2012 Acura TL to go on sale March 18, pricing announced for Canada

Honda Canada has confirmed pricing for its refreshed 2012 Acura TL.

On sale at Acura dealerships across Canada on March 18, the 2012 TL will have a MSRP of $39,490. Equipped with the available Technology Package, the MSRP is $42,990

The TL SH-AWD® will have an MSRP of $43,490. Equipped with the available Technology Package, with either the new 6-speed automatic or manual transmission, the TL SH-AWD® MSRP will be $46,990. The new Elite Package will have an MSRP of $48,990.

The improved 2012 Acura TL feature’s a welcome update of it front end styling, a redesigned front bumper, a revised grille, updated headlights and turn signals, a new fog light design and a shorter front overhang. At the rear, a new rear bumper incorporates a significantly repositioned license plate opening and smaller rear reflectors, while updated taillights and a thinner rear trunk edge trim. In addition, all TL models now receive body-coloured door handles and rear window trim.

Mechanical improvements include a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission for improved performance and fuel economy. Inside the cabin designers have revised interior appointments and added a host of technology upgrades. The new top-of-the-line Elite package rounds out the offerings.

“The 2012 Acura TL is refined, yet aggressive,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. “Already known for its great performance, the enhanced TL features a sophisticated new look, an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission designed to take performance to the next level, as well as a new fully featured Elite Package.”

To increase performance, a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission is applied on all TL models fitted with an automatic transmission. In addition to incorporating engineering enhancements aimed at improving efficiency, a sport-minded double-kick-down feature lets the driver command a double downshift, such as from 5th to 3rd gear. The Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system also creates a “blip” of the throttle to help match gear speeds while downshifting. Previously, only the TL SH-AWD® made use of an external transmission cooler, but for 2012 all models of the TL (with automatic transmission) are now fitted with an external transmission cooler.

The transmission teams with a new multi-clutch torque converter that not only reduces heat build-up during operation, but also allows for lock-up activation during a much wider range of driving conditions, which helps generate improved fuel economy. As a result, city/highway fuel economy for the TL is now 10.4 / 6.8 – an improvement of 1.2 L/100km City and 0.7 L/100km in highway driving over the 2011 model. The TL SH-AWD® equipped with the new 6-speed automatic transmission improves by 0.9 L/100km City and 0.5 L/100km highway fuel economy to 11.4 / 7.6 L/100km. Matched with the transmission is a new final drive gear ratio that allows for more relaxed cruising on the highway.

To further improve operating efficiency, the TL’s 3.5L V-6 engine receives a host of friction-reduction technologies including a new plateau-honing technique for the cylinders, piston skirts with a new molybdenum coating, redesigned ion-plated piston rings and lower viscosity engine oil. In addition, both the 3.5L and 3.7L engines make use of a revised inlet system that provides cooler air to feed the engine.

For 2012, two distinct versions of Acura’s performance luxury sedan remain: a 280-horsepower, front-wheel-drive TL along with a powerful 305-horsepower TL paired with Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®). The performance-minded 6MT model (with 6-speed manual transmission, handling and steering improvements) will return to the 2012 TL SH-AWD® lineup, helping broaden the TL’s appeal among luxury performance sedan buyers.

Standard on the 2012 TL are new 17×8-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels with P245/50R17 all-season tires. The TL SH-AWD® comes standard with new 18×8-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels with low-profile P245/45R18 tires for more agile handling. When equipped with the available Elite Package, the TL SH-AWD® is fitted with 19×8-inch split five-spoke aluminum wheels paired with new performance minded 245/40R19 all-season tires that offer significantly improved performance in snow and ice. Fitted to all TL wheels are revised center caps featuring a raised-style, chrome-plated Acura “A” mark.

Inside, the 2012 TL benefits from an even further refined cabin that includes instrument cluster changes, new surface finishes for many interior appointments and available ventilated front seats. The use of new body-sealing techniques, including improved weather-stripping design and additional expanding foam pillar separators, are designed to help reduce high-frequency noise by 3 dB within the TL’s interior.

Technology improvements include refinement of Bluetooth® Audio (now with artists name, song title, etc.), new “active pairing” functionality for Bluetooth® enabled cellular telephones, Dial-By-Number and dial-by-voice tags, and much faster connection speed for the USB port.

Both the TL and TL SH-AWD® models offer an available Technology Package which includes the Acura Navigation System with Trilingual Voice Recognition™, and an Acura/ELS Surround® 440-watt Premium Audio System. In addition, the hard disk drive (HDD) based navigation system increases in size to 60 gigabytes, map coverage is more expansive, and the full VGA monitor is brighter with even richer colours with the new backlit LED display.

With the revised HDD system, there is an increase to 15 GB of dedicated space for the storage of up to 3,500 songs. Also new is Song By Voice™ that allows the driver to choose music by artist, album, song title, genre, playlist and even song composer.

New for 2012 is an available Elite Package that incorporates all-new ventilated front seats, larger wheels and a new Blind Spot Information (BSI) system that alerts the driver when another vehicle is detected behind the driver in an adjacent lane.