Dating back to 1995, the TL sedan from Acura, Honda's luxury division, has turned into the company's top seller. Developers of the 2007 edition couldn't tamper with that success, but they have given the TL a new group of potential customers among the enthusiast crowd.
Late in the second generation, specifically in 2002-03, the TL stable included a Type-S variant that promised enhanced performance and handling capabilities. When the TL was redesigned for 2004 and given a higher-output engine in the process, the Type-S faded away. Now, the Type-S is back, flaunting race-inspired styling cues to attract buyers who crave precise handling and quick responses. Type-S buyers get an even bigger engine, yielding 28 more horsepower than that of a regular TL sedan.
With the 2007 TL, Acura offers "performance luxury," not traditional luxury, said Vicki Poponi, senior manager of product planning. Striving to expand its sales appeal, developers worked on improving ride comfort and quietness on the road. "Re-tuned for touring," the TL competes against such premium sedans as the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35, as well as the Infiniti M and Lexus IS.
Author: James M. Flammang
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