2009 Acura TL Spied With Minimal Camouflage

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 | 11 comments » Categories | Acura, Acura TL |

Even though Acura has released a teaser image of the 2009 TL sedan ahead of its market launch that’s scheduled for this fall, we still don’t have a full view of the Japanese carmaker’s mid-size sport sedan. And here’s where private individuals come to the rescue. A Flickr user stumbled upon a pre-production 2009 Acura TL in a parking lot with minimal camo as the only parts of the car taped were the front badge and the boot – maybe its hiding an inverted version of the front grille... Unfortunately, the driver of the TL had thrown a towel on the dashboard thus preventing us from seeing any significant details of the car’s interior design. -More photos after the jump

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: FlikR user Buckeye1

11 comments

Andrewthecarguy // July 23, 2008

I will wait to see this up close, but I am liking what I see more and more. It seems recently, the sport sedan market has been a little sedate. The E90 3 series isn't much to look at and the G35 is not much better either. The Maxima looks OK, but CVT-only option killed it for me. The refreshed A4's mirrors are too big and the car looks out of proportion.
So, FWD aside, I think the TL is going to do the trick. Sure the styling is bold and in your face, but I think that is what is needed in the sea of blandness. I hope Acura will consider six speed manual plus SH-AWD. That will be a winner. Better yet, Type-S with a twin-turbo plus the SH-AWD.
Anonymous // July 23, 2008

man, that is a big ass. when will people learn how to finish a car?
AML // July 23, 2008

Andrewthecarguy - you're american?
Anonymous // July 23, 2008

aren't "bold" and "in yer face" P/C, non-committal terms for just plain ugly? I grant you the car will be exquisitely well-made and well-engineered, but it's still just an Aztek done better! Bold for blandness? I don't think so. Look at what the Italians were turning out in the 70s - the decade that car design forgot. Those Alfa, Lancia, Ferrari and Lamborghini were untouchable and none needed to "bold" (that is, ugly) to stand out in a see of blandness (or real ugly). "IN yer face" Hehehehehe...
Anonymous // July 23, 2008

WHAT'S WITH THE BUCK-TOOTHED GRILLE!?! The new design direction of Acura is disappointing to say the least...they think that a tasteless "bold" front fascia will make a brand instantly recognizable. Acura desperately needs a quality design language that can compete with the biggest names in automotive luxury. Until then, you can bet on the fact that I won't be replacing my 2004 TSX with another Acura.
Andrewthecarguy // July 24, 2008

aml...yes I am American...why dyu ask?

Bold is beautiful, isn't it?
I know the grille is kinda scary but it will grow on you, just give it time. I have studied car design for decades, and I can say with confidence that a "mono-grille" is the way of the future. The several iterations we see from here on out will take a little getting used to for sure.
Anonymous // July 25, 2008

No. The grille won't grow on me. The grille is so ugly it's offensive to good taste. Couple that with the ultrabright and ultrauseless daytime running lights on Honda and Acura products and you can see why I won't be owning either brand ever.
Anonymous // July 26, 2008

O.K. It seems that a lot of people here like to just complain about Acura and Honda. I've driven more car models than I can count, and I know ONE thing for sure... there is no better car makers than Japanese.
Anonymous // August 01, 2008

Man i am so glad i bought the 2008 model type S because why does this 2009 look just like the LEXUS GS, NISSAN MAXIMA?

I know Honda/Acura makes great driving cars but they have just forced me to start looking at Infiniti for creative style in design.

I am very dissappointed at what they call the FUTURE of car design because all car companies are doing the same.
RobinP // August 03, 2008

I like the new design in general, it's cleaner than the previous gen, except for that big shiny blade of a grille -- what are these people smoking? In a TSX doesn't look that bad, but here it does, and don't even mention on the RL!... BTW, the butt reminds me as if a Saturn Aura had an affair with a Civic coupe, and they had this baby.
Anonymous // April 17, 2009

Hey, the design does grow on you big time! I started off not liking the design to now loving it.. including my neighbours who all saw me pulling in a new Acura TL 2009. The design is truly a head-turner!