Newly Refined 2012 Acura TL To Debut At Chicago Auto Show
#243
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
Still hard to say if the 2012 TL looks "better" than the 09-11. Definitely is more toned down, styled towards more mainstream. The 2012 IMHO has better overall cohesiveness and flow.
I definitely need to see it in person before I can make a definitive judgment.
I'm tempted to label the 09-11 TL as the "brash in-your-face 007 don't-mess-with-me muscle suit" and the 2012 TL as the "gentleman dressed up lady's man." 2 different personas, and the 2012 TL now looks like the 2011 TSX's 'bigger brother' (a la the 3G TL vs the 1G TSX).
I really like that color of the 2012 TL though, reminds me of the carbon grey pearl on my prior 05 TSX.
I definitely need to see it in person before I can make a definitive judgment.
I'm tempted to label the 09-11 TL as the "brash in-your-face 007 don't-mess-with-me muscle suit" and the 2012 TL as the "gentleman dressed up lady's man." 2 different personas, and the 2012 TL now looks like the 2011 TSX's 'bigger brother' (a la the 3G TL vs the 1G TSX).
I really like that color of the 2012 TL though, reminds me of the carbon grey pearl on my prior 05 TSX.
#245
Instructor
I wil say it is "toned" down from the 09-11 models.... As for the new front end chrome accent, can't wait to see how that all looks after a few miles of driving on the highway... Chrome will probably be chiped away showing the grey plastic behind... Well they have a car that can be dressed up nicely with the Type-S badge maybe? Time will tell...
#247
Good MMC
I really like crease on the new rear bumper. Now the car doesn't have that big butt look.
The front flows so much better with the grill lined up with the lights!
But I'm also not a fan of the little chrome strips down there.
As a 3G owner, I really think these changes are surprisingly well executed and I hope it's not too late to regain some of lost sales and customers in the market place!
Go Acura!
#248
Overall I think it's an improvement. I wasn't a big fan of the 09-11 but I wasn't offended by it either. Acura had to do something to please the masses.
Regarding the comment on the BMW 5 series sticking to their guns on the E60. Many BMW buyers will buy a 5 series because of the prestige factor and driving experience. They did not experience the drop in sales like the TL did even though the design was criticized and disliked by many BMW fans. Furthermore on the F10 redesign it was evolved as if the E60 never existed and it went from the E39 to the F10. That is not typical for the 5 series and is where BMW gave in and went back to a more mainstream design.
Regarding the comment on the BMW 5 series sticking to their guns on the E60. Many BMW buyers will buy a 5 series because of the prestige factor and driving experience. They did not experience the drop in sales like the TL did even though the design was criticized and disliked by many BMW fans. Furthermore on the F10 redesign it was evolved as if the E60 never existed and it went from the E39 to the F10. That is not typical for the 5 series and is where BMW gave in and went back to a more mainstream design.
#249
US Navy Seabees
I'm not a fan of the 4G, never was, but I have to say this is an improvement...good job Acura. I can see a Type-S version of this coming soon, most likely 2014 maybe 2013. That's probably why they ditched the quad tips.
#250
Burning Brakes
From what i see Acura toned it down a little. They took the edgy look away, The look is similar to other cars on the road. i'll wait and see what the 5G looks like.
#251
Advanced
Check out Acura.com..The designers are interviewed here http://www.acura.com/FutureVehiclesTL12.aspx#/Interview
#252
The car is now on the website under the "Future Cars" section.
http://www.acura.com/FutureVehiclesTL12.aspx#
There's a picture of the interior, and so far besides the advance pkg cooled/heated seat controls and possibly a real metal or metal plated door handle, everything else looks the same. I guess I may not be getting it after all, $10k is too much for new seats lol
http://www.acura.com/FutureVehiclesTL12.aspx#
There's a picture of the interior, and so far besides the advance pkg cooled/heated seat controls and possibly a real metal or metal plated door handle, everything else looks the same. I guess I may not be getting it after all, $10k is too much for new seats lol
#253
I'm Craig
iTrader: (2)
Those complaining that they "blanded it down", this was the issue with the 4G TL in the first place- the polarizing design. I think the 2012 TL looks much better. I never really had too much of a gripe with the 09-11 TL, but this really is a refinement that will appeal to many more people. And I think their sales numbers will show that.
Only complaint is the lower part of the front bumper. The silver pieces don't really follow any contours, but nothing major.
Only complaint is the lower part of the front bumper. The silver pieces don't really follow any contours, but nothing major.
#254
From what i seen the front grill have change it look not bad !!! But the new look on rear end is ugly they should leave it alone !!! Let see the how the interior look any change it !!! Are they going come out 2012 type s it is going v8 ?
#255
Print Out A Picture!
Rear of car. Rear headlights look identical, chrome strip on trunk a bit smaller. Moved up the license plate and rounded out the rear crease. Did away with the Dual exhaust. Made reflectors smaller. I think the tweak of the rear turned out better then the front of the car. But the car is now Toned Down, does not have that edgy look that I liked. Go over and look at the 2011 Buick...
As for 6 seed auto, and other internal refinements, those are all nice to have for sure. I am sure the Weather and Traffic screens will be upgraded to a new GUI.. 3 MPG, who can complain about that. But here in California sales tax is 10%, so as one post stated, you can do a lot with $4000! My 2010 TL-SHAWD Color is PM... I think this 2012 revision will look nice with other colors..
I think 2009-2010-2011 TL owners have a winner on their hands with a Bold Look that will not be outdated on 3 -5 years, look at the Cadillac styling! I think new owners of a 2012 will be also happy with the car and its refinements. Cars evolve, needs to happen, will always happen..
#258
#259
Gotta say, I think that they went to far in the other direction. From very polarizing, to what others have stated as bland. I do think that sales will go up with this new iteration however.
I am really glad that I have an 2010 now as I like the aggressiveness of it even more after having seen the 2012. I know that these issues will always cause arguments here, however for those of us that the current aggressive styling has grown on, I think we are very glad that we have this version and not the mmc.
Just doing a side by side of the front and rear really shows a night and day departure from what the current styling is. Best way I can put it is...
current=agressive, mean
2012=politically correct, non offensive.
I also agree that the new grille now looks smallish and still just does not seem to flow with the whole front end?
I am really glad that I have an 2010 now as I like the aggressiveness of it even more after having seen the 2012. I know that these issues will always cause arguments here, however for those of us that the current aggressive styling has grown on, I think we are very glad that we have this version and not the mmc.
Just doing a side by side of the front and rear really shows a night and day departure from what the current styling is. Best way I can put it is...
current=agressive, mean
2012=politically correct, non offensive.
I also agree that the new grille now looks smallish and still just does not seem to flow with the whole front end?
#260
^Ha! 4G TL lineage reflection,
2009-2011 Obama before office,
2012-2015 Obama in office.
2009-2011 Obama before office,
2012-2015 Obama in office.
#261
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
^IMHO, the new RDX front is just horrible, now truly the worst of all the Acuras, even worse than the 09-11 4G TL. Ack... the RDX grill looks like a velociraptor . Wait a minute, now that I take a look at Marco's post, the RDX's front reminds of Bumblebee's face in Michael Bay's Transformers 1 and 2.
#262
Burning Brakes
Look at it this way guys, now there are 2 versions of the car. A polarizing and a lenear look version. Now for those who thought the car was a little polarizing you have a 2012 model year to choose from. Those that donk like the 2012 can pick up a 2011 for a good price. One thing is for sure the car is going to sell, the new look will bring in a variety of buyers and Acura will regain some old Acura drivers that made the switched to other brands.
#264
Overall I think it's an improvement. I wasn't a big fan of the 09-11 but I wasn't offended by it either. Acura had to do something to please the masses.
Regarding the comment on the BMW 5 series sticking to their guns on the E60. Many BMW buyers will buy a 5 series because of the prestige factor and driving experience. They did not experience the drop in sales like the TL did even though the design was criticized and disliked by many BMW fans. Furthermore on the F10 redesign it was evolved as if the E60 never existed and it went from the E39 to the F10. That is not typical for the 5 series and is where BMW gave in and went back to a more mainstream design.
Regarding the comment on the BMW 5 series sticking to their guns on the E60. Many BMW buyers will buy a 5 series because of the prestige factor and driving experience. They did not experience the drop in sales like the TL did even though the design was criticized and disliked by many BMW fans. Furthermore on the F10 redesign it was evolved as if the E60 never existed and it went from the E39 to the F10. That is not typical for the 5 series and is where BMW gave in and went back to a more mainstream design.
I do not see many design "connection" between the E39 5 series and the F10......but definitely there are E60 elements carried over.....at least this is how I see it...personal opinion.
Yes, BMW buyers were still loyal to the brand because of the prestige and driving experience...however the E60, despite the harsh initial criticism (remember the joke about BMW standing for "Bangle Muss Weg"....translated, "Bangle Must Go"), eventually drove many new buyers to the brand and it was the highest selling 5 series ever on record....something to think about...
BMW kept the exactly same design for about 7 years...they did not budge and finally they were right.....the E60 sold very very well, even if initial acceptance was mixed.
The 4G TL was a vast improvement versus the 3G too...bigger, more powerful and refined, better driving dynamics, torque vectoring AWD, etc...even th specialized magazines admit it is one of the best in its class...but we tend to hear only the criticism....
The new TL, as far as I can see from the pictures, it is still a very nice car but it is a bit more bland and less original and edgy (some of it is inevitable with any design refresh), it lost some personality..however I still need to see it in person for a definitive judgement.....just in time when the public (no statistics here just some anecdotical evidence) was beginning, finally, to "digest" the design....the current 4G, in my experience is the only sub 50K sedan to turn heads in a parking lot...
Last edited by saturno_v; 02-09-2011 at 04:33 PM.
#266
Look at it this way guys, now there are 2 versions of the car. A polarizing and a lenear look version. Now for those who thought the car was a little polarizing you have a 2012 model year to choose from. Those that donk like the 2012 can pick up a 2011 for a good price. One thing is for sure the car is going to sell, the new look will bring in a variety of buyers and Acura will regain some old Acura drivers that made the switched to other brands.
#267
http://www.acura.com/FutureVehiclesTL12.aspx#/Gallery_6
theres a pic for everyone looking for it with the skirt package - car looks great, the front grill is too small for it , bad move by Acura!!
theres a pic for everyone looking for it with the skirt package - car looks great, the front grill is too small for it , bad move by Acura!!
#268
http://www.acura.com/FutureVehiclesTL12.aspx#/Gallery_8
Also - one other subtle change inside, the pillars look to be black now (how it should have been from the start to match the dash) - so maybe all black pillars/roof ?
Also - one other subtle change inside, the pillars look to be black now (how it should have been from the start to match the dash) - so maybe all black pillars/roof ?
#269
Grill still looks like a grin; just not as sure of its self and as cocky. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the little old ladies, and Mom's, driving around in their TL's. "Just like a Camry, honey, but safer. And with a wee bit of a wild side. Grams and me, love it."
#270
well, i really like it but it says the headlights have changed.
I did the front and rear conversions on my accord and look to do the same thing on my TL.
It is no big deal to buy the headlights, but they must have barely changed.
I really like that front lip
I did the front and rear conversions on my accord and look to do the same thing on my TL.
It is no big deal to buy the headlights, but they must have barely changed.
I really like that front lip
#271
Rear End
http://www.acura.com/FutureVehiclesTL12.aspx#/Gallery_8
Also - one other subtle change inside, the pillars look to be black now (how it should have been from the start to match the dash) - so maybe all black pillars/roof ?
Also - one other subtle change inside, the pillars look to be black now (how it should have been from the start to match the dash) - so maybe all black pillars/roof ?
#272
Drifting
Yup, I bet you can get the front bumper, grille, headlights and rear bumper and trim piece to make your 2009-11 look like a 2012. I can't wait to see the first person to do that.
Last edited by Pete2010; 02-09-2011 at 04:52 PM.
#274
#278
I was at my local DMV today...Line around the whole entire building. I wish I had a camera on all the people in line breaking their necks looking at my OG 4G TL...it was EPIC! I am pretty sure if they introduced the 2012 look in 2009 I would have bought it and still pimped it out! But honestly can say I love my ride along with the Beak and that BIG ASS!..WHOOP WHOOP!
#279
I'm happy I got my '11. The '12 looks ... more like everything else. Not as distinguished. And I really don't like the way the break in the rear bumper bisects the license.
#280
one thing i just dont like about my car (with the front lip) is how it is only low on the sides and then completely tucks in, in the middle, the 12' version seems to be way better