of night driving, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps are standard.
There is no doubt in my mind the '04 TL surpasses the previous TL Type S in terms of handling, performance, refinement and features. And that means the new model rises to the top ranks among entry-level luxury sedans such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Infiniti G35, all the more impressive for the TL considering it is front-wheel drive. Whether it is an affordable alternative to higher-end luxury cars depends on the importance placed on price -- the Acura starts at $40,800 -- versus technological sophistication, powertrain choices and panache -- yes, if it's the former; close but no cigar if it's the latter.
Is the new TL a driver's car? Let's just say I hated returning the keys to Honda.
THE SPECS
Type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive, luxury sedan
Engine: 3.2L SOHC V6
Power: 270 hp at 6,200 rpm; 238 lb./ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manumatic
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires: P235/45R17 all-season
Base price/as tested: $40,800/$44,000
Fuel economy, L/100 km: 11.6 city, 7.6 hwy.
Ran with fact box "The specs", which has been appended to this story.
2004 Acura TL climbs to higher class of luxury
TL an affordable alternative to high-end luxury cars
Brian Harper
Freelance
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
While there are countless thousands of Honda Accord owners who are perfectly happy with their super-reliable sedans, few would claim the exemplary four-door demonstrates anything approaching character.
I'm talking about the "driver's car" variety of appeal coveted by people who profess to be motoring enthusiasts, gear heads or car freaks and who feel mechanical transportation is capable of possessing a soul.
Even people who are turning to Acura's four-doors to receive their fix have occasionally been left wanting by the luxury-performance division's somewhat antiseptic approach to engineering. This does not prevent the automaker from designing and building superior automobiles, but they can prove less fulfilling.
Witness the bulls-eye Honda hit with the second-generation Acura 3.2TL, introduced in 1998 as an entry-level luxury sedan. Its low starting price and copious features gave the competition fits and its competence was judged high enough that the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada awarded it Car of the Year honours. But only unbridled optimism would call it an outstanding driver's car -- the Type S version that came out a couple of years ago did move it closer to the mark.
A buoyant luxury sedan market has meant an increase in the number of competitors, all nibbling away at the TL's market share. Into this environment comes the third-generation 2004 TL, showcasing not only increased levels of luxury and performance, but also designed, says Honda, as an affordable alternative to buyers shopping the higher-end of the luxury market, such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 -- "drivers' cars" both.
In dealing with the previous-generation TL's rep and the new model's climb to a higher class of luxury competition, Honda has dug deeper into the character stash than it has in a long time, starting with styling. Where Gen2 tended to blend in with the covert sweep of its curves, the 2004 TL wears crisp, more sharply defined sheet metal that is definitely European inspired -- BMW-ish with a dash of Alfa Romeo thrown in.
The new TL's athletic stance requires an equally agile powertrain to back it up. Honda stuck with the previous TL's 3.2-litre SOHC V6 but built onto the technology of the Type S engine. New aluminum alloy cylinder block and heads, a new crankshaft and pistons and the VTEC system help the engine produce 270 horsepower -- 10 more than the '03 TL3.2 Type S -- and a stronger, broader torque curve. A five-speed Sequential SportShift manumatic is standard with a close-ratio six-speed manual available with the optional Dynamic Package. The sporty TL is quick rather than fast with a smooth, linear flow of power to the front wheels. In six-speed form, the
1,623- kilogram TL will hit 100 kilometres an hour in 6.9 seconds. Fourth gear acceleration to 120 km/h from 80 takes 7.1 seconds.
Even the manumatic function proves mildly entertaining. A short push of the lever quickly and accurately upshifts the transmission. And, when stopped, the computer defaults to first gear, although it wimps out by automatically short-shifting to second when one takes off again if the driver fails to upshift in time.
Driving it with gusto, one would still be hard pressed to recognize the TL as a front-driver, for which the sedan's suspension can receive a share of the credit. The double-wishbone front and five-link double-wishbone rear might be standard fare for Honda, but they have been tweaked to produce a noticeable improvement in ride and handling.
Honda says both the front and rear suspensions have built-in "toe" gain when the suspension reacts to bumps, further stabilizing the chassis on chewed up roads and during cornering. The bonus is that this doesn't come at the expense of ride quality, which is firm, not severe. Naturally, there is a complement of electronic minders to keep the TL on the shiny black stuff. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are all standard. The brakes are particularly strong and will stop the car from 100 km/h in a short 36 metres.
Acura again borrows a page from BMW when it comes to interior execution, choosing a simple, uncluttered layout that is still a notch or two above the German automaker's typically Spartan affair. Perforated leather-trimmed seats, aluminum trim and wood accents imbue the TL cabin with an open, airy feeling. LED back-lit analogue instrumentation gives the driver easy access to information. The only area of the dashboard that is too busy with buttons is the centre stack, which, in the tester, held Acura's optional navigation system as well as the climate control and audio systems. Thankfully, there are redundant audio controls and cruise control on the steering wheel.
Honda is particularly proud of the new nav system's English/French voice recognition software, which it says includes approximately 8.7 million points of interest in Canada and the United States and recognizes 180 verbal commands.
The navigation system uses a large, eight-inch, multi-functional touch-screen display which provides crisp, clear map readouts.
The TL also offers as options several other new technologies, such as a HandsFreeLink Bluetooth wireless-linked telephone system and a DVD-audio sound system, which, I have been told by audiophile friends who have heard it, leaves goose bumps.
Taller drivers will find the TL's front-seat headroom and legroom more than acceptable. The eight-way power driver's bucket seat with two-way power-adjustable lumbar support proves exceedingly comfortable on longer journeys. Despite the slightly shorter length and wheelbase of the new TL as compared with the previous generation, a couple of rear-seat riders, at least those under six-feet-tall, should find the accommodations to their liking.
Primary safety features in the new car include dual front air bags, dual side air bags and side curtain air bags. For people who do a lot of night driving, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps are standard.
There is no doubt in my mind the '04 TL surpasses the previous TL Type S in terms of handling, performance, refinement and features. And that means the new model rises to the top ranks among entry-level luxury sedans such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Infiniti G35, all the more impressive for the TL considering it is front-wheel drive. Whether it is an affordable alternative to higher-end luxury cars depends on the importance placed on price -- the Acura starts at $40,800 -- versus technological sophistication, powertrain choices and panache -- yes, if it's the former; close but no cigar if it's the latter.
Is the new TL a driver's car? Let's just say I hated returning the keys to Honda.
THE SPECS
Type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive, luxury sedan
Engine: 3.2L SOHC V6
Power: 270 hp at 6,200 rpm; 238 lb./ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manumatic
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires: P235/45R17 all-season
Base price/as tested: $40,800/$44,000
Fuel economy, L/100 km: 11.6 city, 7.6 hwy.
Ran with fact box "The specs", which has been appended to this story.
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