Spy Shots: 2009 Acura TL continues triangular theme
Acura is in the midst of a major restyling of its entire range of sedans. While we've already seen the new TSX and RL (though an even newer RL has been spied), it's the TL that is the bread-and-butter model of the line. From what has been seen already, we're expecting a version of the blocky metal triangle at the front of the model, though the latest spy photos reveal that the angular theme will be carried over to the rear of the vehicle as well. It's always risky to make major changes to the high-volume model, but it appears as if Acura is not content to just play it safe with its line of uber-Hondas. While the stylists attempt to set new trends, we're pretty sure that the TL will continue to use a front wheel drive architecture and V6 engines, though a form of the automaker's SH AWD seems a distinct possibility.[Source: Temple of VTEC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Samurai Jack 8:13PM (6/23/2008)
Funny, I never thought of it as a triangle. Trapezoid, yes. Maybe even a rhombus. But not a triangle.
Still don't like it on the TSX though.
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geo.stewart 7:36AM (6/24/2008)
way for them to kill trunk access.
Keat 10:41AM (6/24/2008)
What is with honda lately? First the new Pilot, then the TSX, now the TL?
They have a designer on staff who likes ugly looking cars.
ASEVENSEE4 8:17PM (6/23/2008)
Oh boy, Acura has done it again, they won't be satisfied until all of their cars have been redesigned into uglification and have buttons popping out everywhere inside.
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Kumail 9:42PM (6/23/2008)
oh well, by the way the things are looking for honda/acura, acura should soon be gone and nice cars will return to our world. all we have to do is continue to buy lexus's, infiniti's, bimmers, merc's, and audi's.
Dustin 10:09PM (6/23/2008)
ASEVENSEE4, I see you've managed to post bashing remarks on all three Honda/Acura posts today... so congrats on that. You're a thorough hater.
ASEVENSEE4 10:21PM (6/23/2008)
So you're denying this won't look like the RL(bad)? Fan boy?
Dustin 12:41AM (6/24/2008)
I agree that the front end of the RL was a step in the wrong direction. But no, I don't think it will look like the RL. As a matter of fact, I can see with my eyes that it will not.
Fernando 9:18AM (6/24/2008)
I agree. I'm an Acura fan and a 2007 TSX owner, but what Acura has done to this car is just wrong.
Although, I must admit, I hated the TSX when it first came out and, after giving it a test drive and seeing it up close, I now like most of it. I still hate the rims and the grill, and all the buttons near the screen are just flat-out confusing.
cly 11:27AM (6/24/2008)
This is what you get when you open a studio in California. You hired ex-GM designers. ex-Pontiac Aztek designers.
It's either that or Honda brought Amy Winehouse into the studio for them to bang for creative inspirations.
James 8:22PM (6/23/2008)
I dunno. Acuras have always been criticized for being bland. At least now they're doing something about it. The TSX has grown on me, and I look forward to the unveiling of the TL.
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AC 9:14PM (6/23/2008)
ugly rear end. The TL has always had the most bad-ass ass in the sector; those killer taillights, squared off exhaust pipes... shame they went the Camry route on this design.
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vkchu 8:29PM (6/23/2008)
cmon. seriously?
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nicfurious29 8:30PM (6/23/2008)
Looks pretty good to me. I have an acura dealer 1 block away from where I live, so I see the TSX quite often. Needless to say, its rediculously bland. So bland, I honestly think the only people to realize the exterior has been remodeled are car enthusiasts like us here on this site.
The only eye candy on that lot remains to this day the RDX.
This shows they are at least trying to be bold and new instead of rebadging the Euro accord with an ugly nostril!!
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ASEVENSEE4 8:39PM (6/23/2008)
The RDX looks bland too, and a little too weird in the face
The MDX looks better, but that's not really a compliment with that grille it has.
Charlie 8:30PM (6/23/2008)
"...but it appears as if Acura is not content to just play it safe with its line of uber-Hondas."
Um, really? Do we live in the same reality? Before Acura's were just incredibly boring. Now they seem to have perfected walking the line between boring and ugly. Seriously, Jeremy, do you even like cars?
Does anyone else think Autoblog's posts are starting to read like re-written press releases?
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MachinaDC5 8:33PM (6/23/2008)
I forgot that looks were objective and not subjective. And after all the complaining everybody on Autoblog does about how boring Japanese cars are, you'd think that when a Japanese automaker decides not to play it safe, ugly or not the effort would be applauded.
Thanks for being part of the problem, Charlie, because if it looks bad to you it looks bad to everybody.
Charlie 8:44PM (6/23/2008)
Machina, everybody knows that Acuras are made for people who don't like cars.
(Obviously, the NSX, RSX and Integra are excluded from this generalization).
MachinaDC5 9:14PM (6/23/2008)
I guess I just find my all-encompassing zen stretches across Acura and many other manufacturers as an enthusiast.
Soul Shinobi 9:33PM (6/23/2008)
Charlie, everybody knows that people who make bold single-minded generalizations are morons.