Posted in Arizona, ILX, TLX on September 24, 2014 by tysonhugie
Odometer (Legend): 531,546
Odometer (ILX): 96,818
Today, I received a very “official” looking piece of mail. It was the kind of envelope with the edges you have to fold over and tear off, like a check or invoice. TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL – ACURA ILX it said in bold letters on the outside. I wondered if maybe I’d received a speed camera violation or something. Nope, it was an offer for an extended warranty. Dang junk mailers get more creative every day.
So, am I interested in an extended warranty to 100,000 miles? Umm, considering the fact that I’m only 3,182 miles away: No thanks.
On an unrelated note, I got to meet up with a proud Acura TLX owner today. My friend Matt, former owner of a TSX and a TL, has recently upgraded to this new ride. Hey, look, I’m in the pic too. My shadow is, anyway.
The editors at Arizona Driver Magazine saw fit to include one of my recent road trip stories in their publication, and I’m thrilled.
Many of you already read my write-up on the Old West town of Tombstone, Arizona, but I put together a special version for the feature story in the September/October 2014 issue of Arizona Driver. This unique magazine is “The Enthusiast’s Guide to Life Behind the Wheel.”
Arizona has a strong ‘car enthusiast’ population due to its year-round weather friendliness. Summer tires can be worn in most parts of the state whether it’s January or July, and aside from giving great road trip ideas, the magazine shares insightful reviews on new vehicles & industry news. Feel free to click through these pages if you’d like to read through the article.
Coming up this weekend: You’ll join me on a drive to Long Beach, California for the 10th annual Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS).
I took delivery of my 2013 ILX on June 12, 2012 with 16 miles on its odometer. The 2015 model year ILX is now already out, and aside from some packaging changes and the deletion of the Hybrid powertrain offering, the ‘newest’ car is pretty much identical. That’s all about to change.
Did everyone catch the spy pics of the 2016 Acura ILX that were released on Thursday? Edmunds posted them for the world to see, and I like where the design direction has evolved. Notice the “shield” grille (or otherwise known as the ‘beak’) has been tweaked. I also see Jewel Eye headlights, much like the RLX, TLX, and MDX already have. Finally, the front & rear bumpers are much more aggressive looking.
Awesome tape job! They should leave those as racing stripes.
I’m liking that lip spoiler out back.
No word yet on when Acura will show us the production version of this refreshed ILX, but maybe it’ll happen at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November. I’ll be there watching, just in case.
My ILX got an “A12” service at Acura of Tempe yesterday. For $380.74 (ouch), it’s now sporting a pair of new rear brake pads, a new cabin air filter, and some fresh 0W20 motor oil. It had been 8,271 miles since my last oil change. My service advisor recommended having the serpentine belt changed on my next visit, but I’m sure that’ll be after I’m well into 100,000 mile range. Also – SHOCKER – for the first time in history, I allowed the dealership to wash my car. I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t had time to do it on my own, so it was nice to let someone else do my chores for a change.
It’s been a wet & wild couple of weeks in the Phoenix area. On Monday, September 8th, the area experienced its wettest day in recorded history. By noon we’d already received 3 inches – roughly a third of our annual average. For me, it was a wet commute to the office.
For others, it was even wetter. This is what Interstate 10 looked like at 43rd Avenue.
Typical for indecisive desert weather, though, by the time I left the office that same afternoon, it was back to blue skies & sunshine.
It was a few days before the warning signs were removed from roadways around my neighborhood.
Even the Legend, which probably hadn’t seen rain for a year or more, got stuck in a downpour.
Finally, it’s always a cool feeling to see a “first” of any new model on the road in a real-world setting. I was sitting at a light on westbound McDowell Road in Scottsdale, and caught a glimpse of some LED headlights in my sideview mirror. This was a TLX.
I felt like a bit of a paparazzi for taking such pictures, but it was kind of exciting to see an on-the-road version of the very vehicle that I saw unveiled as a prototype at the Detroit Auto Show this past January.
Rain, in Phoenix? I never thought the first feature I’d be experiencing on Acura’s most advanced vehicle ever would be its rain-sensing windshield wipers, but it was. I’ve been watching for this car to hit the streets since I saw the cover pulled off the prototype in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
My local dealership, Acura of Tempe, currently has 3 TLX demo cars in stock. All are V6, front-wheel-drive models with the Advance (top-line) trim package. My friend Daniel, who you’ve already met and who drives a sweet Acura TL, met up with me for this rainy-day test drive of Acura’s all-new midsize sedan. Most of my readers will already know that this car debuted as a replacement for the now-discontinued TL and TSX models, and it’s sized in between the two.
The TLX that I drove was powered by a 290-horsepower, 3.5 liter V6 engine and Acura’s signature “Precision All-Wheel Steering” (P-AWS).. A few dealer add-ons (window tint, wheel locks, and side moldings) drove the price to just above $44,000. The Crystal Black Pearl exterior was nicely complimented by an “Espresso” (fancy speak for “Brown”) interior. I liked the combination, and as crazy as it would be to own a black car in Arizona, I think that’d be my top pic from the color palette.
So how about that driving experience, eh? Well, I wasn’t even in the car for more than 3 seconds when my right hand went down to reach for a shift a lever that wasn’t there. That’s because the car I had was equipped with a push-button transmission. A pull-back on the “R” button sent me into Reverse, but not before I cranked my ventilated seat to “high” setting via the touch-screen climate control. In all, my drive route was no more than 5 or 6 miles, but it was enough to experience the driving dynamics in both surface street & freeway settings.
I found the TLX eager to accelerate and ultra smooth in doing so. Of the transmission’s 9 speeds, I think I only got it up to 5th. Tire spin from a dead stop comes easily with the torquey V6, especially on wet pavement. Fit and finish exceeds expectations, with tasteful woodgrain accents on the door panels and soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. Daniel commented that the level of refinement exceeded that of his 2012 TL by quite a bit. Wind & road noises were heavily muted in the cabin. Accelerating onto the Interstate 10 onramp, I dipped deeply into the throttle and loved the sound of the engine at 5,000 RPM, awakening from its refined state.
It’s tough to find fault with the TLX. Adam, the sales representative who accompanied us, reported that it’s entirely possible for even the V6 engine to achieve MPG in the 40’s in “Economy” mode. That kind of efficiency, coupled with the amenities that Acura is great at providing, make for a compelling package deal. Adam encouraged Daniel to engage “Sport Plus” mode during his test drive, and even from the back seat I could readily feel the difference in engine performance, shift points, and suspension as the car transformed into a more raw driving experience: higher revs, tighter handling, and more pronounced gear transitions.
If Acura were to offer a 6-speed manual transmission in the TLX I’d be pondering an upgrade from the ILX, but as for right now I’m content to row my own gears. I’m looking forward to checking out the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder TLX as soon as it’s available, as well as the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive version, but for now I stand impressed at what the TLX offers. I’ll post a more detailed review as soon as I get access to the vehicle for more than just short test drive.
Huge thanks to Sales Consultant Adam Ferguson for taking the time to introduce us to the TLX. He mentioned during my test drive, “It’s nice to be on a test drive with people who already know about the car!”
Here we have the TLX in Crystal Black Pearl.
Rear perspective.
These gauges are familiar as the layout is similar to what I’m already used to in my ILX.
“Espresso” interior. Nice color!
Passenger side interior.
Just getting back from our test drive.
Parked with the 2012 TL & 2013 ILX.
Three Acuras in a row.
Great looking car from this angle.
Side by side: 2012 TL, 2015 TLX
Daniel at the wheel for a test drive.
Man, those Jewel Eye headlights on the TLX sure make my ILX projector HID bulbs look dim!
For those local to the Phoenix, Arizona area, drop Adam an email at adam.ferguson@acuraoftempe.com and he’ll show you around the TLX.
Here’s a video review on the TLX posted today by Sofyan at 2theRedline.
I had a bunch of meetings on my calendar today at the office, but can you guess which one was the most important?
That’s right. My calendar was solidly blocked from 10:30 to 11:30 Arizona time for today’s Acura press conference.
It was an important day for Acura enthusiasts. New York City’s “International Auto Show” was the place to be. As each automaker queued up the lights-camera-action for its press conference, automotive enthusiasts from around the globe tuned in to lay eyes on some hot new 2015 model year cars. Acura’s conference was held at 10:50 in the morning Arizona time, and I made sure to block some time out accordingly so I could watch via the live YouTube feed.
The all-new TLX, as a blend of current/outgoing TSX and TL models, will go on sale sometime this summer. You’ll remember when I traveled to the Detroit Auto Show to see the prototype uncovered for the first time. In the months since then, the TLX has been refined and readied to become a full-blown production model instead of just a piece of art.
Acura’s Mike Accavitti took center stage and introduced the TLX as a vehicle with “more performance, more prestige, and more technological sophistication” than ever before seen in its predecessors. Matt Hargett took the stage next and discussed some of the car’s key features and multiple powertrain choices, ranging from a 206-horsepower 4 cylinder to a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.
Thanks to 2theRedline star Sofyan Bey for sending me a few pictures from his front-row seat at the conference, including the following three.
Nice looking interior!
Side profile shot courtesy of AcuraNews.com
Acura’s full press release is here. I admit I’m loving that blue hue and sure wish I’d been able to see the action in real life.
I’ve been absent from the blog for a few days as I’ve had company visiting from out of town. My friends Jeff (Calgary, AB) and Shane (Salt Lake City, UT) spent some time here in Phoenix with me so I was in host mode instead of driving all over the state.
Jeff did borrow the ILX for a couple of days while I had to work, so that gave me an excuse to treat the old Legend to a 35-mile round-trip commute to the office. The car was happy to get some time on the open road.
Another Acura found its way to my home this week, too. I took delivery (on behalf of an out-of-state friend!) of a 2005 Acura TL automatic on Monday. It will soon go to its new owner in Utah.
But for now, this Alabaster Silver automatic TL with 163k miles on it will enjoy being a part of the Acura family at my house.
I haven’t even had a chance to take it for a spin yet since Jeff and I brought it back to the house.
Posted in Car Show, TLX on January 14, 2014 by tysonhugie
I’ll spare you the suspense and start throwing pics in here right away.
Here is the 2015 Acura TLX Prototype.
And here’s the reveal video.
It was so cold this morning, I had to scrape frost off the inside of the windows in my 2013 Nissan Altima rental car. I was at Cobo Hall bright and early to score a front row seat for Acura’s 11:05 a.m. press conference. Thumbs up here!
The booth (pictured empty here) later filled to complete capacity well in advance of the press event. Standing room only!
Before
Lights, Camera
ACTION!
Beauty shots as the music and smoke add dramatic effect.
TLX spins on a turntable
And finally a chance to get up close and personal.
Here you go.
Total stunner. Especially that lickable paint. From Acura’s press release:
Like any truly world-class athlete, the TLX will pair power and efficiency with deft agility. With its low and wide stance, rigid yet lightweight body, and nimble and responsive chassis, the TLX is designed to deliver confident, precise and refined ride and handling performance in almost any driving situation.
From low-stress urban commutes to relaxed long-distance cruising, or adrenaline-inducing runs down twisting country roads, the TLX is designed to be an intuitive and confidence-inspiring driving partner, a vehicle that epitomizes Acura’s dynamic concept of “performance at the will of the driver.”
Jarad Hall – the man who spent the last several years of his life designing this car! He succeeded masterfully.
Profile. The prototype pictured here had no interior, but we do know some specs about the powertrains. This car will incorporate available Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive and Precision All-Wheel Steering. There will be available 2.4 liter 4-cylinder and 3.5 liter V6, direct-injected engines. Also available are two different transmissions: an 8-speed dual clutch, and a 9-speed automatic. Yes, NINE!
With Vince Manganiello of Acura Public Relations. We’re both quite proud of how this turned out!
The car drew quite a crowd.
Nice looking rear.
I’ll spare you the rest of the nitty gritty and link you to the official Press Release.
Posted in Car Show, TLX on January 13, 2014 by tysonhugie
Greetings from Motor City!
Weather’s been cool, but the action’s been hot. Sixteen automakers today set out to dazzle the press with their latest models and extravagant displays. Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit provided more sights and sounds than I could even dream of soaking in, my I did my best to learn about the direction the automotive industry is going.
Tomorrow I’ll be seeking a front-row seat for the reveal of the 2015 Acura TLX at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. In the meantime, here are some of the adventures from my first day at the 25th Annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
What have we here? This would be the successor to the Acura TL and TSX. It was oh-so-tempting to grab a corner of that sheet and just have a little peek. Rest assured I’ll give you all a look at what’s under the cover promptly after its unveil tomorrow.
In the background, the Acura RL Sport Hybrid SH-AWD in Pearl White looks on.
Are you as excited as I am? Tune into Acura’s YouTube channel tomorrow.
Recapping the trip so far: Here’s the ILX as I was preparing for departure via Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
36 degrees when I landed? Brrrrr.
Dinner in Dearborn Heights with local friends Waseem and Hass.
Waseem’s 1990 Legend sedan has taken a licking and keeps on ticking!
Map of the facility at Cobo Center. Lots of area to cover — too much for just one day, in fact.
I spent a good chunk of my time here.
One of the cars that caught my eye was the new 2015 Honda Fit. It’s lighter and faster, yet more fuel efficient than the outgoing model.
Lexus had a beautiful RC350 coupe on display.
Lexus’ booth always does make me feel like I need sunglasses! Bright & shiny.
Big news for Toyota was the FT-1 Concept. Could this be the next Supra? Some say so.
Infiniti showed a performance edition of the Q50 sedan called the “Eau Rouge” with over 500 horsepower. That’s some serious get-up-and-go. Loved the color, too.
Audi’s S3 is a handsome little sedan.
And the Chrysler 200 shares a lot of lines with its Dodge Dart sibling.
You’ll probably recognize the Honda FCEV Concept from the Los Angeles Auto Show reveal last November.
Check out the 2015 Ford F-150. It has a ton of new features like an illuminated cargo bay.
Aside from the great cars, NAIAS has been full of great people too. I met up with Sofyan Bey of “2theRedline” along with his crew.
My friends Christian and Davis, of Rockland Media Group, made the rounds with me as I walked around a bit.
Vince Manganiello, Acura Western Region PR, talked with me a little about the TLX. We’re both excited for tomorrow’s presentation.
This is Mat Hargett who’s spent the last 5 years designing the TLX. He said he didn’t sleep last night (and probably won’t sleep tonight) in anticipation of his baby’s big debut.
Acura VP Sales, Jeff Conrad, was soaking up the sights as well. He and I caught up for a few minutes near the Mercedes-Benz booth before checking out the brand new C-Class.
Vicki Poponi works in the Service area currently but she has a long history with Acura. She asked me how my ILX travels are going and I brought her up to speed.
Finally, I ran into Jon Ikeda, Chief Designer. He’s got a keen eye for style.
It’s time for me to get out of the Media Center and get back to the circus! See you all tomorrow.
Posted in Car Show, TLX on December 20, 2013 by tysonhugie
Odometer (Legend): 528,197
Odometer (ILX): 62,384
This was some great news to start my morning yesterday when I checked my phone.
TL + TSX = TLX, at least according to Acura. The company’s current TL and TSX bodystyles have been around since 2009, and both models will be killed off in 2014 as a new model takes over. The new TLX, Acura reports, will be “the perfect blend of style and muscle with its elegant, well-proportioned exterior that cloaks the true sport sedan chassis and powertrain beneath” (Mike Accavitti, Senior Vice President of American Honda Motor Company).
TLX will serve as a mid-range model between the entry level luxury ILX and the flagship RLX, which I road tested last month. Its heritage can be traced back to the Acura Vigor. Back in 1991, Acura had only two sedan models: the Integra and the Legend. The Vigor was born in 1992 and sized between those two vehicles. It even came with a 5-cylinder engine that bridged the 4- to 6-cylinder gap. Since then, the car’s evolution has looked something like this:
As a side note, I owned a 1993 Vigor GS 5-speed for a short time in 2010. It was Frost White with black leather interior and had 241,000 miles on it. This was the key hand-off, taken in May 2010.
The Vigor, especially equipped in manual transmission form like mine was, exhibited fun around-town behavior. It felt a lot more light and nimble than the Legend. Here is the car pictured in my garage next to the Legend sedan:
My family also owned a Cayman White Pearl 1st Generation 1997 Acura 3.2 TL in 2003.
Bonus points for anyone who can identify what Acura model those wheels were swapped from.
You’ve already seen examples of Devan‘s 3rd Generation and Jason & Paul‘s 4th Generation TLs. That brings us to the TLX, which has not yet been seen by the public eye except in heavily camouflaged form, while out for testing.
I’m excited to see what this new car is all about. The TLX Prototype is set to debut on Tuesday, January 14th at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. The best news is: I’ll be there to watch. I’ve finalized my flight arrangements and media credentials, so I’ll be bringing you all the latest updates from the show.
Two directed-injected engines will provide the power and an “all-new transmission” will put that power to the ground. I really hope there will be a manual transmission offering. Acura will be keeping details about the TLX under tight wraps, but for now here’s the press release that highlights a little bit about what we can expect to see from the company’s all-new sedan. Keep on driving, my friends. And Happy Friday!
drivetofive 