What features would you like to see in the next generation TL? This is not just a poll, but an opportunity to potentially influence engineering efforts of both Acura and their OEM for the Navigation System. Background follows:

I have a long standing relationship (over 20 years) with American Honda including a good friend who works at Honda Corporate in Torrance. He was so impressed with my new TL that he called to tell me he's getting one himself.

Talking to him tonight about Acurazine, we ended up discussing some ideas for additional features owners here have mentioned. We started out with additional capabilities that could be incorporated in the Navigation system and he offered to take suggestions back to Honda's engineers.

Since it seems I was "volunteered" to compile recommendations to forward to Honda engineers through my contacts, I'd like to open this up beyond the Navigation System features and include general suggestions for incorporation in next generations.

Please - this is NOT a thread for bashing Acura, but a means of constructively offering suggestion for improvement.

 

ooh, sounds fun & interesting

i'll make a (old) suggeston:

How about making the key fob all-in-one? if i am not mistaken, most of the luxory cars have key that's just 1 piece rather than carrying a key and a remote. Carrying the key in my pocket i can feel the key rubbing on the remote...bothers me a bit.

better yet, keyless ignition system!

 

how about, i suggest:

making bluetooth universal across the acura line

having hopefully better resolution fast proc on navi v2.0

mp3: intregated dvd/hdd based mp3 (it's about time!), or usb plug to stick in a 1GB usb key

drop the rsx to honda class - bump the s2000 to acura coupe

that's all for now

 

1. Single key/fob together in one piece
2. Optional keyless entry
3. Rear wheel drive
4. Dimming outside mirrors
5. End contract with Bridgestone
and lastly what i would LOVE to see as an option or in the next generation
6. A-Spec Concept body style, grille,lower grille, tail pipes, lip spoiler, and tail lights

 

All-Wheel drive
300+hp Hybrid Motor Standard
Back Massagers (hehe)
Rain Sensing wipers
Automatic rear sunshade
Convertable Option
A switch from XM to Sirius as the Satellite provider
A trunk release handle
Remote Start / All in one key FOB

That's it for now...

 

This DOES blur the line between the two doesn't it?

How about the 1.7 EL in Canada? An Acura cheaper than an Accord?? I mean I have one but I still think it (Acura) should be an upscale brand as opposed to just an option "further than the EX".

In Canada anyway, have an auto light sensor. Canadian cars are neat 'coz they have DRL (Daytime Running Lights) by law. The problem is, some cars like the newer Acura/ Honda have electro-luminescent gauges that display the same day or night. And a lot of Canadian drivers have the tendency NOT to turn on the lights 'coz they think it's already on. And there's nothing more annoying than one coming towards you with the high beams (low current) on and no other lights.

That usb port for drives is a plus (for mp3 music anyway).

Maybe a small power inverter built in so we can use plug-in phone chargers for PDA/ Cell phones.

Split fold-down seats for the TL. Makes it more versatile. Even rear reclining/ heated seats would be nice (asking too much).

Heated steering wheel.

Head-up display.

An AWD option fro the TL 6M Dynamic Pkg.

An option for leather AND suede seats.

Rear window and rear door shades.

An option to use lower octane fuel since the prices are not going any lower.

 

1. All-in-one keyfob
2. Auto headlights on/off with delay
3. MP3 player in addition to standard audio equipment
4. More horsepower/torque

 

Washer Fluid Low warning.
Built in compass.

 

MP3 compatibility (the technology isn't going away anytime soon)
AWD
Pass through rear seats
more torque
reverse camera to Nav

 

All minor things here:

1) Ability to voice-control the MID (e.g., "Display Miles to Empty")

2) Navi learns that a new road is present when breadcrumbs go across same area multiple times

3) Ability to tell Navi not to use a particular road (e.g., I-66 inside the Beltway, which is HOV-2 during rush hour; last night it wanted to send me that way but I was by myself and had to force a reroute)

4) High-beam and wiper controls go back to traditional Honda operation (twist knob for wipers; pull stalk towards you to turn on high-beams instead of pushing it away from you). After 13 years of driving Hondas/Acuras with the old system, the TL threw me for a loop the first few weeks with the different controls.

5) CD storage shelf below the radio is sized bigger so as to accommodate DVD-A cases, which are fractionally bigger than CD jewel boxes

6) Owner's manual storage case is resized so as to fit in the glove compartment without having to fiddle around

 

Although some of this is already mentioned, mentioning it again might be taken as more people want it....

1) MP3 cd/dvd capibile head unit
2) text feed from FM stations displayed (not sure what it is called, but even my brother's 98 explorer has it)
3) higher watt stereo...when you have all the windows open, vol 40 isn't that loud...(tsx has more power)
4) keyless ignition/push button that just detects a fob and will start up (all-in-one key isn't as good, but I would take it)
5) rear backup camera on navi screen
6) dvd movie playback on navi screen using the 6 cd in dash drive (if I have to be parked, that is fine)

would be nice:
1) diming side mirrors, if there is someone with bright lights behind you at night, you still see the reflection in your side mirror, the dimming rearview is great, but this will still blind you.
2) HFL linking to cell phone's address book, HFL better recognizing the difference between "xxxxxx cell" and "yyyyyyy cell" or... "brian cell" and "voicemail".
3) hybrid engine option

 

compass
blinking side-marker lights
AWD option, with more power/torque
Better storage for DVD-A disks

 

-scrolling display on the radio head unit (non-navi)
-ability to display FM radio station names/song titles (I'm not sure what the tech is called, but it is standard on several other cars already)
-compass
-heated/cooled seats
-larger glove box

 

I like all the suggestions everyone has made, but I wonder how practical they are. The car will end up costing a lot more with more features. Are you willing to pay more for your next TL?

One improvement I would like to see made is the ability to raise height of the passenger seat.

 

"Major" suggetions:

1. 300+ hp and more torque on an AWD platform
2. Better subwoofer (ie, more bass) - otherwise, factory stereo is AWESOME
3. Hybrid option (with 300hp and AWD would be cool)

"Minor" suggestions:

1. Pass-through rear seats
2. A little more storage space
3. All-in-one keyfob
4. One touch windows up/down for all windows

 

1) All in one Keyfob
2) Navi w/ rear view
3) Fold down rear seats
4) Fog Lights moved to lower grilles
5) More comprehensive trip computer
6) Memory paired tilt / telescoping wheel
7) Doors that do not attack!
8) Interior construction to match the high style & components

 

I keep hearing "a compass". I assume you guys are non-navi people, right?

 

That or they don't have a sense of direction...

 

That's a good one that I meant to put on my list and forgot. As with most of the others on my list, it shouldn't raise the cost of the car either. I rode in the passenger seat for the first time last week and it was kinda low compared to how I have the driver's seat adjusted.

 

How about a receptacle in the overhead console for sunglasses?

 

Yes, EpiK, I am a non-navi owner.

 

We have an overhead console??

 

1. Fold-down rear seatback with pass-thru
2. Duo-angle pass. side outside rear view mirror, and add self-dimming feature
3. More adjustments on pass. seat
4. DRLs
5. Rear seat area power outlet
6. Eliminate the "not an ashtray" bins or convert them into something useful
7. Add mpg feature to navi
#1 might be expensive to accomplish, the rest are not

 

Regarding item 6), tapes fit in that bin pretty well........

(waits for flames from the MP3 crowd)

 

Yeah, but try to fit anything in the bin in the back seat area.
What's a mp3? lol

 

Never sat back there, so I have no idea!

 

1. Fold-down rear seatback
2. Dimming side mirrors
3. Go back to "I decide when" shifting into OD like 2nd Gen.
4. Bigger Rear turn signals
5. Blinking side markers
6. Back to Chrome-like front grill or stronger material used
7. Re-think 2 Bins in dash behind stick - put something else there or make them easier to get in while in Park etc.
8. Add a massage feature in addition to the heated seats
9. No spring loaded door cover for power outlet
10. Moonroof shade that stays open in place like 2nd Gen.
11. Fog lights down low
12. Smarter Brightness on dash when lights are on but still kinda bright outside - dash should override your dim setting and go 100% bright to be seen easier in daylight.
13. FM radio that tells you the artist and song like XM (not that I will ever go back to FM!)
14. A lug wrench that has the locking lug tool built in on one side
15. More presets on XM
16. More adjustments on pass. seat
17. Lining or insulation on the side pockets on doors and the storage bins in dash
18. Slightly bigger center console to hold CD cases without leaving a gap for them to slide around
19. A slide in power outlet not hidden behind little doors - make it like the flap inside a gas tank neck.

 

Bigger size tires (perhaps 19's) and different alloy style on 6mt model
Climate-contolled seats
A-Spec prototype-like taillamps
Memory-linked radio station presets based on driver
LED interior lighting
Adaptive Front Lighting (pivots the headlamp )
Laser cruise control

I can dream, can't I?

 

1. Keyless ignition (Like the RL)
2. Navtraffic
3. MP3 player support
4. SH-AWD
5. Option to use Sirius
6. Heads up display
7. Heated steering wheel
8. Real leather? Not butt print leather
9. More HP
10. Backup cam would be cool - not necessary
11. Nav screen to display song title from CD (My FX35 could do that and I liked it)
12. Real glove box
13. Oh, I almost forgot, lose the rattles.
14. Free upgrade to the new model, just for the suggestions!

 

I thought they already were...? I guess I don't know, it is very rare somebody else drives my car.

Nooooooooooooooooooooo. Never. Pisses my radar detector off. (Had this in the FX35, I had to put duct tape over the laser thing to stop my V1 from going off)

 

In order of priorties.
1. No rattles
2. More HP and Torque >300/300 with SH-AWD
3. Cooled and heated seats
4. Mp3 player

 

Here is my list. Some have been mentioned, some not. Some is simple and some outrageous and would probably make it unatainable on my budget:


Performance

--optional SH or AWD or SH-AWD
--or RWD
--more low-end torque
--available SMG


Entertainment

--mp3 playback
--more XM presets
--optional DVD video entertainment w/screen in the headrests like the Jags
--plays on the nav screen as well when in park
--DVD's played via the in-dash 6-disc
--better sub-woofer


Interior

--less gap where doors meet the dash
--less road/wind noise (but not complete seclusion like lexus)


Exterior

--flashing side markers (might be redundant since turn signals can be seen from many angles)
--option to allow both mirrors to tilt when in reverse
--better finish on the grill
--lose the pontiac exaust tips


Overall

--Better build quality (our other honda and our former one were better built and were both japanese)
--Can't think of anything else. Lots of the things on my list are a bit nit picky. We are very happy with our TL so far.

 

No all in one key fob!!!!!!! NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!

If is was an all in one key fob what would I do with it when I went to the beach???


As it is now I can leave the fob and take the key in my board shorts pocket. But an all in one would be ruined by salt water!!!!

Maybe if the put a code lock on the door so you didn't need the key or the fob to get in.

 

vikrampatel, how about I trade you the laser cruise control for rain sensing wipers then?

 

1. better steering handling like lexus
2. remote/auto steering adjustment
3. standard A-Spec with no increase in price (i hope!!!)
4. signal lights on side mirrors (ex. benz, tsx)

that's it for now!

 

Split folding (60/40) rear seat
Ability to play DVDs encoded with Dolby Digital,DTS (no Video) just music (i.e. a lot of concert DVDs out there that we should be able to play in our cars, since we have a 5.1 discrete sound system.)
Dimming outside mirrors
Automatic on/off headlights
Keyless Entry pad on door (like Ford uses) Best feature available - once you use it, you will be hooked. Don't know why more manufacturers don't do this

 

Thats a good idea. lol

 

AWD 300+ hp/More Torque

TL coupe/and coupe convertable

Baby blue tinted windows just like the Mercedez.

More color selection

Fewer blind spots

3 inch shorter

Keyless touch entry

Fold Down Rear Seats

Standard 18 inch wheels

All in one Key Fob

DVD player

3 spoke Steering wheel

 

What about a better alarm on the car? Remember the guy who had his car almost stolen if it wasn't for his neighbor since the alarm didn't go off?

 

Like what though? If somebody wants to steal the car, they are going to steal it no matter what alarm you have on it. I guess onstar would be cool to be able to locate your stolen car - although when I think about that, I'm not so sure I would want it back after it's been stolen, taken out for joyrides, and stripped down.

Not sure....