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2010 Acura TL Gets Six-Speed Manual
By 
Marty Padgett September 26th, 2008
Sport sedan drivers who like to shift it themselves will have to wait until model year 2010 for an Acura TL with a manual transmission. Judging by the six-speed, short-throw, aluminum-topped stick in its current TSX, we have no doubt the upcoming TL manual will be a pleasure to row through the gears.
It's a shame Acura isn't releasing this transmission alongside the intro of its new TL, perhaps lending it more credence as a true driver's car. That said, the U.S. market buys manual transmissions in barely a trickle, so Acura folk probably figured they could take an extra year to make the new transmission perfect without really impacting sales. What's less forgivable, however, is that the manual will only be available on the pricier SH-AWD model.
"The new manual transmission equipped TL SH-AWD® really allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura's SH-AWD® system," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales. Yeah, but what about the drivers who just wants to enjoy the satisfying snick-snick of a Honda manual transmission outside of the extreme performance driving where SH-AWD really comes alive?
The new transmission is more robust than earlier TL manuals, sports a new clutch, comes with stiffer engine mounts, and results in weight savings of 110 pounds compared to the six-speed auto currently available. It even has the cool hill-hold feature that quirky Subaru has been doing since the '70s. We say, reduce the alphabet soup of the only model this transmission will come in (TL SH-AWD 6MT) and put it in the base TL, too.--Colin Mathews
It's a shame Acura isn't releasing this transmission alongside the intro of its new TL, perhaps lending it more credence as a true driver's car. That said, the U.S. market buys manual transmissions in barely a trickle, so Acura folk probably figured they could take an extra year to make the new transmission perfect without really impacting sales. What's less forgivable, however, is that the manual will only be available on the pricier SH-AWD model.
"The new manual transmission equipped TL SH-AWD® really allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura's SH-AWD® system," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales. Yeah, but what about the drivers who just wants to enjoy the satisfying snick-snick of a Honda manual transmission outside of the extreme performance driving where SH-AWD really comes alive?
The new transmission is more robust than earlier TL manuals, sports a new clutch, comes with stiffer engine mounts, and results in weight savings of 110 pounds compared to the six-speed auto currently available. It even has the cool hill-hold feature that quirky Subaru has been doing since the '70s. We say, reduce the alphabet soup of the only model this transmission will come in (TL SH-AWD 6MT) and put it in the base TL, too.--Colin Mathews
Rex Roy
Responses (4 total)
By Ed | Posted: Sep 26th 2008, 04:15:57 PM
I have great respect for Honda, and for the first Acura Legend back in the mid-80s, they were the pioneers of Japanese Luxury or near Lux cars, the Lexus was a "me too" 4 years later,
BUT recently Acuras have REALLY LOST THEIR WAY.
What is it with the Atrocious Styling? Only a dumb Science Fiction movie fan (the movies are dumb, the fan.. who knows) would love those grilles!
In fact, the failure of Acura is mostly due that HONDAS are so good, why would I pay an arm and a leg more to buy a rebadged Honda Accord as an Acura TL? or A Rebadged Pilot as an boring-styled MDX?
By cxv | Posted: Sep 26th 2008, 10:43:32 PM
Ok, now I may be interested into looking at the TL.
By Ed | Posted: Sep 27th 2008, 05:30:54 PM
I will look into it when Honda slso offers its excellent DIESEL (it will offer them in multiple Acuras, to revitalize the dying brand).
But I will still resent it if the same Diesel is not offered in the almost IDENTICAL Accord, on which the TL is based. since the Accord will cost at least $5k LESS than the ugly TL.
(and, like the Accord, the TL is also made in US Honda plants)
By Promise James | Posted: Sep 29th 2008, 11:31:53 AM
I need a quote for this car.
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