Detailed below are a list of changes we felt are significant to the 2004 Acura TL. While we will provide a much more in-depth look at the changes in other articles, this provides a quick summary.

Engine and Powertrain Notes

• Horsepower increased from 225 to 270HP which is a 45HP increase over the '03 Premium TL and a 10HP increase over the '03 Type-S, all with the same displacement.
• Torque increased from 216 to 238 lbs-ft which is a 22 lbs-ft increase over the Premium TL anda 6 lb-ft improvement vs the '03 Type-S.
• Compression increased from 10.5:1 ('03 TL Type-S) to 11.0:1
• Dual-stage intake manifold
• Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with Helical gear-type Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Drive-by-wire throttle system
• Maintenance Minder system
• LEV-2 ULEV emissions
• High flow exhaust system
• Cold-air intake system
• 110,000-mile tune-up interval

Chassis

• 5AT TL weighs 3,575 lbs which is only 17 lbs more than the '03 TL-S
• 6MT TL weighs 3,482 lbs which is 76 lbs less than the '03 TL-S
• 4-channel VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
• 4-piston Brembo brakes and more aggressive pad material on cars w/6-speed manual transmission
• 17x8 wheels and P235/45R17 Bridgestone Turanza tires
• Available 17-inch high performance P235/45/R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE030 tires on 6MT Models
• A-Spec package gets 18x8 wheels with P235/40ZR18 Yokohama AVS ES100 tires
• Torque-sensing variable power assisted rack and pinion steering
• Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist System (for panic situations)

Interior

• Acura HandsFreeLink wireless phone connectivity using Bluetooth technology
• Acura/ELS Premium 8-speaker Surround Sound System with DVD-Audio, DTS and CD 6-disc Changer, AM/FM Tuner and Dolby Cassette
• Multi-Info Display screen
• Optional Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition featuring 8-inch display
• New Independent dual zone A/C with GPS locating feature to compensate for direction of sun and solar loading on vehicles equipped with Navigation system
• Steering-wheel mounted audio, cruise and voice recognition controls for HandsFreeLink and navigation system
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Enhanced keyless entry system with seven customizable memory functions (power seat and side mirrors w/auto tilt down are memory linked)
• 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way power lumbar support
• Larger power glass moonroof with anti-pinch safety
• Perforated leather seating and trim
• Brushed aluminum accent trim

Body/Styling

• New styling with a wider, more aggressive stance
• Enhanced torsional rigidity
• High-strength steel now used in door skins for 50% improvement in resisting door dings.
• Acoustic resin sandwiched front windshield glass
• Thicker side door glass
• Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with 50% greater illumination vs. '03 (both low and high beams are HID)

Safety

• Front dual-stage, dual-threshold airbags
• Driver's and front passenger's side airbag
• Passenger's side airbag with occupant position sensor system
• Standard side curtain airbags
• Pedestrian Impact Protection
• LEDs used for rear and side lighting
• Enhanced seat belt warning system
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control

Optional A-Spec Package (availability TBD)

• Performance springs and shocks lowering the vehicle approximately 1.2 inches (30 mm)
• 18-inch wheels with P235/40ZR18 Yokohama AVS ES100 tires
  
• Aero kit
• Rear spoiler
• Special steering wheel with distinctive shape and stitching
• Performance brake pads for 5AT vehicles (standard 6MT already has them)
• A-SPEC badging

Dealer Accessories
Here's an initial list of available dealer accessories that will be factory warranted for 4 years/50,000 miles when purchased with the vehicle.

Individual exterior accessories include:

• 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• Back-up sensor
• Bodyside protectors
• Car cover
• Decklid spoiler
• Door edge guards
• Door window visor
• Engine block heater
• Front and rear splash guards
• Front under spoiler
• Gold emblem kit
• Moonroof visor
• Nose mask
• Rear under spoiler
• Spoiler wing
• Sports shocks and springs
• Wheel locks

The following accessories are also available in these packages:

• Aero Kit: Includes front, side and rear under body spoilers
• Protection Package: Includes wheel locks, splashguards and trunk tray
• Wheel Package: Includes 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires

Summary Notes

The TOV is very excited about the addition of the 6MT with LSD. This will make the car a very capable handler and make better use of the 270HP being delivered to the front wheels. The performance springs and shocks in the A-SPEC package should also significantly improve the handling characteristics of the car. Acura continues to emphasize the sports sedan image by using huge 4-piston Brembo brake calipers with an aggressive brake compound. And finally responding to TOV's hounding for better tires, aggressive summer 17" tires are available in the 6MT and 18" tires in the A-SPEC package. This is indeed an impressive list of performance enhancements to the TL and we are eager to drive the car and confirm the benefits.

On the luxury and comfort front, the new DVD 5.1 audio system represents a huge leap over the old Bose system. With the thicker glass and additional sound insulation, the car should be a much better environment to enjoy your music. The addition of dedicated A/C buttons will make quick changes easier than having to go through the touch screen display as before. The handsfree use of a mobile phone with Bluetooth integrated into the audio system is a nice perk. However, as sporting as this car is, we think most people should just turn off their phones and enjoy the drive. The addition of the maintenance minder is also a nice touch which allows the owner to better take care of their car.

With all these improvements, Acura has taken the car to the next level and the car will undoubtedly continue to set sales records.

See which TOV Dealer Network affiliates are currently accepting pre-orders for the 2004 Acura TL.