Acura 2+1 Coupe Concept Study: Design Proposal for an Affordable NSX

Acura TL: 24 High-Res Photos & Official Details

Following last Friday’s initial leak and even though Acura has yet to make an official announcement, the damn surrounding the all-new 2009 TL Sedan broke into pieces today with the release of 24 high resolution images along with official press release that that reveals Acura’s controversially styled mid-size sedan in detail.

While we’d like to see the fourth-generation TL in person to make our final assessment, we think that Acura’s designers overdid it in their attempt to create a vehicle that stands out from the crowd. As a result, the new TL looks rather clunky and over detailed in some aspects. As for the interior, our initial thoughts are that it looks kind of “plasticy” and a bit too Honda-like for a mid-size luxury sedan.

In terms of dimensions, the new TL is larger than the outgoing model as it rides on a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase and is longer (+6.0 inches) and wider (+1.8 inches) thus promising to offer improved interior space. Available in the U.S. from this fall, the 2009 Acura TL will be offered with a choice of two powertrains. -Continued

The entry-level 2009 TL is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 HP and 254 lb-ft of torque that sends power to the front wheels through Acura’s Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. According to Acura, the FWD TL has projected EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

The top-notch TL SH-AWD is equipped with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system while power comes from a beefier 3.7-liter V6 engine delivering 305 HP and 275 lb-ft of torque. Projected EPA fuel economy ratings for the TL SH-AWD are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Like the basic FWD version, the TL SH-AWD gets a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic featuring steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

2009 Honda Legend: Euro market Acura RL says no to front-shield

Ever wonder how the North American market 2009 RL (see here) would look like without that gaudy ‘armor shield’ that Acura likes to call a front grille? Then check out the European market Honda Legend facelift that was unveiled at the Moscow International Auto Show. The new grille fits nicely to the revised front-end giving the luxury sedan a more classy appearance. Other than that, the Legend is nothing more than a rebadged 2009 Acura RL. On the outside, the most noticeable changes of the facelifted version are the new lights, bonnet, front wings, boot lid, bumpers and the adoption of standard 18″ wheels. -Continued

Mechanical changes include the new 3.7-liter V6 VTEC engine that replaces the previous 3.5-liter V6 unit and is coupled to an all-new 5-speed gearbox with revised steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters and new gearbox software. According to Honda, the new Legend can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than before. Fuel economy and CO2 figures have also been improved over the previous model. In terms of chassis upgrades, while the Legend’s SH-AWD system remains unchanged, the settings for the suspension have been altered to improve the ride and handling.

Honda also refined the Legend’s cabin by equipping it with a suite of NVH reducing technologies, the most advanced of which is the Active Noise Cancellation system (ANC), which cancels out low frequency noise by playing the opposite wave form through the Bose sound system. The 2009 Legend also gets new Active Head Restraints and heated rear seats while the Bose Audio system now has a USB socket enabling the connection of an iPod.

Video: Prototype Honda / Acura NSX at the Ring

This amateur video of a prototype Honda / Acura NSX running around the Nurburgring race track in Germany might not be of the best visual quality, but boy does that i-VTEC sound nice! From what we’ve heard, the new NSX will feature a front-mounted V10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. -Video after the jump

Acura TL Test Mule Spotted

 

A prototype of the all-new Acura TL that is expected to be introduced at either this November’s Los Angeles Auto Show or the Detroit Show in January 2009 was caught by a member of the VTEC website performing road tests in Purdue, Indiana. The cameraphone pictures reveal a few details of the TL’s body including the weird looking rear-end that seems to be inspired from the shape of Acura’s new trapezoidal grille.

Design aside, according to rumors that were leaked out of recent dealer meeting back in the spring, the new Acura TL’s line-up is expected to include a 3.5-liter V6 engine available in both front and all-wheel-drive versions along with a top-end 3.7-liter V6 producing more than 300Hp combined exclusively with an all-wheel-drive powertrain. Sales of the new Acura TL are expected to start in North America during the first half of 2009.

Thanks for the tip Jose.S! – Via: VTEC

Suzuki Alto to Make Paris Show Debut – First Official Image

At the International Paris Motor Show that runs from October 2 to 19, Suzuki will present the all-new 2009 Alto city car based on the A-Star Concept -see here- that premiered at the New Delhi Auto Show in India earlier this year. Compared to the prototype, the production version of the A-Star features a much less dramatic design which is quite a let down as we liked the concept’s original styling.

According to CarScoop’s sources, the Alto will be offered with a newly developed 1.0-liter engine with low CO2 emissions of just 109g/km. The Alto will be built at Suzuki’s Indian plant in Manesar with European sales set to start in December 2008. Since Suzuki only released one image of the Alto we decided to fool around with photoshop painting the Japanese city car in various colours. Follow the jump to check out our gallery. 

Video: Suzuki Alto Mini

Suzuki performed the global debut of its all-new Alto mini car at the Paris show. If you were expecting to see a production version of the A-Star Concept that made a splash at last year’s Tokyo Show, then you’d definitely be disappointed with the outcome. At any rate, measuring just 3.5 meters in length the 2009 Alto is powered by the same three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s already in the Splash delivering an average fuel economy of 4.5 lt /100km or 52.2 mpg US. Watch the video after the jump.

Suzuki Swift Global Production Exceeds 1,000,000 Units

In less than four years after it first entered the market, production of Suzuki’s current generation Swift has surpassed the one million mark. Despite the fact that the Swift’s development was focused on the demands and tastes of the European market in terms of design and driving characteristics, Suzuki’s mini car is a global minicar in outlook and production. The Swift was first built in Japan, followed by Hungary, China, India and more recently Indonesia and Malaysia. Vehicles sold in Europe are built at Suzuki’s plant in Hungary which has so far pushed out more than 306,000 units.

Suzuki to Test New SX4 FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle on Public Roads

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has given Suzuki the green light to test a new compact fuel cell vehicle based on the SX4 crossover. Quite interestingly, the SX4 FCV is equipped with a GM-made high-performance fuel cell along with a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen tank, and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application and uses it to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration. 

The Japanese carmaker has been developing fuel cell vehicles in cooperation with General Motors (GM) since 2001 and up until now, it has tested three fuel cell mini vehicles on public roads with ministerial approval: the MR Wagon-FCV and Wagon R-FCV in October 2003 and the MR Wagon-FCV again in December 2004.

Suzuki Joins Force’s with Pixar’s WALL-E

Suzuki has embarked on a joint partnership with Disney Pixar and its latest animated film, “WALL-E”, to promote its cars in the UK market. As part of the campaign, cinema tickets to see WALL-E are available as prizes for those who take a test drive of any new Suzuki at participating dealers. Additionally, the Japanese carmaker is also offering a grand prize in the form of a space themed family holiday for four to Florida. Guess if you cant’ convince the adults, try the kid within the adult…

Suzuki Swift Sport “N’Style Rally” Edition

Suzuki of Germany is no stranger to special edition models. Their latest creation is based on the Swift Sport and it pays a tribute to the Japanese carmaker’s “Group N” Junior Championship Rally car – hence the name “N’Style Rally”. Available in a limited run of 500 units at €17,900 a piece, the Swift Sport “N’Style Rally” is offered exclusively in black and is covered with Suzuki Motorsport’s logos and decals, but that’s about all.

There are no mechanical upgrades as the “N’Style Rally” retains the Swift Sport’s 125Hp 1.6-liter engine. Optionally, buyers can equip the “N’Style Rally” with a light bodykit (pictured above) that includes a front lip spoiler, fog-light covers, new side skirts and a rear spoiler.

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept Promo Video

As most of readers already know, the Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept sports sedan made its worldwide debut at the New York Auto Show last week and we must say that it won our vote for its aggressive styling. According to Suzuki, the Kizashi 3 is a very close representation of the production model that is set to arrive in the market by 2010. Until then, we’ll have to be content with the image gallery from the NY Show floor and Suzuki’s official, animated video of the concept.

HKS Presents Carbon-Fibre Aero Kit for Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki’s latest generation Swift is one of our favourite mini cars; it’s reliable and well built, it’s nice on the road and it looks nearly as good as a MINI (….) without costing an arm and a leg. The top-of-the-line Sport version with its perky 125 Hp 1.6-liter is even better adding a dose of sportiness to the mixture. While we wouldn’t have minded a few more horses under the hood, HKS’ offering for the Swift Sport which was redesigned for the Japanese market last year (see here), concentrates on appearance and handling.

The Japanese tuner’s aero kit includes mirror caps, front and rear lip, roof spoiler, hood with an aero scoop and a rear door spoiler all of which are made out of carbon-fibre. The Swift’s exterior looks are complemented by a set of 18-inch Advan RC-III alloys wrapped in Yokohama tires (215/35 R18). Additionally, HKS offers buyers the option of suspension, brake and chassis upgrades.

Suzuki Launches Swift Sport Cup Championship in the UK

Suzuki is offering UK drivers a cost-effective way to get a taste of rallying by launching its Swift Sport Cup series on Thursday 3rd April at the BRC’s 50th Anniversary event which is being held at Chatsworth, Derbyshire. Based on the Swift Sport, the Cup edition is built by the works Monster Sport Europe team and it’s powered by a 1.6-liter VVT engine delivering 123 Hp. According to the Japanese carmaker, the Championship winner will receive a prize of a fully funded drive on 2008 Wales Rally GB in a Suzuki Swift Super 1600, or brand-new Suzuki Swift road car and a supported drive in competitor’s own Suzuki Swift Sport Cup car on Wales Rally GB.

Suzuki GB Motorsport Manager Ian Robinson said: “We have worked hard to create a series which will be ultra-competitive as well as cost-effective, a balance rarely found in motorsport. We are confident that we have done that and are looking forward to the first round on April 18th.”

“Suzuki have been great supporters of the BRC,” comments British Rally Championship Manager Mark Taylor. “They have been providing a ladder for talent over the past few years. The innovative way that the cars are available means that people who may never have been able to compete at this level now can, it’s a great starter package that can only be good for unveiling the great talent we have in British rallying.”

Technical and Equipment Specification – Suzuki Swift Sport Cup

Body / Body preparation

FIA approved roll cage and rollcage padding set

Safety harness mount

Complete body reinforcement

Axle stand tubes

Painting of inside of vehicle and wheel arches

Seat mount pipe for seat bracket attaching points

Bonnet pins, rear gate pins

Sump guard and attaching kit (support bar and boss)

Fuel tank guard and under floor protection

Proflex shock absorber and spring set (gravel, Tarmac)

Reinforcement of suspension mounting points

Fire extinguisher mounting brackets

Assembly, adjustment and initial set-up

Final completion check

Safety

Safety harnesses (Sabelt 904183E) (2 sets)

Automatic fire extinguisher (Sabelt ES04)

Hand held fire extinguisher (Sabelt ES07)

Cut off switch & harness kit

Interior

Footrest for Co-driver (Sabelt Z170460)

Brakes

Competition brake pad set

Teflon brake lines (wheel arch)

Fuel system

Fuel pipe kit – full system

Engine

Cup spec exhaust pipes

Free flow air filter

Strengthened engine and gearbox mountings

Uprated clutch disc and clutch cover

Drive train

Mechanical limited slip differential

Altered final drive ratio

Cross ratio kit (1st gear)

Strengthened drive shafts

Lamps

Light Pod (halogen type – PIAA lamps)

Optional parts for car build

Map light – £17

Intercom – Peltor FMT 110 – £141

Intercom – Peltor FMT 200 – £484

Peltor headrests (each) – £106

Trip meter 100 – £267

Trip meter 200 – £358

Shift light pro – £76