Smoothie97

Looks like the tail light lenses are much darker now (like the old Type S).

docboy

Sorry mods, multiple reposts of TOV pics! Feel free to delete mine.

Ok, so what would it take for Acura to "transform" the 09-11 4G TLs to look like the 2012 TL?

Kandiru

This is straight from the horse's mouth, and it will save a lot of reading through the guesstimations.

jjsC5

They have already started, but it won't take until fall to get even more aggressive. The '12s are supposed to be in showrooms next month. I was told by an Acura rep at the Houston show last week that they will be at dealers March 15th.

jspagna1

Nothing! They took all the edginess away from the car and now it looks like everything else out there.
And yes it is definitely more feminine.
Makes me glad I bought a 2010.

vybzkartel

Somehow I don't believe that, lol!

krislv

Pretty sure I'll be picking up a '12. When will options and pricing information be available?

Olu

Hmmm, not really feeling it. While I think it will sell better then the current model, it looks too bland and a step backward. I was hoping that they made the front look a little more like the ZDX not the RL/TSX.

Oh well, me thinks it's time for me to go back to my roots with VW (and all the problems surrounding them). I'll keep my TL for at least another year while VW works out the kinks in the new Golf-R.

black label

3K maybe 4K no way. Remember that if you get the advance with 19" rims, you don't get 18" rims. The rim price difference should be the cost difference between a set of 18" rims and tires vs 19" rims and tires.

I'm still voting roughly a 2K increase for advance (maybe 2500).

Shorter length is probably due to the point on the rear having the plate frame recessed into it which effectively removes the point and shortens the car.

Rocketsfan

I'll wait to see it in person, but the profile makes it look like I thought it would look - a bit Camryesque. I see definite improvements, though. Eh, we'll see...

ParaSurfer1979

This car looks great much more conservative grill. Had this car been out last summer i would have bought this vs. 3rd gen. Any 2011 guys having buyers remorse? Its a cleaner package to me. And damn 3mpg jump is great. right back up to 3rd gen number in a 300lbs heavier car.

Type-S RPh

I like it! Can't wait to see the optional body kit!

wmahmud

^ - what you looking for for the M37 - PM me

jasonwdp10

I'm having crazy buyers remorse now. If i traded the TL now, i'd be losing $5-6,000 just on the sale! I wish i had asked around to borrow a car or something for the year and just got this instead UGH

MurkyRiversTL

Im so glad I bought my 2010. The new one is so bland now...

compewterbleu

I like the edginess too, if this does for Acura what they desire cool. Not that impressed with the grill...it's so, republican, LOL! Anyway...I'm not making a move on another TL until I see the 5G. Actually I'm considering picking up a 2 door coupe later this year for a second vehicle...

Oswald Vater

I like the new look but then again I didn't like the old look! The only buyer's remorse I have concerns the 6-speed/increased mpg but then again the 6.5k discount I got on my 2010 will buy me a lot of gas. Wonder how much more this one's going to cost?

Glashub

The grill looks like it could be retro-fitted on 09-11 or am I wrong? The 6 speed isn't something I'd be a first mover on. Honda nearly destroyed its brand with the intro of a 5 sp. A 6 on an MDX is a different engineering feat from a 6 on a TL. A year from now you'll be sorry you bought a 2012. The nature of things.

jasonwdp10

Well it actually all depends on pricing. If the advanced package is anything more than $3,000, I would not have gotten it anyways, and wouldn't feel as bad about my purchase.

I guess the smart thing to do would be to wait a few years for the 5gtl or something else down the line. oh well.

the main thing i'm looking at would be the ventilated seats.. so i guess its actually not that big of a deal.. Hopefully I can still get a car w/ ventilated seats in the future for under $50k

Aman

Holy 4x4 Batman

Other than that, I think it looks better. I like the headlight and taillight treatment. Kinda split on the exhaust tips, they look good, but I hope they're not exactly the same as the 2012 TL base. Speaking of which, it'd be nice to see pics of those.

I like the creases around the bottom of the "A" symbol on the shield, but not a huge fan of the slats underneath the shield. Standard mesh would've been better, IMO.

The only benefit of the new grille is that now you can easily change it out for an aftermarket one, or your own DIY one.

Smoothie97

I don't think the 2012 grill can be retro-fitted. The front bumper has changed design to acoomodate the smaller shape of the 2012 grill and the 2012 head lights have been revised. Notice that the 2012 grill is at the same height of the headlights now. The 2012 grill doesn't come to as sharp a point than the old grill.

miketala

is the interior the same?

Pete2010

Don't get me wrong, I think they did a great job with the redesign, and will attract more owners, which will hopefully bring more aftermarket parts companies into the mix. But I agree, as it was spinning around i caught glimpses of camry and even chevy. But i'll reserve my final judgement until I see it with a body kit, lowered with new wheels. Either way, no buyers remorse here, I'll be enjoying mine for many years to come.

compewterbleu

The advance package as from the article by the pres.:

The TL with Advance package further adds to the TL's comfort level with new ventilated front seats offering heating and cooling.
The TL Advance also offers a radar-based blind spot information system to warn the driver when another vehicle is in close proximity.


Two things I asked the dealership when I purchased my 09 4G, where are the vented seats and Blind spot alert system?

add to that The TL Tech features an impressive new 60 GB hard drive system powering and controlling the improved navigation, entertainment and phone functions.

saturno_v

As I long suspected, they done it......Acura (Honda) caved in on the critics (and the initial lack of sales) and they softened the car design to make it more mainstream....sorry but my opinion is negative and I'm glad I got my 2010 SH-AWD last October. The new TL lost quite a bit of its edge and originality....the "departure" of the quad tips on the SH-AWD is particularly unforgiving IMHO....and actually I'm not so sure this rework will revive the sales that much.....when you introduce a radical new design, you have to let the public "digest" your new creature....the previous BMW 5 series was highly criticized at the debut but lately it did become the highest selling 5 series on records......kudos to the Germans for sticking to their guns, I wish Honda had the same fortitude...they "flap with the wind"

Basically you have soem of the originality of the 4G TL with "touches" of Camry (and other mainstream cars) blandness here and there....not very exciting in my book....

I'm extremely happy (depreciation wise) that they did not change the mechanics as far as I'm concerned (6 speed manual, same engine and output)

The slushbox drivers got their extra gear...I'm glad for them....

Cooled seats?? I live in western Washington state anyway...not needed here....

I think Honda should have spent their budget on increasing the already high value of the technical content (Direct Injection, even more gears on the automatic transmission, dual clutch, higher output engines) and leave the exterior design alone....but that's me....

From a selfish point of view, I'm very relieved that they did not come with a more appealing design (to me) few months after getting my TL......time to go out and wash my Black Betty....

potmilkz

Making its debut at the 2011 Chicago Auto show, Acura's newly refined TL delivers fresh looks, improved performance and upgraded technology. Most apparent are the visual changes that incorporate new front and rear styling, but also present is a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission for improved performance and fuel economy, a revised interior and a host of technology upgrades.
"The 2012 Acura TL is refined, yet aggressive," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "Already known for its great performance, the enhanced TL has a sophisticated new look and an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission that will take performance to the next level."


The 2012 TL's refined new look includes a redesigned front bumper with improved aerodynamics, a revised grille, updated headlights and turn signals, a new fog light design and a shorter front overhang. At the rear, a new rear bumper incorporates a significantly repositioned license plate opening and smaller rear reflectors, while updated taillights and a thinner rear trunk edge trim add to a sophisticated new look.


To increase performance, a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission is applied on all TL models with automatic transmission. In addition to incorporating engineering enhancements aimed at improving efficiency, a sport-minded double-kick-down feature lets the driver command a double downshift— such as from Fifth to Third gear. The Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system also creates a "blip" of the throttle to help match gear speeds while downshifting.


In addition, the transmission teams with a new multi-clutch torque converter that not only reduces heat build-up during operation, but also allows for lock-up activation during a much wider range of driving conditions— which helps generate improved fuel economy. As a result, city/highway fuel economy is now 20/29 mpg*— an increase of 3 mpg in highway driving over the 2011 TL. To further improve operating efficiency, the TL's standard 3.5L V-6 engine receives a host of friction-reduction technologies while a revised air inlet system provides cooler air for both the 3.5L and 3.7L engines.


For 2012, two distinct versions of Acura's performance luxury sedan remain: a 280 horsepower, front-wheel-drive TL along with a powerful 305 hp TL paired with Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™). The performance-minded 6MT model will continue to be offered in the 2012 TL SH-AWD lineup, helping broaden the TL's appeal among luxury performance sedan buyers.


Both the TL and TL SH-AWD™ models offer an available Technology Package which includes the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™ and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™, and an Acura/ELS Surround® 410-watt Premium Audio System. For 2012, the hard disk drive (HDD) based navigation system increases in size to 60 gigabytes, map coverage is more expansive, USB connection speed is faster, and the full VGA monitor is brighter with even richer colors. Also available is a new Advance Package that incorporates all-new ventilated front seats along with a new blind spot information (BSI) system that alerts the driver of other vehicles that are in close proximity.


Standard on the 2012 TL are new 17x8-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels with P245/50R17 all-season tires for confident year-round performance. The TL SH-AWD® comes standard with new 18x8-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels with low-profile P245/45R18 tires for more agile handling. Finally, when equipped with the available Advance Package, the TL comes with 18x8-inch 5-spoke wheels while TL SH-AWD™ is fitted with 19x8-inch split five-spoke aluminum wheels with new performance minded P245/40R19 all-season tires.
Along with every new Acura, the new 2012 TL is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000 miles powertrain limited warranty. Additional benefits of ownership include Acura Total Luxury Care® (TLC®), which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.

jspagna1

Your right. You would have to change the front bumper cover in order to have the new grill.

And to answer docboys question he asked earlier:
Ok, so what would it take for Acura to "transform" the 09-11 4G TLs to look like the 2012 TL?

Change the front and rear bumper covers and the trim/grill pcs, you have yourself a 2012. So keep that in mind if you ever crash your car and really freak people out!

MyT6MT

Not sure I'm feeling it. Have to see it in person. Same could be said when I got my 2010. It wasn't even a consideration for me until I saw it in person.

jspagna1

More images.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-acura-tl-0/

jasonwdp10

I think we should merge all of the 2012 TL threads, it's getting messy.

potmilkz

i really like the rear, do you think the rear bumpers are interchangeable with the 2010 models? and also is the headlights dark housing already?

potmilkz

oh btw i do not see chrome handle on doors.. i think thats a change.

Mr Marco

Typical Acura, they fixed the beak and fucked the bumper. Looks like a smushed down RDX...

bleechme13

I bought the 4g when it first came out and i dont ahve buyers remorse at all. I also think they did a great job with the redesign especially the back.

The slimmed down trim piece looks less of a smile. The reflectors at the back have also been slimmed, which I think makes the car look weak compared to the current 4g.

I actually like the new exhaust cus they appear sharper and sportier compared to the quad. Problem is that the sh-awd wont be distinct from the base TL, unless they use regular round exhausts? I like how there’s more of an actual bumper to the back instead of a big smooth butt when looked at from profile view.

I have always been a fan of the 4g grille, it was infact what caught my attention to even consider a TL. I never liked the grille on the tsx to be honest. This redesign makes the tl look a lot like the rl/tsx/csx. I guess all that’s left to change is the zdx and suvs?

the trim around the airducts and foglights look very sexy. The ventilated seats is definitely welcomed.

potmilkz

ditto! i dont like the chrome pieces in the front.

also agree with the poster above.. 2010 4g grill looks better than this new one.. its seperates it from the RL and the TSX..

justinfop

carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/02/2012-acura-tl-refreshment-brings-toned.html

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

repost. theres like 6 of these theads going on at the same time.

Pete2010

I love those headlights, that was one thing I noticed on my car, when I had JnC do my headlights, it totally changed the front end of the car. I bet it looks good in WDP. The rear is hands down 100% better than what we have now. I'm still ehh on the front. I'm with you Marco, it's like a smushed down RDX/ZDX style. Look forward to seeing it in person.

Mr Marco

(Let's hope for Acura's sake that)They are going to offer a new RL for 2014. What will my 70 year old neighbor drive if they don't? Oh, Lexus...nevermind.
Can't believe there is no hp increase with the revised intake.

I'm keeping mine just the way it is. No grille mods here. You can have all the 2012 parts you want.

lji

I'll take the ventilated/cooled seats and whatever the mpg update is on the 3.7L. The rear 3/4 view of the bumper looks a lot like the Avalon pic someone posted a while back... Also, MT had a post of the interior and it shows chrome rings around the audio on/off/volume knob and the navi controller below.