Auto Cars

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

2009 Acura TL Pricing Announced

Acura has released pricing for the all-new 2009 TL and TL SH-AWD, which will be in dealers Sept. 24 and November, respectively. Starting at $34,995 for the base model TL, the Technology Package will bump that bottom line up to $38,685. Adding all-wheel-drive and an extra 0.2 liters to the V6, the TL SH-AWD will start at $38,505. The Technology Package-equipped TL SH-AWD runs $42,235. Finally, a TL SH-AWD with the Technology Package and available 19 inch wheels tops out at $43,235.

Those prices don’t include a $760 destination charge.

For comparision, the 2008 TL started at $33,725 (featuring a 3.2 liter V6 compared to the 3.5 liter in the 2009) and a fully-equipped Technology Package/performance tires Type-S (which did not include all-wheel-drive) topped out at $38,425. The destination charge has also increased from $670.

The TL’s interior is less controversial and features several arches in its design language.

The TL will continue Acura’s new design language seen on the redesigned TSX and RL, featuring a bold front grille treatment. Outback, the TL looks to have an Accord-inspired rear fascia, but its design is rather exaggerated and could polarize some potential customers.

The redesigned 2009 Acura TL will arrive in showrooms this fall. The luxury sedan will be available in two distinctive versions including the first ever application of ‘Super Handling All-Wheel Drive’ (SH-AWD) on the TL.

Despite boasting 305 horsepower and all-wheel drive, the range-topping model will not sport the Type-S nameplate but will be distinguished by quad exhaust. In fact, Acura will not offer a Type-S model, at least not in 2009. It remains unclear if the performance model will eventually join the lineup.

As previously reported, the new TL will be available in two guises: a base front-wheel drive car and an up-level all-wheel drive model. The front-driver will be powered by a 285 horsepower 3.5L V6 whereas the AWD model will receive its motivation from a 3.7L V6 producing 305 horsepower. Both models will use a five-speed automatic transmission.