P1zzaman

iTrader: (1)

Because "China will grow LARGAAA" -C&C Generals

SMILEY

I think it looks similar to the AURA as well. Hmmm just like ACURA without the C lol...

Type34

Yes Marketing 101 says the only thing worse than a negative response is no response. Thus far, people have responded (mags/internet). The problem here is that Acura has already established itself as a conservative brand that predicated it's identity on reliability, luxury, and clean design.

There's a reason people can identify a 1978 300D as well as a 2008 CLS as both Mercedes Benz models - evolutionary, conservative updates to a well established brand identity.

I think Acura is messing with a proven formula here with the beak grilles and overly angular character lines...the '09 RL especially is just awful...

cbusAcuracls

^^^^

Amen!!!

cyborgen

^^^^^ Halleluiah !!!
lol

This is a bad design. They're going backwards as they should leave the hard angular character lines to the regular Honda line or american brands (Cadillac).

This price point for Japanese models usually dictates distinction through subtle , elegant and classy curves which I don't see at all. (Unless they've dropped the price ?). Looks like GM hired all the good designers... check this out:

Buick Riviera Concept
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detro...oncept/574086/

cbusAcuracls

Nah GM just copied Nissian....






Anyways..Hopefully Acura comes up with a better TL design in the next couple years.

cyborgen

Nice !!!

If I had to buy now.. It would be Infiniti !

whatjones911

I dunno if it was annouced that it will have a hard drive to store music but there is!!!
If you look closely in the interior pics, there is a button labeled "HDD"

whatjones911

I think the buttons on the center console should be all black. The titanium/gunmetal color for the navi buttons cheapens the look.

Ana Gaba

Acura will notice the lost of their clients... its tooo badd !

tabeytabe

I travel a lot for work and happened to be heading down US33 past the Honda plant this morning and someone drove an '09 TL onto the road and was driving right beside me. I only got 1 pic because my co-worker who took it is an idiot and couldn't get the camera to work right (i was driving). He was only beside us for about a mile and then he got off on the next exit (probably to turn around and go back to the plant). It was pretty sweet, but I really don't like that grill!!
But anyway, here's the pic...

pres586

Thanks Acura =]

By making the 4G TL look fugly, you successfully may have raised the resale value / decreased depreciation on 3G TLs

krio

ENOUGH:angryfire
I was an owner of a TL 05 for 3 years.
Yes, I loved my car. So much.
And I read that many owners of the 3gn are repeating the same song in these threads: HOW good and great that the 4GN looks ugly comparing to the 3 one...
Maybe it's true. Maybe the 4GN is a shit of car.
BUT I don't see only ONE reason for being happy about this fact.
No one reason for me, for you, and for the future of Acura at all...

whatjones911

That red one might be the china version. Notice the wider license plate area compared to the other spy photos

NTP66

Here's my reason for being happy about it: Hopefully, enough people agree that it looks awful and sales drop enough for them to do another makeover in a year or two. Long shot? Absolutely. But, I'll hang onto that hope, because the 4G is a huge disappointment to me.

And to those who are going to respond to me with "wait 'till you see it in person" - save your breath. Nothing is going to change my opinion of the car at this point. I've seen enough pictures to know that I'd never buy the car. Unless the 4G's grille and rear end magically change when you see it in person, that won't do any good.

cbusAcuracls

eh. looks kinda bland. Almost like a Altima side profile w/ Camry tailights.
Acura's "Advance" theme should be "Mediocre"
Not happy with Acura's design team.. . They could have came up w/ something better / original.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

The car isnt that good looking. And im sure 99% of the ppl who have posted in here arent going to buy one, but on a serious note. This car is going to sell like hot cakes. Everyone says , "Oh it looks like a Camry, Oh it looks like an Altima" Well you know all of those cars sell ass loads. And for not much more on the price tag you are getting one hell of a nice interior with a lot of features and some good power along with low emmisions and good fuel economy(base model) Im sure this thing will sell just like the 3G (which is ugly IMO but thats just me) it may not appeal to us but I'm sure the general public will love it and all we(bashers) can do is pray they come out with something that takes all of our breaths away.

rondog

iTrader: (1)

I have a feeling that Acura is trying to move all the cars to a slightly larger classification in order to introduce smaller models. The TSX has been enlarged and is now in the 30K range, as is the new TL, so they will probably be eager to fill the spots in some way.

AMROCKS

Whats with the reflector/4th brake light under the tag mount? Must be a china version there is no XM antenna either.

NTP66

The Camry starts at $18,500. My guess is that the 4G will start at around $40k. The Camry also gets better gas mileage than the current TL (and will most-likely get even better gas mileage than the 4G). That's why they sell. Well, that and the fact that the Camry appeals to a completely different demographic. I'm willing to be that people looking at buying a Camry sure as hell aren't also considering a TL. Same goes for the Altima, for that matter.

mayflowerman

No drive-by-wire. Must be a stick....

The RL or M45 is looking better with every post.

rob-2

Price is up, call it inflation peeps.

Acura comes out with designs I generally dont like the first time I see them, but in time they are liked. We must also remember that in a big way us Acura owners are the minority. Toyota has a more succesful line both Toyota and Lexus (which was launched after Acura). If anyone knows what they are doing its Toyota, and most of their designs I dont like.

So as I take a little humble pie, I realize my opinion stinks and really isn't worth all 39 pages. Us current Acura owners are not likely their growing target customer. They are looking to get the people who want a camry or altima but with better options. Where I think Acura brings alot to the table is in their interior spaces with are much nicer IMHO then others. THey seem to fall short with their exterior designs, though the 3G TL was the second best selling sports sedan, BMW 3series being #1.

Toyota is out growing Honda, even here where honda has a better MPG line up. So Acura HAS to do something drymatic to change it's direction.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

The XLE 3.5 V6 Camry starts at $28,000. thats without leather and lots of other goodies. It also gets 21/31 MPG. TL's sell cause they get great gas mileage for the size and power as well. Im also talking about the 3.5 V6 09 TL not the SHAWD version. Im sure that will start aorund 36K. So like I said for 10K more you get a nicer, faster, equally as economical vehicle. They do appeal to a diff demographic but people looking at a loaded Camry may be swayed towards a TL for some extra bucks a month. But let me get back on topic before the Mods come rolling thru.

I pray the Aspec or Type S version will be alot easier on the eyes.

TL_rcr

THAT is nice. Thanks!

JAB00

^^That rump may grow on me^^

nhousepro

Acura's technology will save them with this 4G TL! The design is not so hot, especially with the 4G TL looking similar to other already produced cars; ie Lexus GS, Saturn, Camry and etc. The 40K price will also hinder sales a little. I would really like to know the marketing strategy on this one.

mike05

That red TL doesnt look like a U.S market one cause as whatjones911 pointed out the wider license plate, plus the lack of sat. radio fin on top, and the side mirror seems really big compared to the press release pic.

albeik

Maybe its the BASQUE RED PEARL based on this color chart?
http://vtec.net/news/news-image?image=769060/09tlcc.jpg

tabeytabe

Hmm, do they make the overseas version in Marysville? Or do they just have one/some there to test?

TL_rcr

it's time for Acura to release more offical photos.

timmahh

Isn't the current TL exported to China? Just like the Toyota factory in Cali makes Tacomas, Corollas, Matrixes, and Vibes - they also make the Volt or whatever and send it overseas.. I'm guessin maybe the Marysville Ohio plant does the same for the current and next gen TL?

tabeytabe

Yeah, probably...
Heck I didn't even know they made TLs at the Marysville plant until recently, I thoght they just made civics and Accords... and I used to work out there (but at the motorcycle plant in East Liberty)!

timmahh

Someone go on a snipe hunt in Marysville Ohio near the acura factory tonight!

sybaek3

Ugly.

tabeytabe

I'll be on my way back past there tomorrow evening... Maybe I'll get lucky and catch another one driving down the road!

I actually know a lot of guys that work at the plant there (Honda is a big employer of people in my home town), I wonder how hard it would be for them to sneak some photos...

beenief

Saw the new RL yesterday in a dealership and it is one of the ugliest cars I have ever set my eyes on, if the new TL looks anything like it does, its toast!

cbusAcuracls

What is your hometown? I use to live in Hilliard and yes there was alot of people in that area that worked at Honda.
I live in Gahanna now so its a bit of a drive for me now.

havenlock

I wonder what the new 4 door sedan they're talking about is. Maybe IT will look better than the 4GTL

http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/08/04...ng-before-nsx/

EL19

iTrader: (4)

fixed

tabeytabe

I'm from Urbana...
I actually live in Blacklick now, so i'm right next to you!