THE most powerful Acura ever produced?

Yesterday (Sept. 26th) while driving back to Memphis from visiting my parents, I had the radio on for awhile and heard a commercial for a "local" Acura dealership (I forget where). The commercial was announcing a big "rollout" of the new '09 Acura TL, and in the description of the car it was described as "the most powerful Acura ever produced". I was surprised, I figured the RL or at least the NSX were more powerful. And yeah, I am an Integra owner, I just don't keep up on the new models....until they become "affordable".

NSX's weren't neccessarily a high-horsepower car by today's standards.

Also, IIRC, the CL/TL/RL Type-S engine is the same. It was 300hp last I knew/cared, so it must be higher than that now.

Actually, the NSX made 290 hp max. The TL-S made 286 hp. No Acura has ever made more than 300 hp stock, and the new TL in AWD configuration is rated 305 hp.

I was really surprised when I heard that ad too... had to look it up. Yeah, NSX's only had ~290! ...which explains why they were an 'easy-going supercar'... don't know of many supercars with less than 300 hp..

It doesn't account for the LMP2 cars though

I don't know, I guess I'm just surprised that with a car company/division that "appears" to mix performance and luxury, the most powerful car they are producing ISN'T their top shelf sedan nor is it their (no longer in production) super-dooper sports car.

Sort of like hearing an ad for Chevy and having them proclaim their all new MALIBU is sporting the most powerful engine Chevy has ever produced. (I only used the Malibu as an example because it's not the largest Chevy nor is it the flagship sports car.)

bravenrace wrote: Actually, the NSX made 290 hp max. The TL-S made 286 hp. No Acura has ever made more than 300 hp stock, and the new TL in AWD configuration is rated 305 hp.

Huh. For some reason, I thought the 07 TL-S had 300hp. Oh well...

305hp in a FWD car. Yikes.

305 in an AWD car, not FWD. The FWD version has 280 or 286 hp, IIRC. However, I believe the Impala SS has a 303hp V-8 driving the front wheels.

"305 hp in a FWD car." The Euro model Focus RS that was just put on the market produces about 300 horsepower and is FWD. I say ABOUT, because the last road test I read (CAR Sept.) said that the car will be producing at least 296 and maybe as much as 305 when the final spec is "dialled in". Previously, THE most powerful Focus produced by Ford in Europe used an AWD setup, but the decision was made to engineer this version with FWD. It uses several "trick pieces/ideas" NOT incorporated into NON-RS Focus models....all to quell torque steer.

Has anyone seen one of these driving around yet?

Looks like something out of Star Wars.... I barfed.

An Acura or a Focus RS?

bravenrace wrote: An Acura or a Focus RS?

Hahah, the Acura.

Yeah, it's pretty fugly, which is especially disappointing since the outgoing TL was in my opinion a very nice looking car.

It might be the most powerful now, but I believe the next NSX or whatever the future name shall be is in development. I'd wager it will take that title when the time comes.

The comment I hear most about the TL is that it looks like a squashed MDX. The front "grille" if that's what you can call that chunk of chrome is the same across their sedans and is pretty gaudy. Otherwise I do kind of like the lines on the TL. The crease in the trunk / bumper is unfortunate, but I like the hood and the front window, as well as along the sides. Right above the rear fender is my favorite spot on it though. I like the swept angle of the rear window.

The interiors are very nice, but I'm interested to see how it looks fully decked out in the umber tan leather.... I've heard it's pretty, uh, out there...