2012 Acura TL to Debut in Chicago

Luxury car brand Acura today announced it will debut the newly refined 2012 TL at the forthcoming Chicago Auto Show. The debut is set to take place on February 9, and is meant to further enhances the model’s position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.

As for the current TL, which recently received the 2011 ALG Residual Value Award for Best Near Luxury Car, it comes available in two different variants, TL and TL SH-AWD, with pricing starting at $35,305.

TL SH-AWD not only distributes engine torque front to rear, but also right to left. Furthermore, SH-AWD generates torque vectoring that seamlessly distributes more power to a single outside rear wheel to create a "yaw moment" to help the TL turn in more quickly and precisely.

There is a 280 horsepower 3.5-liter SOHC, front-wheel-drive variant and a more powerful 305 horsepower 3.7-liter SOHC paired with Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. EPA fuel economy ratings are of 21 mpg (11.2 l/100km) and 20 mpg (11.8 l/100km) respectively, on a combined cycle.

Each TL model is available with the Technology Package which includes navigation, a rear view camera, an Acura/ELS Surround 410-watt Premium Audio System, and a host of cutting edge electronic technologies such as AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather.

Safety wise, the 2011 Acura TL makes use of Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes, 4-wheel disc brakes (with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and daytime running lights (DRL).