2007 TL gets a 3.5L 295hp engine!

[SSMV6]

I predict another price increase. It'll probably hit $35k for non-nav versions.


From Vtec.net:
http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=578968

TL to Receive J35 Engine for 07 Model Year
Date: June 29, 2006 18:32
Submitted by: notyper
Source: Unnamed
Credibility Rating: 6

Outside suppliers to Honda with intimate knowledge of the next TL have reported to us that Acura's best selling model will receive a version of the J35 3.5 liter V6 engine for the 2007 model year. UPDATE Another outside source has also received the same information and adds that the quoted power level was 295 hp.

While this is an unconfirmed rumor, a J35 upgrade makes perfect sense when looked at in the context of Acura's lineup as a whole. The new MDX is reported to be receiving an even larger J-series V6 (3.7 or 3.8 liters) and it is likely that the RL would receive the bigger engine as well during its MMC. Moving these cars higher in the horsepower foodchain would allow the TL to step up in power without infringing on the other models' market space (as already reported in the TOV Model Release Matrix).
http://www.vtec.net/modelmatrix

While more bottom end torque is unlikely to make the existing 6MT TL much quicker to 60 mph due to traction limitations, it will certainly boost midrange thrust, improve quarter mile acceleration, and lend some oomph to the 5AT model. The rumored gains would also put the TL on a more even playing field (at least in the battle of the spec sheets) with the Lexus IS350 (300+ hp) and the upcoming revised Infiniti G35 (300+ hp).

[samsonskeg]

better trade those TL now


maybe ill get one of these and rub it in stevens face

[Conundrum]

Hmm...guess its safe to say the V6 Accord will see an increase as well...maybe even get the old J32 from the current (or "last" depending on how you read this) TL.

Hopefully not a huge increase though...I just got my 7th gen!...lol.

[Pilot4Life]

NOOO!!! Crap. So this is what we get for not waiting. Just our kinda luck i suppose !

[SSMV6]

I'm hoping for more low end torque.... Keep the HP figures around 250 and up the torque to 240+ lb-ft for the V6!!

[SSMV6]

Karen, I wouldn't fret over your decision to get the TL now... The current TL is a great car with plenty of power already. You probably wouldn't be able to use the extra power unless you're at a track.

[Conundrum]

...Plus you have to factor in the fact that both the Accord and TL are FF (Front Engine, Front Wheel Drive) cars...so they can only put down so much power at any time. It's basically why if I wanted a 300hp car it would have to be FR (Front engine, RWD).

Not to mention all the problems that will possibly show up in the 1st year run of the 8th gen Accord and the next gen TL...personally I wouldn't buy until atleast the 2009 Accord or 2008 TL but then again thats just me...even Honda engineers are human...lol.

All that being said I have to agree with SSMV6...more torque would be very very nice.

[SSMV6]

Just another guess of mine, but the TL will probably have the SH-AWD system from the RL to handle all the extra power. I can't see them putting just a RWD drivetrain in the TL although I wished they would.

[Conundrum]

Originally Posted by SSMV6

Just another guess of mine, but the TL will probably have the SH-AWD system from the RL to handle all the extra power...

Yeah but that system is incredibly expensive isn't it? I doubt they want to make the new TL that much more expensive than it already is. Therefore to save costs my money is still on FF maybe with a SH-AWD option available....kinda like the BMW 330i and 330xi.

[SSMV6]

I have no idea what the price and equipment breakdown will be, but I'm 99.99% certain that there will be a price increase for the '07 models. Like I said before, it's only a guess.

[VTECaddict]

Originally Posted by Conundrum

Not to mention all the problems that will possibly show up in the 1st year run of the 8th gen Accord and the next gen TL...personally I wouldn't buy until atleast the 2009 Accord or 2008 TL but then again thats just me...even Honda engineers are human...lol.

you mean 2010 TL. the 2007 is just MMC, so FMC will happen for MY2009.

[BenjiBoy650]

You know what this means right? Accord doesn't get a new block either...

That J-series came out in what 1998? Gonna be around a while just like that F-series

[greg-ster]

That's pretty wild!

When is Honda going to bring out a new V6 engine family to compete with Toyota's 2GR? You'd think that they'd use the MDX as an opportunity to kick Toyota in the shins, but I guess not...

[VTECaddict]

compete with what? the J-series is completely capable of competing with the 2GR as it is. the J35 in RL tune pumps 290/256, which is already right in line (actually 20hp more) with most of toyota's 3.5 V6 numbers, except the IS350. they can probably keep stretching the power and MPG ratings for several more years by tweaking the exhaust system (if you've changed your own oil, you should have seen that really constrictive "U" in the exhaust header), direct injection, lean burn, and i-VTEC (VCM). and who knows with that turbo K23 in the RDX, maybe we'll see a turbo J series before we see a new V6 family.

i dont really understand toyota and lexus' strategy. you can get basically get the exact same engine (+/-5 hp/tq) in various models from the Rav4 up to the RX350. i'd expect the luxury division to have more hp than the mainstream brand. wont that hurt lexus' "prestige" knowing that a little Rav4 just on the other side of the family tree has as much power as an RX350 that costs nearly twice as much?

[Mehdi]

I test drove a 2005 TL and didn't like it much because of the extreme torque steer. Hopefully they have fixed that issue on the '07 models... I just can't see how they could improve this issue (well documented) and at the same time add more power!