Acura 3.2CL Coupe reveals a slick new shape and robust power
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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PORT JERVIS, N.Y. -- Stylists in the California design studio of Acura, the upscale Honda line for performance and luxury, have reworked the CL coupe series by borrowing structural and mechanical components of Acura's impressive 3.2TL sedan, adding the TL's powerful engine plus a silky five-speed automatic with clutch-less manual shifter, then carving out a four-place passenger compartment with overtones of luxury while dressing the package in crisp sheetmetal shapes that look smooth and sophisticated.
Acura's product planners also equipped the CL with all sorts of active mechanical hardware, from independent wishbone suspension for all wheels to precise rack and pinion steering with speed-sensitive power assistance, anti-lock brakes and a traction control system.
Deluxe standard comforts include plush leather seats and a six-speaker Bose sound system with in-dash CD player for six discs, even a power moonroof that tilts and slides.
Production of this new CL -- labeled the 3.2CL after the displacement of its V6 engine -- occurs stateside in Ohio, where Honda operates assembly and engine plants to build the compact Civic and mid-size Accord models.
Two versions of the coupe's treatment include the 3.2CL base model with a 3.2-liter V6 producing 225 hp and the Type S with tweaking and tuning of the same engine to extract more muscle -- a total of 260 hp.
Initial editions of this coupe included four-cylinder and V6 editions based on Honda's Accord but with the styling variation of a boattail crease in the back. Sticker figures for the original Acura coupes generally mirrored the price structure of Accord, after compensating for additional luxury gear, but topped out around $27,000.
The new 3.2CL, by contrast, expands cabin space and piles on more luxury equipment, a larger powertrain and sophisticated transmission. Still, the manufacturer's suggested list price only reaches to $27,980, plus a delivery fee of $455. The CL Type S, with even more power and a vehicle stability control system, comes to $30,330.
There's more substance to Acura's treatment of the latest CL over the original, but not much difference in price points for comparable equipment.
Then examine pricing for the 3.2CL against other Japanese and German coupes in the entry-luxury class and the advantage tips to Acura -- by a wide margin.
It also beats the competition in horsepower.
Obviously, Acura has devised a way to construct a better coupe for less dollars. As a result, the 3.2CL scores as one of this year's best values.
To build a better car for less bucks, Acura drastically cut start-up expenses for a new design by specifying primary structural and mechanical systems from the existing platform of the TL sedan, which also comes together at an Ohio assembly facility. Further, Acura found more savings through the distribution process by basing the car's assembly in North America in proximity to potential customers. All adds up to production economies gained through the global manufacturing tentacles of Honda.
The car produced by this scheme amounts to more than simply the TL sedan with two rear doors removed, however, because more than 75 percent of the core ingredients rank as exclusive to the CL and its sheetmetal styling is unique.
It's also dramatically different from the predecessor version, with 4.6 cubic feet more room in the passenger compartment and the rare coupe commodity of genuine legroom for rear seat positions, a boost in trunk size with best-in-class space of 13.6 cubic feet, and the chassis stiffer by 23 percent for resistance to torsional twisting.
Exterior styling begins with a basic wedge-shaped body dressed in clean and smooth lines offset by crisp edges and defined shoulders plus a windshield raked rearward in aggressive fashion. At the canted prow, Acura's pentagonal grille gets a ring of chrome and squeezes between composite lenses shielding Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. Monochromatic bumpers and cladding convey the understated elegance of elite luxury imports.
Behind this classy facade, a rigid unibody structure surrounds engine and passenger compartments. The form grows out of a ladder-type frame fortified by large box section rails and bracing at critical points to increase rigidity. Subframes front and rear attach to isolate the CL's suspension so the independent double wishbone arrangement filters surface irregularities of a bumpy road to deliver smooth ride sensations.
Tuning of suspension components produces a taut and lively tone. We found in comparative tests that the CL body remains relatively flat through a set of curves.
Beneath the hood a fiberglass liner works in conjunction with hydraulic engine mounts to absorb noise and vibration from the engine. Also, asphalt sheeting and other insulating materials wrap around the passenger compartment to further isolate the cabin. The extensive sound-control measures result in a quality of quietness that rivals expensive luxury cars.
The CL employs a front-wheel-drive format with the transversly-mounted 60-degree V6 engine from the TL.
Displacing 3.2 liters with single overhead cam, the plant contains multiple valves and Honda's VTEC wizardry for precise valve control. It generates a robust 225 hp at 5600 rpm and connects to a sophisticated electronic automatic five-speed transmission with Honda's SportShift sequential shifter slot for manual shifting on demand.
The transmission also has a unique "grade logic" shift point governor which selects third and fourth gear settings after measuring variables like throttle position, road speed and rates of acceleration and deceleration.
Top-trim Type S with the same core engine gains a high-volume intake system and less restrictive exhaust plus high compression for cylinders to increase air flow and extract even more power. This version hops to 260 hp at 6100 rpm.
Type S increases wheel size by an inch to roll on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with all-season rubber. The suspension feels even firmer in sporty stance with stiffer springs and shocks and a thicker rear stabilizer bar.
Power disc brakes for both versions link to anti-lock and traction control devices, and additional safety elements include frontal and side-impact air bags with sensors in the front passenger seat that deactivate the side air bag automatically when a child sits up front.
The interior, with twin front buckets and two more spaces on a rear bench, features soft leather upholstery with heat elements and power controls for front seats. Standard equipment ranges from an automatic climate system to cruise control and power for windows and remote door locking, heated exterior mirrors and the Bose stereo with CD changer and audio controls set on the steering wheel.
Acura's dash-mounted navigation system at $2000 is the only option.
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| 2001 ACURA 3.2 CL VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size near-luxury coupe
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size near-luxury coupe
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| Wheelbase: |
106.9 inches
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| Overall Length: |
192.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.2L VTEC V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5 SportShift
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
19/29 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 27,980 to $ 32,330 |
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