Jalopnik: 2009 type-s

2009 Acura TL Type-S Shows Us All Four Pipes In Tacoma

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

We've already had a good first look at the 2009 Acura TL so when we got a tip from Exit133 that they had a long-range photo of the new TL being used for a commercial in Tacoma we weren't hopeful there would be much news. Alas, unlike the rear end of 2009 TL we've already spotted around town a few times, you can make out quad-pipes, a clear sign this is almost certainly the 2009 Acura TL Type-S. Another good sign is the fact that there are clearly production staff running to move the car. So what should we expect from the new 2009 Acura TL and 2009 Acura TL Type-S?

According to our sources, here's what you can expect:

The much more exciting news lies in the next generation TL Type-S. Under the hood you will find the 3.7-liter V6 from the MDX CUV. That's an engine already rated at 300 HP in the MDX and our industry sources tell us to expect this motor to be good for around 330 HP in the TL's hot rod version. That said, we've also heard whispers that a number in the 340-350 HP range is not totally out of the realm of possibility.
If those horsepower numbers get your blood flowing, remember that power will also be coursing through Acura's torque-vectoring, SH-AWD system on the Type-S. That leads us to hope those rumors about a number closer to 350 HP turn out to be true.

The last bit of good news on the Type-S is the slush box. A 6 speed, manumatic DSG gearbox will be standard equipment on this faster-than-average sports sedan. Expect to be able to shift the gears through steering wheel-mounted, flappy-paddle shifters, or with the "stick" itself via a "+/-" gate.

Watch for the regular 2009 TL to go on sale during the summer or fall of 2008 and we expect the meaner S-Type following 6-12 months later.

Mmm, meaty. [Exit133]

2009 Acura TL Shvitzing In The Hot Desert Heat

Mark Arnold — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EDT

During a drive through California's Mojave Desert, Automotive Traveler came across a 2009 Acura TL undergoing what looks to be some serious hot weather testing. We're not saying it's a sauna or anything, but we think maybe the new TL should ditch some of that camouflage to cool down. Although the guys who spotted it didn't need that to identify the new Acura, given the cars Ohio plates indicating it makes it's home at Honda's plant in Marysville, OH. Of course, we've seen the new 2009 TL several times before, so the only big mystery is how big the wide-toothed smile will be. Well, that and the powertrain options. [AutomotiveTraveler]

2009 Acura TL, Redux

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:58:17 EDT

With its pronounced grille and sharp trunk line, the 2009 Acura TL is like Waldo in a Caravaggio painting, easy to spot. We've parsed the rumors regarding the new TL and even seen some pics of the 2009 Acura TL last night. Thanks to Joe A., we now have more photos of a pair of what could only be TL's followed by a black 5-door Civic mule also taped off.

As with the photos snapped earlier today, we've got the dual-pipe exhaust as opposed to the quad-pipe from earlier. Yesterday we asked you to trek out to Colorado to grab some more photos, but apparently they were hiding somewhere else (we can't tell you where and we can't tell you why). Maybe it ventured out for some metal polish. (Hat tip to Joe A.!)

UPDATE: The Honda-loving fan-boys at TOV have a new set of shots of the TL as well — check them out here.

2009 Acura TL

Ray Wert — Sun, 18 May 2008 11:45:00 EDT

Yesterday we gave you a run-down on the details and rumors we'd recently heard on the 2009 Acura TL. Today we've got confirmation on some of those rumors. Well, at least the part about what to expect from the new TL's design. Our Honda-loving buddies at the Temple of VTec have snagged themselves some spy photos of the new TL. While still very much Glad-bagged and Hefty Cinch-sacked on the front end, the rear's exhibiting only a bit of body-color-matching tape. The two shots tell us our source was spot on on everything from the dip in the rear trunk lid to...

...the strong centerline on the front of the hood. Ooh, and this shot-by-spies car's got what appears to be a dual-pipe exhaust — rather than the quad-pipe we'd seen in earlier shots. Can someone say 2009 Acura TL Type-S? We hope we can. We're hoping one of you industrious readers out there feels like making the trek out to Colorado and catching some shots of the new TL before we see it un-wrapped later this summer. [Photo 1, Photo 2 via TOV]

2009 Acura TL: What To Expect From The New TL, TL Type-S

The Auto Insider — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Some say he has a tattoo of a Saleen S7 on his rear end. Others tell us he was born with a penchant for oil rather than his mum's milk. All we know is he's called the Auto Insider and he's always ready to provide the scoop from the other side of Eight Mile.
UPDATE: More details on the 2009 TL are seeing the light of day, including spy photos of the new Acura TL.
Despite having absolutely no idea on exactly what day the 2009 Acura TL will break loose from it's embargoed chains, some details are beginning to leak out in hushed whispers as the unknown date draws ever-closer. Those whispers all seem to be saying the same thing: Expect more power. Yes, with a Tim Allen-like grunt, we're told Acura will give significant bumps in horsepower to the next base model TL as well as to the up-powered Type-S model. Here's what our sources are able to tell us so far:

The regular 2009 TL sedan will inherit the 3.5-liter V6 under the hood of the current TL Type-S. That motor puts out 286 HP now however, we expect this V6 to be tuned up to just over 300 horses when it finds its new home in the 2009 TL's engine compartment. Initially that news has us just plain giddy — however, all that horsepower will be heading torque-spinningly straight to the front wheels. Frankly, that has us a little worried. For now we'll just hold out hope Acura has invented an insanely great torque management system.

The much more exciting news lies in the next generation TL Type-S. Under the hood you will find the 3.7-liter V6 from the MDX CUV. That's an engine already rated at 300 HP in the MDX and our industry sources tell us to expect this motor to be good for around 330 HP in the TL's hot rod version. That said, we've also heard whispers that a number in the 340-350 HP range is not totally out of the realm of possibility.

If those horsepower numbers get your blood flowing, remember that power will also be coursing through Acura's torque-vectoring, SH-AWD system on the Type-S. That leads us to hope those rumors about a number closer to 350 HP turn out to be true.

The last bit of good news on the Type-S is the slush box. A 6 speed, manumatic DSG gearbox will be standard equipment on this faster-than-average sports sedan. Expect to be able to shift the gears through steering wheel-mounted, flappy-paddle shifters, or with the "stick" itself via a "+/-" gate.

Watch for the regular 2009 TL to go on sale during the summer or fall of 2008 and we expect the meaner S-Type following 6-12 months later.