Acura TL
Acura introduced the first Acura TL in 1996 to supplant the Acura Vigor. It was a rebadged Japan-market Honda Inspire sedan and was available with the 2.5 litre 176 hp (131 kW) SOHC 20v 5-cylinder engine from the Vigor (2.5TL), or the 3.2 litre 200 hp (149 kW) SOHC 24v V6 from the second-generation Acura Legend.
Although it was designed to replace the Vigor, it also technically replaced the Legend, as the 3.5RL (JDM Honda Legend) that debuted alongside it was a large car designed for a soft ride, in marked contrast to the previous two generations of Legends which were sport sedans with taut proportions.
In 1998, Honda revealed the TL-X concept car, showing a preview of the second-generation TL which would debut a year later. The second-generation TL (now called 3.2TL) was released at this time and was now derived off the USDM Honda Accord platform, and was available with a newly-designed 3.2 litre 225 hp (168 kW) SOHC VTEC V6 mated to a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with SportShift.
The second-generation 3.2TL (the 2.5 was dropped) was built in Marysville, Ohio, alongside the Honda Accord. These cars were imported into Japan and sold as Honda Inspire in the Honda Primo dealer network, and as Honda Saber in the Honda Clio dealer network. The only difference between the two cars were the front grille; the Inspire/Saber were also available with a 2.5 litre Honda J-series VTEC V6 engine exclusive to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM).
In 2002, the TL got a minor makeover, with a refreshed front fascia in addition to the five-speed automatic transaxle, which debuted in 2000. A Type-S model was also added, adding 35 hp (26 kW). A coupe version of the TL debuted this year, called the Acura 3.2CL. Being mechanically identical to the TL, sales never took off due to its milquetoast styling and absence from the Japanese market. The 3.2CL was discontinued in May 2003, to make way for the new Acura TSX.
On October 6, 2003, the third-generation Acura TL (the 3.2 moniker was dropped) was released for sale in North America. Developed mainly in the United States by a team led by Erik Berkman with bodywork penned by American Honda designer Jon Ikeda, the new TL is built in Marysville, Ohio and is derived from the latest USDM Honda Accord. It is powered by a 270 hp (201 kW) 3.2 litre 24 valve SOHC VTEC V6 engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic with SportShift or 6-speed manual.
As of March, 2004, Honda offers, or perhaps will offer, to the public a factory-sanctioned "tuner package" version of the TL: the TL A-SPEC. This version features a suspension tuned by Makoto Tamamura, an indication of the TL A-SPEC's aggressive engineering.
The JDM Honda Inspire debuted around 4.5 months earlier (on June 11th, 2003) and marked the branching out of the TL line from the Inspire. The Inspire is basically a 7th-generation USDM Honda Accord V6 with minor trim changes, and the addition of Variable Cylinder Displacement, which shuts off half of the engine when not needed to boost fuel economy. The Saber was discontinued and the new Inspire is being sold at Clio and Primo dealerships.
Honda is currently mum on the prospects of exporting the newest Acura TL to Japan, but sources point it out as highly likely, either being badged Honda Vigor (most likely) or Honda Saber. It is rumored that the TL might also make it to Europe, as the first and second-generation Legends were beloved there.
References
- "2004 Acura TL A-SPEC: No assembly required to enjoy this factory-spec tuner package", an article by John Kiewicz on page 136 of the March, 2004 issue of Motor Trend
The very first 1996 Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on March 28, 1995. The very first 1999 Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on August 4, 1998.
