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Acura 3.2CL Type-S Coupe charges into high-performance mode
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The big curve on the big hill of Cantrell Road, a four-lane blacktop route that descends a steep bluff overlooking the Arkansas River in western reaches of Little Rock, challenges every vehicle that runs the road at speed.
A quarter-mile chute leads down to the curve, which wraps to the right around a sheer cliff for half of a circle before throwing in a tight left at the bottom of the sluice. Increasing the pace on the straightaway at the top sets up a tricky situation in the curve because inevitably you'll carry too much momentum to stay on track and the laws of physics will force tires to drift away from the bend, which then creates a potentially dangerous slide into other cars on the road.
Only a handful of vehicles in one tester's experience have been able to navigate this dicey path successfully at speed with tires rooted to the pavement without slipping out of the traffic lane -- and two of the best happen to be machines branded by Acura, the performance brand from Honda of Japan.
The long-standing champion of Cantrell Hill is Acura's exotic NSX sports car crafted with an aluminum body and charged with a high-output engine mounted in mid-ship position. It can take the curve at a pace that's breathtaking but entirely illicit.
A recent trip down the hill in Acura's new 3.2CL coupe -- using the souped-up Type-S edition of 2003 with a malleable new six-speed manual shifter aboard -- reveals a stunning performance that rivals the dexterity displayed by the NSX supercar.
Big Michelin MXM4 tires bite into blacktop at the initial turn-in for the curve as the front steering wheels also serve as the traction wheels but aided by a helical gear limited slip differential.
The steering, through a heavy-weight rack-and-pinion device, translates all nuances of the pavement surface back to the driver's hands so you can sense the track and traction and dial in the steering effect incrementally without pushing the car out of its lane.
Brakes, with a huge disc at each wheel and a link to anti-lock and traction controls, work wonderfully to rein the charging hulk yet remain untapped through tricky maneuvers in the curve because we're using engine braking to retard the car through several step-downs in the gearbox.
A relatively short stick shifts in precise steps with ideal weight and balance, bringing superb control to the driver's right hand.
And that taut suspension, honed from Honda's success in motorsports, keeps the coupe in its lane without undue tilt or sway of the body.
Front suspension consists of a double-wishbone design that controls wheel motion. The rear suspension, a multi-link layout also in double-wishbone arrangement, settles the rear and makes the ride smooth.
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.
But the best component in Type-S has to be a silky smooth engine that helps us gas our way down the hill.
The 60-degree V6 displaces 3.2 liters with overhead camshafts and high-tech controls on-board.
In the base 3.2TL, it produces 225 hp at 5600 rpm and 216 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm.
Manipulating the tuning for the engine and adding hardware for the Type-S edition results in even more muscle.
It hits 260 hp at 6100 rpm and builds torque up to 232 lb-ft as disbursed 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.
Standard shifter for both base CL and Type-S is an electronic automatic five-speed with Honda's SportShift override for clutch-less manual shifts as desired.
With the automatic installed, the Type-S adds a sophisticated electronically-controlled Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system, which automatically adjusts the throttle and brakes to correct lateral skidding and stabilize the car.
Type-S with a six-speed manual eliminates the VSA controller in favor of the limited-slip equipment, and we prefer it, although it's rarely found on a front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform.
Styling and engineering work on the CL 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.
Both CL models for 2003 look slick in wedge format with fresh exterior forms obviously inspired by the shapes of classic Gran Turismo coupes out of Europe.
The face changes with a new tipped-back grille trimmed in chrome that squeezes between composite lenses shielding xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. Monochromatic bumpers and cladding convey the understated elegance of elite luxury coupes.
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 passengers, builds on a ladder-type frame with large box section rails and critical bracing to maximize rigidity.
The cabin, with twin front buckets in front of a bench with carved seats for two, provides generous personal space and thoroughly luxurious appointments.
Perforated leather covers all seats in the Type-S as titanium-style trim lines console and doors. Standard gear includes power windows, a tilting steering column, remote locking and micron air filtration for the automatically-controlled climate system, plus a power moonroof with tilt-up and sliding action and a Bose Music System with six speakers and a dash-mounted CD changer for six discs.
price points for the CL series look too good: The base 3.2CL lists for $28,200 plus a delivery fee of $480. Type-S with either the six-speed manual shifter or five-speed automatic goes for $30,550.
A dash-mounted navigation system with connection to OnStar telecommunications is the only option at $2,150.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2003 ACURA 3.2 CL Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size near-luxury coupe
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size near-luxury coupe
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| Wheelbase: |
106.9 inches
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| Overall Length: |
192.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
3.2CL: Auto/5 SportShift
Type-S: Auto/5 SportShift
Manual/6
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
3.2 CL: Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS
Type-S: Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS
+ VSA
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
A/5: 19/29 mpg
M/6: 19/28 mpg
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| Price: |
3.2 CL: $ 28,200
Type-S: $ 30,550 |
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