Nearly a year after making the announcement on the development of a new six-speed manual gearbox option for its 2010 Acura TL lineup, Honda has finally launched the vehicle onto the U.S. market. The new manual transmission is available exclusively on the range-topping SH-AWD model that pairs Acura's all-wheel drive system with a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 305HP and 273 lb-ft of peak torque, instead of the entry-level, front-wheel drive model's 280HP 3.5-liter V6."The new manual transmission equipped TL SH-AWD allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura's SH-AWD system," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales, "Not only is the new 6-speed manual transmission model the best performing Acura TL ever, it is the top handling performer among every vehicle in its class."
The newly developed close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox is said to be approximately 110 lbs lighter than the five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission.
And since the manual model is aimed at enthusiasts, Acura tweaked the TL SH-AWD's chassis by upgrading the suspension and steering wheel system.
Along with the specially tuned coil spring and shock absorber rates for flatter cornering with reduced pitching motions under acceleration and braking -or so Acura claims, the front dampers on the manual model incorporate 5-percent more compression damping to improve turn-in feel and generate 14-percent less high speed compression damping better ride quality.
Other improvements for the manual model include the modified Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and EPS system as well as the firmer engine and transmission bushings.
While Acura has yet to disclose performance figures, the automaker did announce that the TL SH-AWD with the 6-speed manual gearbox returns an EPA estimated 18mpg city and 26mpg highway, which is 1mpg better in both cases than the automatic version.
The manual model keeps the same pricing as the five-speed automatic SH-AWD at $42,385 when combined with the Technology Package and at $43,385 with the Technology pack and high performance tires. Just so you know, the above prices do not include taxes, license or an $810 destination and handling charge.
*Aside from the manual gearbox details, all other images are of the TL SH-AWD with the automatic transmission
14 Comments:
One might wonder why Acura is suddenly trying to tap in to this enthusiast market out of the blue, and the answer is quite simple: The TL is so horrendously ugly that not even their original target demographic is buying this car. Sales are slumping considerably in the luxury segment, yes, but Acura is really taking a hit right now, and the fact their cars are as about as aesthetically pleasing as watching fetish porn (it appeals to some, but not all), Acura is really desperate. They need to move these cars. And a redesign is impractical at the current stage of the TL's lifecycle.
Acura needs to refresh the styling of this vehicle as soon as possible. The 2nd generation TL looked like an Alfa Romeo and that car was good looking. The rear end reminds of the Saturn Aura, the front end looks like it an iron connected itself to the vehicle and the only good angle of this car is the side profile. The interior has to be redone so it is "user-friendly." And if Acura is trying to do the "Audi" method of attaching AWD to their vehicles, Acura needs to improve their styling language first cause ugly does not sell.
Look square and bold for the body and a funny joker face front design.... Is Japanese trying to make the car more American look ? Some how there is GM design influence.... or that is the pure American taste ? Honda are just targeting the American market ?
-nV
The TL is the equivalent of automotive pollution along with the rest of the Acura lineup.
Hey, they're trying at least. You can't look the part until you have loads of grey plastic surounding the engine bay.
Now if they could only work on being relevent.
I actually say a black TL the other day were the guy removed the front "shield" and painted it a gloss black to match the car and just that little touch make the car look so much better. He did have some black rims with a chrome lips that probable helped too but still, Acura add the option to color match the front "shield" to your cars color!
I own a 09 TL with Tech Package. Had the same thoughts as everyone else, but once you drive this thing, you won't regret.
I hated the styling when the first pictures came out. But then, I saw it on the road. I can say honestly now that I've seen it in the flesh that I truly abhor the styling. It's ugly. This thing needs an A&E-style intervention - fast.
Gorgeous and now fast. It sells just fine compared to its competition in a crappy economy. Read motor trend's review of the new ZDX. They love it, through and through. Acura is doing what it needs to do. Become visible and get press even at the expense of angering armchair critics.
I actually like the rest of the Acura lineup...well except for the RL and the TL...but the ZDX is rather good looking for some reason. It is a niche market vehicle and it will sell. An alternative to the MDX and the Pilot.
"Gorgeous and now fast"
Liar.
"It sells just fine"
You lose.
http://hondanews.com/media_storage/GIF/Aug09_Sales_Chart.gif
In case you can't see that, from Hondanews.com, Acura TL sales are DOWN 37.6% for the month - DOWN 26.2% for the year ending in August 2009.
You are dead on the water.
"Read motor trend's review of the new ZDX."
Paid advertisement...much like how you're being paid by Acura's PR team to counter criticism of Acura by falsely spining one review article against the published sales stats that came from Honda.
You are fighting a losing battle...against armchair critics. Makes you wish you had a better understanding of what it means to be responsible for online PR and reputaion management.
Maybe he will find another brand to sell after a few more slow months at the dealership.
Yes the usual cutting edge Japanese. Cuts the competetion to pieces.
"Yes the usual cutting edge Japanese. Cuts the competetion to pieces."
If by "cuts the competetion to pieces" you mean cars from 10 years ago, you would be right.
None of the cars that the TL competes with today are threatened by this car.
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