Acura TL 2008 $19,300

Vehicle Overview Updated significantly for 2007, Acura's best-selling sports sedan changes little in 2008. The base TL comes with a 258-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine, and the performance-oriented Type-S edition has a 286-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The TL retains its front-wheel-drive status, even as more than half of Acura's models now feature Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. The 2008 model's changes include new paint colors and interior/exterior color combinations and an updated immobilizer security system. Acura also offers its navigation system in Hawaii and notes that the real-time traffic feature has spread to almost twice as many metropolitan areas for 2008, making a total of 76. Exterior The TL sedan exhibits a wide, aggressive stance. The body has a pronounced wedge-shaped cabin-forward profile, led by a shield-shaped grille that incorporates a large logo. High-intensity-discharge headlights are bi-xenon, meaning they operate with both low and high beams. The TL Type-S adds front ground effects and black chrome trim on the grille and bumper in place of the bright chrome elements. Its taillights are all-red, delineated by a smoked-chrome bezel, where the regular model's have large white segments. The trunklid has a small, tasteful spoiler, and the quad exhaust has protruding tubular pipes in place of the regular model's flush-mounted trapezoidal pair. The standard alloy wheels are 17 inches. The Type-S has charcoal-colored rims with matrix-style spokes. High-performance summer tires are optional on the TL Type-S. Interior The TL seats five. Leather-trimmed seats are standard, and the 10-way power driver's seat includes power lumbar support. Each TL includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and an Acura/ELS eight-speaker surround-sound stereo with an in-dash six-CD changer and DVD audio. Steering-wheel buttons operate audio, cruise-control and voice-recognition functions. Brushed-aluminum trim accents the dashboard. Acura's optional navigation system features voice recognition, real-time traffic monitoring and an 8-inch display it's optional on the base TL and standard on the Type-S. The TL includes wood trim and blue cockpit lighting, while the Type-S has red lighting, embossed headrests and carbon fiber trim. Rear visibility is aided by a backup camera, which in cars equipped with the navigation system (standard on the Type-S) shows the area behind the car on the dashboard screen. Under the Hood Acura's 3.2-liter V-6 produces 258 hp at 6,200 rpm and 233 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. In the TL Type-S, the 3.5-liter V-6 from Acura's larger RL sedan makes 286 hp at 6,200 rpm and 256 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The TL's five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission permits manual gear changes. A six-speed manual, which works with a limited-slip differential, is available in the TL Type-S but not the base TL. Other Type-S enhancements include a stiffer suspension with thicker stabilizer bars, and stronger brakes with Brembo four-piston front calipers. Safety Antilock brakes include electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist functions. Side-impact airbags, dual-stage front airbags and side curtain airbags are standard. A passenger-side position sensor controls airbag deployment. An electronic stability system is standard. Driving Impressions The regular TL is a quick car to begin with, and the Type-S is noticeably quicker, but mainly under heavy acceleration and high engine revs. Both versions exhibit some torque steer where the steering wheel jerks left and/or right under heavy acceleration and/or when traction is lost. Though standard traction control keeps it from getting out of hand, torque steer is one of the reasons more powerful engines are often teamed with rear- or all-wheel drive. The TL has a pleasant ride. In the Type-S, a combination of firmer springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars keeps the ca

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