The all-new souped up Acura TL
Acura TL underwent a facelift for 2007. The ‘upgrade’ involves, not just an additional cupholder, but a real tuneup. For all its glory, the new performance-tweaked 2007 TL Type-S midsized luxury sedan its not just about souped up looks. Operation is now more exciting.
The engine gets the most heart-pounding upgrade – it is now a a superlative 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 286 horsepower power plant that gives you instant response at low and high RPMs. On surface streets, driving out of harm’s way is like gliding in an unrestricted airspace. On the highways, a quick tip on the accelerator jets you a safe distance away from a swerving aggressor bent on scathing your front bumper.
With the presence of Formula One racing-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel, the sporty feel of the tested five-speed automatic TL Type-S was dramatically intensified. A TL driver could go full automatic or operate in semi-manual mode with his/her hands doing the shifting chores and without the need for clutch.
Zooming down the on-ramp with that 18-wheeler approaching fast in the right lane might give you second thoughts of obliging when using other models. With the Type-S, zipping onto the highway is effortless with plenty of space to spare. Uphill runs were a walk in the park. Slalom maneuvers were easy, although the suspension seemed relatively stiff. Fortunately, the new TL’s performance handling more than made up for rigid shocks. The four-piston, ventilated Brembo brakes on the front end rates a 9/10.
Type-S actually marks as a resurrection, not an upgrade, of a predecessor that was booted out of the roster three years ago. Nobody knows if it was just a marketing strategy played up by Acura, although everybody knows that the Type-S has always been about unbridled performance. On the tested car, performance came in big spurts.
Aesthetically, TL Type-S has a few subtle upgrades. The TL Type-S has been restyled inside and out. The exterior’s sporty looks are decent, but it is ultimately understated. What you get is basically an appealing, rounded shape body that cuts through the air nicely. Inside the cabin, the leather seating surfaces are breathtaking, and the dual-zone climate control does a good job of matching up with the desired coolness. Interior quietness is exceptional, even when the Acura’s V-6 is asked to prove its worth more.
The TL Type-S’s controls panel located at the center console is nicely laid out and user-friendly. Eight speakers are enough to give a chest-thumping sound experience. All of these come in an amazing tag price of just $38,125!
Impressive isn’t it? What’s not a bargain is Acura’s recommendation of using only premium gas in the 17.1-gallon fuel tank. The federal fuel economy ratings of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway make the superior factor a little easier to take. Interior space is fine in the front, but the back would have three squirming adults. In a nutshell, this TL Type-S is a breath of fresh air worthy of excitement.