Metro Canada Review: 2009 Acura TL -- Small Changes, Big Difference
10-23-2008, 05:12 PM
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Metro Canada Review: 2009 Acura TL -- Small Changes, Big Difference
Small changes, big difference
Robert Bientema for Metro Canada
22 October 2008 03:02
The 2009 Acura TL, bigger, with more power, more poise and now available with SH-AWD or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
The Acura TL debuted in 1995 with what would become the gradual evolution of Honda Accord-based efforts, but it’s the third-generation version that really caught the attention of Acura aficionados with its techno-loaded combination of angular design and dynamically muscular performance.
The 2009 Acura TL, bigger, with more power, more poise and now available with SH-AWD or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
Yes, there’s been contentment in Acuraville. But if you pressed the TL faithful, they just might admit to a small wish list requesting more of the same – more power, more handling, a more distinctive look and, what the heck, maybe a little more rear seat room while we’re at it.
So, with the latest generation design, still handsome as it is, now in its fifth year, a reworking was inevitable. Which was why Canadian automotive journalists trekked to New York for the recent unveiling of the new fourth-generation 2009 Acura TL.
So, let’s start with size.
The 2009 Acura TL is noticeably larger – 156 mm (6 inches) longer, 30 mm (1.8 inches) wider and 10 mm (0.5 inches) taller. And that bigger body rests on a wider track and a 34 mm (1.4 inches) longer wheelbase, all of the latter applied to a stretch of rear seat room. There’s also more trunk room, a larger double-deck glove box, a sliding drawer in the centre armrest and new centre console pockets.
The size increase results are obvious – more interior room and more poise on the road. Yet the size increase has been managed with minimal weight gain and it has not hampered the TL’s inherent sportiness.
Which brings us to power and performance. And the one factor that has always sort of sidelined the TL as the wallflower at the sport sedan dance – front-wheel-drive.
While the European originators of the sport sedan niche have remained true to the balance credo of front-wheel-steering and rear-wheel-drive, also inspiring other Japanese brands like Lexus and Infiniti to follow their lead, Acura remained the only premier brand to dig in its heels and stick with front-wheel power. But as those competitors have begun to push performance further with new all-wheel drive offerings, Acura can now meet them on a level playing field with their own SH-AWD, or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
The 2009 Acura TL will be available in two models – TL and TL SH-AWD
The SH-AWD, available on the TL for the first time, is primarily a front-wheel-drive system that can shift up to 70 per cent of power to the rear wheels under acceleration. In fact, it can shift torque to any wheel. On your favourite twisties, the system can also distribute more torque to the outside rear wheel to create a “yaw moment” to help the TL turn in more quickly and precisely - while also continuously apportioning drivetrain power from front to rear and left to right. There’s an obvious reduction of the torque-steering feel inherent to the base front-wheel-drive model and the result is balanced performance that offers more than just all-weather security.
Corresponding to those two model choices are two different all-aluminum VTEC engines. A 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 hp and 254 lb/ft of torque replaces the former 3.2-litre engine. For those of you keeping score, that’s an increase of 22 hp and 21 lb-ft of torque while maintaining equivalent fuel economy.
Performance-sedan devotees will probably choose the TL SH-AWD model. Its bored and stroked, all-new 3.7-litre V6 engine harnesses 305 hp and 273 lb/ft of torque and it accelerates with a little more sound and fury than the stock engine. Those are V8 numbers with V6 fuel economy, with power levels up 19 hp and 19 lb-ft over the previous Type-S 3.5-litre.
2009 Acura TL
Type: Premium sports Sedan
Price: $39,990-$44,490
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
HP: 280-305 hp
Highlights
• Muscular styling
• Front- and AWD available
• Larger than predecessor
Robert Bientema for Metro Canada
22 October 2008 03:02
The 2009 Acura TL, bigger, with more power, more poise and now available with SH-AWD or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
The Acura TL debuted in 1995 with what would become the gradual evolution of Honda Accord-based efforts, but it’s the third-generation version that really caught the attention of Acura aficionados with its techno-loaded combination of angular design and dynamically muscular performance.
The 2009 Acura TL, bigger, with more power, more poise and now available with SH-AWD or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
Yes, there’s been contentment in Acuraville. But if you pressed the TL faithful, they just might admit to a small wish list requesting more of the same – more power, more handling, a more distinctive look and, what the heck, maybe a little more rear seat room while we’re at it.
So, with the latest generation design, still handsome as it is, now in its fifth year, a reworking was inevitable. Which was why Canadian automotive journalists trekked to New York for the recent unveiling of the new fourth-generation 2009 Acura TL.
So, let’s start with size.
The 2009 Acura TL is noticeably larger – 156 mm (6 inches) longer, 30 mm (1.8 inches) wider and 10 mm (0.5 inches) taller. And that bigger body rests on a wider track and a 34 mm (1.4 inches) longer wheelbase, all of the latter applied to a stretch of rear seat room. There’s also more trunk room, a larger double-deck glove box, a sliding drawer in the centre armrest and new centre console pockets.
The size increase results are obvious – more interior room and more poise on the road. Yet the size increase has been managed with minimal weight gain and it has not hampered the TL’s inherent sportiness.
Which brings us to power and performance. And the one factor that has always sort of sidelined the TL as the wallflower at the sport sedan dance – front-wheel-drive.
While the European originators of the sport sedan niche have remained true to the balance credo of front-wheel-steering and rear-wheel-drive, also inspiring other Japanese brands like Lexus and Infiniti to follow their lead, Acura remained the only premier brand to dig in its heels and stick with front-wheel power. But as those competitors have begun to push performance further with new all-wheel drive offerings, Acura can now meet them on a level playing field with their own SH-AWD, or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
The 2009 Acura TL will be available in two models – TL and TL SH-AWD
The SH-AWD, available on the TL for the first time, is primarily a front-wheel-drive system that can shift up to 70 per cent of power to the rear wheels under acceleration. In fact, it can shift torque to any wheel. On your favourite twisties, the system can also distribute more torque to the outside rear wheel to create a “yaw moment” to help the TL turn in more quickly and precisely - while also continuously apportioning drivetrain power from front to rear and left to right. There’s an obvious reduction of the torque-steering feel inherent to the base front-wheel-drive model and the result is balanced performance that offers more than just all-weather security.
Corresponding to those two model choices are two different all-aluminum VTEC engines. A 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 hp and 254 lb/ft of torque replaces the former 3.2-litre engine. For those of you keeping score, that’s an increase of 22 hp and 21 lb-ft of torque while maintaining equivalent fuel economy.
Performance-sedan devotees will probably choose the TL SH-AWD model. Its bored and stroked, all-new 3.7-litre V6 engine harnesses 305 hp and 273 lb/ft of torque and it accelerates with a little more sound and fury than the stock engine. Those are V8 numbers with V6 fuel economy, with power levels up 19 hp and 19 lb-ft over the previous Type-S 3.5-litre.
2009 Acura TL
Type: Premium sports Sedan
Price: $39,990-$44,490
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
HP: 280-305 hp
Highlights
• Muscular styling
• Front- and AWD available
• Larger than predecessor
Last edited by S2000 Driver; 10-23-2008 at 05:17 PM.
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