Acura aficionados: How likely is it that Acura might make some cosmetic changes to the TL for 2011?

 

If Acura's history holds true, it's likely that minor cosmetic changes are possible, given that 4G TL will be in its 3rd year in 2011. How "minor" they are is up to Acura.

(Ie. When the TSX came out in 2004, minor cosmetic changes were given in 2006.)

IMHO, the 4G TL's progressive design will likely stay the same in 2011 and 2012, save some cosmetic refreshes. You would likely have to wait for the 5G TL if you want an entirely new design.

 

Acura last gen was MMC in year 4 so 2012 is when I woudl expect Type-S and some minor cosmetic changes.

 

And if they did do any cosmetic changes for 2011, I expect them to be limited to plastic only, no sheetmetal.

 

If what you're really asking is "Will Acura do anything about their new power plenum?" I think the answer is a definite no. They invested a significant amount of time, research and money into making this Acura's trademark, signature look.

Love it or hate it, it's probably here to stay.

And honestly, I hated it with a PASSION when I first saw it. But it grows on ya!

 

I definitely think there are plans to revise the grill on the TL, just not sure if they will make it for 2011 or 2012

 

Let's just hope it will fit the 2009 and 2010 models so that we have another alternative to the RJ grille. Not hating on the RJ one, always interested in seeing new options.

 

i just wanna see a 4g type-s .. i dont think acura will disapoint

 

+1. I think Acura has more staying power than we think.

 

Do you really think so? I am not sure how much farther we can push the old J Motor.

It's already at 11.2 C/R, 3.7 litres and we have high lobes on both cams.

I dunno.... Aren't we going to start milling into the water jackets?

I don't think I can foresee any re-tooling unless their survey comes back with a resounding negative impression of the Keen Edge Dynamic.

This limits them to simple changes that don't require too many changes in the tooling...and if we're talking about just replacing the grille, everything I've seen so far is worse than the original.

 

Well, in terms of the years.....

99, 00, 01 = 2nd Gen
02, 03 = 2nd Gen MMC

04, 05, 06 = 3rd Gen
07, 08 = 3rd Gen MMC

I would imagine

09, 10, 11 = 4th Gen
12, 13 = 4th Gen MMC


Also, i would assume for the 4th gen MMC, we can expect

- New/Updated Headlights and/or Taillights
- New/Updated Grille / Trim
- New/Updated Wheel options
- New/Updated Dash/MID
- Slightly larger engine/power... Most likely a Type-S addition (hopefully)

My

 

If they wanted to bore it more, they could always move to FRM. However, not sure how smooth such a large V6 would be.

 

Acura has never given 3 versions of the same TL model IIRC plus it doesn't seem financially smart to do it this way because you increase production prices too. The only way they can make a Type-S is decreasing the weight of the TL and increase the displacement at the same time, which I don't see happening. If it does happen, I have got to believe the 3.5L or 3.7L is dead. I would bet on the 3.7L to further distinguish between luxury and sport. JMO

 

The move i would predict, based on Acura's timid business moves (which in turn, make them the smartest car company)

2012 - 2013

Acura 3.5L TL FWD
Acura 3.7L TL-S AWD 5AT/6MT

No more SH-AWD Non Type-S

Think of the 3G

04 - 06 3G 5AT
04 - 06 3G 6MT

07-08 3G 5AT
07-08 3G Type-S 5AT/6MT

They are probably just going to beef up the SH-AWD model and use it as the Type-S, but some more model specific trim features on it, over the 4G Base...

As for a power plant, god knows if they will ever FINALLY catch on using F/I... a nice 3.2L or 3.5L Turbo would be bad-ass... and still a timid/non-aggressive change to their line up

Acura will finally have the power to compete with the already produced sedans from BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Audi etc.... Of course by that time, those companies will be using F/I V8's

 

I say 2012 to fit Acura's previous MO.

That's about the timeframe in which I will be looking for a new daily driver and I think it would be great to have a "TL-S" model. The overall shape of the new TL is finally growing on me, though the grille is still not to my liking. At least we have an option to mod it now, and rumors that Acura might release its own grille mod, so I'm a happier camper. The TL is back on my "would consider" list.

 

The only cosmetic change I would love to see, and the one change (IMHO) that would help the car immensely, is to reduce the size of the grill so that the top grill edge lines up with the top edge of the headlights....like the rest of the damn line up. On the MDX or TSX the front of the car is much more congruent, more pleasing to look plenum and all. Like this pic: Now that's a good looking front end!

Will this come next model year? I agree, probably not...

 

That does look nice!

 

damn those HPTs are sexy. maybe ill just buy those in the summertime...

 

Those wheels are gorgeous. Acura should put the 18" SH-AWD wheels on the base TL and make the HPTs standard on the SH-AWD TL.

 

That's interesting. I like both the 19" and 18" OEM wheels, but I personally think that the 18" SH-AWD wheels (that are also optional on the FWD Tech cars) are just about the best looking OEM wheels that Honda has ever designed!

I did not realise when I bought my car that it was an option to get the dealer to install 19" wheels with all season tyres. I thought at the time that the 19" wheels were only with HPT.

I might've opted for 19" + all seasons if I'd been told about it, or if it had occurred to me to ask about it.

But I certainly don't like the 19" wheels enough to pay the close to $3,000 it'd take to do it after the fact!

:-)

 

would be nice if they brought back the milano red or even some sort of red for the 6MT acura's

 

My TL originally came with 19" HPT summers.

I negotiated to have the summers replaced with all seasons; pacific northwest weather is too unpredictable and I didn't want to deal with swapping tires. I was told the dealer literally had to eat the cost of replacing the tires, which I believed. The dealer replaced the summer tires with high performance all seasons Michelins.

Little did I know I would end up keeping the 19" rims, as I thought I would be getting 18" rims

But I agree, the 19" rims are very nice OEM wheels.

 

Well. There's a sort of red available. :-)



They call it "Mayan Bronze." No idea why this colour is Mayan.

 

The Barcalona Red was real nice, I find the 4G colors very muted and dark and in anything but bright sunlight I am not impressed with any of the current colors.

 

How about WDP?

 

I have to say that I have always found the 4G TL controversy very amusing, considering that it was an Acura customer survey that told Acura that the people wanted a more controversial design.

 

While the 4G TL was introduced at a weak spot in the overall premium car market, exterior styling (especially the power plenum grill) is hurting TL sales. The TL should be a high volume seller (75,000+ in annual sales), and as it is now, I'm doubting the current look of the TL can move that many units. The interior is solid, as is performance, value, and features. I agree a lot of investment has been made in that look, and other models now bear that look as well, but a toned down pp grill seems to be a certainty. I imagine the sooner the better, and 2011 seems to be a good target.