Acura Introduces TL Type-S
Lately, Acura has dropped off the high performance map. Oh sure, the TSX, TL and RL are still reasonably quick automobiles in their own right, but with such vehicles as the legendary Integra Type-R in their past, Acura has some seriously big performance boots too fill. Although, the new Acura TL Type-S might just be the right car to do restore some of the luster.
Set to debut alongside the refreshed 2007 Acura TL lineup, the Type-S takes the already excellent sports sedan and makes it even better. With a larger 3.5L V6 under the hood bumping the Type-S’ power output to 286 horsepower (standard TLs produce 258 horsepower courtesy of a 3.2L V6), the new Type-S finally boasts the same displacement as its Nissan and Infiniti competitors. That should make for some interesting comparisons, given Nissan rates their upcoming 2007 Altima’s 3.5L at “265-plus” horsepower; more even than the last generation Altima SE-R and the new Infiniti G35 sedan should be endowed with at least 300 horsepower from its VQ35, while Lexus’ 306-hp 3.5L in the IS 350 is the undisputed class leader… for now.
But while the Acura may lag behind the Infiniti and Lexus in terms of pure, unadulterated power, we expect the TL Type-S’ strong suit to be in its driving dynamics. The existing TL is already an excellent and involving ride, and the Type-S’ choice of a paddle-shifted five-speed automatic or a close-ratio six-speed manual should make it even more so. Additionally, firmer dampers and springs coupled with larger, stiffer anti-roll bars will undoubtedly trade some of the TLs comfort for superior canyon carving capability.
The Type-S also exchanges the bright silver alloy wheels found on the standard TL for sinister gunmetal hoops that look admittedly similar to those found on the aforementioned Altima SE-R. Moreover, both the SE-R and Type-S share similar charcoal tail light surrounds behind clear lenses, completing the no-nonsense look while the trunk receives a small lip spoiler (also, like the SE-R), and the TL’s sculpted exhaust exits are tossed in favour of quad oval units poking out behind a revised rear bumper. The overall result is a take-no-prisoners look that’s more at home lining up for stoplight drags than in front of the country club.
Inside, just the opposite is true. While the body may scream street racer, the interior is upper class all the way, with the same gorgeous styling, superb quality and incredible comfort as the standard TL. Type-S specific red lighting replaces the TL’s blue bulbs, and various references to the Type-S name are made throughout the cabin, but otherwise both cars share more or less identical interiors. Of note is that even the stock TL’s interior is revamped for ‘07, with a new steering wheel and new gauges being just a couple of the changes made to freshen this gracefully aging model.