In an effort to build upon the unveiling of the upcoming 2010 Acura CUV / Sport Wagon at the NY Auto Show, Acura has released some gorgeous silhouetted photos of they highly anticipated vehicle.

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We’re not sure when Consumer Reports shifted from being grounded in facts to being grounded in senseless opinions, but it isn’t a smart approach. When Jim Travers of Consumer Report decided to blog and complain about the complexity of the control of the 2009 Acura TL, we lost respect for the previously trustworthy publication.

Jim’s review is grounded in bias and ignorance, which is clearly underscored by this quote, “A 10-year-old TL has pretty much all the same features as the new one, but somehow manages to offer them in an easy to use, uncluttered fashion. In a word, it’s simple.”

Really???…All the same features Jim???? Hmmm…we don’t recall, Bluetooth, satellite radio, iPod integration, real time traffic and weather, 3 day forecasts, Doppler radar, back-up cameras, Zagat ratings, vocie activation, paddle shifting, keyless entry or hard drives in the 1999 TL….do you?

We’ll admit, there are a lot of controls in the cockpit of the 2009 Acura TL with tech package, however, it’s hardly complicated. We know, as we just bought TL a few weeks ago and it took us all of about an hour to figure everything out. Given the abundance of amenities and technology in this car, we were astonished at how simple and intuitive the controls are.

Please stick with the cassette deck in your 1999 TL, instead of writing worthelss op-eds Jim.

Please be sure to leave a comment on Jim’s blog.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

The soon-to-be-released Acura CUV has been spied again. Unfortunately, it’s still covered in camo, but thanks to loyal AutoBlog reader we have a photo to share. AB reader, Jeff Noel (cd36) caught this action shot of the Acura CUV during some cold weather testing in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada.

Based on the sheet metal that is exposed, we see many of the new aggressive and distinctive Acura styling cues peeking through. The side and back seems to have heavy influence from the 2009 Acura TL, including the creased and angular trunk, the wrap around taillights, body line that extends from rear to front, wrap around window chrome and the satellite antenna. It looks like the 2010 Acura CUV will blend in perfectly to the new Acura family and clearly has the Infiniti FX and BMW X6 squarely in its headlights.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Filed under, “probably taking out of context, but since it wasn’t denied, AcuraBoard.com will publish it anyway in hopes of stirring a little noise”. In a recent 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD review , Ezra Dyer of the NY Times got to spend some time hanging with Mike Unger, principal engineer in charge of total vehicle performance for the TL.

If we had that opportunity, we’d probably ask all we could regarding the upcoming 2010 6 speed TL SH-AWD, since Acura hasn’t yet divulged everything. Will it be considered a TL Type-S? Will the 3.7L V6 pumping out 305 ponies remain or be increased for production? Price? Ummmm…can ya give us the keys for a few laps?

Well, apparently Ezra had one question about the 2010 TL SH-AWD 6 SPD that he managed to pull out of his exhaust, “if the (2010) 6-speed TL SH-AWD could keep up with a 1991 Acura NSX… on a racetrack???”

We haven’t found record of any such claims or rumors regarding Acura using the 1991 Acura NSX as a benchmark for the upcoming 6 speed TL SH-AWD, however, Unger didn’t fold over in laughter, or deny the question. That leads us to believe that 2010 TL SH-AWD 6 SPD, the first vehicle Acura has ever created that includes both SH-AWD and a 6 speed manual, may actually be using the sorely missed NSX as a benchmark.

The notion that a presumably, sub-$50,000 four-door, producing more power, weighing more, and having inferior weight distribution, than that of the NSX, cannot be denied racetrack opponent to the NSX, speaks to how thoroughly Acura has overhauled the TL.

The New York Times, aka, “the old gray haired lady” headlined their recent review of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD with “Pace. Space. But Oh, That Face.” Every time I see a review of the 09 TL where the grille is being negatively reviewed, I automatically think that the TL was not seen in person by the reviewer….especially if the reviews is using Acura stock photography…or that they’re simply jumping on the bandwagon. Be that as it may, Ezra Dyer of the NY Times recently spent some time with the “leading candidate for a face transplant.”

The review starts by talking about HoMoCo’s amazingly thorough approach of scrutiny of outgoing models when developing its successor and the 2009 TL is no exception. As part of the preparation of the TL review, Ezra was provided a 71 page briefing by Mike Unger, principal engineer in charge of total vehicle performance for the TL. That briefing including such information as:

•    2009 Acura TL SH-AWD has 1.6 percent more trunk capacity than the 2008 TL
•    glove compartment volume is up 25 percent
•    rear visibility is improved 7 percent
•    armrests are 17 percent thicker and 30 percent softer
•    sound system has 51 additional watts of power

Ezra did in fact spend some time behind the wheel of the 09 TL SH-AWD, and said, “I won’t pretend that I fully exploited the system on public roads, but on long highway on-ramps the TL SH-AWD simply hangs in and goes where you point it, sometimes making the car feel as if it is cheating physics. And cheating physics is fun.”

Jump over to the old gray haired lady and read the rest of Ezra’s favorable review of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD.

[Source: NY Times]

Acura usually offers new incentives on the third of every month.  Listed below are all Acura marketing incentives for every vehicle effective March 3, 2009.

2009 Acura RL

2009 Acura RL Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$569.00 per month for 36 months. $3,799.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura RL Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura TL

2009 Acura TL Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$399.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2008 and 2009 Acura TL Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing (March 3, 2009 – May 4, 2009)

2.90% APR for 24-36 months or 3.90% APR for 37-60 months

For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura TSX

2009 Acura TSX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 — May 4, 2009)

$299.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura TSX Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura MDX

2009 Acura MDX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 — May 4, 2009)

$499.00 per month for 36 months. $2,899.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura RDX

2009 Acura RDX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$399.00 per month for 36 months. $3,399.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura RDX Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

[Source: Acura]

It looks like the American Socialist way is spreading beyond sea-to-shining-sea and the big three two, to the Japanese automakers. Following Toyota’s earlier request for Japanese government assistance; Honda is considering the same.

After announcing its 38% sales decrease in the U.S., its being reported that Honda is strongly considering asking for aid from the Japanese government.  The bailout being considered is to the tune of 10 billion yen or a mere $102 M-I-L-L-I-O-N U.S. dollars to lend to could-be U.S. Honda/Acura car buyers.

Maybe we should have waited before purchasing our new 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD…..naaaahhhhh!

[Source: Bloomberg]

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being one of the first people to take ownership of a newly designed car…in the case, we’re speaking about the 2009 Acura TL. When they first started rolling off of the assembly line in Marysville, Ohio, supply was scarce. A lucky few got to order their TL to spec and eagerly waited for that phone call from the Acura dealership letting them know that their TL is scheduled to arrive today. If you’re lucky, you can make your way to the dealership and witness your new TL being driven off the transporter.

“jmaikamon”, an active member of the AcuraZine community was one of those lucky few. After getting the call from Classic Acura in Beaumont Texas, he rushed over to see his 2009 white diamond pearl FWD TL with technology package and taupe interior being driven off of the transporter. He left for a few hours so Classic Acura could prep the long-awaited TL for delivery and returned to see his gorgeous new WDP TL.

“jmaikamon” inspected and admired his new TL very closely, bur, right before he was about to leave the dealership with his new TL, he noticed that his TL was very unique, and was in fact not a TL, but rather an LT. He said “I walked around the car maybe ten times with about three salesmen and the sales manager hovering and nobody noticed it. I saw it when I was about to leave”. It turns out that the TL badge on the trunk was reversed, and read “LT”.

I’m sure there were a few confused people in Beaumont Texas as jmaikamon drove around town in his new LT for a week while Classic Acura waited for the new TL badge to come in.

Disclaimer:  With the exception of this one humorous, isolated case, there are not quality control issues with the new TL.   I took delivery of mine 2 weeks ago and the car is flawless! – AcuraBoard.com

Update: Apparently, the reversal of the letters was a prank as the “TL” badge is usually one piece.   Therefor, someone went through the effort of cutting the badge and transposing the letters.

[Source: AcuraZine]

[Photo: jmaikamon]

The two blue LEDs in the overhead courtesy console of the 2009 Acura TL provide ambient lighting

Ambient lighting isn’t new, but the feature generally reserved for luxury cars is beginning to emerge as standard in other vehicles.  They’re a simple and inexpensive way for the auto manufacturers to add a nice differentiator to the cabins of their cars.

Before jumping on the ambient light bandwagon, HoMoCo’s Acura brand wisely conducted market research to learn which colors drivers found to be most calming while driving. According to Acura spokeswoman Sara Pines, the research revealed that customers find soft blue and white lighting to be the most calming colors.

Most of the ambient lights are light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, which last longer and use less energy than a conventional bulb. In my 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD, the ambient lighting is provided by 2 blue LEDs that are located in the overhead courtesy light panel. There is one light on either side and they provide ambient lighting to the center console of the TL. By definition, the ambient lighting is very subtle, but it provides a very nice look.   It reflects very nicely off of the brushed metal looking textures in the center console.

Cleveland, OH – Visitors to the Auto Show will enter a new automotive era of innovation and technology. It’s the next generation of hybrids, advanced fuel cells, and electric plug-ins – a showcase of what’s new and what’s next. One vehicle featured in this year’s show, the Acura TL, has been named Official Car of the 2009 Cleveland Auto Show.

All show attendees can enter to win this award-winning car touted as the most powerful Acura ever built. It received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Pick for 2009,” and offers a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. The retail value is approximately $35,000!

Auto Show 2009 Chairman and owner of Motorcars Acura-Volvo, Dick Marcellino says, “We are thrilled to be awarded Official Car of the 2009 Cleveland Auto Show. We are confident the 2009 Acura TL will impress show goers with this sixth-generation (ahem…fourth generation) TL that serves up performance in an audacious new look. And someone will win this fabulous car at the Cleveland Auto Show!”

Show attendees can enter to win the new 2009 Acura TL at the I-X Center, February 28 – March 8. Ten daily finalists will be chosen, but only one lucky winner will have the key that unlocks the door. The Grande Finale will be held on the final day of the Auto Show, Sunday, March 8th at 5:00pm.

Following the Official Car giveaway, the remaining nine finalists will have an opportunity to win one year of natural gas for their home or business, provided by IGS Energy – a $2,000 value.

Entrees can also be mailed to: Auto Show Official Car Giveaway, 10100 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Mail-in entrees must include name, address, phone numbers, email address, and age. You must be at least 21 years of age to enter. Additional contest details are available at www.clevelandautoshow.com, or by
calling toll free 1-866-291-1415.

$2 Off Auto Show coupons are available at over 300 Northern Ohio new-vehicle dealerships (while supplies last). The discount coupons can be redeemed at the Auto Show Box Office toward all regular admissions during show hours. The list of Northern Ohio new-vehicle dealerships can be found online at www.clevelandautoshow.com.

Parking is free. And, all paid box office ticket holders receive a free souvenir program – a $5 value.

The Show is open to the public February 28 – March 8. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors and $10 for preteens.
Children 6 and under are free. Tickets are available online at www.clevelandautoshow.com. Hours of operation are Friday & Saturdays 11am to 11pm; Sundays 11:00am to 8:00pm and Monday through Thursday 12:00pm to 10pm.

The Auto Show’s toll free information hotline is 1-866-291-1415. General Show information is also available online at www.clevelandautoshow.com.
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[Source: Cleveland Auto Show (pdf)]