fdl

OK well its not really a full review, but a nice write up. If its been posted somewhere else I appologize.

http://www.autoweek.com/search/searc...93832&record=1

ILOVELEGEND

Good find and that's a good review!!

Charmed

More pictures.. ! This is a good review!!

SPUDMTN

Wait...how on earth did they put that out if the embargo is until September 1? That's a review of the 2004 TL in its purest form...


SPUDMTN

inversereality

I wonder if anyone who is "in the know" can tell us what they know now that this article has been released.

ViperLuke

Very nice review. The interior picture looks really nice. I also like the red color. Looks like this car may be a hit.

princed

Interesting...

Good review, but the TL is heaver than I expected, the stereo is less powerful than the TSX's, and I thought that extra front center speaker would push the TL's speaker count to 9.

Anyway, thank goodness we get the LSD and the covered cupholders. I'm surprised the review made no mention of the Brembos...

Oh, the interior pic and the pic of the red sedan -- beautiful!

EDIT: BTW - everyone may want to save this article to disk for now -- it may not be here very long...

EmuMessenger

Nice basic review and the front actually does not look awful without fog/driving lights.

Wanta04TL

I really like it more now. First time poster and after reading all of the dissappointment over the last month, I was starting to consider a G35 (but they are just too ugly from behind).

The front is growing on me and I always liked the rest of it. The steering wheel does not seem fat from this pic.

Only thing now is to wait and test drive to "feel" if it is right. 5 more weeks for that...

The article said "Buyers in the $30,000 near-luxury market are growing younger, says Elliott, from early 50s to late 40s in age, and looking for more performance to go with the pampering." That's me, but I'm younger than that... I didn't really consider that as Honda's target age... wouldn't that be the RL's target age?

RJC RSX

Honda demographics aren't worth anything. The average buyer of the element is 47 years old. Enough said

Jaeger

That's the first thing that jumped out at me - nearly 3600 lb. Yikes. Any body remember what the outgoing model weighs? Anybody think that it may look too much like the TSX? I mean, I like the look and I can understand the benefit of having a family resemblance, but for those who obsess about prestige it may bear too much of a visual similarity to its less-expensive sibling.

Jaeger

EmuMessenger

I ignored the weight. If that number is really true, the new TL may be slower than the current Type-S, unless we see 250-280 ft-lbs of torque. And we all know that will not happen.

RJC RSX

it's only 37 pounds heavier

fdl

I am guessing accel #'s will be very close. And the torque on the new TL is listed as 238

iVTEC_Inside

You are forgetting last generation Type S only comes in auto.

EmuMessenger

True. I guess like with everything else, we will have to wait and see what the car does at the track.

fdefulvio

"BTW - everyone may want to save this article to disk for now -- it may not be here very long..."

That was the first thing that I did! If there really is a news "embargo", I don't think that Acura will be very happy. The article mentions that the reviewers drove the vehicles which I would think would only be possible by signing a confidentiality waiver. I couldn't find any links from AutoWeek's main page other than doing a search, so maybe it is not supposed to be available yet.

Raheel

What exactly does Limitede Slip Differential do?

Also I like this picture the best:



It makes it look sporty from the back, the L.E.D. Lights look cool too!!

Also I dont think a spoiler would look good on this car, I think a lip would look better..

Also The rims on that pic looks bigger and better for some reason..

I still dont get how Acura manages to make the car smaller, use the same engine, but have the weight go higher? They said they want to make it more sporty, More weight doesn't help...

SPUDMTN

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I understand that an LSD reduces (doesn't eliminate--locked differentials do that) the slip from the wheels. Basically, it sends more torque to the wheel w/ the traction...while still sending power to both wheels being powered...

SPUDMTN

ben1233

I hope all the "doubters" see that the cupholders DO have a cover on them. Although it doesn't *look* like it will perform as fluid-like as the cover does on the current TL. But I guess we will all find out soon enough.

Raheel

Please tell me why the car has a lower watt Audio System than the TSX?

Raheel

It looks like the Big - - A C U R A - - Name will be on the production model, as thats what the autoweek review hints..

VtecMW

Audio manufacturers power ratings are largely subjective. Sony, for example, tends to overstate their power ratings for its audio components. Usually they're referring to peak output. Yamaha, on the other hand, tends to state actual output ratings. Therefore, when comparing a Sony product to a Yamaha product, the Sony will appear more powerful. From a marketing standpoint this is great, because most people tend to follow the more is better perspective

But, for those who know their audio, the number that counts is the "clean" output number. So, the TSX number could be greatly exaggerated. 360 watts / 8 speakers = 45 watts a speaker. Now come on... does each tweeter really utilize 45 watts a piece? Hardly.

The new TL 225 watts / 8 speakers = 28 watts per speaker. 14 watts at each tweeter is far more reasonable, if it's even that high at all.

Greater, in this case, doesn't necessarily mean better. And, being that this is a DVD Audio 5.1 system, with DSPs, channel separation, signal filters, and other audiophile quality components for such a setup, the TL is more than likely an example of "clean" power.

Just my thoughts.

RJC RSX

They tested the pre-production model...production doesn't begin until 9/15

2k4tl

Only one tailpipe?

Booyah

No look a little closer, there are 2 tailpipes!!!!!!!!

princed

I still can't get over that weight!! The 03 Accord is 3360 and is 189.5 inches long. Justin has already told us that the TL will be shorter than the previous TL (@192.5 inches), so it should hopefully be around 190 in. or so...

What is making the TL more than 200 pounds heavier than the Accord? Even the huge 193-inch 04 Maxima with its larger engine weighs 3436 lbs. (manual trannie), making it almost 150 lbs. lighter than the new TL.

That curb weight must be misprinted.

Carlos8542222

Ummmm, I think I will stick to the TSX as my future car. I like the dashboard of the TSX more for some reason even if they look similar.

I don't like the shape of the new TL.

Also, I think over the long run, the TSX will be a more reliable car.

Carlos

Raheel

I get what your saying..

But I was thinking if the speakers and the system is made by the same company, wouldn't the benchmark of the watts be similar if not better in the TL..

But than again you said the whole layout could be different, diff speakers and maybe a diff company..

Does Panasonic make the system in the car, or did I read the review wrong? And in the TSX Does Bose make the system?

2k4tl

You're enitrely right. The other tailpipe is just visible over on the right side.

BTW, it's also dealer plate 4321 as discussed elsewhere.

Raheel

No Actually if you look closer the plate says 3421

Jason

Good job fdl.

Raheel

I am just waiting to see how much Acura is gonna SUE Autoweek for

Raheel

So do any of you think the 04TL will get dinged more, because it has no Side Protection, or maybe the Production will have side protection?

Its cool how the indent line goes thru the Fuel Gauge Door too

phile

I doubt it, similar thing happened with the TSX release.

Raheel

Also does anyone know what that top antenna is for? XM Radio? Onstar? Navigation? AM/FM Radio? Bluetooth?

VtecMW

I think the TSX Audio system is made by Pioneer. Even if Panasonic does make both, a DVD 5.1 Audio system is a completely different system altogether.

Also, be mindful of the fact that the TSX is marketed to a younger buyer, so a "360 Watt, 8 speaker audio system" might wow a buyer in this segment. For the TL, a 225 Watt DVD Audio 5.1 system might either, wow the audiophile, or not make a difference to someone who happens to be older.

VtecMW

Based on what?? Hopefully both cars will be reliable over the long run.

need4spd_RENAMED

Interesting, the photo gallery link shows the concept car as the 2004 TL

I was hoping for more REAL photos

Thanks fdl!!!!

ssm_tsx

The TSX's system isn't even 360 Watts. The 360 watt rating comes from the max output of all the speakers. One of the past trolls brought it up.