larchmont

Even if you disagree with Hatch, that's why the idea of the "T" standing for "tire" is bonkers.

phile

There has been no confirmation - for both the TL and the RL. I don't see how you could make such an argument in the first place.

VtecMW

I totally agree with you. If my dealer called me saying "Here are your standard features and options for the '04 Acura TL. Oh, so you're interested in a 6MT? We've got just what you're looking Check out our TL HPT. " So I say "What's HPT"? Dealer says... "it's our "High Performance Tires edition of the TL." It includes Yokohama AVxxxx. performance tires". I'd look at him like :pfawk: :shakehd: :thumbsdn: :whocares: :ghey: "Get the hell out of my face".

That sounds totally ridiculous. High Performance Touring, now that would make me take interest in such a package. Talk to me about Brembo brakes, stiffer suspension, lower ride, upgraded tires and 6MT.

Raheel

You just said:

Quote:

Talk to me about Brembo brakes, stiffer suspension, lower ride, upgraded tires and 6MT.

So how do u know High Performance Tires could not be brakes, suspension, lower ride, and upgraded tires? Do not all 4 of these involve variations in the tires and etc...?

larchmont

You're missing the point, 2004.

We're not talking about what the package is; we're talking about what the trim level will be CALLED!

Some people are saying the "T" in HPT is "tire," and we're saying that's nuts. Sure, the package can include special tires, and it probably will. But calling a trim level "tire" would be moronic.

That's all that we mean.

acura_driver

I just hope there isn't too much difference between the "luxury AT version" and the "performance MT version". If there is, it could be a deal breaker for me. Driving in SF Bay Area traffic makes a modern sequential automatic preferable to a manual transmission for me. But I don't want to give up too much performance to get it!

An observation, I believe that where there is a choice, the majority of performance luxury sedans are purchased with an automatic ransmission.

-r

Raheel

True but look at the G35 coupe vs. the Sedan..

Coupe has 280 HP and many performance oriented mods while the sedan has only 260 hp and less performance things..

Raheel

Ya sorry I missed your point..

TIRE does sound really gay, Tour would be cool, like the 350z has a Touring model

need4spd_RENAMED

I agree acura_driver, here I am planning on getting my first automatic car (in 22 years) and now I am going to be disappointed by having to get the watered down, non-sport, non-performance, non-brembo, non-lowered (all guesses according to this thread) version with the AT of the new agressive, sexy TL???

The hell with that, I'll just have to sleep in a tent out back (it will be easier than explaining to my wife why I bought anouther MT car that she can't drive, nor would want to learn how to drive) :P

Acura better bring on the goods in both the AT and MT versions of the TL with the HPT (touring) package or it is going to be a cold winter for me in the tent!!!!

Raheel

Ya, Man as anyone knows the Auto's sell the most, lot of people want a performance car but want a Auto, I mean it would seriously piss me off!!

acura_driver

HPT... "High Performance Tires" would be really lame. And "High Performance Touring" is a bit of an oxymoron. Either it is "High Performance" or it is "Touring", but they can't really exist at the same time without compromise. Whatever HPT is, it seems clear it is performance oriented though.

Perhaps HPT is an internal Acura name, and the public name will be different? Just a thought...

-r

need4spd_RENAMED

2004TL, glad to see someone else is still awake.

Ya, especially being my first, as it has been a knock down, drag down brawl of auto vs manual for me and the Mrs'

(I guess she wants the option of being able to drive my wheels when her's is down).

Here I go agreeing, and now it is not available with the fun stuff.

If (this is a very big if based on the current info) it was AWD, I would definately be in the tent (hell, I would sleep in the car, like the guy in the MB E class commercials) and get the MT.

Sorry to go on, but this is p#$$ng me off.

larchmont

You mean like that "Mother Of All Bombs" thing?

BTW I think High Performance Touring, while an oxymoron, actually would work fine. It has kind of a ring to it.

need4spd_RENAMED

I thought about that also, HPT could be an internal code only.

HP and touring are oppisites, just look at touring tires vs max performance, complete oppisites.

But don't forget, it is all marketing buzz, so it does not have to make sense, just sound cool.

acura_driver

How about "High Performance Technology" instead?

-r

need4spd_RENAMED

Not sexy enough

larchmont

Negative.

Too nerd.

need4spd_RENAMED

With Acura's change in name designations, do you think the new one will be called TLX? (aka RSX, TSX for the sporter models)?

acura_driver

Guilty as charged, I'm an engineer...

-r

larchmont

Some of us have been kicking that around. In fact I think you could find it on this thread, but of course that would be about 40 pages ago.

Most people think "TLX" would be ridiculous, because this "X" stuff is kind of a cliche, and besides Acura has enough "X's" already. But I'm not so sure.

I've been saying that the supposed fact that it'll be "TL" makes me think that it won't be as much different from the current TL as people think, or else Acura would be re-naming it. And, that if it turns out the new car WILL have a new name, then it probably means that Acura reads this board!

(Which I'm sure they do anyway.)

need4spd_RENAMED

Join the crowd, but I have spent to much time with the marketing folk so I am starting to think like them, sdarwkcab (backwards that is).

need4spd_RENAMED

Sorry, I thought I read all 48 pages, must have missed that post.

I see that Justin did not say boo after his clarification statement, no one came down hard on him, just appreciative for what he has said.

Alex

Well, it is all really depends which "performance" we are talking exactly - straight line acceleration (with serious wheel-spin and poor handling) or something else?

I posted few links one or two pages back but I'm pretty sure everybody here knows what we are talking about here - we all love Honda but let's face it FWD has it's limits and even 260hp TL-S touches it.
Just take current TL-S for a test drive (push it hard off the line and around the corners) and then try 530i or one of this Quattro things - difference is quite big, noticeable and very hard to miss.
This is good thing Honda has AWD for such a long time on almost all JDM models - it gives us some hope that one day AWD will make its way to US (I personally dislike RWD since I had quite an unpleasant experience diving RWD germans in snow/rain)

So we can say for sure that '04 270hp 3.5L FWD TL will have "good/very good performance" but it will not be able to compete against germans - let's not foolish yourself here.
While *lightweight* RSX (and in most cases TSX ) with *smal*l and again *lightweight* engines can be one of the best examples how Honda can beat competitors by utilising all possible advantages of FWD setup - TL will be totally opposite story: heavy nose with such big and heavy V6 3.5L engine plus pretty serious curb weight make it "FWD dinosaur".

I haven't chance to drive all-new '04 Maxima V6 3.5L 265hp yet but from what I heard it is exactly the case I just briefly outlined above.

SPUDMTN

Hello-

Ehh...probably not. I think the concept @ NY would have been the "TLX Concept". Besides, I think it's safer for them to leave the name alone--it's been a very successful car for the last few years and renaming the car might not be a good thing to do. I think everyone is starting to recognize the name "TL" and know that it's the ACURA TL.

I'd guess that the only change in name is going to be the drop of the engine liter designation. Has this been made official yet?


SPUDMTN

Looks like I was late to respond to your post...shoot

Iceman

I have no doubt you will have to give up SOME performance. Example 1: the Honda Accord 6MT Coupe is much more performance oriented than the automatic.
Example 2: the TSX 6MT is geared for acceleration, whereas the automatic is geared for economy.

need4spd_RENAMED

Drove the 04 Maxima SE with AT today, just didn't feel right, torque steer, cheep looking interior (too plastic), could not see the 6.3" radio/A-C controls in the sun, and sluggesh tranny really turned me off (plus the ugly nose).

My 96 Maxima w/ 3.0 MT and only 2896 lbs felt and looked much better (17" OZ wheels and AVS sports don't hurt).

larchmont

Totally agree -- me too.

On "the old site" (I imagine you know the story about that), there was a lot of discussion of this, usually instigated by me. Most people said FWD doesn't make that much difference on snow and little if any difference in rain -- even some highly knowledgeable people. Many of the Canadian members and some of the northern U.S. types (e.g. Jason), however, gave good support to our view.

I wouldn't own anything except FWD or AWD, regardless of anything about power.

Raheel

726 Replies
46518 Views

WOW!!

This might be the biggest car thread ever :p

Raheel

If we have this many views I wonder how many TL's will sell, maybe it may surpass Accords Record, But I wouldn't like that, I like the TL because its rare, same with TSX

SPUDMTN

Hello-

Could we maybe get a "count-down until TL debut" clock for the home page?


SPUDMTN

larchmont

For a moment tonight, it was exactly 700 and exactly 46,000 at the same time. Looked neat as hell.

Raheel

When is the debut?

And you mean like a countdown clock?

That would be cool, how about that mods

Raheel

I guess this thread is officially dead tonight

Raheel

Now the views ia 46610

That is 92 up from last hour..

That means it has been viewed 92 more times in the last 60 mins, WOW!

That means this site gets tons of viewers and is so crowded!

Specially at 3:36 at night

Colin

I'm not sure where everyone is getting all this 3.5 stuff, but as far as I have heard, it's still 3.2.

jwaters943

I won't pretend to know for sure what engine Acura is putting in the new TL, but they *should* use the 3.5 liter V6 from the MDX. All the competition has or will have 3.5 liter engines in the next couple years (Infiniti & Nissan already have it, VW will have a 3.5-3.6 liter VR6 within 1.5-2 years, BMW is working on a 3.5 liter I-6 due out in about 2 years, etc.) Even though I'm sure Acura could get enough power out of the 3.2 liter V6, there are people who also look at the size of an engine while purchasing a car (I guess old sayings die hard, "there is no replacement for displacement).

ClutchPerformer

You are on this site WAAAAAY too much, Larch.

RJC RSX

looks like you own page 50

ClutchPerformer

Thank you, thank you....

I don't know, guys. I love Honda/Acura to death, but it's looking more and more like the new TL is gonna be a slightly nicer/newer version of the current TL-S. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know. I know the performance people will hate that, but the TL did sell very well in its prime. That's ultimately what honda is looking for.

VtecMW

I think this forum has pretty much pushed the limits of speculation and anticipation for the new TL. So, Honda/Acura... if you're reading this, give us some photos and specs on the car. We have run out of things to talk about!