Moog-Type-S

More of the same ugly....what am I missing here

Hapa DC5

Subaru fixed their abomination rather quickly. I figured Acura would want to atleast partially unfuck the TL by toning down that grille. The MMC is one thing and Honda doesn't always stick to it, they could have just done a little enhancement before the '12 model hits the showroom.

krio

you are right... it would have helped the weak sales of the current model.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

I don't know why, but I laughed....

Hapa DC5

I laugh at my frustration with this company as well...

silver3.5

that's what i say too....another reason why i'm leaning towards german regardless of the maintenance overkill, just as long as everyday when i look at it, i'll admire it.

Costco

Why did you guys expect them to change the grille

Like SSFTSX, its elegant and technological design. Plus Honda never does anything wrong, why would they change it before the MMC?

silver3.5

sure...it's more like hedious and technological poop!

FiveLiterCheater

All that car really needs is new bumpers, lights (both front and rear), and a grille...The overall shape is nice, but the details kill it. I saw one on Rodeo drive that was done up pretty nice...Black, tinted tindows, smoked lights (housing, not tint), color matched grille, and the OEM gunmetal 19's with a mild drop....looked really good.

Edward'TLS

The MY (model year)-2011 TL only has a 6-month life cycle, so it is virtually a carry over of the MY-2010 TL. The "big" change will be the MMC MY-2012 TL which, if Acura is on schedule, will be arriving next spring/summer (calender year 2011). Hopefully a Type-S version will be released at the same time to boost sales, just like the previous two generations.

krio

With Type-s You mean a more powerful version of the 3.7 305 hp?

vybzkartel

Yeah, I don't see that happening! Unless they've developed a new engine.

Or maybe(and that's a big 'maybe', lol), they go FI on either the 3.5 or 3.7?!

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Possibly a freer flowing exhaust, suspension tuning, and some tweaks to the SHAWD system. With some decent tuning Im sure they could get another 15-20hp out of it. But the biggest question is will they?

Personally, I dont think they will. But Acura does what Acura does, so who knows?

Edward'TLS

If the ingenious Honda has run out of clever tricks in engine tuning, slapping on a supercharger will do the job well. Or perhaps a bored out 3.8L-V6 or 3.9L-V6 bringing in another 30 more hp.

The TL-S of the last 2 generations all had more hp than the respective regular trims.

But if there is no hp boost, there is absolutely no point of releasing a type-S TL at all for this current generation.

FiveLiterCheater

^ Agreed. All they really have to do is rebadge the SH-AWD (extremely stupid name) to Type-S, throw some Brembos on there, a more aggressive front/rear end, suspension tuning, and sportier interior trim

fsttyms1

Which is where a nice aluminum 4.0 liter V8 would be nice making around 400hp.

Edward'TLS

Agree. A V8 would also generate lots of torque too, something that a naturally aspirated V6 can never do.

Shift_Acura

Nobody is gonna buy a TL if it has a V8 in it. Especially not when everyone is obsessed about fuel economy. Theres so much fail in that I dont know where to begin. Who buys a TL for straight line performance??

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

No one, because it currently doesnt have any.

If Audi and BMW can put V8s in their smaller vehicles (RS4 and M3 respectively), why couldn't Acura make an uber-Type S?

Of course this is all hypothetical as we all know that won't happen in the near future.

Shift_Acura

Acura TL V8

The car was only available in FWD until a year ago. Not to mention its still based on the Accord platform.

We will see an Acura TL hybrid before (if ever) we see an Acura V8

Edward'TLS

Don't be silly.

The base-trim el-cheapo FWD TL will still be using the V6 powerplant. The high power, high torque V8 will be the option engine for the top-line SH-AWD TL.

The V8 won't be the volume seller, but will be a very good image builder for both the TL model and the Acura brand name, which unfortunately has a serious identity problem at this moment.

A previous-generation V8 S4, a V8 C63 AMG, and a V8 M3 sedan are nothing new. If Audi, BMW, and MB can do it, why can't Acura ?

Even when the FWD-chassis TL is handicapped by it's FWD layout, it can make do with the AWD V8 TL just like the previous V8 FWD-chassis Quattro S4, in order to compete with the V8 C63 AMG and the V8 M3 sedan.

knavinusa

I know I've brought this up before, Edward, but why do you believe the S4 is meant to compete with the C63/M3? There wouldn't be any reason for them to make the RS4 if they already had the S4.

Also, it doesn't seem very likely they'll be putting any V8 in their production cars for the time being as long as they continue to adopt that eco-friendly image. People tend to associate V8 with gas guzzlers, even though current-gen V8s are quite fuel efficient.

Edward'TLS

With the lack of V8 powerplant and RWD chassis, Acura has pitifully failed to become a recognized luxury auto brand even after 24 years in existence.

People tend to associate V8 with gas guzzlers. People also tend to associate V8 with performance. Remember the original Acura slogan "Acura - Precision Crafted Performance".

Like I have said many times before. The V8 is an OPTION engine. It is not the base engine that comes with the base-trim models, just like the rest of the recognized luxury PERFORMANCE auto brands such as Audi, BMW, and MB.

It will be business as usual for the gas-sipping I4-trim and V6-trim models which are the volume sellers. It can still maintain the eco-friendly image, and the ever tightening CAFE fleet fuel mileage. The V8-trim is only for the handful of extreme buyers looking for ultimate performance without having to spend an arm or a leg for the RS4 (happy now, Knavinusa ?), the C63 and the M3.

krio

100% agree.
look at Caddilac CTS: V6 engines? as you please!
want super-mega-crazy performance? get the CTS-V!
Same for Acura:
An hot TL V8 would be on my wish list for sure...

Shift_Acura

1. I think Acura needs to fix the styling of the current gen TL.

2. They need to get rid of the beak across the whole line up.

3. They need to completely redesign the RL and make it available with a ~350hp V6 Hybrid motor and more luxury features.

4. They need to come out with a 7 or 8 speed trans to keep up with competition.

5. They need to come out with a proper coupe (Turbo + AWD please).



And once they start getting more customers, then they can start having fun and play around with a V8. For now there are more serious matters to address.

Shift_Acura

Why, because theres a lack of V8 sedans to choose from or do u like the cutting edge style?

krio

V8...
the 2012 model will get rid of the front nose, I'm sure)))

jasonwdp10

personally, i'd love an acura V8.

I mean yea.. there are japanese V8's, but i'm not a fan of nissan/infiniti's and the gs460 was a letdown (342hp from a v8 when the ls460 has 380?)

I was waiting for an acura V8 but kinda got my dreams crushed when they announce the v8 was cancelled

Settled for a TL.

ooh there's also the IS-F, but it's just a bit out of my price range and the rear seat room kills any chance of me getting it :/

biker

Wish all you want but everyone knows there'll be no V8 from Honda - much less in a TL.

FiveLiterCheater

^ Yeah, probably not going to happen. If it does, its going to be in their next flagship model. Acura is more concerned about volume sales rather than trophy cars

knavinusa

That is exactly why they continue to be recognized as a "near-luxury" brand below Lexus, BMW, etc. None of their cars truly stand out.

I completely agree - and that makes me wonder why they aren't considering placing the V10 from the NSX into their performance flagship (think M5) when the engine seemed pretty much complete. Perhaps they believe no one would consider an Acura that expensive?

fsttyms1

If the TL came with a V8 (and it was around that 400hp mark) with SH-AWD i would without a doubt look past the looks of it and purchase one. (while ordering the RJ Grille so it could be installed before driving off the lot)

LIke Edward'TLS said, it wouldnt be the volume leader, nor would it be FWD, it would be the niche vehicle just like the M's, the AMG, CTS-V ect. There would be plenty of people out there to purchase it

krio

fixed

dom

Acura won't even stick a MT in a V6 TSX or an MT in a TSX 'Sport Wagon'. Presumably because they're worried about them being low volume sellers.

So based on that I think we can safely assume that we'll won't see anything from Honda/Acura that has the possibility of being a low volume seller.

Just be thankful Honda was gracious enough to give us the option of an MT in the TL.

fsttyms1

I agree, but it sure would be nice.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

And I almost wonder how long that option will be available or if it will go back on hiatus.

Belzebutt

A V8 TL would have a weight distribution of something like 70/30%. They can't put bigger engines in a car until they come up with a new rear-biased platform, which would probably cost something like a billion dollars. You would probably be hearing about this new platform if this was due to come out in the next couple of years.

fsttyms1

There is no reason they cant make a lightweight V8. 2 more cyls wouldnt have to add that much more weight.

dom

It was coming out. We even heard about it and saw spy photos. Then it was canceled. I don't think a V8 is necessary at this point for the TL/TSX. But something that's not based off an Accord is IMO.

Colin

I'd have to look back but I'm not 100% sure on the V-8 part. I believe they only publicly confirmed the V-10 for the NSX replacement. Of course this would have been a new FR chassis, with the engine behind the front wheel centerline. The new NSX would have had a 7 speed DSG and most likely would have been the chassis for the new RL/TL and a coupe. The TSX most likely would have remained Accord based.