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Acura 3.2 TL type S
Adding "sport" to your luxury

By Kim Wolfkill

When the Acura TL was redesigned for the 1999 model year, near-luxury buyers responded enthusiastically to the much-improved sedan. They bought it in droves, making it Acura’s top-selling model.

For the 2002 model year, performance is the magic word as Acura introduces the sporty 3.2 TL Type-S sedan. Modeled after the 3.2 CL Type-S coupe, this latest TL makes an already good car even better.

Central to this improvement is the same sport-tuned 3.2-liter V-6 found in the CL Type-S. Based on the standard TL’s 3.2-liter VTEC engine, the Type-S powerplant enjoys the added benefits of a dual-stage induction system, higher-compression pistons, a high-flow air intake and a freer-flowing exhaust system.

The result of these changes is an impressive 260 bhp at 6100 rpm and 232 lb.-ft. of torque between 3500–5500 rpm. These numbers translate to better power across the rev range and a more pronounced (yet enjoyable) induction howl beyond 5000 rpm. And thanks to some clever engineering, this is all accomplished without impacting fuel economy.

Mated to this new engine is a close-ratio 5-speed automatic transmission with Honda’s Sequential SportShift feature. Standard on both the TL and Type-S, this nifty unit makes manual gear selection a snap. A simple flick of the shifter forward or back quickly changes gears. Of the many such systems out there, this is one of the smoothest and most satisfying to use.

To keep all this performance on the road, the Type-S gets a more aggressive suspension package in keeping with its sporting nature. Stiffer springs, anti-roll bars and shock damping combine with 215/50R-17 tires and wheels to deliver more responsive handling and better grip.

Acura stylists haven’t done a whole lot to differentiate the Type-S from the standard TL. With the exception of new 5-spoke 17-in. wheels (also shared with the CL Type-S) and a few subtle badges, there’s little difference between the two models. For 2002, both models receive a sleeker front-end treatment that gives the car a slightly sportier, more aggressive look.

Inside, the Type-S is easier to distinguish from the regular TL thanks to perforated leather sport seats and steering wheel, ebony wood-patterned trim, metallic gauge faces and a Type-S emblem on the shift knob. These touches impart a distinctly sporting nature to the cockpit while retaining the car’s luxury feel. New for 2002 is a standard Acura/ Bose in-dash, 6-disc CD changer on both models.

Hit the open road and there’s no doubt the Type-S is about performance. It jumps smartly from the line and pulls strongly up to its 6900-rpm redline. Like all VTEC engines, this one’s sweet spot is rather high in the rev range (5000–6900 rpm), but also benefits from the added versatility of its SportShift transmission. Around town, leave it in Automatic and the Type-S has plenty of torque for quick thrusts in and out of traffic. For a more enthusiastic drive, slotting into SportShift mode makes it easy to get the most out of the engine’s 260 bhp.

Handling feels quick and responsive without being harsh. It’s noticeably more taut than that of the standard car but also quite compliant. The TL Type-S actually feels more planted than the CL Type-S coupe. This could be due to its marginally longer wheelbase and slightly different suspension tuning or maybe it’s just that expectations are higher for a coupe than a sedan. Regardless, this sedan instills confidence and corners with impressive reserves of grip and control.

Performance and luxury aside, perhaps the most appealing feature of the TL Type-S is its price. While official numbers haven’t been released, Acura expects the 2002 3.2 TL to start under $30,000 with a 3.2 TL Type-S coming in somewhere around $33,000. Quite a value when compared to other sedans that offer comparable levels of style, performance
and luxury.



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