One has to wonder whether Acura deliberately follows a Soviet policy of purging charismatic nameplates from its lineup every few years, or the loss of well-known models is just the result of fickle market planners. How many non-car fanatics do you know who could still identify “Integra” and “Legend” as Acuras, even though it’s been 15 years since the company summarily executed them. If the Legend had any spiritual successor, it’s the TL sedan, which has for four generations been the brand’s top-selling car since its introduction. Acura’s introduction of the smaller TSX 10 years ago restored our faith in the company’s ability to engineer sharp-handling lightweight sports sedans. If you haven’t guessed yet where this is going, meet the TLX, which will replace both the TSX and TL when it goes on sale later this year.
Beneath the thin veneer of the “concept car” moniker, the TLX introduced at the 2014 Detroit auto show very much is the mid-size sedan Acura will put into production. Acura has kept the exact same wheelbase from the current TL—it raises questions about how new the underpinnings of this car really are—but has shaved 3.8 inches of total length. Not only should that reduce the impression of giant front and rear overhangs so prominent on the TL, but it will help reduce the impression that Acura’s middle sedan is oversized for the 3-series-and-friends class in which it’s meant to reside.
Styling can’t be described as anything but predictable, with the TLX carrying over elements from other recently introduced Acura models—especially the ILX and bigger RLX. That means blocky wheel arches, headlights that look stippled by LEDs, and even very sculpted door handles.
To better position the TLX in that mid-size-luxury category, Acura is offering it with two engines and drivetrain configurations. Base TLX models will come with a 2.4-liter inline-four that’s used throughout the Honda lineup, with power likely to match the 189-hp, 182-lb-ft-of-torque rating of the Accord Sport. It’ll be offered only with a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
More cylinders and gears are available to those with more money, who can outfit their TLXs with Honda’s delightful 3.5-liter V-6 and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Although Acura hasn’t released specs for this engine, either, you can expect it to make the same 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque as it does in six-cylinder Accords. Front-wheel drive is the standard configuration with both engines, but all-wheel drive will be optional with the V-6. All TLXs will come with Acura’s excellent four-wheel-steering system. If you hadn’t noticed yet, this means that the TLX won’t come with a manual transmission, as did the TSX and TL it replaces. That winnows Acura’s stick availability to a single model, the ILX, and leaves us despondent that one of the best builders of manual gearboxes is offering so few of them. The de rigueur suite of driver assistance/annoyance equipment will be on the TLX’s options sheet, including collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go-traffic setting.
If we’re lucky, the TLX will only be around for one or two generations. That’s not because we have anything against the car, mind you, but because a premature retirement would mean Acura has built something really great. Source;
Honda Motor Co. (7267)’s No. 2 executive, asked to identify the automaker’s weak spot, spoke bluntly: The company’s Acura luxury sedans have to get better.
The world will soon learn whether they have. Next month Honda will introduce the Acura TLX to replace its aging TL, the brand’s top-selling sedan that was last revamped five years ago. Designed by Honda’s North American unit, the reworked luxury car will be the latest test of the Tokyo-based automaker’s decision to give more influence to U.S. engineers.
“We need an Acura brand to shine among luxury franchises,” Executive Vice President Tetsuo Iwamura said in an interview last week at Bloomberg’s headquarters office in New York. “It’s high time.”
Acura car sales are down 8.6 percent in the U.S. through November. That represents a drag on results for a company with four models -- the Civic, Accord, CR-V and Odyssey -- ranking first or second in their respective segments. Combined Honda and Acura sales are up 7.8 percent this year, the slowest pace of the market’s biggest automakers and trailing the industry’s 8.4 percent increase through November.
Honda plans to introduce its 2015 model TLX sedan next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Iwamura said. A modified ILX compact sedan with a more robust powertrain will follow, and Acura’s NSX “supercar,” a high-performance coupe, returns in 2015. Iwamura declined to detail changes to the youth-oriented ILX model. Photographer: Susana Gonzalez/Bloomberg
A shopper views an Acura vehicle at a dealership in the Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City.
Berkman’s Role
The job of bringing the TLX to life was entrusted to Erik Berkman, a 30-year Honda veteran who in 2012 became the company’s first non-Japanese head of research and development for North America. Honda bolstered the U.S.-based operation’s power earlier this year when it created a nine-member North American management board, which includes Berkman, two other Americans and a Canadian. The board is in charge of products and strategy for the region, which generates the biggest share of the company’s global sales.
Berkman was among the engineers who helped the company tackle its last big test: 2012’s on-the-fly redesign of the critically panned Civic. He previously gained stature within Honda for leading development of Acura’s last hit sedan, the 2006 TL that helped the brand reach record sales in 2005. Getting Acura right, after what Iwamura called its “winding path,” is important to tap growing demand for premium vehicles in the U.S. and around the world.
Lagging Lexus
As Acura car sales have fallen, other premium brands have gained ground. Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus car sales rose 15 percent in the U.S. this year through November; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s BMW are up 9.2 percent; Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, up 14 percent; and General Motors Co. (GM)’s Cadillac, up 55 percent. Mercedes-Benz car sales total 183,358 this year through November while BMW has delivered 178,512 cars, according to Autodata Corp.
While Honda derives the bulk of its revenue from mass-market Civic compacts, Accord sedans and small CR-V SUVs, luxury autos ensure better profit margins. The average Honda sold for $25,976 in November, versus $40,597 for each Acura vehicle, according to Kelley Blue Book, an automotive pricing and data company.
For now, Acura sales are sustained by the new MDX and RDX sport-utility vehicles, which account for 58 percent of Acura’s 149,685 U.S. sales through November. Honda sold 62,301 of its four Acura sedan models over the same period, including the large RLX and outgoing TSX, less than half the volume of Toyota’s premium Lexus cars.
‘Big Opportunity’
Acura, created prior to Lexus or Nissan Motor Co.’s Infiniti as a U.S. premium brand, can become a bigger source of global revenue for Honda, said Steve Usher, a San Diego-based equity analyst for JI Asia Research, who rates Honda a buy.
“They are now looking at it on a more global scale,” Usher said. “They’re starting to think about getting Acura to China, and that will be a big opportunity.”
Iwamura said in January that his 2013 goal was a U.S. sales record -- topping its 1.55 million U.S. sales in 2007. Lagging Acura deliveries make that unlikely, he said last week. Still, Honda averted a larger blow: that Civic and Accord, cornerstones of success for 30 years, were falling behind competitors’ new compact and mid-size offerings.
‘Strong Again’
A poor review for the 2012 Civic by Consumer Reports sent shock waves through Honda. The company took the unusual tack of rushing out an upgrade -- what it calls a “major minor refresh” -- that improved Civic’s interior and added a stronger frame that gave it the best crash rating of any U.S. compact.
The revamped Civic and new Accord that came out in 2012 lifted Honda-brand car sales 8.8 percent, outpacing an industrywide average for cars of 5.6 percent, according to Autodata.
“Honda is definitely strong again and, if not boiling over, on a steady simmer in terms of progress and momentum,” said Karl Brauer, industry analyst at Kelley Blue Book.
Honda argues that if fleet sales are removed, it boasts one of the industry’s best growth rates in retail deliveries this year. Retail sales reflect only vehicles sold directly to individuals, rather than to businesses and rental-car companies.
Honda estimates less than 2 percent of its U.S. sales are to fleets. It eschews them to maintain higher resale values for retail buyers, U.S. senior vice president Mike Accavitti said.
Changing Landscape
Like Toyota, Honda is still adapting to an automotive landscape in which quality is a given and companies including GM, Ford Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. now build some of the most compelling vehicles.
“Everybody is better than they used to be,” Brauer said. “You can’t be the clear or easy winner in any segment like you used to.”
Acura’s inconsistent car line has made the brand a laggard in recent years to BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and GM’s Cadillac and Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit. Sales peaked at 209,610 in 2005 and dwindled in 2009, when U.S. auto sales collapsed. Acura deliveries may reach about 163,000 units this year, based on the sales pace through November.
Iwamura said the mid-size TLX sport sedan that replaces the aging TL will be the biggest change for Acura in 2014.
The racing-style NSX that returns in 2015 will be Acura’s performance “halo,” Iwamura said. The car should sell for more than $100,000, he has said. The last units of the all-aluminum coupe were sold in 2007.
‘Big Kids’
Much as 2010 was a low point for Toyota, which had to battle a recall crisis, 2011 was similarly tough for Honda.
The Consumer Reports pan of the Civic came after Asian natural disasters in 2011 -- Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, and flooding in Thailand -- stalled Honda’s global production for months. A 2011 spike in the yen’s value made sales of Japan-built models such as the Fit subcompact unprofitable in the U.S.
Those setbacks, along with lackluster reviews for several Honda and Acura models, provided an opportunity to try a new approach, U.S. Executive Vice President John Mendel said in an interview last month in Los Angeles.
Honda has struggled with balancing a “small company mentality” with the fact that it now “is sitting at the big kids’ table,” he said.
Newly-named TLX will feature more dynamic and sporty proportions, two new advanced powertrains and a host of signature Acura technologies
TSX to be discontinued as Acura creates clear hierarchy for luxury sedan lineup
Acura today announced that the 2015 Acura TLX Prototype performance luxury sedan will debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. The TLX will mark the debut of a new name for Acura's mid-size modern luxury sedan entry, replacing the outgoing TL model. The all-new model will feature more emotional styling with tidier, sports sedan proportions wrapped around two all-new advanced powertrains that provide even more athletic performance, along with a host of signature Acura technologies. The 2015 TLX Prototype is designed to appeal to current and next-generation luxury sports sedan buyers including existing TL and TSX customers.
In conjunction with the launch of the production TLX in the second half of next year, Acura will discontinue sales of the TSX model in 2014, as it moves to clarify its sedan lineup with a clear hierarchy of three distinct models – the entry luxury ILX, mid-size TLX sports sedan, and flagship RLX performance sedan.
"This all-new Acura TLX is the perfect blend of style and muscle with its elegant, well-proportioned exterior that cloaks the true sport sedan chassis and powertrain beneath," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc. "The sporty characteristics that customers found appealing in the TSX are even more pronounced in this aggressive new TLX."
The all-new Acura TLX will offer luxury buyers a wider range of choices with two all-new, high-performance and highly fuel-efficient direct-injected engines, each mated to an all-new advanced transmission, along with available two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. The TLX will also feature dynamic and emotional exterior styling wrapped around a mid-size luxury sports-sedan package that maintains the roomy cabin space of the current TL.
The TLX Prototype was designed in Acura's Los Angeles Design Studio and the production model is being developed by Acura engineers at the company's Ohio R&D center. It will be produced at the Marysville, Ohio auto plant1, home to the current Acura TL.
Speaking at the Acura press conference at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 14, 2014 will be Mike Accavitti, senior vice president, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc.
2014 Acura TL Combines Exhilarating Performance and Abundant Luxury in an Expressive Package
Spirited performance is balanced with class-leading safety ratings and advanced fuel efficiency
The new 2014 Acura TL is now on sale, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $36,0301. As Acura's award-winning, performance-oriented sport sedan, the TL balances style, luxury and dynamic performance in a unique way. This dynamic and spirited performance is balanced with an EPA fuel economy rating of 29-mpg highway (TL)2. As the 2013 TL was one of the industry's first vehicles to earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a GOOD rating in the Institute's new small overlap front crash test, the TL's safety credentials are well established.
The entire TL model line carries over for 2014 and is comprised of eight variants, starting with the front-wheel drive 3.5-liter TL. Three upgrade packages are available on the TL - the Technology, Advance and Special Edition packages. The two-wheel-drive TL Special Edition features distinctive 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels, a color-matched decklid spoiler and Special Edition badging. The TL SH-AWD� features Super Handling All-Wheel Drive� and a 3.7-liter engine and is likewise available with either the Technology or Advance Package. All models feature a Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission, while the TL SH-AWD� with Technology Package is also available with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission as a no-cost option.
TRIM
MSRP1
EPA Fuel Economy Ratings3 (city/highway/combined)
TL
$36,030
20/29/23
TL Special Edition
$37,530
20/29/23
TL with Technology Package
$39,760
20/29/23
TL with Advance Package
$41,960
20/29/23
TL SH-AWD�
$39,580
18/26/21
TL SH-AWD� 6-Speed Manual with Technology Package
$43,310
17/25/20
TL SH-AWD� with Technology Package
$43,310
18/26/21
TL SH-AWD� with Advance Package
$45,540
18/26/21
EXTERIOR With its aggressive wheel arches, dramatic character lines and Acura signature grille, the TL has a powerful and distinctive presence. All TL models feature premium details such as stainless-steel body trim, a power moonroof, Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights and LED taillights as standard equipment.
INTERIOR The TL cockpit features a "dual personal" design that provides both the driver and front passenger with their own personal space, and sets a "driver's car" theme. The TL offers a remarkable range of standard features, including a 10-way power driver seat (8-way power adjustment with 2-way lumbar support) and 8-way power passenger seat, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters (for models equipped with the Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission), and an 8-speaker, 276-watt audio system with 6-disc CD changer, AM/FM radio, XM� Radio, Bluetooth� Audio, USB port connectivity, and HandsFreeLink� wireless telephone interface.
The Technology Package includes a Keyless Access System (also standard on the TL Special Edition) and luxurious full-grain perforated premium Milano leather seating surfaces. The package also includes an Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition�, rearview camera, available AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting� and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather�. For the ultimate audio experience, the Technology Package includes an Acura/ELS Surround�3 10-speaker, 440-watt premium audio system with XM� Radio and a 3,500-song hard disk drive (HDD) media storage system.
The available Advance Package includes everything in the Technology Package and adds heated and ventilated front seats and a blind spot information (BSI) system that alerts the driver to vehicles detected in vehicle's the blind spot areas.
POWERTRAIN The TL offers a choice of two all-aluminum powertrains. The standard 3.5-liter V-6 produces 280 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque4 and drives the front wheels through a sophisticated Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control System.
The TL SH-AWD� (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive�) is powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine producing 305 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque5. The innovative, torque-vectoring SH-AWD� system, in addition to providing outstanding all-weather traction and cornering grip, can send more torque to the outside rear wheel when cornering, to create a "yaw moment" that enhances vehicle dynamics by generating a turn-in effect.
SAFETY Like all Acura models, the TL features the Advanced Compatibility Engineering� (ACE�) body structure, which enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. Additional standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist� (VSA�) with traction control, ABS, dual-stage/multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags, side curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).
The 2013 TL earned the top-level rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a GOOD rating in the new IIHS small overlap front crash test. This test is designed to simulate a collision between a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour and a fixed object, such as a utility pole, where only 25-percent of the vehicle's front structure engages the opposing object. According to a study by the IIHS, small overlap crashes of this type accounted for nearly 25-percent of frontal crashes resulting in a serious injury or fatality.
The 2014 TL is produced by Honda of America Mfg., Inc., in Marysville, Ohio.
Date: June 24, 2013 21:31 Submitted by: JeffX Source: Ben Cheah for Brenda Priddy & Company Credibility Rating: Not Specified
Ben Cheah was cruising through Death Valley over the weekend and spotted some BMW i8s being tested. Intrigued, he followed them into a parking lot and found a group of Honda and Acura(?) test mules along with a new 2014 MDX. One of them appears to be some sort of Accord V6 variant, but this heavily camo'd one could be an early mule for the 2015 Acura TLX.
A huge thanks goes out to Ben Cheah for sharing these photos with the TOV.
