Alex

I do not see this happening
Right now Honda have choice of two engines - old V3.2(TL-S) and new V3.5L (Pilot/MDX), both are VTEC.
Chances of added another one in between very low - why would they do that? Such 3.3/3.4L can not be *much* lighter/smaller that existing 3.5 anyway.

As it was pointed out by insiders there's no way that 3.5 will be used so with 99% accuracy we can say that it will be old 3.2 with added 10hp.

I was hoping it will have the same features as recent JDM Inspire engine but since Inspire has i-VTEC and it is already "confirmed" (err again) that TL comes with VTEC I almost 100% sure it will be as old 3.2L with extra 10hp and almost same torque as it had before.

EmuMessenger

Bummer, I would really like to see the 0-60 on the 6 speed dip below six seconds, even if it is 5.999999999999999999994356.

Alex

Well *official* data for 540i 6M
Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec) - 6.0
http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/mo...3_techdata.cfm

540 auto
Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec) - 6.2(6.1 with Sport Package)
http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/mo...8_techdata.cfm

And it is actually feels like it is true numbers.

Btw most magazines usually get way better numbers than BMW claims

Acura never published any official data so most numbers came from tests and honestly you can not use them during comparision unless they tested both cars at the same day.

And in all test drives I ever saw TL-S always loose to 330i (we not even talking about 540i here). And I trust 330i faster - it just feels as a fast car

04 TL suppose to be competing against 525, 530, 9-5, A6 and GS300 - and it will beat them in 0-60 tests without any problems at all.
Slalom will be other story (mostly sad one) but hey who need's it - there's very few turns on highway so it is ok

LeeLee

Knowing Honda, we'll probably get the 3.2. I mean geeze, the current TSX - the ultimate 4-banger Accord - has a 2.4 liter engine, that's 0.2 liters bigger than my 11 year old '92 Accord EX.

Since there is no *NEED* for a bigger engine in the new TL, we won't get one. I bet we see 3.2 liters in the new TL, but dropping the 3.2 moniker from the model name opens Acura up to larger engine displacements in the future without confusing consumers with numbers.

need4spd_RENAMED

Sorry, I was quotting the auto 540, from a magazine I read recently. I knew that the manual was ever so slightly faster (0.1 is good for an auto vs manual, but they do that with gearing changes).

Anyway, my point was that the TL for its size (540 is 188") and money (540 sport is aprox 58K) is a very good performer.

Sorry for any misunderstanding.

1SICKLEX

Don't even go there. The new 5 is 2 inches wider, 2 inches longer and has a much longer wheelbase than the TL. And please don't compare the 2.

Why the hell, are we comparing a TL to a 540, pass the weed please.

Ya'll sound like grown up ricers. What about?

1. Better quality leather
2. Panel gaps that fit better
3. Real wood
4. A solid tranny.
5. No rattles
6. Better quality paint.

Speed should not be the 1st thing on the list.Compared to the G35, IS 300, 3 series, it will still feel like a big FWD boat.

kurt_bradley

We still have 7 weeks before we get to do the Ride & Drive on the car. Just wait until then and Justin and I will drop all of the cool details about the car's performance. It's gonna smoke all of its competition, don't worry. Especially once the HPT comes too. Nothing like having a 6-speed in a bigger car that is performance oriented for once (and not having to buy something that isn't a Honda). We're only going to get to drive the auto at the Ride & Drive for the TL most likely, just like the TSX one. Those bastards don't trust us.

rb1

Note that for any given configuration (I4, V6, V8) etc., with larger displacement you generally get more vibration from the engine.

3.2L is fine for a V6.

(Personally, I think 2L or so is as high as you should go with an I4 but that's another story... )

EmuMessenger

I smell hint dropping!

K_B, are you indirectly saying we should see a significant performance boost from the current Type-S to the new TL?

Yes or No will suffice, unless you wish to be more specific.

I think one magazine got a 0-60 in 6.3 on the TLS. Significant improvement on that number?

jwaters943

You've obviously never driven the TSX or you would never make a comment like that.

DISRUPTV

well said


Acura should concentrate more abt their car's quality than just speed...its the people who appreciate quality that keep coming back 2 the same manufacturer over and over again, while those that appreciate speed just keep on going to whoever makes the fastest car out there

DISRUPTV

also


i'd expect the 6spd tl to run /w 5.7-6.1sec in the 0-60sec sprint

i'm willing to bet $5 that it will be in that neighborhood, unless the car is grossly overweight (like they did w/the new max )

EmuMessenger

If the car hits 5.7, I will be estatic +1!

vitocorleone

Honda/Acura keeps people coming back primarily with price and reliability. Improving "quality" woud likely increase the price, in which case, would you still choose the Acura?

rb1

Actually I have -- 3 test drives now...

ender

The last time I checked J.D Power and Associates I believe Acura has BMW beat in Initial Quality, Vehicle Dependability, and Customer Service.

Remember once upon a time that Mercedes was the most respected marque in dependability, well Dodge and Mazda got them beat.

www.jdpower.com

kurt_bradley

I think that the car will definately outperform the current TL-S.

kurt_bradley

The car is going to be lighter, more potent, and more agile than the current car. That's a given, but how much more is another story.

acura_driver

I certainly hope that is true!

What we need are comments from someone who has actually driven it. Certainly someone lurking here has driven it.

-r

typeR

all that is well and good but my johnson is still several inches long

jwaters943

And you didn't find it's 4 cylinder to be one of the smoothest 4 bangers in production (irregardless of liters)?

larchmont

You know, I think you just helped me figure something out:

That must be how "7or8" got his name! :thinking:

typeR

lol...atleast somone finally responed to one of my damn comments...i was begining to feel left out...

larchmont

We just figure that someone named "type R" is so cool and macho that he doesn't need any affirmation.

Especially with a johnson like that. :flamer:

dmac_RENAMED

whenever im walkin down the street, i can tell if a 330i is coming down the street, when a g35/z/fx is comin down the street, i can definately tell when an s200 is approaching...i just wish i could do that wit an acura car..

Colin

You shouldn't feel left out, this is about TL hp and features, not your Johnson whch is not a feature of this car. I can just see this on the sales floor, "yes, if you get our new TL, you will also have as standard this beautiful Johnson! You'll notice that it is several inches long.....it goes nicely with thewood trimmed interior"

phile

From what I read, Honda and Acura have something referred to as "equal length shafts" that, unlike unequal length shafts (which are the culprits for torque steer), do not cause as much torque steer as other FWD cars (read: Nissan Maxima/Altima).

larchmont

Why, then, would there ever be unequal length shafts? (I have a feeling this is just a basic car question....)

Colin

This is sure to get a "rise" out of Larch..... Not that there's anything wrong with that. He is correct, our cars have "equal length johnsons" and this helps minimize torque steer. That and the fact our cars have no torque (sorry it's a running joke among S2000 owners).

acura_driver

In a FWD car usually the engine is on one side of the car, and the transmission is on the other. This can make it difficult to put the differential in the center so that equal length shafts can be used. Some FWD cars use unequal length shafts that have the same torsional rigidity (e.g. make one larger in diameter or hollow) so that they behave like equal length shafts.

-r

larchmont

Thanks much, AD, nicely told -- I wouldn't be surprised if you're a prof!

acura_driver

You are welcome, larchmont.

The worst torque steer I've ever experienced was in a '90 Mitu Eclipse Turbo I test drove once. Nail the throttle and then try to keep the car in your lane!

-r

BTW, I'm an engineer. I don't think I have the patience to be a prof! :shakehd:

phile

Don't know if this is news to anyone, but over at vtec.net, they're saying 3.2L for the TL, 270hp (still no torque numbers!).

typeR

well im dissapointedi thought for sure the accord went i VTEC but apperantly only on the 4...im guessing it takes DOHC to do the i vtec? i was hoping we'd see that for the new TL,but if they dont and stay with the same basic Jblock that just means more potential performance gains for my car...namely the ECU as it will likely be flashably... hello hondata...

typeR

so you do know me then!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DISRUPTV

hmmm wonder if the car will have an hlsd

kurt_bradley

On the 6-speed, it probably will have the helical LSD (don't hold you breath on the auto). The CL-S 6-speed had one on it, and that assembly was great.

James

i was looking at edmunds.com and in the future vehicles part, they show pictures of the new tl the same ones featured here just thought id share

typeR

i think it's a given the manny will have it but to help eliminate/control the undiserable torque steer they could conceivably include it on the auto....which would be a dream come true...because on my next transmission i would upgrade

sigma521

Personally i don't think HLSD will be offered on 2004 Acura TL Auto or Manual for one reason, it's a family performance luxary sedan and last time i remember they added HLSD to the line up is to boost the sales of CL-S. What i think is that HLSD will be offered in a year or so, during the model refresh or along with AWD TL-S version in 2 years.