ThermonMermon

Hey guys,

I am posting a similar thread on other acura forums as well. I am going to give this thread some time to marinate and if the results are favorable, I am going to approach acura.

The poll assumes that a coupe would have typical Acura features: engine, HP/TQ figures, technology packages, safety items, and luxury items.





I am including both front ends to open discussion about opinions on Acura's signature facade.

phee

iTrader: (5)

must have one of acuras wonderful 6 speeds

ThermonMermon

And also the assumption that a 6-speed manual would be offered in an "S" version.

VQPower37

it honestly looks pretty good ... i think this model, looks better in the 2 door version than the 4 door

ghttf

Yea it would need a 6MT for a sure purchase and the 6AT to be considered. Also a different grille and a less chunky rear end.

docboy

Nice renderings.

3.7L V6 w/SH-AWD, 6MT, and a lighter weight would do well to compete against the S5

Out of curiosity, how do you plan on approaching Acura?

dallison

i'd think about it.

ThermonMermon

thanks guys...keep it coming...

pttl

Right now my next car will probably be a coupe, but it's not carved in stone. As it is I would not buy this rendering (would still need to know what makes it go and the drive line. FWD = FAIL)
....It still looks too much like the current TL. Rear end bloated and chopped from what I can tell. Green house position. Bumper is full of negative space, below the head lights although it is better on the beakless version. The absence of the cow catcher is a good start though.
It is a good beginning but the design is still to Acura-esque and that is not a good thing.

stogie1020

Pillarless Coupe.

Gen7Milan

iTrader: (1)

I really like the new front end you did!

MIKE8898

It looks pretty cool. However, I don't think its realistic. Acura obviously does not do well in sales when it comes to coupes. Look at the cancellation of the CL, Integra, and RSX. Acura must have thought that not enough people were interested in their 2 doors. I would think that after a few failed attempts at a well selling coupe they would be leery to try again. Assuming the CL would be in the same price range as the TL at 35k-42k there are just better competitors available.

loulinjai

I really, really....REALLY like the grille compared to the current 4G. Good job.

SpiderX1016

No Thanks. It's still going to be ugly to me.
I don't blame you. Just the 4G TL isn't a nice design to start with.

CocheseUGA

You're trying way too hard.

Costco

$$$$$$$$



If they differentiated it enough from the TL (which they will/would) then yeah. 6MT with SH-AWD, why not? I like the rendering with the different grill, but not a big fan of the lower bumper, I think its too extreme for Honda or Acura. As mentioned, make the rear end less chunky though.... ditch the Megatron look.

Sadly, I think it will come with the beak regardless. At the moment its as much of a requirement on their cars as the Acura badge itself.

dom

Looks better, but there's still far too much wrong with that car overall to say I'd consider buying one.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I've been wanting Acura to bring back the CL ever since they discontinued it in 2003. With no coupe in their line up, Acura is really missing out on a large segment.

With that said, I can't afford a new car, but I would gladly buy a "3G CL" if and when it comes out. I think Acura will wait to bring out a CL until the 4G TL is redesigned.

TS_eXpeed

Grill looks much better.

Headlights and front end (and rear given it's similar to current styling) needs major reworking IMO. Too robotish, or...just

Go pillarless.

Middle body lines somewhat look like a cross between an E Coupe and Accord Coupe. Just an observation.

ThermonMermon

i was going for something that was reminiscent of honda design, while adding something new - had the A5 profile in mind.

the front is a bit robotish. i did not want to push the envelope with the front end, as anything controversial would start to sway the poll results.

TS_eXpeed

That too.

silver3.5

the front looks like it's from a lambo or porsche or even the x5 M; alot better compared to the ugly beak but i still wouldn't buy it bec. the whole current acura design theme is just ugly!

Moog-Type-S

5 point acura grille is getting tired. They need a new front end design.

+1 to no B pillar.

Push those front wheels out to the corners.....let's go all in for RWD!

Aman

SH-AWD with 6speed of course. I'd consider it, but probably not for long. Unless Acura can somehow get 300 pounds off, this'll be way too heavy to be a proper coupe IMO. But I like the renderings.

I love what you did with the front end, but if you want to make a case for Acura Corporate, I think you'll have to be a bit more realistic. Being the idiots they are, they'll have to have the shield back so the car maintains Acura's corporate baboon-butt look. And I don't know if such large air dams will be practical on a car like this. If you could make them a teensy bit less agressive, and maybe add in fogs, you'll be set

Also, what happened to the fender flare and the base of the A-pillar?

Keep in mind, I'm fascinated with what you've been able to do, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I'm really looking hard to find places to improve

Maybe a very slight but wide power bump on the hood? Makes the CL more aggressive IMO. I like what you've done with the headlamps, but I think they should be a little bit more different than the TLs. I dunno if you've done this already but maybe consider chopping the roof a bit?

And a rear make over Get working!

Costco

I think it's safe to say that this won't be pillarless, and a little less safe to say that it won't be RWD - but still, not a dangerous thing to say.

Acura will want it to be as similar to the TL structurally as possible to avoid spiking up their costs and thus the price of the car. Last time I checked the engine is still mounted transversely and I don't think the associated extra bracing of the car to make it pillarless will be cheap, especially if they want to retain their coveted 5-star crash rated lineup. Definitely would make for a hot coupe, but I think the starting price would then be at least $43k. I don't know if I would get one over a 335i coupe.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

i actually like it....as long as it's RWD

ThermonMermon

here is an overlay from start to finish. the greenhouse was raked and dropped. note: the final version was dropped a couple of inches, so the overlay has a blurred effect.

07tl-s6spd

iTrader: (1)

bring back the 3g body with some flare!!!

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Nice rendering. What to do with the front has been done many times. I'd like to see if you can work something with the rear. That is seemingly irrepairable shy of an entire redisign.

Acura has lost me for the moment. Even if they come out with the CL again I will not be in line for it. Give it a good 3-5 year run....and I'll be an Acura man again. One year won't convince me.

Good luck.

charliemike

I don't think a car that is a 2-door TL is the way to go.

Not when there are so many options in the $35-45k price range that are real coupes.

speedemon90

This

The tl sales aren't really that great so to base the cl off of the tl, would probably be a bad idea. Instead make a whole new design.

If it plans on being in the 35k-45k price range, it should not be fwd, that can slow down sales, especially if your putting a 300hp v6 under the hood. Remember that coupes usually appeal to more car enthusiasts. And I believe they care more about the feel of the car than the amount of features that are loaded in the car.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

This. While I can appreciate your photoshop skills and appreciate your enthusiasm, you're wasting your time. Automotive manufacturers do not accept outside submissions on designs. In fact, most companies do not accept outside submissions regarding designs of their products...

ThermonMermon

if i didnt enjoy designing that, then i would not have been up until 4am doing so i know it's highly unlikely that they will accept. that was not my intention when i designed it...just figured id have some fun and share....and in the process, get some aziners to back it up before attempting to submit. if honda/acura corp does not have an acura coupe floating around in the pot, then they are not going to commission an internal design team, freelancers, even enthusiast forum members, to design squat....

...also, dont forget that 70%-90% of architectural and automotive design goes by the wayside because it is unapproved, beyond the client scope, or is unable to get the right funding to be brought to life. (the main reason as to why i stopped practicing as an architect a few years ago - even after countless hours, a 5 year program, student loans up the ass, and a useless ivy league degree - all down the drain). literally, 90% of what you design goes unacknowledged. oh well, sometimes you need to let dreamers dream. you cant be a realist when it comes to design, or else you will never bring yourself to doing so in the first place. JB, Cochese, if everyone shared that same mindset then you would not see the buildings, engineering marvels, cars, etc. etc. that you do today.

junkiexxl

put in a turbo. other than that it looks it little bit like the new accords. but i would still consider the fact that acura has no other 2 door coupes

HondaOnWORKS

If it offers a inline 4 turbo option (from the RDX), SH-AWD, and 6spd. I'll consider buying it if the price is right.

CL6

Why don't you work on getting them to stop hitting their cars with an ugly stick?

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

SH-AWD Type S 6 speed as long as it doesnt have same TL front grill... lets say 335-350HP i would def be into it but i doubt its gonna happen be realistic ppl. and yes for go pillarless

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

I may consider it.

taeoug

Good job. I just came back into the Acura fold recently but I still own a bulletproof Infiniti and luv it. If Acura was to ever consider bringing back the CL, it would definitely have to start off with RWD because there would endless digs and comparisons with the G and 335i. Since Infiniti just introduced the IPL line (lame name for their performance line) and BMW single turboing their new 335 series, that would have to be like the baselines where Acura needs to start from (talking about HP/Torque,handling - not design).

As mentioned before, I hope Acura stops beating their vehicles with the ugly stick. Geez what happened to the old school designs we all knew and loved?

ThermonMermon

okay, there were a few requests to design the back end. that is going to take a full day of uncompensated work...so id rather spend the time designing an NSX...most likely from a rear 3/4 view. i may do it from scratch so i could really push the envelope, this CL photoshop was a bit too watered down...keep you guys posted in the coming weeks.