Spy Shots: Even better pics of the new '09 Acura TL

[autoxCLS]

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Acura

Click image above for additional pics of the 2009 Acura TL

We just showed you some spy pics of the 2009 Acura TL yesterday, but when one automotive photog saw the lo-res cellphone pics we ran, he knew he could do better. Our buddy Rich Truesdell of Automotive Traveler sent over a small patch of pics that he shot of the new mid-level Acura in action out in the Mojave. Just as with the new TSX and RL, the '09 TL seems to be adopting the corporate blocky metal triangle look. To paraphrase Fletch, "It's all about blocky metal triangles these days." Besides that signature fascia treatment, however, the rest of the car could easily be mistaken for a G37 sedan. Not bad, mind you, but not very distinctive either and surprising given the aggressively styled nose and tail. We'd say the best view is the rear-3/4 shot showing how the C-pillars continue out past the rear glass at their trailing edge and become the top edge of the rear deck. Pretty nifty. Check out our gallery below and Automotive Traveler to read about their encounter with the new TL.

Gallery: 2009 Acura TL spy shots


[Source: Automotive Traveler]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img>
</img> </img>


More...

[TireMeltingRSX]

Hmmm, I'm really intersted to see the end product. I'm sure they screwed it up. My only hope from the pics is it doesn't have that giant dumb plastic triangle for a grill. I know it looks like it's that shape, but in the one pic you can see it's painted, unlike the TSX

[spyder5786]

Call me crazy, but I think it looks good from that angle.

However, that ugly grill is probably going to ruin it for me. Kev - it's not painted (although I wish it were), you can tell if you compare the shade of the red to the rest of the car. It's red tape.

[MC Teg]

Wow, the fourth picture under where it says TL spy shots resembles a G35 way too much IMO.

[petroxg]

Actually the shape of the back kind of look like a crossmix of current Lexus GS and Infinite G35. And I still feel my current 07 TL looks better. But I might change my mind after the actual final product is out. I just hope that the front doesn't end up something similar to the new 09 TSX because is ugly. Almost as if they know the last gen TSX front was great and don't want to change it too much but got to try to modify it enough to differentiate. And u end up with a wannabe more modern updated front aggressive look except is more ugly. Given that the TSX and TL front usually look pretty similar....I won't have high hope for it for now just so that I won't be disappointed if it does look that way. Of course I really hope that I m completely wrong about that cuz I love TL.

[autotronic]

I have a feeling that with the quick distribution of these photos, it will be a long time before I'm invited to any Acura press launch events.

With that being said , you really have to hand it to these engineers. It was unbearably hot (but dry) yesterday and these guys were taking a well-earned break. I've shot these kind of shots for years and you have no idea of what these guys go through to insure that the cars we buy are as trouble-free as they are, from the lowest-priced econobox to the biggest luxo-barge. It is a hostile environment and if the A/C system will cool the car off without overheating here, it will be able to do it anywhere.

I'm in the lounge at McCarran in Las Vegas on my way to Detroit and on the plane I'm going to work on a detail image of the grille area using every pixel available, and will will try to post an image tomorrow on automotivetraveler.com. I'll probably set up a new album of enhanced, full-resolution detail images. What do you guys think of that idea? Make a comment here but please, drop me a note direct at richt (a) automotivetraveler.com.

Richard Truesdell
Editorial Director, Automotive Traveler

[duckdog]

I'm all for it and would greatly appreciate it.

Here's to hoping that car isn't as fucking ugly as the new RL!!!

[Ska]

I'm gonna withhold a final verdict till I see the car in person, but I have to say I like the TL's chances much better than any of Acura's other models at the moment...