What is it?
Acura Concept TL
What's Special About It?
The launch for the Acura Concept TL began with images of rich people indulging in champagne, jewels and cigars lit with $20 bills. It seemed the Honda luxury brand was going to reveal its plans to build a luxury sedan aimed at folks with money to burn, literally. Then the images abruptly changed to those of high-impact, high-tech sports and modern urbanity. Out with the staid, indulgent old and in with the athletic, cutting-edge new was the obvious message. "The Concept TL was designed to evoke the image of the ultimate athlete," said Jon Ikeda, lead designer of the project. The Concept TL is a few inches shorter than the current TL and has more pronounced wheelwells and huge 19-inch alloy wheels — all meant to convey a sense of solid muscularity and athletic tension. The concept's rising beltline, high rear deck and wedge shape also help to convey the sense that it's either moving fast or ready to leap forward at the least provocation.
Why Should You Care?
The Concept TL we saw today only provided a look at the exterior design and did not include any interior design nor mechanical specifications. So, it's hard to get excited about a car that may never be produced. However, Acura claims that the concept represents "an advance preview of the all-new 2004 TL." The design of the current TL is one of our favorites in the entry-level luxury sedan market and judging by the aggressive new design of this concept, the upcoming TL could be even better. If the driving dynamics follow suit, it will be a car with which to be reckoned. — Neil Dunlop
Acura Concept TL
What's Special About It?
The launch for the Acura Concept TL began with images of rich people indulging in champagne, jewels and cigars lit with $20 bills. It seemed the Honda luxury brand was going to reveal its plans to build a luxury sedan aimed at folks with money to burn, literally. Then the images abruptly changed to those of high-impact, high-tech sports and modern urbanity. Out with the staid, indulgent old and in with the athletic, cutting-edge new was the obvious message. "The Concept TL was designed to evoke the image of the ultimate athlete," said Jon Ikeda, lead designer of the project. The Concept TL is a few inches shorter than the current TL and has more pronounced wheelwells and huge 19-inch alloy wheels — all meant to convey a sense of solid muscularity and athletic tension. The concept's rising beltline, high rear deck and wedge shape also help to convey the sense that it's either moving fast or ready to leap forward at the least provocation.
Why Should You Care?
The Concept TL we saw today only provided a look at the exterior design and did not include any interior design nor mechanical specifications. So, it's hard to get excited about a car that may never be produced. However, Acura claims that the concept represents "an advance preview of the all-new 2004 TL." The design of the current TL is one of our favorites in the entry-level luxury sedan market and judging by the aggressive new design of this concept, the upcoming TL could be even better. If the driving dynamics follow suit, it will be a car with which to be reckoned. — Neil Dunlop
Add A Comment »