Accord EX-L V6
3.5-litre, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC® V-6
HP- 271@6200rpm
lb ft torque- 254@5000rpm

TL
3.5-litre, 24-valve SOHC VTEC® V-6
HP - 280@6200rpm
lb ft torque - 254@5000rpm

Why does the TL have 9 more HP?

What is the difference between the i-VTEC and the VTEC?

Why does the TL require premium fuel and the Accord only asks for regular?

Under the bonnets they both look the same beside the different logos and they fact that they TL has a bunch of goofy plastic surrounding it.....

 

Maybe the I-VTEC vs VTEC !??

 

You pay motre for the i...LOL!

 

WOW! You guys really hit the nail on the head......

 

Accord uses regular gas and it also has VCM which may account for some loss.

 

So technically, you could run a TL on regular? What is VCM?

 

Variable Cylinder Managament, it shuts down up to 3 cylinders, Odyssey has had it from some time, my understanding is you have to really be light in the pedal for it to do its thing.

I beleive the TL manual states the TL can use regular for short periods, they got away from defining the specific period, maybe after the gas crunch in the SE last year.

 

IIRC, i-VTEC only uses variable cam timing on the intake, while VTEC has it on both. My guess would be that the power loss comes from a more restricted exhaust and maybe intake in the Accord to limit cabin noise. A shame, if you ask me.

 

I think you have it backwards. IIRC, it's the "intelligen" VTEC that changes timing on both intake/exhaust sides.

 

is it? I know the K24s have i-VTEC so I always thought the J-series had VTECs.

Wiki says that SOHCs have VTEC on the intake side, i-VTEC has VTEC on the intake cam of DOHCs, but on the K-series, it's got it on both the intake and exhaust? Guess you're right

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-VTEC

 

The engine in the Accord doesn't really have i-VTEC. It's just a marketing gimmick. All it means is that engine has VCM. The "i" stands for intelligent, so by being able to deactivate some cylinders, I guess that's "intelligent"? Temple of VTEC (TOV) tested the Accord V6 and it only puts down around 210whp. The VCM really hurts the performance.

The TL needs premium fuel because of its higher compression ratio. If you use regular fuel, the ECU will retard the ignition timing (and thus less power) to prevent engine knock from happening. In the last generation Accord, it requires regular fuel, but if you put in premium fuel, the engine actually makes more power as shown by a dyno test by TOV.

 

Well put. Thank you for a decent answer.

 

This is an interesting press release about noise vibration and harshness. They talk about engineering the TL.

My sales guy said it has triple seals on all the doors, more noise dampening materials, acoustic glass to cut down wind noise.

Granted this release is more about difference betweent the 3G and 4G TLs.

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/733/releases/4677

 

And this has what to do with the engines?

 

well... from what i know (and i could be slightly wrong)

the FWD TL, has VTEC on only the intake, well the 3.7L AWD TL , has VTEC on the Intake and Exhaust...

I dont think I-VTEC only means that you both intake/exhaust... i believe I-VTEC was supposed to be over a broader RPM range, (K Series Engines) to provide a linear power band... VTEC by itself, at least in the Hondas/Acuras i've owned, is a short burst of power, that is more powerful

the new 3.7L Engine is a marvel of Acura (Hondas) new development.... Although the car isnt fast, I am sure this is an amazing advancement for the J Series Engine, and I know CT-E will be making a s/c'er for it...


unfortunately, its still only SOHC

 

If you check out the Wiki link, it says i-VTEC in the K-series is meant to improve fuel economy in the low revs and increase power in the high revs. So you're right in that it is over a broader rpm range, but the reasons are slightly different.

 

my ex-gf had a i4 accord, then a TSX, and ive had RSX & TSX loaners a few times...

My experience, is those cars are obvisouly "slower" because of displacement and what not, but the i-VTEC keeps the car going...

I had a PT cruiser for work, for a few weeks.... 4 cylinder. that thing was terrible.. you floored it, and it moved, but barely.. then sort of died mid-range and higher...

the iVTEC like in the K series engines, i feel kicks in very early (maybe 3.5-4k RPM) and holds true to redline..

Ive had a 3.2L TL, 3.5L TL & 3.7TL... my current gf also has the 3.2 CL-S, and the VTEC is higher rpm usually (4800-5000RPM) and IMO dies just BEFORE redline...

point of that story, is i feel those are the "characteristics" that define the difference between the two, from at least a drivers standpoint...

VTEC - Short lived, very dramatic power increase, high end

iVTEC - spread evenly over a broader RPM range, with less "dramatic" feel and results

 

You are welcome Melba Toast

i-VTEC has continously variable valve phasing. In the end, like BLACKURA_NY is saying, it improves torque output at any rpm and there is less "dramatic" feel when VTEC "kicks in."

One of the design goals of the J series is to make a V6 as compact and lightweight as possible. With this in mind, SOHC was chosen. It's still one of the smallest/lightest V6's out there. I also think they have chosen SOHC high peak power isn't the main goal. With that said, it would be sweet to have a DOHC version of the engine for sportier models

 

They do, it's called the C30 and C32, haha

 

lol, I meant, something like...J32B...haha

 

The two main differences are:

1. compression ratio. accord is 10.5:1 and TL is 11.2:1
2. premium vs regular fuel

 

The way I see, they are exactly the same car, not cosmetically speaking, but, seems to me that they both share the same engine, just minor tweak on the Acura side, and then the enterior, the dashboard placement seems to be very much alike, the LCD of the Navigation and tons of buttons...

Even the windows frame shapes looks pretty much alike... Oh, both got lots of chrome everywhere....

 

well considering that they're both on the same platform, you'd expect there to be some significant similarities.

 

Here's some other similarities:

• They both have four wheels
• They both come with a steering wheel.
• The have climate control systems.
• Gas pedals
• Brakes
• An audio system.

There's clearly little question that they are identical.

 

Not even close. Traded my 08 V6 Accord Coupe for the 4G TL. Much smoother power. Take off and passing power are night and day. Loved the Accords body style but after i test drove the TL I couldn't even leave the dealership in the Accord. Not sure why must be because of the variable cylinder mgmt on the Accord. I think it really kills the performance.

 

My family owns an 03 accord and 09 odyssey and my 09 TL tech is the first premium brand in the family and I all agree that the TL is a major step up.
- The leather and dashboard are softer to the touch, not like the hard plastic on honda cars.
- The car overall feels better put together
- Much better sound insulation
- Probably the best sound system at this price range and my opinion rivals others in higher price ranges, with the possible exception of the genesis
- Much more sporty ride.
- The prestige factor of driving an acura vs. a honda

The list can go on and on but even looking at just features alone, you're getting a more equipped car than a fully pimped out accord. Again all this is subjective but IMO, you're getting a nicer experience and of course, paying for it. The accord is a fine car and can be most things to most ppl. I was looking for a better experience and the TL nailed it.

 

The biggest similarity between the 4D Accord and TL are that you have to trick
your mind in a way that makes you believe that it looks good.