Sedan powers over pavement

by Graeme Fletcher, National Post

One of the things many have come to expect from Acura is a car that's designed with purpose.

This means a blend of power and handling to go along with the creature comforts expected of an entry-level luxury car. The new TL succeeds; the SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) with the Tech package ramps it up to the point where it is as much about luxury as it is the thrill of the drive.



Power for the SH-AWD comes from an upsized 3.7-litre V6 engine. While the base 3.5L engine is fine (280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque), the larger engine delivers a much healthier kick - 305 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. The difference is that the 3.7's VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) works on both the intake and exhaust cams. In simple terms, small cam lobes are used to smooth the idle, lower emissions and improve fuel efficiency. When the engine switches to its high-lift cam profile at 4,700 rpm, the focus shifts to power production. It is a super system that squeezes the very best out of a delightful engine.

Mat the gas and the TL SH-AWD scoots to 100 kilometres an hour in 6.6 seconds and bridges the 80-to-120-km/h gap in an equally enthusiastic six seconds. The engine also remains suitably quiet when forced to work. Many large-displacement sixes tend to sound a little grumpy.

Part of the SH-AWD's alacrity is down to the five-speed manumatic. The ratios are knitted together such that the engine remains in its sweet spot whenever the driver decides to push on. Lift off and the box upshifts quickly to promote fuel efficiency. As a team, the powertrain works together in rare harmony. For 2010, the TL SH-AWD will be offered with a new six-speed manual box.

The TL's SH-AWD is an advanced all-wheel-drive system that not only splits the drive torque between the front and rear axles, it can also split the power between the left and right rear wheels when cornering.

Under light throttle conditions, most of the power is fired through the front wheels. Get on the gas and up to 60% of the power is relayed rearward.

Between the extremes, the system shuttles the power back and forth to the wheels that can put it to the best use, and it does so in a seamless manner.

Head into a fast corner and most of the power is again sent to the rear wheels, which helps to balance the car. At the same time, the system over-speeds the outside rear wheel (it turns 5% faster than the inner wheel). The transfer of power across the rear wheels when cornering accomplishes a couple of good things. First, it physically turns the car into the corner, which means less steering input is required, which reduces the likelihood of understeer. Second, as the risk of understeer is much lower, the need to use the regular electronic stability control system to counter any wayward tendency moves the intervention point much further out -
thank you.

Combine this ability with a solid suspension and P245/45R18 tires and you have a car that drives as though it's on rails. In the SH-AWD application, the springs are stiffer, the damping is firmer and there is better roll stiffness. The upshot is less body roll in a corner and a noticeable decrease in nosedive under hard braking. For a sedan, the TL SH-AWD is remarkably balanced, especially given the front-to-rear weight bias (59%/41%). One expects the TL to understeer far more than it does. Even as liberties are taken, it remains commendably neutral.

The interior is finished off very nicely. The seats are comfortably supportive, the driving position is first-rate and it is attractively functional. Mind you, if you have a button fetish, the TL SH-AWD is right up your alley - the centre stack and environs are smothered with buttons, knobs, a mouse-like controller and the push-button ignition switch.

Were it not for the classy materials and some semblance of logic to the layout, it might be fairly described as somewhat of a dog's dinner. Even the steering wheel is crammed to the point of overkill. Try 18 functions if you include the paddle shifters. I found the cluttered look a bit of a turnoff.

Elsewhere, the back seat is comfortable and brings enough space for three adults to sit in relative comfort. Likewise, the 12.5-cubic-foot trunk is more than up to the task of carrying a family's worth of luggage.

I was a fan of the past TL Type S; the new TL SH-AWD runs rings around it.

There is better power and the ability to put it to the pavement. It also handles like the dickens without giving up on ride comfort. For someone with family commitments, it delivers a rare solution: There's enough room for the hoard without giving up the fun of driving a true enthusiasts' car.

SPECS

Type of vehicle: All-wheel-drive,mid-sized sport sedan

Engine: 3.7L SOHC V6

Power: 305 hp @ 6,300 rpm;273 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manumatic

Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Tires: P245/45R18

Price: base/as tested: $44,490/$47,990

Destination charge: $1,825

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 12.3 city, 8.1 hwy.

Standard features: Dual-zone climate control with filtration, power locks, windows and mirrors, power sunroof, Milano perforated heated leather seats, 10-way power driver's seat with memory, eight-way power passenger seat, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, 440-watt AM/FM/XM radio with single-slot CD/DVD, Dolby Pro Logic II and 10 speakers, hard drive-based navigation system, Bluetooth audio interface, keyless entry with push-button start, electronic traction and stability control systems with hill start
assist, HID headlights with washers

 

Good find and great review. But I think they had one thing wrong, "Get on the gas and up to 60% of the power is relayed rearward."

Isn't 70%?

 

Correct!

 

Looks nice in Silver.

 

That's one of the first reviews of the 4G I've read where there's absolutely no mention of styling or the controversial grill.