09 Acura TL Spy Shots

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
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lol at this comment in the comments section :

"Thats as ugly as a hatfull of assholes."

I think it'll be a great car, and a good value for what you get, but the styling is a bit bulkier/clunkier than their previous outings.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Originally posted by: halik
Ugly... hopefully less fugly than the accord/tsx

Hmm, seems like many vehicles are following the blockly/trucklike trend.

Is it because of more stringent safety requirements perhaps?
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
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Car and Driver had a naked photo in a previous issue, and it looks wicked. They reported a round 300 HP from the latest version of the 3.5L and front wheel drive. I thought the current model looked very bold and daring when new, but they sold A LOT of them, and with everything all Bangled-up these days, it doesn't have quite the same visual heft as it once did. This new one brings more muscle to the equation. I wouldn't hold your breath for SH-AWD, but if they did offer it, it would fix what is likely to be the car's only dynamic weakness. 300 HP is a healthy boost over the outgoing model's ~250-ish output and that's a lot to ask from front tires.

Word on the street is the next RL will have a V8 from the same family as the NSX-replacement V10 and rear wheel drive.
 

zoiks

Lifer
Jan 13, 2000
11,787
3
81
What the fuck did they do to the back. It looks like they have an ugly competition on a regular basis and Honda always wins out.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
from the 3/4 view the side looks a lot like a G35.

the trunk looks like it's been in a wreck.
 

Schindler

Junior Member
Jun 23, 2008
3
0
0
They messed up the design of the back, is it me or a lot of car manufactures make more uglier cars with each year that passes.
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,564
952
126
Acura decided to hire all the old Pontiac sylists from the late 90's early '00s.

Knowing the underpinnings are the Accord it would appear to be huge just like the bloated over-styled Accord.

 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
looks like they gave it that that ugly grill thats in the TSX. Why Acura, WHY?!? I loved your cars, but every single one in the current lineup is fugly!

oh and the roofline from the rear 3/4 shot reminds me of a Maxima
 

GoatMonkey

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2005
1,253
0
0
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Car and Driver had a naked photo in a previous issue, and it looks wicked. They reported a round 300 HP from the latest version of the 3.5L and front wheel drive. I thought the current model looked very bold and daring when new, but they sold A LOT of them, and with everything all Bangled-up these days, it doesn't have quite the same visual heft as it once did. This new one brings more muscle to the equation. I wouldn't hold your breath for SH-AWD, but if they did offer it, it would fix what is likely to be the car's only dynamic weakness. 300 HP is a healthy boost over the outgoing model's ~250-ish output and that's a lot to ask from front tires.

Word on the street is the next RL will have a V8 from the same family as the NSX-replacement V10 and rear wheel drive.

The Car and Driver picture was a photoshop of the TSX.

I'm hoping that the new TL sucks, I just bought a 2006 TL about a month ago.
 

KDKPSJ

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2002
3,288
58
91
Originally posted by: Aharami
looks like they gave it that that ugly grill thats in the TSX. Why Acura, WHY?!? I loved your cars, but every single one in the current lineup is fugly!

oh and the roofline from the rear 3/4 shot reminds me of a Maxima

Blame the success of RDX and MDX, which have had same front-end for 2+ years. Acura decided to integrate family-look for Honda/Acura because those two SUV's success.

Anyway, I think it looks promising. Heck, when I saw new TSX in my bare eyes (not from monitor), I was about to rush to Acura dealer to trade-in my 325 to get new TSX. What do I know about design.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
I don't know...I'm not digging it. The old TL was never my favorite...but I was OK with it...this looks "homely" and just trying to look sporty by putting a bunch of odd shapes on it. Is Acura turning into the next 90's period Pontiac?
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,127
912
126
I hated the early shots of current version, but fell in love with the car when I saw it in person.

Having said that, I'm on the fence. I hope I hate it though, because I really would like to make it to 100k with the one I got.
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
81
Originally posted by: Chunkee
u guys hate everything NOT BMW

No, last gen TSX looked fantastic, same goes for TL and RL (drool). The new ones all look like shit
 

Chunkee

Lifer
Jul 28, 2002
10,391
1
81
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: Chunkee
u guys hate everything NOT BMW

No, last gen TSX looked fantastic, same goes for TL and RL (drool). The new ones all look like shit

i think the older ones are very bland. the way the TL side, front and rear skirts fit on the car, make it look like a legobuilt. segmented and not flowing; like someone tacked it on as an afterthought. the nose and rear are droll as well; bland, not assertive in the least..very common and conservative.

the newer models appear to be a bit more bold and dynamic with more fluidity

to each their own.
 

zoiks

Lifer
Jan 13, 2000
11,787
3
81
Originally posted by: Chunkee

the newer models appear to be a bit more bold and dynamic with more fluidity

to each their own.


I'd agree that the design is 'bold' but it certainly isn't 'dynamic with more fluidity'. To put it 'boldly', the ass looks like ass.
But as you said, to each their own.