 Acura News : Acura 'Concept TL' Debuts at New York International Auto Show
Posted by The_News_Guy on Friday, June 27 @ 13:06:56 CDT
Production Model to Feature the Latest in High Technology
The Acura "Concept TL" performance luxury sedan debuted today at the
2003 New York International Auto Show. The concept features sleek,
performance-oriented exterior styling indicative of the design of the next
generation TL production model.
"Every aspect of this concept's design, from the aggressive front end to the
short rear overhang, contributes to an aggressive, muscular style that conveys
the TL's high-performance nature," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president,
auto operations. "The Concept TL's dynamic design is a pure expression of Acura
and provides an advance preview of the all-new 2004 TL."
The "Concept TL" was designed to evoke the image of the "ultimate athlete," a
combination of power, speed and agility that delivers world-class performance.
The Concept TL is several inches shorter than the current production model
for a tighter, sportier look. The stance is muscular and aggressive with
pronounced fender flares and large, 4-piston Brembo brakes accenting the
flangeless 19-inch alloy wheels and low profile, high performance tires.
The muscular body slopes forward in a pronounced wedge shape. On each side, a
deep character line runs from a side marker on the front quarter panel to
another in the rear. The sleek
cabin features flush mounted windshield glass, which improves aerodynamics
while adding to the car's sophisticated demeanor. Compact side-view cameras
further enhance aerodynamics while providing superior visibility. Every detail
from the brushed aluminum Acura logo on the grille to the LED illuminated
taillights is designed to evoke the feeling of precision craftsmanship and
athleticism.
"The overall design conveys a feeling of tension," says Jon Ikeda, chief
designer for the Concept TL, "like the muscles on a sprinter's arms and legs
when he's ready to launch off the starting line."
A long, sleek hood accented with pronounced character lines, culminates in an
aggressive front-end boasting large air intakes and an angular headlight
assembly containing Xenon High Intensity Discharge headlights. Brushed aluminum
accents, utilized on the signature five-sided Acura grille and throughout the
car, add a high tech contrast to the silver metallic exterior. Instead of
windshield wipers, the Concept TL is designed to use a series of jet nozzles,
located in the cowl area, to shoot high-pressure air onto the windshield to keep
it free from rain or snow during inclement weather.
In the rear, the Concept TL utilizes a short trunk lid with a pronounced lip
and a V-shaped break below the trunk to express the car's aggressive nature.
Dual exhaust pipes help to accent the car's muscular style.
"In California, and especially on the freeways, the part of a car you see the
most is the rear end," explains Ikeda. "So we wanted to make sure that this
concept looks just as fast and aggressive from the rear as it does in front."
In addition to providing a glimpse of the design that will be applied to the
2004 TL when it goes on sale this fall, Acura announced that the '04 TL will be
fitted with some of the latest high technology available, including the world's
first automotive application of multichannel DVD Audio 5.1, Bluetooth wireless
telephone connectivity and XM" Satellite Radio.
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