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Acura Teases The All New TL for 2009

Agent009 submitted on 07/11/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 9:39 AM
from: www.autospies.com

[73] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Acura Teases The All New TL for 2009

The all-new, completely redesigned 2009 Acura TL employs dramatic new styling along with a luxurious interior that includes more driver relevant technology than ever.

Featuring the most powerful Acura engine ever, the 2009 TL will be available in two distinctive versions including the first ever application of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) on TL. Available in the fall of 2008, the new TL will deliver a driving experience that achieves new highs within the performance luxury sedan category.

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sold2early - 7/11/2008 9:45:42 AM

+23 Boost

Someone's going to make a fortune selling aftermarket grills for Acuras.

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sold2early - 7/11/2008 9:46:24 AM

+10 Boost

grilles, that is.

sold2early - 7/11/2008 11:15:34 AM

+2 Boost

I knew I've seen this look somewhere else...I finally figured out where it came from:

http://images.motortrend.com/features/scenes/112_0606_cars_27z+disney_pixar_film_cars+tow_mater.jpg

hao420 - 7/11/2008 3:05:18 PM

0 Boost

Can image D TL-S gonna look like....<

audirevolution - 7/11/2008 5:57:00 PM

-3 Boost

Hao:

Yes, me too! It's going to look super ugly!

auto001 - 7/11/2008 11:43:12 PM

-1 Boost

SH-AWD will destroy overpriced Audi quattro.

hao420 - 7/12/2008 6:28:57 PM

-1 Boost

Yup,Quattro just a normal 4 wheel drive system puts on nasty Audi's........<

dizzyd89 - 7/13/2008 3:21:23 PM

+1 Boost

yes quattro just a normal 4 wheel drive system that gets banned from racing competitions because no other company can make a remotely close 4 wheel drive system even after 20 years. . . . . sad

dizzyd89 - 7/13/2008 3:22:32 PM

0 Boost

btw the new TL's body sorta reminds of a G35's body or altima which ever floats your boat

IVANURI97 - 7/11/2008 9:47:00 AM

+11 Boost

That's a shame. This was their best car in my opinion, and now they added "the sheild" or "the buck tooth" to the front. Headlights look cool, the rest seems ok, but that grill...there is something just wrong with it.

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Bmw8ter - 7/11/2008 10:05:54 AM

+3 Boost

This application of the shield actually looks somewhat tasteful, unlike the TSX. This new TL looks bigger than the previous gen. I wish manufacturers would stop increasing the size and weight of their sedans.

M35MT - 7/11/2008 12:17:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

agree...the grille is what kills it, cant even appreciate the rest with that thing in my face.

PintoRacer - 7/12/2008 1:57:10 AM

+2 Boost

The front lights also look more camryish... No Good. Last gen's front looks classier. Any other pics available?

fling85 - 7/11/2008 10:01:31 AM

+7 Boost

Actually, this new picture is so much better than the one we been seeing.

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HSCenterconsole - 7/11/2008 10:02:21 AM

-1 Boost

Strange looking car in my opinion. The grill looks like a metallic beak. I see a lot of Maxima in the rear. And they ripped off the Hoffmeister kink as well. What is Acura thinking?

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OneOfOne - 7/20/2008 2:34:18 PM

+1 Boost

the 'hoffmeister kink' has been shown in the past in articles specifically about it that it is NOT unique to bmw and they ARE NOT the originators of that 'design' cue. just so you know.

golfer38 - 7/11/2008 10:25:00 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Wow, I think it looks phenominal. In regards to the grille, I like their willingness to try something different and dramatic. Seeing the TSX in person changed my mind about the look. Likewise, I believe this car will look alot better in the flesh.

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HSCenterconsole - 7/11/2008 10:29:06 AM

+2 Boost

So says the Acura salesman.

golfer38 - 7/11/2008 10:33:14 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

I know how that must sound, but believe me, its my true feelings. BTW, I still can't stand the new RL front end in person, print, or anyway else.

iwantanS2000 - 7/11/2008 10:28:27 AM

+7 Boost

The last generation TL and TSX were such great, clean looking cars. Their SUVs now look better than their cars.

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PlanB - 7/11/2008 10:29:08 AM

+10 Boost

Whoever at Acura approved putting shields on the noses of all their new models needs to turn in their resignation immediately.

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fooi - 7/11/2008 10:40:25 AM

+13 Boost

nice work acura its good to see ur not discriminating against blind designers and execs

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jsell - 7/11/2008 10:55:45 AM

+1 Boost

For those of you who didn't know already... I do sell Acuras for a very comfortable living. Having said that, I am with the majority here in saying that the new grilles are hideous. You could walk right up to the TSX grill and rip it off with one hand if so inclined. But, the car is selling very well for us and it is a very good car. For those of you who haven't seen one, let alone drive one, please hold your judgement. The TL should do very well for us as long as the price remains in check. The 2009 RL is a GREAT car for it's segment, but it will be a disaster in sales.
On another note, it's good to see ACURA generating some serious interest with the the sport coupe all over the internet. (intial reaction: not NSX) Hopefully with ACURAs determination to go to TIER 1 and with 8-10 new models coming in the next 12-18 months, ACURA will finally take the reigns off their engineers and let them do what it takes.
But this could be all moot, we'll all be driven HYDROGEN cars in 5 years anyway.

V-10 NSX

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damikco - 7/11/2008 12:48:46 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Not much money i selling cars especialy givin our current econmy, glad i had a more positive career change.

SteadFast - 7/11/2008 7:22:54 PM

+1 Boost

I can't see how Damicko, seeing that you can't even put a proper sentence together. Maybe don't need to talk or write and you are the world's most successful mime who's an expert on cars. Yeah, that's it!

222max - 7/11/2008 11:00:39 AM

+4 Boost

I loved, loved, loved the almost Italian sleekness and detail of the outgoing TL. Now this car has gotten all slabby and Judge Dredd. Totally lacks the beauty and finesse of the current car.

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golfer38 - 7/11/2008 11:03:54 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The Bangle led redesign of BMW was always controversial, but there's no argueing the success that design has had and I'm sure that they were heavily criticized at first. I'm hoping Acura's very risky design theme will see the same kind of outcome.

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HSCenterconsole - 7/11/2008 11:16:35 AM

-2 Boost

Bangle was very controversial, but under his flame surfacing were BMW platforms and egineering (ie great cars), not vehicles based on the FWD Honda Accord platform.

HSCenterconsole - 7/11/2008 11:26:34 AM

-2 Boost

*engineering

abcd - 7/11/2008 5:32:59 PM

+3 Boost

I really don`t understand this stupid peoples - "platform experts" that are all the time saying about which platform car is using : FWD or RWD . Like they couldn`t find out something they understand . Are you a car engineers and know better than honda engineers which platform to use ? You HSCenterconsole even don`t know which platform they used - how can they use FWD Accord platform like you said ( if honda has something like "FWD platform" , what i doubt ) when this TL will be AWD . From where you Mr. "platform expert" HSCenterconsole know how TL is build and that it use Accord FWD platform . From where you even know that Honda has something like "FWD platform" - this is probably your fiction .

HSCenterconsole - 7/14/2008 10:21:13 AM

+1 Boost

abcd, learn to speak English. Also, I read car magazines and they will tell you the TL and other Acura and Honda products are based on the Accord's platform. This isn't rocket science here.

montyz81 - 7/11/2008 11:04:47 AM

0 Boost

Looks like the outgoing 2008 Maxima

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answer - 7/11/2008 11:05:52 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Doesn't look that bad there.

It is a shame how the front end does throw the whole car off.

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gfunkmoney06 - 7/11/2008 11:14:58 AM

+7 Boost

wthell have they done?? the current car looks so much better. the TL is one of the best looking cars acura has ever made and now this new one is the worst looking car i've seen a while.

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blackbr - 7/11/2008 11:17:00 AM

+2 Boost

I too dislike the beak but will withhold judgment until I see the rest of the car.

I hope the interior is a little less busy than other recent Acuras (RDX, TSX). And I hope the car isn't growing at all in size (or price!).

My 2007 TL comes off lease in 12 to 18 months so I'll be looking to this, the TSX or the new Maxima as possible replacements.

reply to this comment

audirevolution - 7/11/2008 5:59:33 PM

-1 Boost

Honestly, I think you should forget about the TSX/TL and go for a G35..
The latest Acuras all look horrible to me, especially the MDX.

Agent63 - 7/11/2008 11:43:03 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

The TL will still be Acura's best car even with this shield that all of us here seem to be disliking. The current car didn't grow on me for the first couple years and then one day I woke up and said "hey, that doesn't look half-bad now". Mind you it was the TL A-Spec so it was more slick looking. This one is a more up to date. I hope the RL follow suit and make something worthy of being called the flagship.

Acura deserves more than a crappy looking RL. I actually like what they've done. Their cars are reliable despite previous tranny problems. I can see them being a solid #2 behind Lexus and leaving Infiniti in the dust. I really do.

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abcd - 7/11/2008 6:00:55 PM

+1 Boost

Top 3 in what : quantity or quality . Is this really so important to have V8 . If you simply want V8 you go to other automaker . In my opinion better is "good" V6 than "bad" or "average" V8 . The same with AWD - this never was important for honda becouse they haven`t been doing off-road cars never but when they did their AWD , they did it very good - torque vectoring SH-AWD with is a benchmark . the same with size ... That`s my opinion - not quantity but quality .

WorldofLuxury - 7/11/2008 12:13:07 PM

+2 Boost

I like how they added details, such as the grill,...but hell, man...it looks weird...

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maximafan1 - 7/11/2008 12:31:33 PM

+3 Boost

it doesnt look bad, but not great. it has a few dramatic lines, but the grill just doesnt work.

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damikco - 7/11/2008 12:46:18 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Its a Tranformers the movie reject.

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0to60 - 7/11/2008 12:53:52 PM

+4 Boost

The two fog lights or turn signal and fog light at the bottom is weird too. Funny how the grill causes you to not notice this.

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kut17 - 7/11/2008 1:00:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The bird beak grille doesn't look so bad in person (on the TSX), so maybe this will look awesome in real life.

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cdoke - 7/11/2008 1:12:35 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Grille aside, I think the single most awful part of the design is the bulge above the front wheel well- it is way too dramatic....almost cartoon-ish.

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no1listensanyway - 7/11/2008 1:45:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Agree 100%, way over done. They are trying to go for the G35 look.

tattedtwice - 7/11/2008 1:26:42 PM

-1 Boost

Looks 100x better than that ridiculous and hideous 2009 maxima. And I for one applaud them for the new grille; at least they HAVE a signature now, a la BMW and audi, while the other japs just keep the same boring 5 point grille.

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klipprand - 7/11/2008 2:16:15 PM

+2 Boost

Don't like the grille in the picture either. However, hated the grille when I saw the picture of the TSX, but it looks much better in person. So, this new TL may have a chance after all. . .

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_43LE - 7/11/2008 2:56:38 PM

+2 Boost

It's nice but not great. I'll wait to see it in person as the TSX was not very good in photos and much nicer in person.

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ICON - 7/11/2008 3:36:21 PM

+1 Boost

Tier Two and always will be....they are just hoping they can attract some of the Honda buyers wanting to move up a notch. They will never compete with the Germans with these autos.

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gooch - 7/11/2008 3:44:17 PM

+1 Boost

The grille actually reminds me of a guillotine. Stick your hand inside and it will fly down and chop it off.

Hopefully, the car will look better in the flesh. The current TL is a very nice-looking car.

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monkeyrun - 7/11/2008 3:46:00 PM

0 Boost

What is wrong with Honda. Are they trying to turn Acura into an economy brand like Scion?

This design is not working at all.

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JUGNU - 7/11/2008 4:33:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

well i don't find the grille that bad unlike many of u. It's pretty ok, infact there are many brands which put even uglier grilles.

But because there are so many complaintes, i hope Acura offers more than one grille, like Mercedes (C class Avant/eleg), Audi (A4/ S-line)...etc.

overall i think this new TL looks very good, very sharp and stylish, but in the rear i could also see some current Maxima. Overall pretty nice design.

JUGNU

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adamsaf723 - 7/11/2008 5:05:55 PM

+3 Boost

I don't have the patience for their grille to "grow on me". I think it's ugly and has to go!

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motor1 - 7/11/2008 8:04:42 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like its got Toyota Camry headlights

DUD

Why stuff up the Acura TL with some nauseating grille! This is just like the bangle butt, except a million times more disgusting. Whoever designed the grille on the car must have used their mouth to hold the pencil.

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Lexus - 7/11/2008 9:29:40 PM

+1 Boost

I see some Lexus GS, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Maxima design in this new Acura TL. I hope it will look more stunning than the current version. The current version Acura TL is also very good looking as well.

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Dave - 7/11/2008 10:36:40 PM

0 Boost

I'm surprised how many people here have said so many negative things about Acura's new grill. I'm willing to bet many haven't seen the new grill in person yet, only pictures. As most of us know, seeing a car in pictures and in person is like night and day sometimes. I was at the Acura dealership recently and saw the new TSX. I actually like the grill and it finally gives the Acura brand a distinctive 'look', just like BMW with it's twin kidney shaped grills.
Judging by history, any time a company leads the way and puts out a very distinctive and futuristic design, it always gets very negative reviews at first. I easily recall in 2003 when BMW decided to radically restyle their cars, especially the 5 series. All the other luxury makes were conservative at the time. When the new 5 first came out, people said it was ugly, hideous, etc, etc.......But then it was obvious Lexus took design cues with their new GS, and other companies followed suit after BMW's lead. Now Acura is stepping out of it's conservative shell and is deciding to go Tier 1. It's radically restyling their cars like BMW did, and is still doing now. People will say the new Acuras are 'ugly' now, but in a due time, it will grow on people and perceptions will change for sure.
So in 2003, the styling of the BMW 5 series was heavily criticized. In 2007, I leased the new 2008 BMW 535i and while the car was at the dealership(with a very minor facelift), everyone was saying how awesome the car looked. When I drove it home, people on the street were saying how good it looked.
I predict the same thing for Acura's new daring design direction.

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delan - 7/11/2008 10:54:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

In the words of Car and Driver - "Baby, what happened to your face?"

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senorgato - 7/11/2008 11:23:04 PM

+1 Boost

I like it. A bit prev-gen Maxima and current-gen G35, but it's a good, aggressive design. Regarding the grille, it actually fits well on this car vs. on the RL or TSX. Though I have seen several TSXs in person and it doesn't look bad at all.

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auto001 - 7/11/2008 11:47:23 PM

-2 Boost

This is a home run for Acura. This car will sell out in no time. Good handling, refinement, reliable and Acura always gets the styling right :)

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audirevolution - 7/13/2008 10:51:47 PM

-1 Boost

Now I know you're stupid.

huu76 - 7/12/2008 12:03:45 AM

0 Boost

SH-AWD takes care of the FWD complaints.

They should just axe the RL until they get a decent, bigger design.

You're not going to mistake Acura for any other car now.

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schinbone - 7/12/2008 1:08:07 AM

+2 Boost

I have sold Acura's as well but where I live they cannot give them away. Oddly tho, this town is full of Honda's. Dave might be right but I also remember when last gen Taurus was introduced............. To me it looks like a cross between the upcoming Mazda6 front fender bulges, and a Maxima rear. I dunno Honda is in such a good position with its cars as far as fuel economy, ergonomics, ect. Their design direction is really baffling.

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mikeydred20 - 7/12/2008 12:08:12 PM

-2 Boost

Bulldogz before you make comments do your research they were the first out of the japanese to go AWD in a sedan the RL and possibly have the best AWD system on the market!

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SteadFast - 7/12/2008 5:07:42 PM

-1 Boost

I LOVE IT! For me this is the best sports sedan ever. I'll get in line to purchase right now!

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LexSucks - 7/13/2008 6:26:50 PM

-2 Boost

Wacura

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HokkaidoWind - 7/14/2008 2:26:06 AM

0 Boost

I really have to say,i miss the previous model.

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g2ok - 7/14/2008 6:28:37 PM

+1 Boost

Similar to the grille is over the top. Also the front end has the seam on the bumper like the MDX. That vertical line distracts from the angular-horizontal lines.

I think Acura is on the wrong track.

Please someone needs to make an aftermarket grille and body-color bumper covers for the MDX.

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fuzion - 7/14/2008 6:47:54 PM

+1 Boost

I like it.. and I thought I had another comment up here but maybe it was deleted for some reason?

Anywho, TSX pics were ehh.. so so, but much better in person. Same probably applies for this; the digital drawing of this car is more pronounced - when you look at the actual spy photos you can tell the wheel arches, etc. aren't that big.

I see a lot of Bangle comments in here though, when the sheep see that people like it they'll like it.

Example.. I liked the redesign of the 7 & 5 series from the beginning, thought they looked good, and talking to people about cars would bring up "omg it's hideous" when you mentioned one of the new BMWs.. and now.. well now that everyone likes them, they like them too!

My only complaint is about how GS looking that rear pillar is! :)

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NISSANINFINITI - 7/14/2008 10:53:48 PM

+1 Boost

I think it looks really nice actually even with the grille....its does take away from it but overall the grille looks much much better on the TL than it does on any other Acura. It does remind me of the current Lexus GS, the 2009 Nissan Maxima (and i know im gonna get yelled at for saying this but its my opinion)but in the mid front around the mirros on the door and the lines around the front windshield it looks kinda like a BMW 7 series.......dont kill me...lol

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