2012 Acura TL Unveiled [Photos & Video]

Shortly after the teaser released yesterday, Honda’s luxury division took the wraps off the 2011 Acura TL model in Chicago, boasting fresh styling elements, a revised interior and various performance enhancements.The new looks is “refined, yet aggressive” as Acura says, and comes with a redesigned front bumper with improved aerodynamics, a revised grille, updated headlights and turn signals, a new fog light design and a shorter front overhang.

In addition, the 2011 Acura TL also incorporates a new rear bumper with a repositioned license plate opening and smaller rear reflectors, accompanied by updated taillights and a thinner rear trunk edge trim.

The vehicle is also equipped with a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission for improved performance and fuel economy. The transmission teams with a new multi-clutch torque converter, which brings the city/highway fuel economy to 20/29 mpg, an increase of 3 mpg in highway driving over the previous model.

Further improvements include a host of friction-reduction technologies for the standard 3.5L V-6 engine, as well as a revised air inlet system for both the 3.5L and 3.7L engines.

Customers will be able to choose from a 280hp FWD TL variant and a 305 hp TL paired with Acura's SH-AWD system. The 6MT model will continue to be offered in 2012.

Also available is a new Advance Package that incorporates all-new ventilated front seats along with a new blind spot information (BSI) system that alerts the driver of other vehicles that are in close proximity.

Standard equipment on the new TL includes new 17-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels with all-season tires. The TL SH-AWD comes standard with new 18-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels with low-profile tires. Finally, when equipped with the available Advance Package, the TL comes with 18-inch 5-spoke wheels while TL SH-AWD is fitted with 19-inch split five-spoke aluminum wheels with all-season performance tires.