TL to Receive J35 Engine for 07 Model Year??

[White92]

From vtec.net today


Unconfirmed - TL to Receive J35 Engine for 07 Model Year

Date: June 29, 2006 18:32
Submitted by: notyper
Source: Unnamed
Credibility Rating: 6

Outside suppliers to Honda with intimate knowledge of the next TL have reported to us that Acura's best selling model will receive a version of the J35 3.5 liter V6 engine for the 2007 model year. UPDATE Another outside source has also received the same information and adds that the quoted power level was 295 hp.

While this is an unconfirmed rumor, a J35 upgrade makes perfect sense when looked at in the context of Acura's lineup as a whole. The new MDX is reported to be receiving an even larger J-series V6 (3.7 or 3.8 liters) and it is likely that the RL would receive the bigger engine as well during its MMC. Moving these cars higher in the horsepower foodchain would allow the TL to step up in power without infringing on the other models' market space (as already reported in the TOV Model Release Matrix).
http://www.vtec.net/modelmatrix

While more bottom end torque is unlikely to make the existing 6MT TL much quicker to 60 mph due to traction limitations, it will certainly boost midrange thrust, improve quarter mile acceleration, and lend some oomph to the 5AT model. The rumored gains would also put the TL on a more even playing field (at least in the battle of the spec sheets) with the Lexus IS350 (300+ hp) and the upcoming revised Infiniti G35 (300+ hp).

Find the actual articel here.

 

[sahtt]

IMO, as great as Acura is, the market the TL takes part in has been shifting for the last 5 years+, and honda is in a rut. It doesn't matter how much horsepower it makes, the driving characteristics of a FWD 3500 sedan will not be able to match the lexus or infiniti. In my experience, even a woman [not being stereotypical just using an example] with 0 mechanical understanding of how a car works prefers a gs to a tl as far as how it moves and reacts. The TL is a great car and I'd love to have one, but when the IS350, or 430 for that matter, and G35 sit next to it, it's difficult to choose the acura.

 

[Shumdit]

There has been some mention of this on the boards already. I think it would be a nice addition to an already great car. Scorp965 said it might mess up the balance Acura envisioned when the car was originally designed.:wink:

 

[OneRedNSX]

i didn't read the article, but is there anything mentioning the rumors that came up a few weeks ago about it having the sh-awd system on it?

 

[White92]

I know The Kid posted someting a little while ago about the TL getting SH-AWD with a 6-Speed here on Prime. But the article above adds to that by saying the TL will go from a 3.2L V-6 and get a 3.5 V-6 with maybe 295 HP. I hadn't heard that rumor before and hope it's true.

 

[LeftLane]

I went with the G35 sedan over the TL because of the rear wheel drive. Also, the new G35 comes out this fall, with "over 300 hp" promised, plus a pretty sweet exterior freshening. Meanwhile, Acura continues down the road of underpowered cars relative to the competition.

 

[Hiroshima]

Test drove a TL and an RL on Sunday and have to agree. I told the sales person that both cars, although very nice, were kind of boring and would serve as nice transporatation and that is about it. I love hondas but this FWD thing is really getting on my nerves.

Honestly, are the Germans the only ones to figure out how to make a fun 4 door car? I am not expecting an M5 out of Honda, but 320 HP RWD TL at the same curb weight as the current would sure make a big difference in fun. If Lexus can bang out the new IS with 300+ why can't Honda?

 

[NSXDreamer2]

If Lexus can bang out the new IS with 300+ why can't Honda?

two words, Major understeer.:tongue:

 

[Shumdit]

Honestly, are the Germans the only ones to figure out how to make a fun 4 door car?

These are not German, but still fun to drive:
CTS-V
300 SRT-8 (I know it's got some German in it, but it's not German!)

 

[John McCain Racing]

i didn't read the article, but is there anything mentioning the rumors that came up a few weeks ago about it having the sh-awd system on it?

Adding the SH-AWD to both the TL and TSX would help get Honda back on track. I would love to see a TSX with the SH-AWD and the new Turbo RDX motor in it!:biggrin:

 

[Hiroshima]

These are not German, but still fun to drive:
CTS-V
300 SRT-8 (I know it's got some German in it, but it's not German!)

Actually I was looking at the CTS-V last night.... funny you should mention. The trouble is, I have a moral I live by: Don't buy american cars. Other things sure, but American cars are like good French cheese: Someone must like them, but they are not for me.

 

[Hiroshima]

two words, Major understeer.:tongue:

Yeah, I should have said RWD with 300+. But point well taken.

 

[Shumdit]

Actually I was looking at the CTS-V last night.... funny you should mention. The trouble is, I have a moral I live by: Don't buy american cars. Other things sure, but American cars are like good French cheese: Someone must like them, but they are not for me.

I did not know you meant fun to drive and not foolish to purchase. That said, I have had a number of American made trucks, and they have been very good to me.

 

[Hiroshima]

I did not know you meant fun to drive and not foolish to purchase. That said, I have had a number of American made trucks, and they have been very good to me.

I should be more specific... I will likely never purchase an american car,... an american truck (large) is another story.

Foolish to purchase,.... that is a pretty good approximation on what I think of US cars.