I disagree based on the demonstrated release history of the TL (and Acura in general).

The 2G and 3G TL released the TL Type-S as a mid-model refresh. Both of those were released on the normal Model Year cycle (i.e. in the fall of the year).

In other words, the preveious generation TL's ran for 3 full Model Years, then had a Mid-Model Refresh that ran for 2 full Model Years.

As a matter of fact both the 2G MMR and the 3G MMR were announced on the same day (Sept 8th), exactly 5 years apart (2001 and 2006).

The 4G MMR was released 6 months earlier than normal based on that history (and Acura release hsitroy in general). Slow sales and media/public acceptance is the most likely reason it was pushed up.

 

^^^^^

The 2G MMC TL (MY'02-'03), which included the 1st TL-S, was released in March of 2001, not in Sept of 2001.

As for the 2G TL-S, no one knows better than I do, because I bought the 2002 MMC TL-S back in March 26 of 2001.

Back then, I ordered the 2G MMC TL-S as soon as Acura had released the MMC details and photos, just like I did it again in March of 2011 for my 2012 4G MMC TL.

The 2G TL's 5-year model cycle was from MY '99 to MY '03. The 2G MY '01 was cut short to 6 months for the MMC launch, just like the 2011 4G TL. The 2G MMC was released in March of 2001, and as a result, the 2G pre-MMC duration was 2.5 years and the 2G MMC duration was another 2.5 years; exactly resembled that for the 4G TL.

The 2G TL was well received and well praised, with a near all-time-high sales figure of ~6K unit per month. So there was no reason why the 2G MMC release needed to be push early by 6 months. But Acura did it, and so this ruled out good/bad sales affecting the long-ago pre-planned product release schedules.

Besides, the sales figures for the 4G pre-MMC TL weren't at all that bad when compared to the 2G RL. If Acura really needs to change the release plan, it should have pushed the 3G RL out earlier by 2-3 years.

 

I think the brand really needs to focus on it's Nav and entertainment technology. If they don't make a major leap toward something similar to CUE then they're going to fall behind in a really bad way.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/12/c...nt-game-w-vid/

 

I agree. Cadillac has their new CUE system (though I'm not a fan of their or Lincoln's lack of tacticle buttons). Audi has Google Maps, and even Infiniti's 3D Navigation Interface is more visually attractive. I also think it should look significantly different than the Honda user interface. Lack of brand differentiation has alwas been a problem for Acura.

 

I can definitely see them making the car leaner in size. It's just way to big right now.
Also someone mentioned in an earlier post about the paddle shifters being moved to the shifter knb. I really would prefer that personally.

 

We can look at the new ILX and RDX for clues to 5G TL features. It looks like we're getting Pandora internet radio, that means Internet connectivity in the car and that opens the door to a lot of things. Also the ILX has LED fog lamps, which will hopefully show up on the TL as well.

 

The ILX has a little bit of a Mazda 3 look to it?

 

When is the next generation due? Don't they introduce the new model around November of the previous year? Am I correct, then, in thinking that fifth generation TL will be introduced around Nov 2012? Or is it Nov 2013? I've confused myself.

 

It should be nov 2013 as a 2014 model

 

The 2012 was released in the spring of 2011- does anyone think the 5G would be released in the spring of 2013?

 

I bought a 09 TL back in October 2008, and I think it had just been introduced. But at that time the SH-AWD model wasn't available yet. So it's possible they can release the next generation, and not have all the trims for sale initially.

 

I hope not- I just got my 12 hoping it would be fresh for 3 years at least

 

I'm thinking Fall of 2013 as the 2014 model year. Five year run at least I would think?

 

a concept will be shown this year, then next year at an auto show it'll be displayed then later in the year will be for sale... spring/summer time...

 

I am certainly no expert but I would agree with Sebounet (my Fellow French Canadian) and jspagna....The new TL should be coming out in the fall of 2013 as a 2014 model.

Lawnpro...the reason the 2012 TL came out in in the spring was because of poor sales and an attempt to squash the complaints about the look of the 2009-2011...but that is just my opinion of course.

I am expecting that the design cues for the RL/Legend at the New York auto show will give us a better direction on the new styling of Acura. So far, I am pretty pleased with the ILX, the RDX (which I saw in person at the Mtl Auto Show) and of course, the NSX. Even the Accord coupe was pleasing to the eyes so it appears that Acura designers have finally listened and getting their act together....if the RL/Legend is a home run, it will give alot of confidence that the TL is going to be a hit. We already know it will be small than the current TL with the 3.5L engine (3.7L will be scraped) and an electrified sh-awd.

Given that the Accord will now go global, this should squeeze the TSX out so since the ILX will be smaller tan the current TSX, the TL will shrink a bit to take on the proportions closer to the current TSX and make the difference between the ILX, TL and RL (Legend) more defined. It is a shame that the ILX will NOT have a SH-AWD option as it would be a very fun and nimble car to drive.

On a side note, seeing how the RDX has grown and now getting closer in size (and appearance to the MDX), it will be VERY interesting what Acura will come out with the re-designed MDX....this has been an amazing seling vehicle for the, I don't think they can afford to mess it up but given the size of the new RDX (2013), its hard to beilive it will not be bigger but we all know bigger is not better.

On a final note, when I was at the Mtl auto show, I was told by the Acura people that the ILX and RDX and pretty much a done deal expect for the fog lights and exhausts outlets on the front and rear bumper but that should be it....

Sorry for the long post and getting it off topic a bit.

 

Mod Edit: Thanks - merged in here.


5G info is all in here :

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=781382&page=4

 

C'mon Acura, bring it out before summer of 2013. lol. I don't know how long I can wait or my car can hold out. I keep driving around thinking my transmission is going to explode.

That being said, I, too, liked the ILX and new RDX. Heck, the new RDX just made it onto my list of possible next cars. Hopefully the next TL will also be good news design-wise since competitors should be bringing out their mid-luxury sedans in the next year or two as well.

 

Just came from the Philly Auto show. All I have to say is that Acura better have something good besides the NSX up their sleeves.

 

RLX looks interesting, perhaps similar features on the next "TLX"?

 

I agree, I saw the video online of the RLX concept and it looks much better than the current generation.

 

I'll rather Acura releases a performance-tuned TL-S, rather than a plain TLX.

 

I just read on an auto web site that the TL will be redone for 2013. Is this the last year of this version of the TL?

 

Just looking at the generations on the forum, it would seem like there would be one more year. The 2012 was a mild change (MMC), so I would think that 2013 would be the same, but the 2014 may come out in early 2013.

 

No.

 

Hopefully there is a performance version.

 

I'm waiting for the hello kitty edition.

But seriously the RL was made to compete with the S class and 7 series. I doubt they would move the TL to take its place. If the TL makes it into the 50k starting price then it will be a tough decision to make because I rather spend that on a E class.

Time will tell

 

The ILX/RDX/RLX/NSX are all on the same design language, I'd assume any new product would be as well.

whether that product is a TL/TLX or a new name, or whatever, you can bet on family resemblance.

 

just make it look like the 3G TL with a few refinements in the body and lots of new tech and we would have the best of both worlds. My wife drives the TL and Loved the 3g one.