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Report: Acura to be official car of spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D in Thor [w/video]

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Acura

thor trailer acura

Thor trailer – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Get ready for Marvel Comics and Paramount Pictures to rule commercial time leading up to their new Thor movie that premiers on May 6. The film, which will be followed up with Captain America later this summer, follows two Iron Man movies and the 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Those films make up the lengthy run-up to the release of The Avengers movie next summer that will feature all the good guys on one silver screen.

Predictably, Thor will be jammed with corporate sponsors and product placements, which will lead to still more Thor commercials. Even Acura has gotten in on the act, as the upscale Honda brand has nabbed the roll as the vehicle of choice for the good guys at S.H.I.E.L.D., who are working hard to get all the superheros on the same team (hello, Avengers). Acura, whose corporate styling language already involves the shield-shaped front fascia that so many have complained about, were more interested in the role due to S.H.I.E.L.D’s high-tech, cutting edge reputation. The automaker will reportedly receive an amazing two minutes of air time during the movie, and Acura even allowed the bad guys to blow up some of its vehicles.

Acura no doubt paid big bucks to get all that screen time, but that’s not all it plans to do. Variety reports that Acura will push the movie in commercials, while also hosting Thor events at local dealerships that include giving away some tickets for advanced screenings. Hit the jump to watch the latest movie trailer. Top tip, Stewie!

[Source: Variety]

Continue reading Report: Acura to be official car of spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D in Thor [w/video]

Report: Acura to be official car of spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D in Thor [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: 2012 Acura TL is the face of change… at least a little bit

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura, Luxury

2011 Acura TL

2011 Acura TL – Click above for high-res image gallery

Acura has yanked the sheets off of the latest take on its bread-and-butter TL at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. In the face of much criticism, the Japanese automaker’s stylists have set about taking some of the edge off of the sedan’s styling with a fresh front fascia that goes some way toward making the vehicle look more like a car and less like Picaso’s interpretation of one. The 2012 TL now wears shorter overhangs both front and rear, and the new look includes shedding the chrome trim from around the rear taillamps for a look that’s altogether more appetizing than the previous iteration.

A few changes have cropped up under the hood as well. Acura engineers managed to cut engine friction to increase fuel economy, and a new six-speed automatic transmission helps bump the final figures to 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. That’s an increase of three mpg highway over the five-speed automatic-equipped 2010 model. Fans of the third pedal need not fret, though. Acura says that buyers will still be able to snag their 2012 TL SH-AWD with the same six-speed manual setup that’s currently available.

Inside, TL Advance trim now comes with a blind-spot awareness system and ventilated heated and cooled seats, while the TL Tech boasts a 60-gig hard-drive based navigation and entertainment system. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Gallery: Chicago 2011: 2012 Acura TL

Continue reading Chicago 2011: 2012 Acura TL is the face of change… at least a little bit

Chicago 2011: 2012 Acura TL is the face of change… at least a little bit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Acura TL softens skin, sharpens claws in Chicago

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

2012 Acura TL

2012 Acura TL – Click above for high-res image

Let’s be honest – the Acura TL isn’t exactly a pretty car. And while the vast majority of the automotive media and enthusiast forums immediately lashed out at the TL’s angular design, we were nothing short of pleased with its luxurious, high-tech interior and solid driving dynamics – especially the six-speed manual-equipped SH-AWD. For the 2012 model year, Acura has softened some of the car’s harsh lines, and while the automaker tells us that both the front and rear fascias are “all-new,” there’s no mistaking this sedan for anything but a TL.

Because this is merely a modest mid-cycle refresh, the TL’s powertrain hasn’t been completely overhauled. Both the 3.5- and 3.7-liter V6s are still on hand, though a new six-speed automatic transmission helps improve performance and fuel economy. A new set of 19-inch all-season tires are available on SH-AWD models in an effort to improve performance on snow and ice, fitted to an updated set of alloy wheels.

Inside, Acura has made substantial improvements to reduce wind and road noise, and the HDD navigation system has been upgraded to 60 gigabytes for improved music storage. What’s more, a new Advance Package nets customers things like a blind spot information system and cooled front seats. Look for the 2012 TL to hit dealerships later this year. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Acura TL

2012 Acura TL

[Source: Acura]

Continue reading 2012 Acura TL softens skin, sharpens claws in Chicago

2012 Acura TL softens skin, sharpens claws in Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

Acura TL

Acura has announced that it will debut the newly refreshed 2012 TL at the Chicago Auto Show next month. Details are slim as of this writing, but the automaker says that the 2012 model “further enhances its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.”

In its current form, the TL has been praised for its high-quality and tech-friendly interior, not to mention the relatively impressive driving dynamics of the SH-AWD 6MT model. However, the biggest deal-breaker for the current TL has been its styling, which has garnered a whole slew of negative praise – especially the angular front fascia. We’ll have the full details on the 2012 TL closer to its official debut on February 9, so stay tuned.

[Source: Acura]

Continue reading 2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show

2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura

Filed under: Car Buying, Acura, Design/Style, Luxury

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD at sunset

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s no secret that the corporate schnoz adopted in recent years by Acura is, shall we say… controversial. But whether or not it’s helping or hurting sales is up for debate. On one hand, the brand’s 24-percent increase in sales in 2010 over the previous year has Honda’s luxury division outpacing the gains of its rivals. On the other hand, nearly everyone’s 2009 sales figures went down the economic toilet, and J.D. Power reports that exterior styling is the number one reason new car shoppers are rejecting the marque, followed closely by Acura’s interior styling.

Perhaps tellingly, Acura’s two most successful models in sales gains are the MDX and RDX utility vehicles, models competing in burgeoning segments (and the former of which features a somewhat muted faces compared to the rest of the company’s lineup). But hope may be on the way, and soon. According to Automotive News, Dave Conant, who owns an Acura store in Mission Viejo, California and has gotten an early look at the next-gen TL, Acura’s middle child is getting a major nose job.

And more new models are reportedly on the horizon as well, including hybrids and a likely return to the entry-level compact luxury class. What’s more, the automaker has promised dealers that future models will be better differentiated from one another, both styling-wise and in size. All that sounds good, just so long as no giant polished cow-catcher grilles get in the way.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Acura releasing something ‘unconventional’ next year?

Filed under: Acura, Rumormill

Acura ZDX

Acura has been toying with us for some time. We’ve been waiting patiently for an NSX replacement soon after the original Japanese supercar disappeared, and while we’ve been waiting around Acura told Car and Driver that something “unconventional” is coming in the very near future. The only hint we have is the use of the word “sporty.” Unfortunately, that tag can apply to nearly anything these days, with exhibit A being the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

Car and Driver was able to confirm that the car will not be the front-engined camo-clad car we saw from time to time. However, they got a very confident “probably” from Acura regarding the resurrection of the NSX nameplate.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Acura releasing something ‘unconventional’ next year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Acura RL presents slight changes to an aging package

Filed under: Sedan, Acura, Luxury

2011 Acura RL

2011 Acura RL – Click above for high-res image gallery

For the 2011 model year, Acura has freshened up its flagship RL sedan. What exactly does “freshened up” mean when it comes to the RL? It may not look like much more than a cosmetic touch-up, but there are quite a few new tricks going on under the nip-tucked skin.

The 2011 Acura RL continues to utilize the 3.7-liter V6 engine with 300 horsepower that powers all four wheels courtesy of the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. New to the powertrain, however, is a six-speed Sequential Sportshift automatic transmission. It’s a smooth-shifting unit that allows for the occasional sporty dash courtesy of the wheel-mounted paddles while also improving fuel economy by two miles per gallon on the highway – EPA ratings come in at 17 mpg city and 24 highway.

An upgraded gearbox is nice and all, but since this is an Acura we are looking more for new technology. The 2011 RL is fitted with Hemholtz resonators in the wheels (a “world’s first” for a passenger vehicle). These chambers sit in the center portion of the inside of the wheel and help diminish road noise, which results in a quieter cabin. Coupled with increased floorboard insulation, the 2011 Acura RL behaves like a library out on the road. Unless of course you twist the knob for the ELS audio system.

Up front, the grille of the 2011 Acura RL has been revised to soften the angry-hawk nose while retaining a signature Acura look… opinions are divided on how successful the new schnoz may be. Brand new 18×8-inch 15-spoke aluminum wheels help fill out the wheel wells and get wrapped in Michelin Pilot all-season rubber.

Overall, the changes to the 2011 Acura RL are minimal, minus the upgraded transmission and in-wheel noise reduction technology. We had a chance to very briefly sample the ’11 model on the roads north of San Francisco and there’s unfortunately not much to get excited about. The rest of the lineup, regardless of how one feels about the styling, presents a sporty driving experience that doesn’t eat into the luxury. The RL feels heavier than it should while presenting a driving sensation that feels much more aged compared to its Acura siblings. We understand that its aimed at a different segment of the market, but that doesn’t mean it should lose the driving characteristics long-time Acura buyers have come to expect.

You can read more about the 2011 Acura RL in the full press release located after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Acura RL

2011 Acura RL

[Source: Acura]

Continue reading 2011 Acura RL presents slight changes to an aging package

2011 Acura RL presents slight changes to an aging package originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon priced from $30,960

Filed under: Car Buying, Wagon, Acura

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon – Click above for high-res image gallery

During a product briefing today, Acura executives revealed that the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon will be priced from $30,960 (not including $860 for destination) when it goes on sale in just a few weeks. This represents a price increase of $1,350 versus the slightly refreshed 2011 TSX sedan that recently debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

All TSX Sport Wagons come standard with a leather-trimmed interior, premium seven-speaker sound system, XM radio, USB audio with iPod integration, Bluetooth connectivity and a power moonroof. For an extra $3,650 you can opt for the TSX Technology Package, which adds sat-nav with voice recognition and rear-view camera, an ELS surround audio system, GPS-linked solar-sensing climate control and a power liftgate out back.

The only engine available in the Sport Wagon is the TSX’s 2.4-liter inline-four, mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is available on the sedan). 201 horsepower is perfectly adequate for the Sport Wagon, but we’re curious as to why Acura felt it necessary to leave the sedan’s 280-hp V6 mill out of the mix. We’ll have the full report of how the TSX Sport Wagon fares out on the road in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

[Source: Acura]

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon priced from $30,960 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Acura NSX built on flip-flopped Honda Accord chassis?

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Acura, Honda, Rumormill

Acura Advanced Sports Car concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Peter Lyon, Motor Trend’s correspondent abroad, Honda is still hard at work on a successor to the much-loved NSX sports car. If true, we can expect the halo car to be powered again by a six-cylinder engine, this time augmented by a hybrid powertrain.

Up to this point, we’re willing to put on our tinfoil NSX fanboy hats to suspend our fleeting grip on reality in hopes of a return to Honda-spec supercardom. However, not even Mulder himself could sell us on what Lyon is suggesting. According to MT’s man in Japan, Honda is planning to use a flip-flopped Accord platform as the basis for its super coupe. You read that right.

While we’d love to see a 400-horsepower, all-wheel-drive NSX hit the market in 2014, we’re not holding our collective breath… especially for one based on a backwards Accord chassis.

Gallery: Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Next Acura NSX built on flip-flopped Honda Accord chassis? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: 2011 Acura TSX is more of the same

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

2011 Acura TSX

2011 Acura TSX – Click above for high-res image gallery

Don’t blink, you may just miss the subtle changes to the 2011 Acura TSX sedan that made its debut at the LA Auto Show this week. The changes to the four-door are limited to just a handful of aesthetic tweaks. The refresh includes an altered fascia and fog light surround, and new tail lamps are also part of the mix. Acura also threw in a fresh batch of wheel designs, including both 17- and 18-inch rollers, depending on trim level.

Thrilling, we know. And it can all be yours for the base price of $29,610.

Buyers can look forward to the same drivetrain as before, which means both a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6 are available. In its most potent guise, the 2011 TSX will lay down 280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque.

For all the similarities, Acura has managed to squeeze a bit more fuel economy from its small sedan. The car now delivers 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway when equipped with the four-pot and stick, or 22/31 with the automatic, which is a 1 mpg improvement across the board. Want the rest of the details? All your questions will be answered… after the break.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2011 Acura TSX

2011 Acura TSX