Some drivers are content with cars that blend into the scenery. That’s not for Acura drivers. As the 2012 TL makes abundantly clear, Acura designers and engineers understand this to their cores. They gave the 2012 TL revised styling, a new six-speed automatic transmission and upgraded infotainment technology to make the point.

 

Numerous exterior detail changes – including lights, front grille and bumpers – add a new air of sophistication to the TL design while maintaining its edginess. New wheel designs heighten the sportiness factor on all models. Significant changes that you can’t see make their impact in how you feel when driving the 2012 TL. You’ll experience even better performance with the new Sequential SportShift six-speed automatic transmission, a quieter ride in all models and more versatile audio and infotainment technologies. You’ll also pay less at the pump, thanks to improved fuel economy.

 

The new six-speed automatic transmission offers more than just another gear over the 2011 model. It has steering wheel paddleshifters for sporty driving, and a sport-oriented double-kick-down feature enables super-quick automatic downshifts two gears at a time. That can make a big difference in passing maneuvers, for example, giving you a bigger burst of speed when needed.

 

The Drive-by-Wire^™ throttle system “blips” the throttle to help match gear speeds while downshifting, as a skilled driver would do with a manual transmission. Meanwhile, the high-performance 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD model – with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive – continues to offer a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission for performance purists.

 

You cannot see the new, higher final drive gear ratio in the 2012 Acura TL, but you’ll feel its presence in lower engine revs on the highway. That, along with newly enhanced vehicle sealing techniques, helps give the 2012 TL an even quieter ride. You’ll still hear the pleasing growl of the Acura V6 when you accelerate, of course.

 

The 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 and 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 engines return for 2012 with a slew of friction-reducing techniques and processes applied throughout, and both engines draw cooler air through a revised inlet system. The sports car-inspired double-wishbone independent front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension return for duty in the 2012 TL models with the SH-AWD variant, again featuring its own unique sport tuning. The new Advance Package on the 2012 TL SH-AWD model includes new 245/40R19 all-season tires. These offer significantly improved performance in poor weather conditions compared to “summer” tires while giving this sporty model tenacious handling grip in all conditions.

 

The Acura TL steps up the luxury for 2012 with newly refined interior surfaces, along with available heated/ventilated front seats. Those seats, which come as part of the new Advance Package, lets you tailor all-season comfort with six levels of heat and ventilation. The Advance Package also equips the luxurious TL with larger wheels and a new Blind Spot Information System.

 

The popular Technology Package returns for 2012 with greater song storage capacity (now up to 3,500 songs, compared to 2,500 in the 2011 model), and a new Song By Voice^™ feature that lets you select your music by artist, album, song title, genre, playlist and even composer. You’ll listen through the astonishing Acura/ELS Surround^® 440-watt Premium Audio System, and the Package also includes the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition^™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting^™ and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather^™.

 

You’ll see the navigation screen and images from the rearview camera more clearly with the new brighter, richer LED-backlit display screen. Enhancements to Bluetooth phone pairing and music streaming and a faster USB port add convenience.

 

If that sounds like a lot of upgrading made to an already outstanding car, consider that the MSRP of $35,605 for the 2012 TL continues to represent outstanding Acura value. Consider, too, that it comes with Acura Total Luxury Care^® (TLC^®), which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.

 

Come in and drive the 2012 Acura TL and feel the difference a new model year can make.

 

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