Except for its front-wheel drive and lack of an all-wheel-drive option, the new Acura TL Type-S comes close to performing as well as the best German road machines.

The Type-S was brought back for '07 after a three-year absence.

Under the hood is a potent, 286-hp. V-6 engine derived from that in Acura's flagship RL sedan. The performance-tuned suspension of the Type-S is potent, too, especially on one's bottom. The handling is as tight as the proverbial drum, but the ride is very hard.

Except for the front-drive layout, which means some torque steer on hard acceleration, the ride is the only serious downside of this car, and I'd suggest you not minimize it if you routinely drive long distances and/or on bad roads. If so, the more basic TL might be a better choice, a pleasant car, albeit with a fairly bland personality.

On sale since September, the basic TL starts at $34,295 with freight, including automatic transmission and a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers 258 hp. - more than enough for most driving situations.

Both the basic and Type-S received interior and exterior updates for '07, including new headlamps and taillamps and a redesigned available five-speed automatic transmission. Acura also added satellite-based communications to its navigation system, with real-time traffic information available optionally. There's hands-free Bluetooth connectivity now for your cell phone.

And Acura says it retuned the suspension of the basic TL to improve ride comfort.

The Type-S gets a sport-tuned suspension setup, of course, as well as steering calibrated for higher effort and better "on-center" feel.

In the Type-S, the automatic can be shifted with paddles located behind the steering wheel; in both TLs drivers also can shift manually with the console-mounted gearshift lever.

With four-piston Brembo brake calipers at the ready, the Type-S stops as well as it goes.

Acura also says the Type-S has its own high-flow exhaust system, but you'll hear little evidence of it unless you accelerate hard; at cruising speeds the engine is quiet.

The TL's cabin is well-insulated against noise. Acura credits "active noise cancellation" for some of that. The system senses cabin noise through a microphone in the headliner and then creates opposite sound waves to cancel the noise, using the radio speakers.

The Type-S is offered in four variants, starting at $38,125 with freight: with a six-speed stick shift or the five-speed automatic transmission I sampled, and with or without high-performance tires, Bridgestone Potenza summer models.

Since the automatic transmission is a no-cost option, the price differences among the four variants are no more than $200.

A price pushing $40,000 with tax is hardly chump change, but a 2007 Mercedes C-Class with anything approaching this much power (the 268-hp. C350) will set you back $39,375.

A Lexus ES 350 will hit $38,000 as soon as the navigation system/Mark Levinson stereo package is added.

The closest you can get in an Audi A4 is the $36,260, 255-hp. 3.2 variant.

And you'll need to spend $39,675 with freight (for 335 hp.) to get a BMW that will outpower the Type-S, and you'll have to add almost $1,300 more for an automatic transmission. But the BMW is rear-wheel drive, the layout preferred for sport sedans, with an all-wheel option available.

At least in pure horsepower for dollars, Infiniti has the edge in this class; a rear-drive G35 sedan in "sport" trim will set you back only $34,165 with automatic transmission and put 306 hp. under your right foot. Adding a navigation system, for $2,100, still brings the G35 in beneath the Type-S.

Not far behind in bang for the buck is Lexus' IS 350 Sport, also rear-wheel drive, listing for $36,420, and packing 306 hp.

Recommend this news <none> 1=poor2=cool3=good4=better5=excellent

Latest comments

Add comment

Full Name *
Email address *
Location
Your Comments *