Six Shifter

2012 grill = bland

boe_d

I won't say the new refresh is gorgeous or stylish but I can at least say I don't think it if FUGLY anymore which is a HUGE step in the right direction.

3db change in highway noise is a step in the right direction but they would need to drop it by about 9db for that to be a signficant drop as it probably is at about 65 plus db as it is at highway speeds.



1. I would like to know how soon they will be available so I can test drive them.

2. I'd also like to know more about the electronics upgrade - is it just a new screen or a new system. I.E. did they improve the voice recognition, any better communication with outlook contacts, did they improve the BT to 2.1?

Newplay1

I suppose 6-speed is nice upgrade, but they could have done more with the interior.

YetiTL

hmmmm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude with you. We all hoped for a small hp bump and a nice type-S but can you imagine the take up rate of a 48-50K 4G 2012 SH-AWD TL Type-S (OMG so many acronyms! lol).

But in all fairness, we already have a significant MMC so I consider this the best Acura want to offer us for the 4G TL!

silver01cltypes

do the new darker headlights look to be the same as the 09-11 to anyone.Wonder if they would bolt right on?

NyAcUrATL08

Yea man I definitely agree, I do not like those new rims as much. I love the 09-11 18's. I do like the body changes they made to the car tho. And I like how they made the tail lights more dark, brighter red as opposed to the lighter red.

Bearcat94

No problem. I am just lamenting the loss of my beloved Type-S.

If you read any number of older posts on what the TL needed, desired features or MMC speculation, you'll find I had many posts hoping (beyond hope, I guess) for a 330 - 350 HP TL-S.


I'll just have to live with the disappointment.

Ruby

twin turbo, magnetic shocks, body kit, type-s seats/interior, unique colors.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

No, they changed the factory 17s on the base model. These wretched pieces of ugly...

jspagna1

WHAT!!! Close but no cigar.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

i am actually slightly disappointed that this MMC did not bring a power bump to the SH model. 325hp would make it a powerhouse.

and this has probably been said before, but while it is nice that they finally put in the 6 speed auto, Honda/Acura is still behind the times with most luxury car companies now making an 8 speed auto standard.

jasonwdp10

A 6 speed is fine. If honda made an 8 speed and others made a 10 speed people would still say honda was behind. You need to draw the line somewhere.

Though I do agree w/ the SHAWD comment. It would have been great to see an HP bump for the SHAWD model since it's more performance based than the Base TL. Can you imagine easily keeping up with a 370Z or 335i? Maybe next gen

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

I am planing on getting the new body style TL but maybe i should wait until this one comes out.











http://editorial.autos.msn.com/slide...15&GT1=22008#2

JM2010 SH-AWD

Don't buy into the "x-speed" transmission hype some of the mfrs are selling. 5 speed is not sufficient any longer, but 6 is plenty, as mentioned above, and hardly "behind the times." Read the reviews of some of the 7-8 speed autos out there (e.g., Infinit G37) and you'll see comments about gear-hunting, stutters, never being in the right gear, etc. A 6 speed AT is plenty for these applications.

levon1830

The positive effects of the one-upper mentality with automatic transmissions is shaped like a bell curve. A 6-speed AT is at the peak of the curve.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

i guess i havent really had much personal experience with the 7-8 speed trannys.

the only 7 speed ive driven was in a R-class and it was as smooth as butter. i also was a passenger in my great uncles ML63 AMG with a 7 speed. pretty amazing transmissions.

i guess 8 would be a little overkill. what i meant was just that Honda/Acura should have released a 6spd auto years ago. maybe not necessarily keep up with the times in the sense of coming out with an 8spd auto like everyone else, but maybe improving the 6spd auto that they should have come out with a long time ago.

draph

Simple rule of thumb: The flatter the power/efficiency curve, the fewer gears you really need. The G37 engine is very peaky, so you need more gears to keep it on the boil when you want to accelerate, but a tall final drive to help mpg when you want to cruise. Read the threads: Those that use the power complain of bad gas mileage. The Acura engine has a flatter power curve, so you don't need to change gears as much to keep it in the power. ...and you see fewer people complaining of having a hard time getting above 20 mpg in mixed city/country driving.

Another note of comparision: The rwd BMW 335 with it's incredibly flat torque/power curve can get to 60 a lot faster with 6 cogs and 28 fewer peak hp than a G37 with 7 cogs. Peak hp and torque are for advertising - those in the know compare "real power" as the area under the torque/hp curves across the entire rpm range. I drove a G37 6MT and TL 6MT before buying the TL, which felt a lot stronger below 4000 rpm, particularly in the 1st four gears, despite a little extra weight.

Alexander.

iTrader: (1)

here's my take on the whole thing.

to everyone that bitched about the grill and aggresive styling.

time to put your money where your mouth is.

its more conservative, slightly smaller looking, more likely to blend in AKA your wife will like it.

i for one, prefer the original.

draph

I should note that BMW is known for underrating their engines, too; but I still believe flat power curves make a huge difference in overall performance in real world driving.

BTW, regarding Advance Package - I see it includes the 19" rims but no longer summer tires. The old HPT package (wheels/tires only) was $1000. If the Advance package manages to stay very close to that original price point, it might be viewed as a good deal. However, I prefer the 18" SH-AWD rims on my 2010.

My final judgment: If my 2010 got totaled, I'd be OK with replacing with an MMC car; but the changes certainly aren't enough to tempt me to trade. I'm thinking I'll keep the 2010 until the MMC 5G, which should give them enough time to work the bugs out of the next generation of engines, and SH-AWD with 6MT novelty for Acura MT enthusiasts has warn off to the point they need to revive a Type S variant....

hondo164

I tend to agree , aside form the 6 speed trans and the modest boost in MPG they turned the car into a Honda. When my 18 year old son saw the design he said it looked like they "the front was punched the nose" and he did not particularly like the chrome trim around the lower front bumper opening which he said looks like "Mom's 2010 MDX". As for the rear, they should have made it a little more sport by dropping it a little lower and used quad exhaust on the AWD.

I'll keep my 2011 SH-AWD and come 2014 when they come out with the truly redesigned 5G rather than patch up the 4g. I will be in the market again.

Pete2010

Search is your friend - or the top thread on the main 4g forum.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805594

KeithL

I did not say that, I sais I am willing to take up to that much of a hit, I won't know until early April when I try to do a deal, if it is more than that I will stick with the M37S another 9 months or so and try again.

KeithL

I have had my M37S for 8 months now and it has a 7 SPD ATUTO and I have never expierienced anything other than smooth shifts. I actually like the 7 SPD. If you look at the previwous G and M with 5 SPD AUTO they got horrible MPG, I get decent MPG and the car hauls ass. The old G 5 AT would do likd 3+K RPM at 70MPH, leading to not only more feul but more engine noise. My car revs low and drops down when it needs to, I think Infiniti has refined their 7AT very well. I my M weighs as much as the AWD TL I had and it has 25 more HP and I get better MPG than the AWD did, sure it had more power train loss so think what Acura will do with 6AT and possibly more with a 7AT.

ESHBG

No need to "recheck my meds", and you're challenge is on!




(and I guess the G6 could be said as well, seeing this pic)

Did I say they were identical? No. Do they remind me of each other? Yes. And I am not the only one who sees a bit of Toyota-esque designs going on. This is not a bad thing per se IMO, but I feel that it is there.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Any car on the market looks similar to another car in some way. Really not a big deal. At least its fairly distinguished from its Honda Accord origin.

saturno_v

For slushbox drivers....you want super smooth and fuel efficient?? 10 speed?? 15??, 20"?? There is already the solution for you...Get a CVT car.....I tested in the new Maxima and it is really nice (for an automatic transmissio feeling perspective)

FYI, the TL SH-AWD already beat the 335i (both RWD and AWD) on the track, but, yes, a little power bump definitely would not hurt....

jasonwdp10

Yea but I meant just straight line / passing power. I don't track my luxury car so unfortunately, lap times don't matter as much

YetiTL

Oh, I would have liked it very much myself so my I sit with you and be disappointed?

jjsC5

Okay, if you say so, but we're going to have to agree to disagree.

jspagna1

Read an interesting article on WARDSAUTO.COM about Ford & GM's joint venture on 6-speed automatic. These were quotes from Bob Vargo,GM's assistant chief engineer which I found interesting. Especially his last statement.

Vargo claims the 6-speed provides a definite improvement over existing GM 4-speed automatics in fuel economy, up to 4%. However, he doesn’t believe GM needs to evolve to 7- and 8-speed automatic transmissions, as some auto makers are doing.
“I’m not sure we know how to make a 7- or 8-speed without adding components,” he says. “I believe our 6-speed is the most elegant design for the consumer. As you add speeds, there’s a law of diminishing returns.”

jspagna1

I love the Maxima having owned 2 and still have one in the family. I'm just not sure about the CVT. A statement from a car blog on the CVT:

Maxima still is affected by the odd CVT sensation of the engine revving ahead of the actual pace of vehicle acceleration.

They really need to address this issue once and for all. I would buy another in a heart beat. I think I would even give up my 4Runner for a new Max.

And ya I didn't think Acura was going to boost HP. I think we'll have to wait till the 5G for that.

dwest1023

My take. I like what was done to the 2012. However I still like my 09 with painted beak. I will be more interested when the full make over comes out. I am GLAD that Acura got slapped in the face for that too aggressive design. They now know we are not going to just accept anything. The 3G was a awesome design that got the heart racing. We were all hoping the 4G would be just as good with the styling but that did not happen. It looks like Acura has found the path BACK to sytling greatness. Well see.........

jspagna1

Your right, from a business/company standpoint they needed to get the message. I think their evolution from the 2G to the 3G was leaps & bounds. I't was a definite home run and even A-Rod would admit that HR's are a big acheivement.

Speaking of painted grills, I'll be curious to see what mods the new design will lead people to do to their cars. At least the 09-11's opened up peoples imagination.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

i cant stand CVT cars. i hate the feel of it. CVTs should be used only in things like the mini-Baja off road cars that i build for my school.

like i said before, the mercedes 7-spd auto is smoooooth with no "gear searching." but if it was my car, it wouldnt be an auto tranny anyways. 6MT ftw.

Invisible

I totally see a resemblance.

Invisible

I think the quest for more and more transmission gears is getting silly. With engines today and their much broader torque curves because of variable valve timing, the engines are so much more flexible. Unless we are talking about a motor like a Civic Si that must be kept above 6000rpm just to make the car accelerate. An automatic in a Civic Si might need to be 7-8 speeds.

KeithL

Just came back from my dealer and they will be calling me when they get their Silver on Black AWD Advance with 19 inch wheels in. GF is looking at TSX Wagon so dealer is eager to sell me 2 cars. I have a good releationship with them since we have purchased 4 new and 1 used car there since 2007. I did see the Silve rForged Metallic TSX to get an idea of what the TL color will look like and must say it is a big improvement over Palladium Metallic, but I still miss Alabaster Silver. The Silver Forged has a big gray hue to it, it is a Silver Gray more than a Pure Silver.

Linmk2

These questions are for anyone who actually saw the new '12 at the Chicago show. While the grille, rear, transmission, engine, and Advance Package has been discussed in this thread a great deal, I have a few questions regarding the interior. Not a lot of good pictures or comments about the interior. Did it appear that the interior door handles were improved upon? Are they still the cheap looking plastic as the current TL? While I can see the seat heat control in some of the pictures, where is the control for the ventilated seats? Mention has been made of an improved Nav screen. Can anyone who has seen it comment? The pictures I've seen of it appear to be the same as the current set-up. Is the tilt wheel the same? What other changes to the interior, if any, have occurred that you can spot?

Treblig

What I can answer is the the seat heat control controls both seat heat and ventilation. Depressing the switch to the left controls heat, to the right ventilation (or vice versa).

ESHBG

Did I miss it somewhere, and do we know the exterior/interior color combo options yet? How about for the 6MT? This is where Acura goes wrong IMO, severely limiting the 6MT's options...I have a feeling the sales would be a little higher if they offered a little more choice.