What an ugly interior. The center dash looks like a mistake. The exterior doesn't seem particularly new or fresh. If you told me that it was a 2004 model, I would believe you.

I love whining !

Odd little article. They talk all about the TL and give us pics of the RL and TSX.

On the RL:

Those 2 center vents seem a little out of place. It would have had a much smoother look to have that center console continue it's vertical look without the break for the vents and wood looking bezel. I like the gauges although I don't know if they are any different from before, but I like them anyway. I don't mind the rest of the interior except the butt crack looking center arm rest.

On the TSX:

I love it, but I can't really tell that it's too much different than before. I like the look of it, but I don't think it's going to inspire anybody to get a new one or to interest anybody in getting one for the 1st time.

I prefer the look of the old TSX. One of my favorite car.

You guys have no clue what are you talking about. Those 2 center vents have just right place. They don't blow directly to you or to a passenger. Finally somebody thought of that. It's really bad when you have airconditioner blowing cold air directly to your head or chest....

This is one great car...

If it's anything like the RL it's just going to be FWD biased anyways. It's 100% FWD until the tires start to spin. Then it can go to 50/50. The current TL is a very, very attractive sedan, but fun to drive w/ mostly RWD? I'll believe it when I drive it...

I am... underwhelmed with the RL.

On the TL, I like it. However, SH-AWD is great, but no sport version? And what is the point of having two different engines if the power is within 10% of each other?

Interior looks like a Buick or Town Car (if Lincoln still made it). Front looks like a Saturn, big single chrome wedge. And, I HATE car manufacturers that put their name inside the car. Like you don't know or can't remember what BRAND of car you bought. Just stupid!

If the only thing you can nit pick on is the Acura symbol on the steering wheel and the Acura name in small letters on the center console, then Honda is obviously doing something right.

It seems that Honda just took the RL and renamed it to the "New TL". Problem is the RL wasn't a very well received car. The current TL on the other hand has been selling very well. Honda really needs to think about the next TL more than just renaming an RL.

I am also in agreement with previous posters that the front grill is completely out of place. What is with this new "Shield" approach to the grill on their cars?

I just got my tl new in 06' and im not going to get this one when it comes out. i still like mine too much and i also like having it paid off. i winsh i got a car that can tow a 7000 lb boat instead though otherwise the 2006 tl auto with navi is a great ca the ladies like the styling and shes quick on the highway with great handeling and high speed stability, i drive on the hw everyday and get her up to 110-120mph with ease yes its not safe but then again i believe its not safe in some cars while in a car like this that has great breaks and tank like stability it dosent even feel that fast. i know im going to get some people hating on my driving and i realize that so all i have to say is catch me if you can?

Several of you think the pics of the new RL is the new TL? There is no picture of the new TL on this blog.

I wonder if the next TL grows like the latest Accord and TSX? I'm sick of them making cars larger and heavier. I'm with Topper, the old TSX was a perfectly sized/styled car. Not impressed with the new one in the looks dept or the fact that it grew 2-3 inches in all dimensions.

Its about time Honda/Acura got their act together. The Lex IS has been beating them to death in sales for the simple fact of RWD and few wanted to dish out 50k for the AWD RL. Still, it seems hell will freeze over before Honda/Acura comes out with a 4 door, RWD saloon.

@Dennisil

How is it that someone like you, who appears functionally illiterate afford a sweet car like this? My 6yr old nephew constructs better sentences than you, not to mention your spelling?? Breaks?? BRAKES. Handeling?? Handling.

Dude. Maybe you should put the xbox down, and spend some time reading

Quote >>>
" @Dennisil

How is it that someone like you, who appears functionally illiterate afford a sweet car like this? My 6yr old nephew constructs better sentences than you, not to mention your spelling?? Breaks?? BRAKES. Handeling?? Handling.

Dude. Maybe you should put the xbox down, and spend some time reading " <<< End quote

WERD ...

haha sorry i was not taking my time i wish i had the time to play xbox its collecting dust right now the only thing i ever fart arround with is my wii.

"It's really bad when you have airconditioner blowing cold air directly to your head or chest...."
Don't take offense at the following, but I couldn't help myself after reading your silly defense of the vent placement.

They have this new invention called an adjustable vent. You can change the direction of the offending airflow, or even, in some cases, close an offending vent altogether. Furthermore many vehicles allow you to redirect air to the lower vents using a sophisticated air door actuator. Who knows what they'll come up with next, possible a variable speed blower motor?

:-D

"right now the only thing i ever fart arround with is my wii."

Playing with your wii too much will make you go blind, kid. :P

I used to sell Acuras when they were a special car and pretty much better than anything else made. Now I think the engineers get together and say "Lets see how boring we can make these cars look and still get people to buy them." Seriously, what are these people thinking? The TL at the angle in that picture looks like it may be interesting, but I bet when we see it from all sides it'll be as exciting as that RL. *stifles a yawn and nods off*

Not that I care for Acura...

But I don't know how popular their "new" design direction is going to be with the North American market....

They seem to be losing their edge.

I think the current generation of Acura's look pretty decent.

But then again, I could be seeing things from the wrong perspective...

I guess Acura is better known for solid value, build quality, and standard feature set... and not necessarily for their aesthetic design prowess.

Hopefully their buyers will continue to see the value.

I certainly didnt buy my TL because it was the fastest car i could afford. it was a happy middle of speed size reliability standard features (W' navi) style to some degree aswell. i always thaught i would kick myself for not getting the IS or the G or the 3series but they all had there issues that kept me from buying them even though they all where going to be faster than my car. I figure as long as it dosent cost me alot to own it thats what maters to me most, so that killed the 3 series for me. the G was RWD and this is my daily driver in Chicago so snow is not safe with RWD. and the AWD is250 was is scarce demand and it was too small for me im 6'4" 300 lbs, its was the right choice for me but not for everyone im sure. in all actuality i seriously miss my first car 1995 Nissan Pathfinder... that thing was like a turtle tough on the outside - slow and lumbering everywhere ellse.

Didn't they say the same thing about the TSX before it came out? I'll believe it when I see it. Judging from what they did to the TSX I'd say we'll get a 269hp FWD bloated TL for the next version. Boy o boy do I hope I'm wrong as Acura isn't going to be able to sell many of those new TLs with the Genesis Sedan coming out next year if they do the same to it as they did with the RL and TSX. I used to be a die hard Acura/Honda fan but have to keep myself from regurgitating lunch each time a see a new Acura design.

Cheap Car Lover wrote:
"If it's anything like the RL it's just going to be FWD biased anyways. It's 100% FWD until the tires start to spin. Then it can go to 50/50. "

Not true. The Infiniti AWD system (for example) goes awd when the wheels slip. The Acura SHAWD system is an always-on system with torque vectoring in the back diff to increase speed to the outside wheels on curves. The RL system is FWD biased but very little. The MDX system is tuned more FWD.

It's a very impressive drive system.

@ SpicyMikey

"the system sends 70% of power to the front wheels and 30% to the rear under normal conditions but these ratios can reverse" in situations where it's needed -wikipedia

So you're right, and I was just rambling and running my mouth without doing the research. Thanks for noting my error.

Still, I would always prefer a RWD bias. 0/100 variable to 30/70 when you want it to sounds better to me. But then again, I hate FWD. It's got something to do with when my old understeer prone GSR plowed off the road into a ditch. That's the last FWD car I'll ever own. Power going to the rear wheels and a 50/50 weight bias is where it's at.

i hear the new TL will have a low range gear box and hill descent assist...

im kidding