The latest edition of the Acura TL Sedan was unveiled in Chicago yesterday. It’s not really a big improvement over the current model, but it does come with some new features, revised looks, and upgraded powertrains.
As for the styling, it is pretty much the same as before but you get a redesigned front bumper with improved aerodynamics, a revised grille, updated headlights and turn signals, a new fog light design and a shorter front overhang. Meanwhile at the back the car is distinguished with a new rear bumper incorporates a significantly repositioned license plate opening and smaller rear reflectors, updated taillights and a thinner rear trunk edge trim.
The 2012 TL comes with a large array of standard and available equipments. Standard features include new 17×8-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels with P245/50R17 all-season tires for confident year-round performance. The TL SH-AWD® comes standard with 18×8-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels with low-profile P245/45R18 tires for more agile handling. Finally, when equipped with the available Advance Package, the TL comes with 18×8-inch 5-spoke wheels while TL SH-AWD™ is fitted with19x8-inch split five-spoke aluminum wheels with new performance minded P245/40R19 all-season tires.
Both the TL and TL SH-AWD™ models offer an available Technology Package which includes the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™ and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™, and an Acura/ELS Surround® 410-watt Premium Audio System.
For 2012, the hard disk drive (HDD) based navigation system increases in size to 60 gigabytes, map coverage is more expansive, USB connection speed is faster, and the full VGA monitor is brighter with even richer colors. Also available is a new Advance Package that incorporates all-new ventilated front seats along with a new blind spot information (BSI) system that alerts the driver of other vehicles that are in close proximity.
The engine lineup for the 2012 Acura TL remains the same as before too, which means it gets a a 280 horsepower 3.5 liter with front-wheel-drive and a 305 hp with Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. To increase performance, a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission is applied on all TL models with automatic transmission.
The 3.5 liter V6 engine is expected to do 20/29 mpg city/highway thanks to a new multi-clutch torque converter that not only reduces heat build-up during operation, but also allows for lock-up activation during a much wider range of driving conditions- which helps generate improved fuel economy.