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Acura's New Design Language - Falling From an Ugly Tree and Hitting Every Branch on the Way Down!

Agent00J submitted on 07/12/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 9:28 AM
from: www.autospies.com

[74] user comments | category: New Cars

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Acura's New Design Language - Falling From an Ugly Tree and Hitting Every Branch on the Way Down!

I wrote an article a couple months ago regarding the new TSX and the "beak" that existed almost as an afterthought to the entire vehicle. This past week we saw the first "official" photos of the forthcoming TL. I have to be honest with you, I am not normally one to be without words, but the words that came to mind can't be printed here, and the other words just don't go far enough to express my thoughts on the new TL.

Acura is a great brand, they started the Japanese luxury assault on the USA. Agent009 and I were talking this week about how Acura really is the only upper level brand in position TODAY to address the fuel crisis, seeing as the TSX is the only small luxury sedan to offer a 4-Cylinder engine, and Honda (parent company of Acura) is the most fuel efficient car company in the USA. That technology by default makes its way into the Acura lineup and as such does offer a pretty compelling argument for at least a look at the Acura lineup.

But therein lies the problem, systematically we are seeing once great looking cars being transformed into ugly, hideous cars. It is as if each car line was taken to the tip top of the tallest ugly tree and then allowed to free fall out of the tree hitting each and every branch on the way down.

Am I being too harsh? Perhaps, but more importantly I can't stress enough that the cars themselves, at least in their prior iterations, are in fact great driving cars. I have driven the TSX, TL, RL and MDX - all are decent cars. Granted they are biased towards front wheel drive in nature and driving style, but for those who want a luxury ride that aren't as concerned about performance, it is a great choice.

BUT THE NEW CARS ARE UGLY, AND SEEM TO BE GETTING UGLIER!

If you think I am wrong that is OK, but these new cars just aren't doing anything. And of the entire lineup, only the MDX make sense visually, the rest just have a tacked on unfinished look to them.

I for one miss the clean lines of the original Legend and Integra. The second generation Legend is still a car that turns heads, especially in coupe form - a car I lusted after when I was younger. The outgoing TL is a great looking car, it still looks fresh and current even as it ends its model cycle.

I understand the need to establish a design language, but ugly shouldn't be the driving force. In preparing to write this article, I was trying to search for a design inspiration that you could suggest Acura was using to design their new lineup, and the same person (actually character) kept coming to mind - Lenny Pepperidge from the movie "Oceans 13". For those who didn't see the movie, Matt Damon wore a enlarged nose to play one of the characters in the movie, it was large and exaggerated. Of course I am being a little tongue in cheek here, but that large nose is certainly making a statement.

I am just not certain it is the right statement. Understand something here, this is MY opinion, AutoSpies.com isn't about MY opinion, it is about YOUR opinion, and as such if you think I am wrong let me know. It won't hurt my feelings either to have one or two of you agree with me, but we want to hear what you have to say.

Acura's New Design Language - Falling From an Ugly Tree and Hitting Every Branch on the Way Down!

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BostonBiosafety - 7/12/2008 9:48:13 AM

+11 Boost

I'll hold my final opinion until I see them in person. However, they do seem a bit boring.

reply to this comment

EnnNorak - 7/12/2008 10:42:28 AM

+7 Boost

UGLY is in the eye of this beholder also. 4 cylinders is not the answer for what Honda believes to be a premium bran. better to go to an in-line 6-cylinder of equal displacement which should do almost as well in fuel economy but without the balancing problems inherent in 4-cylinder engines. 4 cylinders does not value for money make.

silver1 - 7/12/2008 10:50:18 AM

+1 Boost

the all new 7-series-mini-cooper is boring also, so acura is not alone

davide - 7/12/2008 10:51:39 AM

0 Boost

I do not often comment on articles however when it comes to the "new acura nose" i have had several acuras
2 legan coupes, 3 sedans - it is sad to see they have moved to this design - it is ugly across the board -its as if they hired bangle from bmw to work on all the front ends after he ruined so many of the rear end designs of bmw for so many years. Acura wake up before it is too late. listen to all of us...we are the ones buying your cars.... back to the drawing board (the good news is that the rest of the car works pretty well.

kthor - 7/12/2008 12:07:27 PM

-2 Boost

The black one in the last photo shows a ham-fisted attempt to steal flame-surfacing. That IS flame-surfacing no matter where your brand loyalies lie.

auto001 - 7/13/2008 2:31:05 AM

-1 Boost

"ham-fisted attempt to steal.."

You deny the new 7-Series looks like Lexus LS, but think the TL looks like a BMW?... time to step outside that BMW bubble you're currently living in :)

damikco - 7/13/2008 5:10:59 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

all forign cars are plane.

zorbeeze - 7/15/2008 1:35:05 PM

+1 Boost

"4 cylinders does not value for money make"

And that kind of thinking is what's wrong with the USA today.

ChicaneShooter - 7/16/2008 6:52:16 AM

0 Boost

unless, of course, it's a EURO brand four banger entry 'luxury car!' lol!

BostonBiosafety - 7/12/2008 9:51:29 AM

+9 Boost

Add - I have driven the MDX, it is a very nice all-around vehicle, with distinctive styling.

reply to this comment

_43LE - 7/12/2008 9:52:47 AM

+1 Boost

-RL is horrible. Just kill it already and reintroduce the RWD V8 later.
-TSX is much better in person and acutally looks better than the last generation
-MDX good looking, distinct, except for the "beak"
-new TL, nice but not great. Need to see it in person.

00J, I think that you are being too harsh by saying they are ugly.

reply to this comment

Agent00J - 7/12/2008 10:04:57 AMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

As I stated in the story, it is still my opinion. Do you want me to sugar coat it, or tell it the way I see it?

For the record I have seen the TSX in person, have sat in the TSX (and the interior is quite nice) and have seen the TSX on the road, and I still think it is ugly.

I just don't like the direction Acura is going. That is my opinion. With that being said, you know what they say about opinions.

-00J

zorbeeze - 7/15/2008 1:37:01 PM

+2 Boost

I have to agree with 00J here, all the new acura's other than the RDX are horrible.

ChicaneShooter - 7/16/2008 6:58:31 AM

0 Boost

as long as we all admit we're just tossing aroung OPINIONS, in my view the RDX is the ugliest. looks like it's wearing a MASK.

i'll withhold judgement on the others until i see them in person. at least the FAT chrome is not as half-assed as you see on saturns.

g2ok - 7/12/2008 10:16:14 AM

+3 Boost

It's an opinion, but a commonly held one, even from owners of current generation Acura models. Acura is way off track from the more classic designs they had in the past.

I wouldn't mind the design language if it weren't for some serious build issues I've seen in my MDX. Somethings just weren't assembled right and it seems there was no inspection. For a car that's $46k, that's not an acceptable situation.

Also on the MDX, I would ask how it would look to paint the upper portion of the grey plastic on the bumper the same as the body color?

reply to this comment

mikeydred20 - 7/12/2008 11:46:39 AM

-4 Boost

Current owner are only talking trash because they are regreting buying last year odels

g2ok - 7/12/2008 10:18:49 AM

+1 Boost

second post on this subject

Another problem with the design language is that it will make every Acura look very dated after 5-6 years.

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mpwr - 7/12/2008 10:23:20 AM

+3 Boost

Ill wait to see one to make a final judgment, but I hear what you are saying. The last TL IMO was the best looking acura to date, great interior and very spacious. Ive never had the chance to drive one but I hear that they did the best job of making a FWD system work for a performance car. However I for one was disappointed by hondas decision to no not add the SH4WD to the lineup. That is apparently a mistake they will not make with the new model and will allow hopefully higher performance. But now you add the so called BEAK. THIS COULD BE A HUGE MISSTEP FOR ACURA

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Agent00J - 7/12/2008 10:37:45 AMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

I agree with you MPWR, the outgoing TL was the best looking current Acura, however I still think the second generation Legend was the best looking Acura of all time, NSX aside.

-00J

SSP350 - 7/12/2008 10:25:22 AM

+3 Boost

I actually like it. Very distinct styling and would never be mistaken for anything else. It's not ugly, its just different. I've seen the TSX on the road and thought it looked quite nice the fact that it doesn't look like anything else on the road. I like that fact.

reply to this comment

LACMAN - 7/12/2008 10:53:38 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I was thinking the same thing! I think its unique. The only application of this new design that makes me want to throw up is the RL. (and thats probably due to that car just being an update instead of an all new model)

I give Acura credit for finally stepping outside the box. This is the first phase of the beak/shield thing. Im sure this design language will evolve into its "calling" sooner or later. Besides, werent we [the public] complaining and whining about Acura's styling being to vanilla about a decade or or less ago?

LACMAN - 7/12/2008 11:01:44 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

...As a matter of fact, after looking at the new TL again (and siblings), they all look more aggressive than ANYTHING from Lexus! I think they have a winner on their hands if they can bring the next RL over with this styling and a de-tuned version of the new NSX engine (and of course RWD biased SH-AWD).

golfer38 - 7/12/2008 11:24:45 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

I'm with you guys. Let me shed a little fact into this "popularity " poll. Recently, Acura surveyed people at a relatively large autoshow. They commissioned an independent company in order to get the most accurate reading. Believe it or not the front grille had over a 70% approval rating. OOJ states that he/she doesn't want to drive a boring car. One thing is for sure, its certainly not boring.

SSP350 - 7/12/2008 3:30:47 PM

+1 Boost

Glad I'm not the only that thinks that way. I'll give Acura credit for stepping outside the box.

Maverick2020 - 7/12/2008 10:53:50 AM

+1 Boost

The problem with Acura is that Honda doesn't know what it wants it to be. Is it a real luxury contender or is it a step-up brand for Honda buyers?

When you don't know who you are, you do a bunch of silly styling/design features to mask the insecurity.

reply to this comment

djrickp - 7/12/2008 10:53:57 AM

+2 Boost

I was a fan of the Legend and Integra. I don't like the direction the styling is going and wish that Acura would start selling RWD vehicles. The previous generation TSX was really hot and I probably would have jumped on one if it had RWD.

reply to this comment

vdiv - 7/12/2008 11:24:56 AM

+2 Boost

A small V6 or a couple of turbos would have done it nicely too. The stick shift of the former TSX was simply sublime.

EL34 - 7/12/2008 11:14:28 AM

0 Boost

The entire Acura lineup looks like a gaggle of soda pop tin cans :-\

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hao420 - 7/12/2008 6:20:00 PM

+1 Boost

Sick..........<

cktoo - 7/12/2008 11:27:17 AM

+2 Boost

From a huge Honda/Acura fan from the 80's (I lusted for a late 80's CRX Si in high school), you have hit the nail on the head Agent00J. I've had Honda's/Acura's for years and presently have 4 Honda producst in my driveway and one in the garage (lawnmower, ha). I'm also in Acura's prime target market and am so disappointed in their design direction. The "beak" is just awful, but I was willing to give it a chance with the TSX, as I actually don't mind the MDX's that much. Saw a TSX in person last week and...blah. It is still ugly and ruins the whole car, as I'm sure this "beak" ruins the TL. What the hell is Acura thinking? I relate this "beak" directly to Saturn's when I see them on the road...it's just Acura enlarged them by 10 and added an "A". I'm sure the rest of the car is amazing and for once, Honda/Acura actually put some very nice rims on this 09 TL. I don't know what else to say other than they need to fire their design team and/or take a new direction with their "face". For the first time in many years, I am looking outside of Honda/Acura. 08 TL's just got a little more expensive..ha.

reply to this comment

mikeydred20 - 7/12/2008 11:42:07 AM

-2 Boost

Autospies is full of Acura haters I would not expect anything less. You guys complained that there design's were boring and look nothing like each other they spruss things up and then you complain it's ugly what gives. I see nothing ugly about this new TL and it will be a looker, agree that they took alot of other manufactures design schemes but hey who doesn't borrow. The MDX has to be the hottest selling SUV because I see 1 on every corner now a days and the TSX has presence to it when you see it in person. The RL looks better from most angles but I agree they could have spent the money on research for the next generation and left the current one as is. The next generation TL will sell as it will have a list of technological advancements and IMO Acura lineup is looks better than Lexus bland lineup and Infiniti's new design direction is more off track than Acura's the new FX as an example and the G that was just redesign does not strike as expensive.

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Tour18 - 7/14/2008 1:11:00 AM

+1 Boost

Well, maybe you can point out what is so emotive about the new Acuras. I'm trying. I really am.

richard112360 - 7/12/2008 11:59:29 AM

+3 Boost

Newly designed MDX, RDX, RL, upcoming TL all look horrible.

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IhavearedS2000 - 7/12/2008 12:07:21 PM

+3 Boost

I agree - a lot of Acura haters here, but you know what? That doesn't mean they are wrong when it comes to Acura's design of late...

I also am a huge fan of Honda and Acura, but I guess I'm old school, because I can't stand the new look and I'm not just talking about the power plenum grille...

I still think the car will perform and it will sell well. I just wish I liked the design.

reply to this comment

t_bone - 7/12/2008 12:22:47 PM

+2 Boost

They jumped the shark design-wise long time ago. Plus they stuck with FWD for too long, in increasingly large/heavy vehicles.

For me the killer was waiting forever for the Integra replacement, rumored to use the RWD S2000 platform, then given the boated RSX instead. It was a VW-grade product mistake.

reply to this comment

kut17 - 7/12/2008 1:38:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I thought that the new Acura design language was ugly too. But seeing them in person is a whole different story. I did a double take the first time I saw an MDX. The new Acuras are by no means a Mercedes, BMW, or Lexus, but they don't look awful. The beak thing isn't as bad as it looks. And I kind of like the sharp lines on the TSX and TL.

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SoSnootySo - 7/12/2008 1:53:19 PM

+2 Boost

Well, Acura wants to distinguish itself from Honda. It's polarizing but I think it's actually less polarizing than the BMW changes. Of course the old schoolers will still miss the styles from years past, but as the new style ages, the design becomes a staple of the brand. And people begin to associate the grille with Acura as they do with the Kidney grille for BMW.

Anyways, I didn't like the TSX or the MDX at first but, I think they are quite nice looking, the RL is a different matter. I don't mind the rear of the new RL though. Anyways. I think the new TL looks more upscale now as it was intended.

Remember, this is a heavily photoshopped picture of the new TL. If you look back at the spy images, those fenders do not look like the illustration. I think the artist went a little overboard. As for the grille, It actually fits this car better than the other models in the lineup. It looks quite attractive.

The only thing I might be concerned about is the direction cars are going with the shortened rear end ala Lexus GS.

Here is a picture I photoshopped without the cartoonish fender bulge:
[img="http://bp3.blogger.com/_uWXxedBJ6os/SHfFwJ0aHUI/AAAAAAAAAAc/4LQQx4NqhLg/s1600-h/acuraTL09.jpg"]http://bp3.blogger.com/_uWXxedBJ6os/SHfFwJ0aHUI/AAAAAAAAAAc/4LQQx4NqhLg/s1600-h/acuraTL09.jpg[/img]

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SoSnootySo - 7/12/2008 1:53:54 PM

+1 Boost

ugh. How do you put images here?

http://bp3.blogger.com/_uWXxedBJ6os/SHfFwJ0aHUI/
AAAAAAAAAAc/4LQQx4NqhLg/s1600-h/acuraTL09.jpg

acuramike - 7/12/2008 2:11:30 PM

+1 Boost

sosnootySo,

this image was released by Acura. Photoshopped, yes, but that is pretty much the car.. Remember when the teaser photo of the TSX was released? Well the actual car looks exactly like it.

Well, IMO, I like it. Looks like the current TL mixed the the lexus GS. The SH-AWD TL will be a nice alternative to the 09 RL.

reply to this comment

06TLDude - 7/12/2008 2:29:48 PM

+1 Boost

I think the actual car will look slightly different. The spy shots of the test mules don't have the huge bulge on the fender. A little too much air brushing by the gfx artist.

06TLDude - 7/12/2008 2:21:50 PM

+4 Boost

I agree. There's a lot of Acura haters here at AutoSpies. I have a feeling that no matter what Acura/Honda bring to market people will hate. Hell, so many people like the new Maxima and Genesis, but I bet if they had an Acura or Honda badge people would bash them. I guess people (enthusiast) love to hate Honda/Acura for what ever reason.

Anyway, I thought the new grill looked stupid at first, but now it has grown on me. The TSX and RL actually look nice in person. I love the side profile of the RL. I was never a fan of the old TSX, it looks like a chick car. The new TSX is more aggressive, it just needs a little more power.

As much as I love my TL I think the new TL looks more upscale. I think Acura is heading in the right direction.

reply to this comment

cl0wn - 7/12/2008 2:47:39 PM

-1 Boost

waste of a post... the only ugly one is the RL... but that doesn't matter because only an idiot would buy one...

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mercuryguy - 7/12/2008 3:25:59 PM

-1 Boost

This car suffers from the Ford Edsel Delima. The ugly grille that killed Ford’s car back in the 50s. The car was an utter failure. No one wanted an ugly car in their driveway. Later models look a lot better, but it was too late, the Edsel model nameplate was doomed.

Today, Ford and Lincoln have great looking grilles. From the beautiful flowing Town Car grille to the elegant MKX. Even the entry level MKZ has a grille that gleams as if it were laser cut and polished by a jeweler. And the MKt styling is brilliant and polished. The 2009 MKS grille looks cheap though, nice car, but the grille needs work. It makes the front of the car look like a Pontiac.

I like the cute exterior roundness of the Acura RL. But I sat in one at the car show. The RL is certainly not worthy of a flagship sedan. Feels more like an entry-level econobox. An A5, A8 or even the new Passat would be a better choice over the RL.

reply to this comment

mercuryguy - 7/12/2008 3:31:02 PM

+1 Boost

Perhaps the actual TSX car will be better looking. I hated the Lincoln MKS concept car at the 07 Detroit show. I still hated it at the 08 Toronto show. I hated the brochures. Yesterday I saw one parked at the dealer, It seems to look a lot better now, I don't know why, but it does.

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quizz - 7/12/2008 3:58:13 PM

+4 Boost

Sadly, the new Honda Accord coupe looks sooooo much better than any of Acura's current offerings.

If they can design the new coupe, why couldn't they put the same effort into the Acura?

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MercedesBenz00Z - 7/12/2008 4:20:32 PM

0 Boost

How can you even expect something spectacular from a European Honda? That is so wrong.

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Audiphile - 7/12/2008 4:23:03 PM

+2 Boost

I test drove the previous-generation Acura RL a few years ago. I was too tall to fit in the car comfortably (what else is new?), but it was well-built, well-equipped, good-looking, and that AWD system was sweet! Not sure why it did't sell well.

It's a shame that Acura is ruining the looks of its vehicles with this pronounced proboscis. I understand Acura's desire to to give its model lineup a unifying "Acura identity", but that beak is a bust.

I remember that Audi's "large-mouth bass" grille initially got mixed reviews. It took me a while to get used to it, and I kind of like it now. But I don't see that happening with Acura's "big beak".

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fuzion - 7/12/2008 4:59:50 PM

+1 Boost

TSX looks better in person; interior is a big jump up from previous [and over the 3G TL].

RL, meh.. the car was not designed with the pronounced corporate grille up front, and as such it does look a bit weird, but the next gen RL concept photos look absolutely amazing.

The press release 09 TL image is obvious CG/Photoshop; in the spy photos of the new 4G TL the fender flares are not as pronounced; no doubt it will also look better in person than in the artists rendering.

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tattedtwice - 7/12/2008 5:08:08 PM

+1 Boost

Havent you heard, ugly sells. For proof, look at the sales figures for the c-class.

Acuras are looking fine, no where near as godawful boring as lexus and no where near as freakish as infiniti.

reply to this comment

SteadFast - 7/12/2008 5:25:48 PM

+1 Boost

OOJ needs to take some english and journalism classes. That was one of the most poorly written articles, I have ever wasted my time reading! Not to mention the lack of automotive knowledge is painfully obvious. I do however agree with him in the sense that every bloke is entitled to their own opinion. My advice however is to have a knowledgeable argument with proper reasoning, and for bloody sake write it like you've graduated elementary school.

reply to this comment

VISO - 7/12/2008 9:55:18 PM

+2 Boost

And..."Agent009 and I were talking this week about how Acura really is the only upper level brand in position TODAY to address the fuel crisis, seeing as the TSX is the only small luxury sedan to offer a 4-Cylinder engine."

Like you said Steadfast, the lack of automotive nowledge is painfully obvious considering that they do not know the basic offerings of the premium brands. Last time I checked Acura is not the only premium brand (unless you are excluding Tier 1 Premium brands in that statement) to offer fuel-efficient four bangers. Let's see...A3, A4, and TT all offer the 2.0 Turbo last time I checked.

JudasLease - 7/12/2008 6:57:11 PM

-1 Boost

Article is on point, Acura went from makinig bland cars to just ugly. Then again, Hondas are ugly too.

Its amazing how bad these things are, has anyone seen them in person? Horrid!

reply to this comment

eamaxson - 7/12/2008 8:36:30 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like the night before unveiling the new design to the CEO, someone snuck in and drew a huge smiley face on the grill with a black marker. The CEO liked it, and no one had the nerve to say that it was a mistake...

reply to this comment

SteedPub - 7/12/2008 8:59:57 PM

-1 Boost

Nice title for this article. Acura has really become grotesquely redundant for Honda. Even sadly so, a very expensive redundancy.

Ugly, overpriced Hondas. There was a time when that would have been OK, but in this market it just isn't.

reply to this comment

auto001 - 7/13/2008 2:21:49 AM

+1 Boost

I like every one of their designs except for the RL.

To me the new TL is pure eye candy :)

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mercuryguy - 7/13/2008 4:28:09 AM

+1 Boost

I love the new Accord. But seriously the new Diesel Passat is likely a better choice than this Acura or even the RL.

I'd say the new Passat was one of the hottest looks at the Detroit show this year. Diesel sweetens the deal even better, and the clamshell roof is to die for.

Which car will be worth more when you trade a few years from now. The Acura TSX, RL or the New Passat?

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Designer1 - 7/13/2008 7:10:27 AM

+2 Boost

Only the TL looks nice out of these, and as far as the RL, oh just forget about it, its beyond ugly.

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finishline - 7/13/2008 9:43:09 AM

+2 Boost

Oh, Acura, you're making it so hard to love you. And I want to. I do.

However, when I replace my TL this fall, it won't be with another one. I know that I'm saying that without seeing the specs, driving the car, or assessing its value. Call me shallow.

reply to this comment

auto001 - 7/13/2008 12:03:42 PM

+1 Boost

Every time I get into an Acura, I feel like I've discovered a hidden gem :)

I can't wait to see all the new models coming down the line for Acura.

reply to this comment

bmwdrvr - 7/13/2008 1:44:17 PM

+3 Boost

i may be the only one but I have to admit I kinda like that bottom Acura pic.....its bold,different and in your face...doesnt look like an Acura ....but Ill give Acura credit they are taking a chance with their styling which is alot better than the boring, could be anything desighns they have been cranking out for years

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stomp17 - 7/13/2008 8:21:15 PM

+1 Boost

Acura has got the technology and could one day have the performance - but right now they dont have style for sh*t. In fact, they'll never have style - theyre looking fugly.

reply to this comment

TeeCee06 - 7/13/2008 9:38:55 PM

+1 Boost

I've been a Honda Fan for a LONG time....I had a 98 EK..loved it!...till Honda's car design went to the sh!t hole after the yr. 2000! Now Acura car design is going down after seeing what they did to the New TSX! WTF!!!!!.....And what did they do to the new TL??...Geez-us!!!!....Man....Shame on Acura & Honda!!

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Dr550 - 7/14/2008 2:00:38 AM

+1 Boost

Acura needs real independence from Honda bean counters. The RDX and TSX look too much like Hondas.

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HokkaidoWind - 7/14/2008 2:18:59 AM

+1 Boost

Tell Acura to get away from these ugly nose.

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mercuryguy - 7/14/2008 3:44:11 AM

0 Boost

Looks like an unpolished Ford Fusion grille with the middle and bottom slats missing. The Fusion is the bottome entry level Ford car, and at least its slats are polished chrome.

I really don't get why Asian cars need to draw inspiration or copy American and Eurpoean designs.

It looks as if Acura designers took the geometric ouline of a Cadallic grille, barrowed a slat from the Fusion and made an awful mess. Kind of like wearing Plaid pants with a striped shirt, it doesn't work.

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klipprand - 7/14/2008 11:28:25 AM

0 Boost

Kill the beak!

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BMWsuk - 7/14/2008 11:53:40 AM

+2 Boost

Yep. Honda/Acura don't seem to care because they keep designing ugly cars. The current TL is great looking car, all it needs is a bigger engine and RWD. Instead, Honda/Acura want to kill their best looking car. WHY?

The front grille is FUGLY. Why kill a good design ? Don't they have good designers and/or creative ppl anymore?

The new TL looks to be bigger than the current one. WHY?

If Lexus is for the oldies, Acura could have seized the opportunity to fill the void in the middle between old and young but apparently, Honda/Acura don't really care.

reply to this comment

Dave - 7/14/2008 1:35:56 PM

+1 Boost

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I actually like Acura's new design direction. Sure, they went more radical with the new designs, but to move forward, they have to.
Everytime a car company comes out with a totally new design direction, they are going to get A LOT of criticisms in the beginning. Then after some time, people will catch up with the styling and it will 'grow' on them. BMW is the perfect example of this. I remember in 2002/2003 when they started the new design direction. Everyone wished Chris Bangle should've been fired back then. Now look. BMW's design direction has been the envy of the automotive world.

I predict the same will go for Acura. Unlike BMW or Acura, Lexus just sits back and waits for someone else to take the initiative when it comes to styling. That's why their cars are always 'boring'.

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motor1 - 7/14/2008 7:29:10 PM

+3 Boost

Well done - brilliant article.

Acura is becoming more detached from Honda which would seem good, at first, but now it just seems like Acura has no absolute idea what is going on and decide to have grille's the height of a toddler and bulging out ugly designs. Check out the Honda Accord Euro (or Acura TSX) that will be hitting the stores as a Honda. It's front grille looks a lot more pretty than the Acura TSX's grille does, and this model is cheaper also.

I'm not sure what Acura are doing, but whatever it is, they definitely are trying
to not be mistaken for a Honda.

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NoFHoes - 7/14/2008 9:58:28 PM

+1 Boost

Whoever is the design engineer needs to get fired or forced to resign. He/she must be near death and taking 40oz. of Geritol each day. I bet 20 other younger, more hip, and more conscious individuals threw their designs into the mix, only to be shredded by some relic who wants his legacy to be a fugly Acura.

Wake up suits and give a round of respect for your upcoming engineers who will swat your lazy flat asses off the board and into paper house retirement homes.

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zorbeeze - 7/15/2008 1:41:57 PM

+1 Boost

"the TSX is the only small luxury sedan to offer a 4-Cylinder engine"
Doesn't Audi provide 4cylinder engines. And i would call the A4 and A3 luxury cars but i'm not sure abouth the Honda TSX.
Sorry, but to me that car is not luxury.

reply to this comment

JudasLease - 7/16/2008 1:25:31 AM

+2 Boost

The TSX is not a luxury sedan. Its a Euro Accord with Acura badges. Might as well call the USDM Accord a luxury car. At least that has a V-6.

The TSX is 100% San Francisco

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