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Tags: TL or TSX?

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New Acura Sedan Prototype Spy Shots
We caught a new Acura sedan prototype night-testing in the California desert. The late-night testing was a pretty grueling affair for all involved, and the yawning test driver caught in our front-¾ shot seemed to agree.

Just which Acura model we’re dealing with here isn’t exactly clear. Our personal observations of this prototype were limited to spotting a pair of headlights through the camera’s viewfinder, tracking it and trying to maintain focus, then freezing the action with the flash. Since we can say that we never really “saw” this car with the naked eye, judging it’s size is more difficult than normal daylight situations. It looks like it’s quite big in the photos, perhaps even Acura RL, big. But industry sources like Automotive News post that the next RL isn’t due until 2010 or 2011, which may be a bit far out for a test such as this. Automotive News reports that both the TL and the TSX are due for redesigns in 2009, which seems more likely to yield finished confirmation prototypes testing out in public, albeit in the inky dark of the desert. With that in mind, the apparent size of this prototype would seem to suggest that this is the new TL.

Regardless of its designation, we can see that the Acura front-end styling cues pioneered on the TL and TSX will be continued, but to an even more dramatic degree. Acura’s pointed grille now plunges well down into the front bumper, and the slitty headlights follow a similar angle, looking quite sinister in their execution. The way the camouflage is piled-on above the Acura’s mesh grille, we wonder if this new sedan will get a variation of the “shield” found on the latest MDX and also on Acura’s wacky Advanced Sedan Concept. The prototype’s lower air-intakes resemble those on the TL, but once again they look a bit more aggressive.

Although the prototype was still thoroughly camouflaged, it appears that this new Acura sedan will get a more flowing greenhouse than any current Acura model. The roofline sweeps smoothly from the A-pillar, into a steeply raked C-pillar and backlight. The rear window disguise appears to overemphasize this effect, but the car’s silhouette certainly looks to be more fluid than any sedan in the current Acura lineup.

All-wheel-drive is expected to be offered on all Acuras, beginning in 2009, so this prototype is most likely an AWD model. A V8 option may also be in the cards. When questioned about Acura’s rumored move away from its current V6-only engine lineup, Hirohide Ikeno, president of Honda R&D Americas Inc. told Automotive News: “That is our direction...I’m pushing for it.”

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New Acura Sedan Prototype Spy Shots



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atomicbriatomicbri - 7/30/2007 4:59:14 PMView My AgentSpace
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Hmmm will be interesting to see which car this is. I see a bit too much of the next Accord in the rear area which is a disappointment... I hope it is just the disguise and night time lighting that is making it look that way.

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rg12345rg12345 - 7/30/2007 5:08:43 PM
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Useless spy shots ...

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Caddyman07Caddyman07 - 7/31/2007 5:14:23 PM
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06GS300; Interesting enough, I thought about doing such a thing out of bordem and just to see what website would post my car first...


golfer38golfer38 - 7/30/2007 5:38:21 PMView My AgentSpace
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No its not with all due respect. Its to big. The TSX originates out of Japan. It will be based off the sports concept, a 3series and A4 competitor. This is probably the next Gen. TL.

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cktoocktoo - 7/30/2007 11:52:41 PM
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Picture dimensions point towards TL, but I would bet it's the TSX due in Spring 08. Honda/Acura are about the best in the biz in keeping prototypes under wraps and out of spy photogs sights...especially more than a year away (if this is 09 TL, fall/winter 08 release) from release.

Also, front does have some features of the Sports4 Concept (TSX). Plus, even the photogs admit it's hard as hell to figure out dimensions with these pics.

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LexSucksLexSucks - 7/30/2007 5:43:45 PM
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Acura Sucks. Sorry

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LecsucksLecsucks - 7/31/2007 12:03:22 AM
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Next time try to be original with your screen name instead of just copying mine.


LecsucksLecsucks - 7/31/2007 9:55:18 AM
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Not as much as your 06GS300 though.


528i528i - 7/30/2007 6:23:14 PMView My AgentSpace
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mikeydred20mikeydred20 - 7/30/2007 6:35:10 PM
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This is why I love this sight. Keeps us guessing even if the information is 50% accurate. Acura those not suck by the way they get the reconigtion for what they bring to the industry. Just another cheap shot by a cheap German fan probally and Audi one. "Advance"

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SupraNeverBackSupraNeverBack - 7/30/2007 7:26:19 PM
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I think it could be RL because it looks too big for a TL or a TSX. The current RL is a completely failure on sale.

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audirevolutionaudirevolution - 7/31/2007 1:20:05 AM
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Maybe it is the european Honda Accord?


dumpstydumpsty - 7/31/2007 10:01:05 AM
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I'm glad Honda/Acura has re-thought their overt-decision to eventually offer V8 engines. They have made some efficient, low-emission 4 & 6 cylinder powerplants, now they can show the industry that they can produce a powerful, but environmentally consious, 8 cylinder unit.

It's very interesting though, that Honda-fans didn't purchase many of Honda's Accord Hybrid. It had more power than the regular V6 with better fuel economy. Lexus came around and offered the GS & LS hybrids that boast more power and better fuel consumption. Acura could really benefit by doing the same. I'm sure they can make a refined 4.0L V8 about the size of their current V6.

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