Serious performance-sedan devotees will choose the TL SH-AWD®
to make winding roads their own. Its
all-new 3.7-liter V-6 engine produces 305 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of
torque courtesy of greater displacement and additional high-performance
features like Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) on
both the intake and exhaust valves, and a special high-flow dual exhaust
system. With projected EPA fuel economy ratings* of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg
highway, the 3.7L is also targeted to meet California's stringent CARB LEV
II ULEV emissions certification. The pièce de résistance on the TL SH-AWD®
is the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ system, now available on the
TL for the first time.
During spirited cornering, SH-AWD® seamlessly
distributes more torque to the outside rear wheel to create a "yaw moment"
to help the TL turn in more quickly and precisely - while also continuously
apportioning drivetrain torque front to rear and left to right. The result
is a remarkably balanced and precise all-wheel-drive performance sedan that
excels year-round, not just during inclement weather. /p>
Acura TL's performance achievements extend to durability, reliability and refinement
as well. Both engines feature electronically controlled engine mounts to
reduce engine noise, vibration and harshness (NVH); quiet and efficient
Electric Power Steering (EPS) and maintenance-free serpentine accessory
belt also boost operating refinement. A standard Maintenance Minder™
system and up to a 100,000-mile tune-up interval offer further time and
cost savings for the TL owner.
The standard transmission on the 2009 TL and
TL SH-AWD® is a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic featuring F1®-style
steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control. Merging the
convenience of an automatic with the enjoyment of SportShift manual gear
selection, the transmission also features an overdriven top gear for
maximum fuel efficiency on the highway. In fact, the Acura transmission has
the widest gear-ratio spread of any 5-speed transmission in its class,
providing strong acceleration in lower gears and relaxed, fuel-efficient
highway cruising.
p>The larger body size directly contributes to greater interior
roominess; it also allows a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase to improve ride
quality and a significantly wider track (1.1 inches wider in front, 1.8
inches wider in the rear) helps generate even more tenacious cornering
power. The TL employs a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a
multi-link independent system in back.
Further improving ride quality and road-holding are new dual-stage "blow off" style hydraulic suspension
dampers, new hydro-compliant bushings (used to mount the transmission and
key suspension components) and a new "smart" engine mount design. On the
Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) model, more
performance-minded suspension and brake tuning, larger wheels/tires,
racing-inspired front brake cooling ducts, and specially-tuned Electric
Power Steering (EPS) take the enthusiast's driving experience to an even
higher level.
Exterior/Interior
Acura TL SH-AWD
|
An evocative and powerful exterior body design
dramatically advances the TL's image as a performance luxury sedan.
Designed by Acura in Southern California, the TL utilizes an array of
styling techniques to express motion - and emotion - even when the car is
at rest. Featuring Acura's new signature front grille, body sides defined
by strong character lines, sweeping C-pillars and new LED taillights, the
2009 TL is simultaneously Acura and yet wholly unique. Plentiful use of
luxury and performance features add visual appeal while adding to the TL's
vigorous statement - including bright HID projector-beam front headlights,
pronounced wheel arches, a standard power moonroof and genuine
stainless-steel body trim.
Wheels and tires are as expressive as the
exterior styling. Standard on the 2009 TL are 17-inch aluminum wheels with
P245/50R17 all-season Bridgestone Turanza or available Michelin Pilot tires
for confident year-round performance. The TL SH-AWD® comes with 18-inch
aluminum wheels with lower-profile P245/45R18 Michelin Pilot tires for more
agile handling. Finally, the TL SH-AWD® offers available 19-inch aluminum
wheels with aggressive P245/40ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires
for the ultimate TL performance experience.
In keeping with its mission as a driver's car, the 2009 TL interior features a new "dual personal" layout
that provides both the driver and front passenger with their own personal
space. Thanks to its larger exterior dimensions, the new TL has 1.3 inches
more rear legroom and 0.5-inch of added rear shoulder room compared to the
previous generation TL.
Acura's commitment to luxury and technology becomes
apparent from the first moment the driver's door is opened. With sweeping
shapes, generous use of premium materials and passionate attention to
detail, the TL rewards the discriminating eye. The design and execution of
the interior is an artful combination of leather surfaces, accented by
metallic and wood-pattern trim. An impressive array of premium standard
features includes a power moonroof, dual-zone adaptive climate control,
10-way adjustable (8-way power seat with 2-way power lumbar support) driver
seat, 8-way adjustable power front passenger seat, and
steering-wheel-mounted F1®-style paddle shifters for the Sequential
SportShift automatic transmission. An 8-speaker, 276-watt audio system that
includes a 6-disc CD changer, AM/FM radio, XM® Satellite Radio, Bluetooth®
Audio, USB port and AUX jack connectivity, and HandsFreeLink® wireless
telephone interface are standard.
Available on both the TL and TL SH-AWD®
is a Technology Package that includes the most comprehensive array of
advanced electronic features ever offered by Acura. The Technology Package
includes the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™,
AcuraLink® real-time traffic, AcuraLink® weather with Doppler-style radar
mapping, an Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system and Keyless Access
System with pushbutton ignition. The included Navigation System features a
new 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display for improved visibility.
Audiophiles with appreciate the new Acura/ELS Surround® 10-speaker,
440-watt premium sound system with DVD-Audio, CD, DTS™, AM/FM radio,
XM® Satellite Radio and 2,500-song** hard disk drive (HDD) media storage.
An intuitive interface dial as well as sophisticated voice recognition
capability simplifies control of this impressive technology. Premium Milano
leather seating surfaces included in the Technology Package further
enhances comfort and visual appeal.
Safety
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) represents
a major advance in structural engineering for the 2009 TL. In simple terms,
ACE™ better dissipates crash energy in a severe frontal collision
through the use of dedicated load-bearing frame structures that efficiently
distribute crash energy through the body structure-while also helping to
preserve the integrity of the passenger compartment. Acura first introduced
ACE™ to the Acura line for the 2005 model year and its inclusion in
the 2009 TL means that every vehicle in the Acura model range now has this
advanced safety engineering.
Six airbags and a new active head restraint
system for the driver and front passenger headrests top the long list of
passive safety features built into the new TL. The airbag array includes
dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, new dual-chamber front seat side
airbags with front passenger seat Occupant Position Detection System, along
with side-curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions. Additional
passive-safety features include 3-point seatbelts and head restraints for
all seating positions, driver and front passenger seatbelt load-limiters
with an automatic tensioning system and a Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren (LATCH) system that permits quick, secure attachment of up to two
child seats in the rear seating area.
The new TL includes sophisticated
active safety features including powerful 4-wheel disc brakes (with ABS,
EBD and Brake Assist), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS), all-season tires and an available SH-AWD® system.
Adding to the list of standard exterior safety features are daytime running
lights (DRL) along with 2.5-mph front and rear bumpers.
The 2009 Acura TL
is designed to meet the latest crash-safety regulations, including the new
FMVSS214 side crash standards (which the TL meets three years early) and
the new FMVSS301 rear crash standards. Internal testing indicates that the
2009 TL should achieve the highest ratings in National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA)*** and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) crash tests. The 2009 Acura TL is assembled in Marysville, Ohio and
is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited
warranty and a 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. Additional
benefits of ownership include Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC), which provides
free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.
Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance
luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States.
The 2009 Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL
luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports
sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX
luxury sport utility vehicle. For more information about Acura vehicles,
please visit www.acura.com.
* Based on preliminary 2009 EPA mileage estimates determined during internal testing
that reflects new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use
for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your
actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your
vehicle.
**Approximate music storage capacity
*** Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's)
New Car Assessment Program. Model tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs).
