I agree.

The photoshopped TSX grill is a bit too large relative to the unmasked taped lower portion of the TL in the photo. Plus, it appears the new TL grill is color matched, if I'm not mistaken.

 

Outside of the debate regarding the grill and lights, I'm wondering what are they testing? I mean, do they really need desert torture tests and camo a car that's been out for 2 years already? Did they make enough changes to anything else to warrant this?

Perhaps it's simply to test the 6 speed auto? Or maybe it's the durability of the supercharger for the Type S model?

 

This new front is starting to look more like an RL to me.

 

Im not sure but it does look like they are testing the decibel rating on the exhaust. The body cladding is to disguise the changes from the current model.

 

I actually love the current grill when painted. I think it looks bold and daring, to me it's perfect.

 

I hope the MMC is faster+better looking+more feature ridden. Then i'd trade.. really XD

 

Just got back from my dealership for my weekly car wash..what were they discussing and viewing...pictures of the MMC 2012 TL and...the RL.

Viewed what they had and the TL photos were masked but look like what we've seen. The RL, well...they had a paper on their desk that said 2012 Acura TL highlights; V-8 with cylinders that cut off, RWD, and I just can't remember the other feature that struck me by suprise. The business manager did walk up to a TL and said that it was about the size of a BMW 7 series as he stood about a half a foot from the rear bumper. They did say it's gonna cost.

They sounded amped about the RL and were lukewarm about the front end TL treatment. Most of them like the current grill as is, in midnight chrome, or painted.

We all agreed until it hits the showroom floors it's speculation. They did mention that talk was going through Acura about a smaller car, no Type-S for the TL, and the TSX with an SH-AWD system was being bounced around if the cost was right.

 

so you saw that the RL was going to have a V8 with cyclinder deactivation with RWD? and the size of a 7 series??

was that an official document or what?

 

It was on the desk on Acura letter head, the guys were talking about it. They said something about going to Atlanta this August-September time frame about the lineup.

 

It's the TL that's getting the V8, RWD, etc? Or is it the RL?

I'm all for the TSX w/SH-AWD; add the SH-AWD system to the TSX wagon (with the V6 of course) and I'll gladly trade my TL for it

 

+1

Not a bad thing IMO!

 

I like the idea of a V6 SHAWD TSX. But it better handle better, drive faster, AND be more efficient than the TL, otherwise nearly pointless.

I also like the idea of a V8 RWD RL.. though.. I'm not a fan of VCM. If the current V6 VCM engine in the accord VS the non-VCM engine in the TSX V6 is any indication. It would make a V8 perform like the current V6's, with the fuel economy of the a smaller V8...... so what's the point exactly?

 

I have long since said I have more of an issue with the rear of the car than the front. Judging by this photo it looks like they have smoothed things out a bit.




Here is a photoshop I did a while back that I posted here and it looks almost identical to what I did. I want credit for it!

 

I'm curious to see if they've removed the rear reflectors altogether -- I think it looks great without them!

 

The TSX wagon grille photoshop need to have the lower bumper intake opening with chrome surround ala MDX MMC.

They smoothed out the rear, but, I still not feeling it. Again, it needs to have the rear license plate moved up to the trunk lid. Currently, none of Acura other models have rear license plate in the rear bumper.

Maybe the stillborn NSX would have had it in the rear bumper.

I can live with the updated front. The rear is too hard to fix properly, I guess.

I wish they hired the designer of KIA or the Mazda 6 instead of the current Mullet wearing dude.

 

Because we want the TL to look like a mazda or a KIA..... Ill pass, thanks.

 

Actually, designer do move around.
The KIA designer was formerly from Audi.
The Mazda 6 guy moved to help out with Tesla Model S design.

Reason I brought it up, because based on design alone, I will check out the new KIA Optima when it debuts in the dealer. It's formerly un-thinkable that I would check out a new KIA. I also just recently checked out the Mazda 6. If it comes with AWD, I would buy that.

Reason I am here, I was hoping that the TL MMC will address some of my concern. It does some, but, not the other. I like everything else about the TL. I was a very loyal Honda/Acura customer. I was supposed to buy the MMC MDX for the family, and the TL SH-AWD 6 sp for myself. But, recently, I defect to Mazda CX-9 GT AWD instead. Therefore, my shopping for the Mazda 6, because they have the same engine.

Obviously, Acura is very worried about the sales. Otherwise, they won't allow these leaks this early. They usually are very protective about their new/refresh model. This is leaked on purpose, to gauge public reaction. Therefore, I aired my concern about the rear. I guess it's too late, the die [for the refreshed rear] must have been made already.

 

RL gets the V8 and RWD. They showed me one picture of the RL on a laptop...I asked them to e-mail it to me and left my addy, will I get it probably not. One was an artist concept the other was a test mule tapped up vehicle.

I got the understanding that Acura wasn't playing with the RL. They mentioned it has to be a serious upgrade due to the SH AWD TL and the hp. He did also mention the cars they were using in their design studies...the Cadillac CTS V-8 came up a lot.

 

They mentioned an all new V-8 for the RL. No V-6 option and a new transmission. Something about the next V-Tec line of engine and transmissions.

They claim industry wide sales are down because of the job crisis. That folks are moving to the TSX and that the TL is like a tweener, something like not a 3 series competitor nor a 5 series competitor. The finance guy said something about increasing the lineup and one of the mechanics I bother all the time mentioned getting training on the new engines and transmissions.

 

Srsly?

Let me be the first to call on all this info. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your full of I'm saying they are. There is nothing you personally can say to get me to believe any of it. There are many many members on Azine who actually work for Acura, as soon as any of them start confirming what you've been told I'll consider believing it until then I call

Alright Colin come make me eat my words because I'd really like a Honda built V8

 

You are a second from being called out. R.I.F. reading is fundamental man! I said there was nothing factual just speculation. I don't care what you believe. I wrote about what I saw and others asked about what I saw. Are you like freaking Fox News or something, seriously. I am aware who is on here.

No one on here can say anything contrary to what you believe without you going there, why? Something is clearly wrong with you, you didn't get enough hugs or something.


Moderators you can't tell me that this dude doesn't est the resolve of folks and is 90% disrespectful to others views and opinions.

 

Im sorry to say, but he cleraly said that YOU are NOT full of BS. Try not to take everything to heart.

 

Let's all have a nice hug and for FUCK'S SAKE STOP TAKING EVERYTHING SO PERSONAL.

Damn, people are so....

 

......sensitive?

Refer to signature.

 

Personally I don't think I've had a problem with Technokitty, but yes, a lot of people are so sensitive on here sometimes.

 

1000th post!

 

^lol...

 

Now speaking of Buick, I wonder if Acura will have any response to the Regal GS. That is one of the upcoming cars on my shortlist.

Either the TSX or TL could provide an answer, but a new TSX should be coming already for 2012, no?

 

Calm yourself - I'm pretty sure Black Label works for an Acura dealership. And the reason him and others here would call BS on what you heard is because we have heard too many times about V8's and NSX's on the way and then never coming... Don't take stuff personally, no one is saying anything against you, it's all referencing what is likely to never come from Acura. Many of us have learned with Acura, "we'll believe it when we see it at the dealership". Until then, we wait.

 

What's RIF? I'm an internet noob.

 

I believe there is some kind of DOT regulation that requires reflective markers for when the tail lights aren't on (ie vehicle parked on side of road at night) or don't work. Many car makers integrate reflectors in the tail light assemblies themselves; but I don't believe there's enough space to do that with the current units of the TL. Perhaps the new, thinner "smile" that is taped over is the new red reflector instead of a metallic-looking strip. ...wouldn't be my first choice for passing regs...

 

Fixed?

 

I think Type-S is one area where the "car guys" of the company and the MBAs of the company probably agree. There is too much brand equity in "Type-S" to forego using it again on the 4g. The question is how watered down it will be and when will it show up. BMW has M-sport which is essentially an appearance package. Type S could wind up being a couple of A-spec appearance items, unique wheels, exhaust tuned for another 5 or 10 hp, and Brembo brakes...or the first Honda application of direct injection combined with turbocharging and DOHC i-VTEC in a 3-ish liter high revving V6 that peaks at 400ish hp with at least 300 lb ft of torque on tap from 1600 to 7000 rpm and highway mpg that easily breaks the 30 mpg goal in SH-AWD application. If we don't see Type S by 2012 model, it means we might expect something closer to the latter. Watering down like the former will weaken the Type-S too much, especially if Acura wants to put more of a halo around the moniker like V is to Cadillac, SMG is to Mercedes, and M is to BMW. ..or even F is to Lexus. Compared to the competition, though, that might mean Type-S would require well north of 400 hp, unless "smart luxury" prefers less hp with significantly better mpg than the competitors. I'd go for that, especially if Acura could still keep the price well under 50g's. After one failed fuel injector, burning oil and coolant, and high pressure fuel pump worries on my 2007 BMW 335 (first year of twin turbo), I think I'd have to wait for the 2nd or 3rd year of proven Honda reliability, however...

 

 

I believe the reflective markers were for either Europe or China and to save costs rather than make 2 bumpers they just used the same bumper on the US model or something like that, although I think the license plate area is larger in Asia? Maybe they just if it is a saftey thing they needed over there to incoorporate it here sicne it does break up what is a large flat rear bumper. I'm not a fan of the markers, but they didn't bother me either.

 

On Acura's usual 5 year cycle, 2012 should be the year of the MMC & 2014 will be the debut of the new model. And remember, it is refresh ... some people on here seem to think that MMCs are supposed be substantial ... so do not expect much but a few cosmetic changes and perhaps a 6 speed auto or SH-AWD ... anything substantial would be a surprise.

 

The problem with this reply is that it's soooo down-to-earth than it kills all the fun of speculating...Damn you for a sensible answer!

IMHO, we'll probably see some cosmetic changes, minor hp improvement, light grill and rear changes and a 6sp AT.

 

Maybe I'm in the minority but I think adding SH-AWD to the TSX is pretty freakin' substantial. I would be very surprised (and happy) if something like that were to happen but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

You're right about the cosmetic changes, they are usually just plastic parts that change during a MMC. It's not a hard fast rule though as the 2nd gen RL and TL MMC's had some metal body panel changes as well.

 

I intended to type 2013, which would be the first model year of the 3G TSX, and 2011 being the midlife changeup for the 2G.

All I can see the TSX getting though is the new wagon's grille, the new HD media system from the wagon, a 6-speed auto MAYBE, wheels and other styling things (maybe LED tails, new exhaust finishers, that sort of deal), and that's probably going to be it.

The TSX is a good seller for Acura and they probably don't see much use in seriously upgrading a car people already like.

 

You're probably right but we want a v6 SH-AWD/6AT TSX so be quiet...

lol