boe_d

I realize it is probably a long ways away, but I keep coming here hoping there will be spy shots that aren't pictures of tarps with a car underneath.

C8N

Not to derail the topic on TLX... but stopped by the dealer yesterday and saw the RLX and had to say this.... the front end looks like someone took a TL and punched it in the nose....

BEAR-AvHistory

76,000+ hits & still no more solid TLX info than post #1

JT4

I keep doing the same thing hoping for something, anything. And still nothing..

boe_d

LOL - I have no idea why that makes me laugh but I'm happy I'm not the only one anxious to find out if it will be anything good.

docboy

IMHO no TLX news is NOT good news at all. Meanwhile the CLA and new IS are cooking. The new A3 is about to be released 1Q 2014. And the TLX????

hadokenuh

Not surprised here. The RLX Hybrid is supposed to come out before the TLX and we still know pretty much nothing about it.

C8N

By looking at the RLX and MDX... I am not very optimistic on the TLX styling.

As I mentioned before, RLX front end looks like a TL punched in the nose. The new MDX looks like a bigger version of the RDX.

My guess would be that TLX will be a slightly bigger TSX punched in the nose.

docboy

IMHO the MDX and RDX have well designed acceptable mainstream exterior styling.



Can you imagine if the TLX looks even remotely like the upcoming NSX? The exterior design alone will sell the car. Too bad Acura doesn't see that... or will they?

C8N

I actually like the design of the RDX... but for some odd ball reason... the new MDX doesn't flow well with me.

jshaw

Of course, this was back when they had their longitudinal FF platform, rather than the Accord platform.

boe_d

IMHO - the NSX is the only Acura that has a nice looking front grill. All the others look to me like some silly attempt to make a smile out of the grill so it will be in the next Pixar/cars movie.

weather

The same corporate gibbersish that has done so well for them eh I agree with you though, I understand that Honda cannot cater to the enthusiast as they have to appeal to the mass.....Acura is where you appeal to the niche clientele, the folks that want exciting styling cars, great handling and performance. Sure....given the choice, all this at an affordable price would be better but given the choice between having "cost efficient car or a really fun, good looking and powerful car, I will take the latter...even I have to pay a bit more. That is why people like Audi, BMW and Mercedes....they have built their reputation on offering driving dynamics....not vanilla pudding!

weather

...and when the TLX gets released, we'll all feel like we were kicked in the nuts...at least the male members anyway *lol*


Also...I agree with all....Acura is just so hush hush about showing us anything, likely because they have nothing to offer.

I would be so delighted to hear that Acura headquarters read this site and the amount of abuse they are taking. I know they likely don't give a rats ass but it sure feels good to poke fun at those morons

Mr Marco

Not nearly as bad as the 2G Mazda 3. What a stupid smile/grille.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

I think the hush hush implies either something really really good or something really really bad.

C8N

One thing I have to admit...
First impressions of Acura design are pretty bad... almost foul on some. But... they eventually grow on you.

When I first saw the 4G TL... I said I wouldn't be caught dead in one but now I have to eat those words because I own one now lol

Said the same thing about the 2G MDX but I love it now.

God only knows what I will say about the RLX few years down the road.

However, despite the polarizing styling, Acura always does put out a great package in terms of tech, performance and price and I think that is why we are all here now.

Whatever Acura pulls out with the TLX, I have no doubt that it will be a great package. However.... I might need a few years before the design grows on me enough to trade in my 4G

KeithL

I would like to optimistic and hope Acura sees the competition now and knows what the mark is and it re-tweaking things to make sure the TLX invokes buzz and desire, but then the alarm goes off and I have to get up for work....

Rocketsfan

I wonder if the TLX will use the 9-speed ZF transmission? I think I've read that Chrysler has had software issues interfacing with it in their application. Maybe Acura's testing the hell out of it for their cars. Originally the rumor was that Acura would use the 9-speed by 2014. Who knows.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

If it is a new ZF transmission, I bet the RLX, not the TLX, will be the car to showcase this latest "Advance" technology.

Also, never believer rumors, not even Honda/Acura's official announcement until the day we see that production product(s) in dealership showrooms.

Glashub

Here's how to start teasing imo (YOU LISTENING ACURA?)

hadokenuh

Please don't do 9 speed transmission to be the "class leader". I hate gear hunting and slow downshifts the most in these modern cars.

I still think 6 speed is good enough.

weather

Glashub....I know, amazing how all car companies are able to tease and create a buzz....Conrad and his crew just creates duds! Judging how poorly Acura ha sbeen managed these days, its no surprise to me that they can't grasp the concept of marketing, if they did, Acura wouldn't be in the mess they're in!

hadokenuh....I agree with 150%. I am not a huge fan of 9 speed transmissions at all and this constant effort for efficiency at the expense of shifting dynamics. I think 6 speed is pretty good to me and I never gave Acura criticism for maintaining the 6 speed tranny in the RLX .... I have no problem if they want to push the cogs up a bit provided they do it well and not turn into a CVT-like transmission....or one that spends hunting gears

Edward'TLS

I too agree that there's a margin of return for everything, the # of forward gear ratios for an auto transmission included. As the number of gear ratios increases, the benefit of the extra ratios becomes minimal.

Multi-speed auto transmissions are actually more of a marketing strategy than of a functional aspect.

However, it is often being used to reflect how "Advance" or state-of-the-art or luxury of an auto brand, especially for the upscale luxury auto brands.

The following is what being used currently for the upscale auto brands :

Audi - 8-speed auto
BMW - 8-speed auto
Lexus - 8-speed auto
MB - 7-speed auto.

So, even though a 9-speed ZF auto box might seem a bit too excessive, Acura could use a 7 or 8-speed auto box in it's flagship model(s) in order to keep up with it's "Advance" image so as not to appear to fall behind the fellow upscale auto brands.

Rocketsfan

I agree, but how about having it appear in the RLX hybrid (which, I believe Colin said could be in dealerships by around December - please correct me if I'm wrong) and then having it appear in the TLX next year? There's nothing precluding it from appearing in both, is there? Unless they want it exclusively for the RLX.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

Did Colin or Corey_Straker say the Hybrid AWD RLX will have the 9-speed ZF tranny ?

Rocketsfan

Not that I know of... I was just guessing what could happen, but now that I think about it, I think it was supposed to be released with a 7-speed, so I guess not.

types1fan

Just got my Style fall/winter 2013 Acura magazine,there's an article and it says the 14 RLX sports hybrid SH-AWD new transition has a all new 7 speed sports hybrid intelligent dual clutch drive(i-DCD)transmission delivers millisecond-quick changes. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, the-i-DCD eliminates the need the need for a torque converter, which significantly improves efficiency. They have a pic of the car and it has the Hybrid badges that say it is so.
I agree with most of the other members that more than a 6 speed is to many gears but 7 is good enough.

Colin

The rumor is that the TLX might get the ZF 9-speed. I worry a little about this because I feel that most DCTs still suffer with some drivability issues in stop and go traffic. The TLX is a pretty important car for Acura and if they also make a coupe off the chassis, it might be asked to do ~70K units a year.

The RLX is getting the in-house 7 speed DCT with the hybrid drivetrain smoothing out the low speed stuff. This should avoid any 'jerkiness' that I sometimes feel with DCTs. And yes, it's due in store in December.

keith7120

I once owned that TL. I once got it up to 145mph! The handling was much to be desired though. Way too much body lean when cornering. It was an ok looking car but while looking back its an ugly duckling IMO

docboy

Cool commercial, thanks for posting.

My favorite part: "It has comfortable seating for five, like two and half NSXs." Acura needs an updated commercial comparing the TL(x) to the new NSX. That should garner some much needed attention.

Booya4139

They can fancy up the accord and civic to give the same 'smart luxury' in cabin experience as they are going for with these acuras...

The new accord sedan design is very nice.

They really need to put more emotion into the acura brand.


I was surprised to see a q50 and see the rear end looks like a hyundai elantra... Front and side profile looks like the evolution of the 3 series, but the rear is disgusting.

Booya4139

well said, the art of engineering is to achieve your goal in the most simplistic way possible. Honda used to understand that so perfectly. Now its over engineered jewel eye lights and whatnot. Just make an exciting looking car that is bulletproof.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Endless possibilities with that light design though. Lol

KeithL

While I agree in spirit, the entire reason for more gears is fuel economy and to make the most out of the available power and keep the engine in its most efficient rpm range. Acura has been able to get good fuel economy without the extra gears. I doubt they can keep that trend up without more gears, but hard to believe a 9 speed is not going to be hunting a lot. I believe GM is working on a 10 speed that can skip gears, which makes sense.

I have said before the Asians are eventually going to have to embrace smaller displacement forced induction as the Germans have found out.

Rocketsfan

I agree. But I have noticed that the taillights look much better lit up and up-close. Otherwise, I've been saying the rear end reminds me of a Hyundai Sonata.

Rocketsfan

I'm looking at the IS 350 now and it baffles me why they can only muster 19 mpg in the city with the 8-speed on that thing.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

The 8-speed help the IS350 shaved 0.3 secs in 0-60 time than the 6-speed V6 TSX, while both cars have identical fuel economy.

IS350-RWD
-----------
Curb weight = 3,593 lbs
Transmission = 8-speed
Horsepower = 306 hp
0-60 time = 5.6 sec
Mileage = 19/28 (city/highway)

TSX V6
--------
Curb weight = 3,680 lbs
Transmission = 6-speed
Horsepower = 280 hp
0-60 time = 5.9 sec
Mileage = 19/28 (city/highway)

Rocketsfan

You mean the lighter weight and additional horsepower weren't enough?

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

Acura has always been hush hush... ESPECIALLY with the TL. I remember the anticipation behind the 3G release.... and EVERYBODY hated it.... Then all of a sudden, it was a success

The 4G came out, EVERYBODY hated it.... it didnt grow on people nearly as much as the 3rd gen, and it was a major setback for Acura in the Price conscious, upper middle class consumer. TL went from one of the highest selling entry level luxury sedans, to one of the worst.

Unless Acura knocks this one out of the park, their sales will continue to plummet

Even the 2.5G RL was a failure IMO. If it wasn't for the fact that the MDX and TSX, literally, sell themselves.... Acura wouldnt stand a chance against the competition.




p.s. New IS350 is so fugly... but Motor Trend had it beating the Q50s.... Boooo