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Acura 3.2TL Type-S becomes a sport-tuned performance sedan
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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AUSTIN, Tex. -- A dash across hills of Texas to reach the capital city should consume far more than an hour, although on this run the traffic seems sparse, the route along U.S. 290 out of Johnson City spreads in a broad and smooth path, and that sleek sedan carrying an impatient driver melds with the blacktop and asserts itself whenever we put our foot into it.
Packing the strength of 260 horses charging out of a sophisticated aluminum engine, our machine leaps around slower vehicles as we rip through the passing lane.
With its taut suspension tuned for sporty maneuvers and a quick rack and pinion steering mechanism aboard, the car hugs contours of the road and carves out crisp corners when wiggling around curves in the hills.
Dressed in a sleek exterior shell, it slices through the evening air in aerodynamic fashion that leaves little room for wind noise to disrupt the serenity of an upscale cabin, where a favored jazz melody flows from the dashboard CD deck.
With soft leather lining the shapely driver's bucket, it feels warm and comforting in the manner of some pricy touring sedan imported from Europe.
So much about the vehicle's performance, demeanor and style conforms to expensive imports, in fact, that on several occasions we find ourselves rechecking the label just to verify what kind of vehicle we're steering.
Our review confirms this one as the 3.2TL in sport-tuned Type-S edition by Acura, Honda's label for performance and luxury.
Assembled in Ohio, Acura's slick sedan takes on airs of the European cars.
Yet price points appear downright domestic.
In the class of mid-size near-luxury sedans, its base issue manages to dip below the threshold of $30,000 at $28,980 plus a $500 delivery fee, while the Type-S special issue tallies to $31,330.
These competitive figures reflect a philosophy for Acura and Honda to design and produce automobiles in the country where they are marketed for economic advantages that translate to the bottom line.
Styling and engineering work on the TL series was conducted by Honda R&D Americas in California and Ohio, with production tooling worked out by Honda Engineering North America in Ohio and the engines built in Ohio at Honda's Anna Engine Plant.
Then the vehicles come together in Ohio at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant.
The 60-degree V6 displaces 3.2 liters with overhead camshafts and high-tech controls on-board.
In the base 3.2TL, the plant produces to 225 hp at 5600 rpm and 216 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm.
Special tuning of the engine and additional hardware applied for the Type-S edition add more kick.
It achieves 260 hp at 6100 rpm and musters strong torque up to 232 lb-ft spread between 3500 and 5500 rpm.
The Type-S plant stocks a larger throttle body, high-performance intake valves and camshafts, and a low-restriction dual-outlet exhaust.
Both engines benefit from Honda's VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) technology. The system continually adjusts phasing of the intake camshaft with changes in valve lift, timing and duration.
Net effect: Higher power in a smooth flow with reduced emissions and enhanced fuel efficiency.
Each version also connects to an electronic automatic five-speed transmission outfitted with Honda's SportShift override for manual shifts without clutching when desired.
The transmission has a unique "grade logic" shift point governor that selects top gear settings after measuring variables like throttle position, road speed and the rates of acceleration and deceleration.
On long slopes in the hills of Texas, the transmission figures out that with a hard and steady throttle the TL is at least gaining minimum speed due to the hill's steepness. Thus, it holds the higher gear rather than bump back and forth in an annoying hunt for the ideal.
The 3.2TL Type-S also stocks the taut hardware of a sport-tuned performance car.
Front suspension, honed from Honda's experience in racing, consists of a double-wishbone design that precisely controls wheel motion. The rear suspension, in a multi-link layout, settles the rear and delivers a smooth ride.
Type-S carries stiffer springs, shock damping tuned with higher compression ratios for quicker rebound effect and a thicker rear stabilizer bar to check body roll.
The base TL rolls on V-rated all-season Michelin tires mounted on 16-inch aluminum wheels, while Type-S goes further with high-performance Michelin rubber mated to 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Big disc brakes also apply to all four wheel posts, with anti-lock and traction control devices added.
Further, Type-S stocks as standard a Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system to correct lateral skidding.
The exterior form of 3.2TL looks slick in a wedge shape with crisp edges but curled corners and a windshield raked dramatically rearward in aggressive pose.
At the prow, the nose has been restyled to add a tipped-back grille in the shape of a pentagon and ringed in chrome between xenon high intensity discharge headlamps. Monochromatic elements like bumpers and cladding form an image of understated elegance, suggesting an expensive luxury import. Foglamps then etch into a smooth bumper.
Behind the subtle facade, a rigid unibody structure surrounds engine and passenger compartments. The form, lifted from Accord's global platform but lengthened to stretch the wheelbase and also increase legroom for rear seats, builds on a ladder-type frame with large box section rails and critical bracing to maximize rigidity.
The cabin, arranged with twin front bucket seats and a rear bench for three, provides generous personal space and thoroughly luxurious appointments.
Perforated leather covers all seats and front buckets add heat elements plus power controls. Standard equipment includes power windows, a tilting steering column, remote locking and micron air filtration for the automatically-controlled climate system, plus a power moonroof and Bose Music System with in-dash CD changer.
A dash-mounted navigation system with connection to OnStar communications is the only option at $2,150.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2002 ACURA 3.2 TL Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size near-luxury sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size near-luxury sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
108.1 inches
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| Overall Length: |
192.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5 SportShift
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS
Type-S: VSA
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
19/29 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 29,480 to $ 33,980 |
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