2009 Acura TL Sedan: Official Images Leaked on the Net!

SANTA MONICA, California — Information about the 2009 Acura TL leaked out today, revealing full details of the fourth-generation sedan from Honda's premium division. Two different models of the TL will be available: a front-wheel-drive TL with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the all-wheel-drive TL SH-AWD with a 305-hp 3.7-liter V6.

The 2009 Acura TL moves further upmarket with a more aggressive interpretation of Acura's latest styling vocabulary, known as "Keen Edge Dynamic." The size of the car has increased slightly as a consequence, and the wheelbase has been stretched 1.4 inches to 109.3 inches. The car is also 6.2 inches longer overall, 1.8 inches wider and 0.5 inch taller. Rear legroom improves by 1.3 inches and rear shoulder room increases by 0.5 inch. The all-new package also improves structural rigidity significantly, thanks in part to the use of high-strength steel in 47.6 percent of the chassis.

The standard TL will be front-wheel drive and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 280 hp and 254 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 22 hp and 21 lb-ft over the previous 3.2-liter V6. The new TL SH-AWD ("Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive") replaces the previous TL Type-S and is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 305 hp and 275 lbs-ft, an increase of 19 hp and 19 lb-ft over the 3.5-liter V6 of the Type-S. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment for both engines and features shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The chassis features double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension. Electric power steering is standard for both models. The TL rides on 245/50R17 tires, the TL SH-AWD has 245/45R18 tires and 245/40ZR19 summer performance tires are optional for the TL SH-AWD.

As before, the 2009 Acura TL continues to provide an extensive list of electronic convenience items, now including a central multifunction display, an eight-speaker audio system with a six-disc CD changer, XM Satellite Radio and USB port connectivity. An Acura/ELS audio system with 10 speakers, surround-sound and DVD-A compatibility is available.

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richard112360 - 8/9/2008 8:31:20 AM

+18 Boost

UGLY!!!! The Folks at Honda have lost their freakin minds.

davide - 8/9/2008 11:18:43 AM

+7 Boost

i just can not believe that acura can make such a mistake on the front end of this otherwise nice design. do they not read all of these critical reviews throughout the auto industry - they better be working on a 2010 revision now...or be prepared to take a huge drop in marketshare... these designs just do not work...hurry honda before it is too late..

randy33 - 8/10/2008 2:37:16 AM

+4 Boost

This car is a total disaster! This is the most pitiful mistake I've ever seen made by a 'luxury' brand. This blunder is AZTEC in scale. What a catastrophe. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? Japan: END THE NEPOTISM in your design departments!!!!

hao420 - 8/11/2008 12:29:46 AM

+2 Boost

Werid .........<

Hantra - 8/11/2008 11:08:35 AM

0 Boost

Davide:

That's not the front, it's the back. Or. . .Wait. . .Wha. . .Maybe it is the front? I can't tell the difference. ;-)

klossfam - 8/11/2008 12:24:25 PM

+2 Boost

I'd have to agree with randy33...a design disaster of mega-proportions! I've seen the new TSX and RL in person, and it gets WORSE in 3D (so does the 09 Honda Pilot)...Amazing that these redesigns could get approved by the Honda board. These would be high risk designs in a brisk auto market...In a double digit downturn year over year that we are in, these designs are BIG trouble for Acura/Honda...

silverarrow2 - 8/11/2008 1:35:17 PM

+3 Boost

Ugly!!

As an Acura fan I hope no one buy this freaking monster. I think Acura needs to accept the fact that they don't know how to design cars and get some European designers on their team.
The front of the car looks like some fat girl with a thong. |\ /|
/ \ / \
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| | | |

bobs4state - 8/9/2008 8:36:55 AM

+5 Boost

The wheels and the backseat look nice. Other than that...

daytonaviolet - 8/9/2008 11:32:11 AM

+2 Boost

Yea, the wheels do like pretty good.

daytonaviolet - 8/9/2008 11:32:49 AM

+3 Boost

Make that "look pretty good"

FactsRule - 8/9/2008 8:40:07 AM

+2 Boost

Typical soul less japanese styling.. Uninspired.. boring. ..

fuzion - 8/10/2008 9:28:22 PM

+2 Boost

Not sure about uninspired or boring; I don't think it's that at all - it's not a drop dead knockout, it's growing on me, but to say it's uninspired or boring is kinda stupid.

NItePhire - 8/9/2008 9:09:47 AM

+3 Boost

I really dont like the beak however the tail end isnt to bad. The overall shape looks like last gen Nissan Max.

mpwr - 8/9/2008 9:22:09 AM

+5 Boost

finally SH-AWD, and now they f-up the styling

JRobUSC - 8/9/2008 9:29:43 AM

+7 Boost

sorry but that's hideously ugly, and frankly now that they've made it even bigger (it was already big for the class) AND added all-wheel drive AND made it more powerful, what is the point of the RL? Who's going to buy that now? The RL was already a boat anchor on dealer lots, now they're going to be offering a simiarly sized all-wheel drive TL with more power for $10k+ less. Ingenious. I guess you buy the RL just to have bragging rights that you bought the even uglier, more expensive version.

350zdon17 - 8/9/2008 9:30:48 AM

+6 Boost

I personally love all of Acura's new designs...its sending customers to my showroom to buy Infiniti's...keep up the good work Acura

tattedtwice - 8/9/2008 11:05:31 AM

-3 Boost

Thanks for proving infiniti's are 2nd or 3rd choice; no one wants one as their FIRST choice.

Tuscani27 - 8/13/2008 7:23:11 PM

+1 Boost

That is the best you could come up with tattedtwice? Yea, like no one shops cars before they buy anymore...

abcd - 8/9/2008 9:40:39 AM

-2 Boost

Generally good looking car with exception of front grill .

Agent00J - 8/9/2008 9:48:38 AM

+4 Boost

I have been extremely critical of this and other Acura designs here, and yet the interior is really a good looking piece of work. The rear 3/4 perspective really has a nice look to it, too bad I can't get past the nose.

It reminds me of a girl you see from behind who "has it going on" and then you see her face and realize she has a nose of epic proportion coupled with a large jaw bone (ala Jay Leno) and a decorative mole, with hair!

-00J

lexusrox123 - 8/13/2008 3:04:18 PM

+1 Boost

oh please....dont induce that kind of mental torture! lol, TL is vomitrocious though

NISSANINFINITI - 8/9/2008 5:01:33 PM

+1 Boost

EXACTLY!!!!!

lexusrox123 - 8/13/2008 3:02:33 PM

+2 Boost

uh...WAAAAY worse than a saturn!

gkearns56 - 8/9/2008 10:16:58 AM

+3 Boost

I have owned 2 Acura TLs before and this by far is the UGLIEST piece of sh*t I've ever seen. The back end is from the previous generation Nissan Maxima. The new 2009 Maxima went back to the size of it's 1995-99 model year because so many people complained about it's big fat a**. The new TL looks terrible in from the back; the inside looks nice though. I'm going to bet this car is NOT going to be a big hit. Within 2 years they'll be "giving" these cars away with big incentives or reduced interest rate. When reading this article, they've also grown this current car 6.1 inches in length. The old model was 189.8 in length; that pushes this car to almost 196". Who is designing the shields on the front of these ugly cars too.

bmwdrvr - 8/9/2008 11:00:54 AM

+1 Boost

i still like the looks of the car its different, its not typical boring could be anything acura styling. The one thing I dont like is the interior which while I like the desighn it doesnt look much like a luxury car but more like a sporty honda. I also dont get why there is such a large increase in size....the Tl has always been bigger than its intended competition much like the CTS, and ES, but with it growing even larger it makes it longer than both these cars it puts at about the same size as a Cadillac STS, Jaguar XF, or Acuras own RL....pretty big car to compete in the entry level luxury class unless they intend to move this upmarket to the near luxury class and have the next RL compete with the 7,S,LS crowd........

tattedtwice - 8/9/2008 11:10:21 AM

-11 Boost

Comparing it to its competition, I'd put it above the new A4 or toyota IS, WAY WAY WAY above the c-class, on par with the g35, but behind the CTS and 3 series.

Interior is button crazy and makes me long for iDrive or MMI, but otherwise good looking.

mikeydred20 - 8/9/2008 11:50:00 AM

-5 Boost

I think it looks great people on this opinion minded site where expected less and got more and now don't know how to react. It will take time but this design language will get noticed. The tech is going to be state of art and it looks like they kept the real aluminum and not the sprayed crap that some manufactures use. Yes the RL will suffer for the next year or two but the V8 and RWD will be coming if I was Lexus I would be worried because if anyone can through blows with Toyota it's Honda. Nissan tried and failed with the Q lets see what the return of the real Legen that was the #1 selling luxury car in the US in the early 90's can do.

JudasLease - 8/10/2008 10:59:19 AM

+4 Boost

You need glasses badly.

SVTruong - 8/9/2008 12:39:21 PM

-1 Boost

everyone on this board is so critical. I'll have to reserve judgement until I see it, but one thing it definitely is is bold. You can call it bland all you want, but it's anything but boring. It may be a little busy but it has road presence. If it has the performance to boot, I think this will be a solid player in it's class.

DW1968 - 8/10/2008 5:43:34 PM

+3 Boost

Compared to this, I would settle for boring. Ugly is worse than boring.

EL34 - 8/9/2008 12:41:48 PM

+4 Boost

Just more Honda styling which is none.

dlin - 8/9/2008 12:53:50 PM

+6 Boost

I'm more frustrated by its engine. Basically the new engine cannot even matches G35 of last generation.

05 G35 3.5V6: 280 hp, 270 lb/ft, 6600 rpm

09 TL 3.5V6: 280 hp, 254 lb/ft, 6700 rpm

07 G35 3.5V6: 306 hp, 268 lb/ft, 7500 rpm

This shouldn't come from a company that produces high rev/high hp engine.

bmwdrvr - 8/9/2008 3:10:03 PM

+2 Boost

the shawd model has 300hp

Milton - 8/9/2008 12:54:41 PM

-3 Boost

looks really cool.I like it.

lexusrox123 - 8/13/2008 3:06:02 PM

+2 Boost

youre joking. you have to be

NISSANINFINITI - 8/9/2008 5:05:14 PM

+1 Boost

I agree the interior looks like a toy...doesnt look real at all. not a good look. But it matches the exterior...lol

no1listensanyway - 8/9/2008 1:17:23 PM

+5 Boost

Wow, this car is officailly of my list of prospective vehicles, disgusting. RIP - Acura you have killed the one great car you had left.

ktu01 - 8/9/2008 1:42:20 PM

+4 Boost

I feel like the new Acuras look like transformers.

Lyall - 8/9/2008 1:52:29 PM

+4 Boost

So far, the License plate's looking good...

Lyall - 8/9/2008 1:52:50 PM

+3 Boost

... but only just.

NISSANINFINITI - 8/9/2008 5:06:35 PM

0 Boost

YOU GO GIRL! I AGREE100%

Jordanski - 8/9/2008 2:31:28 PM

+7 Boost

you know
i really WANT to like acura
but with this recent design
ugh

0to60 - 8/9/2008 3:08:18 PM

+4 Boost

Should be a Honda avalon competitor or something. Not an acura. the interior in the current one looks much better

TauronB2G - 8/9/2008 4:04:52 PM

+2 Boost

Thats pretty bad...T

NISSANINFINITI - 8/9/2008 5:09:19 PM

0 Boost

the real question is: DID YOU READ THE SPECS???...LOL...Read up, to "dlin" post

Ynot - 8/11/2008 8:46:36 AM

0 Boost

I agree with you. Just have to give it some time. I'd like to see it in both silver and black.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/9/2008 4:47:18 PM

+1 Boost

"The 2009 Acura TL moves further upmarket with a more aggressive interpretation of Acura's latest styling vocabulary, known as "Keen Edge Dynamic."

AHHHhahahahaha, you gotta love marketing weasels. Hey, just because you steal designs from better cars doesn't mean your moving upscale. The only original lines on this car are it's God awful grill and horrendous back end. The interior isn't as bad but what with that cheap look aluminum crap. What an a mistake this car is.

Say good by Acura.

NISSANINFINITI - 8/9/2008 5:10:56 PM

+1 Boost

The engine looks like the Infinti M

shiftless - 8/9/2008 5:34:42 PM

-1 Boost

DAMNNN ITS SOOOO UGGLYYYYY. Kinda remind me of the MDX without the raised roof.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/9/2008 6:21:24 PM

0 Boost

Can you even make a comment with out hating BMW, you need a real hobby. Geeez.

bmwman1963 - 8/9/2008 7:19:24 PM

0 Boost

huu76 is drinking douche bottles for his drinking water just like staar aka teknik aka auto001

bmwman1963 - 8/9/2008 7:25:59 PM

-1 Boost

huu, so i guess that is why lexus copied the old style 7 series when they introduced their new LS... LOL!!!!! Get your facts straight. You guys complained about the "Bangle Butt" but then your "GOD" "Lexus" copied it and suddenly it was the best thing since sex.. LMAO....

You Jap Brand Lovers really need to stop hatin' the true automotive innovators aka BMW, MB, Porsche and Audi. We all know on this site that the Jap car companies wait for the Germans to develop and spend the money and then copy them time and time again.

Lyall - 8/9/2008 6:25:50 PM

-2 Boost

puke-ura.

Lyall - 8/9/2008 6:26:05 PM

-2 Boost

Beak-ura

Lyall - 8/9/2008 6:26:46 PM

-2 Boost

screw-ura

g2ok - 8/9/2008 6:39:06 PM

+1 Boost

WTF ! Ugly from every angle and looks so desparate to get attention. You would have to be vain to buy this one.

Time for Honda to close the door on Acura.

sector - 8/9/2008 8:07:22 PM

0 Boost

Acura is a leader not a follower, I love how they're pushing the envelop here, and it works :) If you want bland, just head over to the German marques, they do bland really well, however, if you want 21st century styling and want to see into the future of automotive design, you come back to Acura/Infiniti and Lexus.

That interior is what I call hi technology, executed with seamless ergonomics and integration... all this with 300+ hp and SH-AWD, this is a home run for Acura.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/9/2008 10:40:12 PM

0 Boost

How the hell are they pushing the envelope? This car is a conglomerate of just about every other luxury car out there, except for the universally hated "beak". This is on of the most unoriginal design to date. The interior borders adequate to cheesy at best. The engineering was "state of the art" four years ago. How do you think this is home run?

sector - 8/10/2008 10:58:53 AM

-1 Boost

Stop living in the past, soft flowing lines had its time but angular, sharper lines are in. If you want cars to look like jelly beans and twinkies just look at BMWs. If you call that well executed interior cheesy, you must be a technophobe; just stick to your 80's BMW interior.

The Japanese embrace technology, not shy away from it, that's why they are the #1 electronics maker in the world. They coexist with technology, they live and breath technology, and it shows in their automobiles.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/11/2008 1:41:11 PM

+1 Boost

"Stop living in the past"

You're kidding right? This car is the past, take a good look at this failure; the green house for the Lexus GS, the belt line from the BMW 5er, C pillar from the last generation Nissan Maxiam and front fenders off the number of economy cars. The only original element on this car is the almost universally detested grill. Read a few other automotive blogs and you will find you in a VERY small minority. Stop buying the Market weasel hype and take a good look at the car, no future elements, only those copied from the past.

Lexus - 8/9/2008 8:07:46 PM

+2 Boost

This new Acura TL is Fugly compare to the current gen, what hell wrong with Acura? This look very similar to the current Toyota Camry?

No wonder Hyundai surpass them in sales this year, Good Job Honda/Acura, keep up the good work, and Hyundai will put you out of business very soon.

Agent63 - 8/9/2008 10:33:17 PM

0 Boost

I'll wait until the final product is out and i'll see if it grows on me. The current one grew on me 2 years after it's debut.

Jordanski - 8/10/2008 12:11:52 AM

0 Boost

Acura's missed the mark. Left right & centre.
"-,-
Tisk tisk.
Every aspect of this vehicle is hideous.

Dr550 - 8/10/2008 12:26:15 AM

+1 Boost

Front end looks like a bottle opener.

Htay7500 - 8/10/2008 4:30:24 PM

0 Boost

2003 Corolla vs 2005 Jetta."

thank goodness I'm not the only one who pointed that out.

FactsRule - 8/10/2008 1:46:27 AM

+3 Boost

huu76 ur so lame... Lexus support groups must be falling off the wagon..

JudasLease - 8/10/2008 11:02:09 AM

0 Boost

Acura is lost. This is truly an ugly design and even worse, there is nothing "luxurious" about it. It has 4 fogs like a SUV and a giant GIANT beak overhang. The rear is from a Saturn, profile of the Maxima.

Interior is very busy and looks way to similar to a TSX or Accord. Push button start BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN!?!?! Lame

Then even worse, the powertrain is old and not class leading at all but its the NEWEST entry.
The car will weigh more
Its huge now, 196 inches? Thats bigger than the RL!!

What were they thinking? THe last TL was GORGEOUS to look at!!!

bmwman1963 - 8/12/2008 11:56:21 AM

0 Boost

bulldogz,

No you don't have to put a key in the BMW to start it.
I have a 2008 BMW and have never inserted the key. Never even pushed a button on the fob for anything.

Star - 8/10/2008 2:05:08 PM

+3 Boost

Honda should stop selling their junk rebadged as a premium brand. Stick with economy cars.

DW1968 - 8/10/2008 5:45:38 PM

+2 Boost

To paraphrase an old joke...if I had a car that ugly, I would just learn to drive it backwards, and...oh.

Doesn't work in this case, as both the front and the back of this thing are unspeakably ugly.

DW1968 - 8/10/2008 5:48:09 PM

+1 Boost

Or: 2 beaks, 1 car.

skinny - 8/11/2008 8:27:03 AM

+3 Boost

Acura is lost! I'm glad I bought a '08 TL a month ago. I envisioned this debacle would come out after looking at the '09 TSX!!!

Acura made the car too big as it pushes past RL territory. So what becomes of the RL? Does Acura drop it as thru 2 generations it has been a sales dud? Or do they make it even bigger like the size of a S-class, LS, or 7-series?

The power of the new TL is just fine, the only major drawbacks I can see are the styling(yuck), the excess size, and the omission of a 6-speed automatic. I thought they would include a 6-speed on the '09 since even the Toyota Camry has a 6-speed. I guess the 2010 will probably get one.

Ynot - 8/11/2008 8:42:55 AM

0 Boost

I really think the TL is taking aim at the GS. I'll have to see this in person but after seeing the TSX in person, I think many TL owners might switch to that model.

TSX = ES
TL = GS
RL = LS

Not sure if it will payoff.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/11/2008 1:48:34 PM

+1 Boost

Spot on, they are going to need a whole lot of luck. If the price this like the GS, say good bye to one of their few top sellers.

fooi - 8/11/2008 12:32:28 PM

-1 Boost

interior looks good...maybe a little busy in the center console
the exterior probably looks better in person...but looks like its about 10 years ahead of its time

asiancars233 - 8/11/2008 1:32:59 PM

+3 Boost

I can't believe they made an awesome car into a crap car. I like the new TSX's design, but this is ugly. Only the interior is good looking. Honda has had a pretty good lineup of good lookin cars but this... ughhh...

LexSucks - 8/11/2008 1:44:51 PM

+4 Boost

Vomit!!!

lexusrox123 - 8/13/2008 3:01:46 PM

+1 Boost

UGLY UGLY UGLY UGLY!!!!

the front is retarded; looks like a camry that went off the deep end....the trunk is hilarious...the front's lower fascia is ridiculous....so all in all (except the interior) its all the things that make a car ugly all fused into one car. or maybe the RL gets that title, idk.