Spy Shots: 2009 Acura TL
by Chris Shunk on May 19th 2008 at 9:24AM 
Acura is in the middle of a total makeover, and while we've already seen the RL and TSX, the Japanese automaker's bread and butter TL has been out of the spotlight, until now. Spy photographers have snapped up a couple shots of the 2009 TL sans the requisite crazy patterns and without most bras, leaving some poorly fit panels to throw us off. Up front, the grille is covered, but the basic shape looks very much like the buck-tooth treatment given to the RL and TSX. The front wheel arches bulge out like the TSX to give the TL a more aggressive stance, and the concave line stretching from the A-pillar to the tail lights has been replaced by a muscular character line expanding from the front arch, helping to further accentuate the sedan's stance. Out back, a prominent V shape at the bumper and spoiler gives the TL a little more style, while the tail lights wrap to show off the TL's angles.
So far, Acura's new-look lineup has been a mix of hits and misses (more misses depending on who you ask), but the TL is the high volume stud that absolutely has to be a home run for Honda's luxury lineup to keep up with the competition. Thanks for the tip, Jose!
[Source: VTEC]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MikeW 9:41AM (5/19/2008)
Hopefully this will be better than the TSX
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=126300?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..3.*
Honda should have destroked the turbo 2.3 I4 for a 200hp, 200ft-lbs engine.
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Fernando 9:52AM (5/19/2008)
Hmm, I don't know if it will be. Whomever suggested that the grill should be installed on every model Acura produces should not only be fired, but committed, too!
As for how the new TL looks, the rear is one of the ugliest things I've seen in a long time. Somehow, it makes me think Mitsubishi, and that's not an image you want brought to mind by a new luxury car.
So, not only is the grill fugly, the rear seems to be as well.
BigMcLargeHuge 9:48AM (5/19/2008)
The current TL is a good looking car. This thing's fugly, especially the Cadillac trunk. I do hope the new one doesn't change too much over the current one in its final form.
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Frank 9:59AM (5/19/2008)
I agree, i'm gonna call a miss on this one.
JGuan 9:51AM (5/19/2008)
Dear god! What happened to the ass? And why do the dimensions of
every Acura car seem to get bigger and uglier every time?
I'm not Acura hater, believe me. I drive an 05 Acura TL and my sister drives a TSX.
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bear 9:59AM (5/19/2008)
honestly, the advanced sedan concept was a cool concept... but they seemed to only take the worse elements of it into production.
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broosewee 10:01AM (5/19/2008)
Please do not be FWD.
I'm also disappointed in Acura's new design direction. That Zelda shield they call a grille is horrific. JDM grilles are much better. But I'm not sure which model the TL is in Japan, if there is any at all. Saber maybe?
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Fernando 10:10AM (5/19/2008)
The TL is a USDM model only based on the USDM Honda Accord and built in Ohio. I guess the closest thing in Japan would be the Honda Inspire, which is basically a USDM Accord.
Chris 10:12AM (5/19/2008)
back end is odd
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yacoub 10:19AM (5/19/2008)
Maxima from the side, Caddy/Mitsu from the rear, Just Plain Ugly from the front.
Nice work ruining the whole line-up, Acura.
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icu812ru469 11:03AM (5/19/2008)
Come on peeps... this is disguised and probably not complete just yet. Although if the side panels remain intact, it's quite boring thus far. I would say it's going to be too conservative for most. RWD it will NOT be, that is for sure and I don't need a source for that, it just will be FWD or possibly AWD, but not RWD.... it's just Acura.
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L.S. 11:16AM (5/19/2008)
I'm a bit of an Acura fan and own a current model TL which I consider one of the simplest, most elegant car designs on the streets today. However, from what I can see in these spy shots, they'll probably ruin it to go along with the rest of the new lineup, and that's a damn shame.
Oh, well. Guess my next car will sport some circles on the hood and be manufactured in Germany.
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shethj 12:54PM (5/19/2008)
The current TL is one of the best Japanese designs on the market but I always knew Acura couldnt improve on it and I am being proven correct. The rear on this new TL looks terrible and the front overhang is still huge. Also, its sad that they are adopting the lexus high deck look which makes the car look like a hatchback. The entire rear of the car is very much like the current Maxima.
Jason 1:31PM (5/19/2008)
The current gen TL is an American design, not a Japanese design.
I own an 07 TSX... I'm glad I didn't wait for the 09's because they're ugly, and apparently Acura also managed to kill the steering feel, reduce horsepower, and add weight. No thanks.
I loved the last generation TLs, but this one looks like it's shaping up to be really bad.
I've owned a TON of Honda/Acura cars in my lifetime. I've been a fan of Acura for a while even though they're not "ZOMG RWD V8!!1one," but the new wave of Acuras that are coming out is really pushing me away from the brand.
Since I just bought my less than a year ago, I won't be shopping for a new car for a couple more years... but when I do, the Acura dealer won't be on my list of places to go. I love Honda reliability, quality, and economy, but I hate the new designs.
Scott G 1:54PM (5/19/2008)
Actually, the new grill looks amazingly good on the TSX, I think. I'm not a fan of the MDX, but in person the TSX looks very nice.
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Soccer Mom 12:24PM (5/19/2008)
It seems that it was put on a healthy McDonald's diet since the last generation, expectedly ballooning its bottom.
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brian 1:02PM (5/19/2008)
I must say that I will hold judgement till I see one in person.
I thought the 09 TSX was a bit odd looking in pictures, but in person it turned out to be a good looking car. More of a 'girl' car, for sure, but still a nice looking ride. I definitely prefer the prev. gen, though.
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halogenrepublic 9:20PM (5/19/2008)
Check out the Pontiac G8 to see what TL should look like.
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Jose 9:46PM (5/19/2008)
the tsx does look better in person... even better with the body kit.. the profile shot of the tl looks to accord to me... with a little gs350 in the back... the truck says pure saturn to me!!!!
i will reserve final judgement until we see the final version.. the great thing is even if you think this new one id fugly... think of the bargin you'll be able to get on a 2008... especially the type-s... you can already get some nice discounts!!!!
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palancar 10:12PM (5/20/2008)
Isn't the TL the Euro Accord? I'm sure it'll be another FWD overly hyped car from Honda. It'll probably make 10 more HP but at 5000RPM higher than current too.
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