red00tl

What is the chance of Acura coming out with a 7 speed automatic in 2010?

As unlikely as it sounds, that is exactly what happened in 2000 for the 2G TL.
(Also, this is what Hyundai is going to do to their Genesis sedan next year.)

Who knows, Acura might take advantage of that to slightly revise the front grill design (read: body colour painted).

kobi2002

if the tl does not sell well then you will see some add on's for sure.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I really doubt they'll jump to 7. More realistic that they will go to 6.

Colin

It all depends on the Accord. If the Accord is seen as needing a 6AT then the development dollars will be spent. Remember that the next gen RL is slated for the (rumored) RWD chassis. If this happens, the transverse FWD based TL might follow suit. I see no way they will invest in a transmission for only 4 years of use. (the current 5AT is only 8 years old and showing no signs of going away soon)

kobi2002

I just think that is backwards not to step foward. Everyone is going either six or soon 7 at. A six would have helped the 4g tl bigtime. We will see if this hurts acura or not

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

no way they would do a whole new transmission, POSSIBLY for MMC, but i doubt that as well. the next generation transmission will be seen in the next generation RL.

Colin

My point was that it's all about economics of scale. If the TL were the only car to use the new tranny, AND the rumors of a new 'Acura only' chassis are true, then with only 4 model years left on the current TL, they wouldn't do it.

If they feel there are other cars that could use the new tranny for 10+ years, then I could see it happening.

Sigwill24

How about a minor change in financing, like .5 % (has acura ever done that) or 1.9% for 36-48 months. If they drop to low rates like that, I'm in! I'm just sitting back and waiting till the automakers start offering the deals.



Wouldn't hurt to add a/c seats as well!

VTEC Racer

Like others have said, I also agree that it won't happen unless it will be something that Honda will also get (which I think they should). Cars like the Pilot suffer from mediocre mileage now and a six or seven speed transmission would help to increase the mileage by a fair margin if tuned properly. Honda can only do so much with a J-series and five-speed when it comes to mileage.

I'm not expecting anything significant from Acura until after the release of the NSX replacement. This is when Acura said they will release their tier one cars and am taking their word for it. It would be nice to have a new tranny in the TL which can be used in Honda products also but I won't hold my breath. Additionally, with the rumored exclusive RWD chassis for Acura, they will need a new engine and transmission for that so something IS coming, eventually (but we most likely won't see it in a TL for five years).

Legend2TL

Honda management has already indicated that a 6AT is in the development stage. My guess is 50/50 chance it will be on 2010 Accord and TL. The reason it will happen is simple. Honda gearboxes (AT and MT) are sorta scaled so the larger 6AT will make it down to a smaller 6AT for the Civic crowd. Also a 6AT is needed for the Odeysse, Pilot, CRV, and others.

My guess is definitely a 6AT by 2011. The strong rumor is Honda will go to a V8/RWD for the next RL, but I seriously doubt they'll change the FWD for the mainstay Honda products. The Acura brands will get more of the SH-AWD which seems to work OK for the MDX, RL, and top-end TL. The odd card out on this is the 5G TL, RWD or FWD w/SHAWD tacked on, only time will tell....

PetesTL

I hope somewhere down the line, Honda/Acura develops a dual-clutch trans similar to that seen in Audi and in BMW's M3. I had a chance in early Fall to test drive the new EVO MR with the DC trans and I loved the way the car responds with it. I know the hard-core enthusiasts will still prefer a true manual. but to me, this is the future....the best of both worlds.

red00tl

It's reassuring that Honda is working on a 6AT. It's not so much that the current 5AT is completely inadequate but the consumer perception of Honda falling behind in the key "technical number game."

We'll see how the 4G TL sell and what would Honda do to improve sales. For the first time ever I saw a new Acura on the road today (it was a TSX), and it doesn't bode well with me that the 4G TL is still nowhere to be seen. TL has been one of the best selling cars in its class.

We'll see in a few months, I guess.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Dont forget when Acura did that what the result was.....

KeithL

At best if sales tank they may ruch in a front end grill tweak, I also agree we probably won;t see a 6AT, after all the TL gets respectable MPG now it might give them 1-2MPG and that is probably only ont he HWY, the TL revs low already hell 45-50MPH is like 1600-1700 RPM, how much slower can they spin the engine and you still get decent acceleration at those speeds.

cynalan

I'm with you on waiting. I took a test drive the other day and love the SH-AWD. I'm a gadget guy and it was love at first sight when I saw the interior. Though, cannot understand why they have not introduced a true iPod interface (at least not in the Canadian version). I was prepared to offer on the car but the dealer was pretty inflexible. Would not go for a reduced price... granted it was week 1 of the car arriving. Anyway, still enjoy my 06 TL and am in now rush. Think I'll try again after Christmas. With the beating the markets have been taking I'm sure there will be some discounts, e.g. my 06 is financed at 1.8% from Acura. Current Acura financing is 5.8%. Don't get it, Infiniti is offering 4.5% and discounted the G37x by $3000. Time will tell and I'm a patient guy.

Acura GM

The US version Tech pkg has a real ipod interface. Just plug it into the USB in the center console and control everything from the joy stick and Navi screen.

Discount are fairly plentiful in the US. Most dealers have plenty of supply and need to move inventory. No special rates yet.