2009 Acura TL sharpened to face rear-drive rivals

 

DANBURY, CONN.–Acura's current TL is a handsome contender in the tough, near-luxury sports sedan arena, offering a couple of zingy V6 engines and lots of technology.

The car has fared well in Canada since being thrown into the ring in 2004, racking up about 5,000 sales a year.

But the TL's Achilles heel has been a front-wheel-drive only platform in a segment in which every major player (BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Saab and Lexus) offers all-wheel-drive.

In addition, while the top-line TL Type-S boasted 286 horsepower, a few contenders have crossed the 300 horsepower threshold – and who wants to be left out of that club?

Acura has addressed both of these issues in the all-new 2009 TL. There are two models to choose from: a front-drive TL powered by a 280 hp 3.5 L V6 will go on sale next month, followed in November by the TL SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) with a 305 hp 3.7 L V6. Both models get a five-speed manumatic with paddle shifters – a six-speed manual comes next year in the SH-AWD.

No official Canadian pricing has been announced, but the Acura brass is not expecting much of an increase over the 2008 models, which start at $42,700.

Mechanically, Acura may be playing catch-up here, but stylistically, this 2009 TL isn't pandering to anybody. The words that spring to mind when first viewing the TL's angular, metallic snout? Bold. Sneering. RoboCop-esque. The creases and cut lines around the trunk and tail lights are equally ginsu-knife lethal. And the well-defined blisters above the front wheel arches add muscle to the front haunches. The profile says "four-door coupe."

Designed by Art Osborne at Acura's studio in Torrance, Calif., this fourth-generation TL looks distinctly high-tech Japanese. Indeed, it's a polarizing visage, but we all thought Audi's "horse collar" grill was over the top, too. Time will tell.

The 2009 TL casts a larger shadow, rising by a few millimetres in width, height and wheelbase. Rear-seat leg and hip room increase. The TL's extra girth puts it between the BMW 3 and 5 Series, the Mercedes C and E-Class, et al. Acura is looking to attract buyers from both those segments.

It's a fresh interior too, with organic flowing lines that radiate from the driver like waves in a pond. The standard 10-way leather driver's seat proved comfy over a few hours of motoring and the major gauges are crisply lit.

Acura avoids the Germanic one-knob-for-all-functions philosophy here, peppering the dash, steering wheel and console with more buttons than a cardigan factory.

Those familiar with Acura will know technology is a big part of this maker's identity, and gizmo-geeks won't be disappointed here. Standard fare is Bluetooth connectivity, multi-information display, XM satellite radio and a 276-watt eight-speaker audio system with six-shot CD, Dolby ProLogic II, and auxiliary and USB inputs.

The solar-sensing dual-zone climate control will automatically send warmer air to your feet, and a cooler breeze to your torso if it suspects you're getting uncomfortable.

Available on both models is the Technology Package which, along with perforated Premium Milano leather and metallic trim, adds Keyless Access System, navigation with bilingual voice control, an 8-inch high-resolution VGA colour display, rear-view camera, interface dial, and a killer 440-watt, 10-speaker audio system with an 12.7 gig internal hard drive for MP3 and media storage. If you just can't get enough of your kids (or yourself), there's a wallpaper function that displays your favourite pics on the monitor.

Additionally, the HVAC uses the GPS to determine which side of the car the sun is shining on, and adjusts temperatures accordingly.

Want your TL to drive like a BMW? Not so fast, hot shoe.

First off, the TL is still a front-drive car, albeit a very good one. The structure is stiffer in every way, and Acura has used aluminum and high-strength steel to keep the weight down and lower the car's centre of gravity by 13 mm.

The brakes are larger and now feature twin-piston calipers in front. The TL SH-AWD gets brake-cooling ducts in the front fascia and Hill Start Assist.

Driving the smooth, winding roads of our Connecticut test route, the 280 hp TL, on standard 17-inch wheels, feels much more refined than the 2008 car.

It's quieter, the ride is compliant, yet body control is good. It takes a nice balanced set during brisk cornering too, but information from the electric power steering (the old car was hydraulic) is nearly non-existent, and shifts from the steering wheel-mounted paddles are a bit tardy.

The 305 hp TL SH-AWD feels more robust, and gets a sport-tuned exhaust note. It rides on 18-inch footwear (19-inchers are optional) with recalibrated suspension tuning. The good news is the torque-steer and harsh ride from last year's zippy TL Type-S is gone. The bad news (for enthusiasts) is that the car's involving and racy disposition has been pretty much filtered out.

With the all-wheel drive calibrated at a default front-to-rear torque split of 90/10 (up to 70 per cent can be sent aft), this car still operates largely as a front driver. The system's party trick is the ability to send more power to the outside rear wheel when cornering, essentially helping to push the car around the bend. You can feel it kick in when powering through turns, but overall, the TL doesn't quite have the natural fluidity of the best from Germany.

What the 2009 Acura TL may lack in Euro-dynamics, it more than makes up for with its new-found refinement, increased interior room, powerful engines and look-at-me face. And of course, Acura is counting on the available all-wheel-drive and competitive pricing to give the TL legs in this tough segment.

Travel was provided for freelance auto writer Peter Bleakney by the automaker. pebleakney@sympatico.ca

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