Delray Acura

DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR
 John LeBlanc
 Special to the Star


DETROIT ? Don't let any of the boosterism produced by the local media fool you: the North American International Auto Show ain't what it used to be.

Not only have the hometown automakers ? Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors ? cut back on the number of show cars and Las Vegas-style presentations compared with previous years, but brands that really should show up to get car lovers' hearts pumping ? Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce ? continue to be absent from what continues to be billed as an "international" show.

Of course, fewer participants means more media attention for the automakers that have new concepts, like Japan's struggling pair of luxury brands, Toyota's Lexus and Honda's Acura.

Mainly due to the lack of official information released beforehand, and the cult-like status of its predecessor, the concept for the reincarnation of the Acura NSX super car is arguably the hit of this year's show. It also represents the tip of a host of new engineering and technologies that will also appear in future Acuras and Hondas.

Like the 1990 to 2005 original, the new NSX is a two-door with only two seats, has a V6 engine in the middle of its chassis, and is wrapped in low-slung bodywork, reminiscent of cars from the absent Italian exotic brands.

However, unlike the rear-wheel-drive, Japanese-built original, the new NSX ? which Honda promises will be on sale "within three years" ? will be all-wheel-drive, built in the U.S., and may have as much as 400 horsepower (or more!).

The new-age NSX will also have its direct-injected gas-V6 aided by one electric motor built into its dual-clutch automatic transmission and a pair of e-motors that direct torque to the outside front wheel and negative torque to the inside front wheel during cornering.

When you purchase an Acura Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, you can expect the same uncompromising standards of a brand-new Acura. All vehicles are under six years old with less than 80,000 miles and have a 12-month/12,000-mile Certified Limited Warranty. Each vehicle must also pass a 150-point vehicle inspection and is covered by an extensive Roadside Assistance program. 

Certification Process
Every vehicle must pass stringent measures before it can become a Certified Pre-Owned Acura. Only well-maintained, late-model Acura vehicles are considered, and each one must pass a comprehensive 150-point inspection and a Vehicle History Report review. Virtually every mechanical system-from the engine to the door locks-is checked and serviced to meet precise specifications, and a thorough appearance inspection scrutinizes fit and finish-inside and out-to ensure that every vehicle upholds the luxury and sophistication of the Acura name. The Acura Dealership technicians also inspect all placements of the Vehicle Identification Number to ensure that the VIN plates match. In addition, the VIN is researched for open service campaigns.

A Complete Vehicle Dossier in Every Glove BoxEach Certified Pre-Owned vehicle comes with a full set of required manuals and documentation. Our inspection checklist ensures each manual is placed in the glove box or provided at delivery.

Owner's Manual
New Car Warranty Manual
Certified Warranty booklet
CARFAX Vehicle History Report (full history / title check report)
Copy of 150-point inspection checklist (once completed)
Radio security code
Navigation code (if applicable)
Maintenance Journal (2003 and newer models)

Cutting-Edge Technology Features Make the 2011 MDX a Class Leader

The award-winning Acura MDX luxury SUV continues to be the category benchmark for styling, performance and safety for 2011. Currently in its second generation, the MDX offers tremendous appeal thanks to a wide array of available technology features designed to make driving more enjoyable, more productive and safer.

The 2011 MDX continues to deliver eye-catching looks as a result of Acura's signature design front grille, a bold front fascia, a rear fascia with integrated polished stainless-steel exhaust finishers, sleek taillights with bright LED lights, and bold 18-inch diameter 5-spoke aluminum wheels. An available Advance Package (with items such as the Active Damper System and 19-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels) further enhances handling while retaining the comfortable, quiet and controlled ride quality expected of a luxury vehicle.

Inside, the 2011 MDX treats occupants with leather-trimmed seats, a thick sport-style steering wheel with racing-inspired paddle shifters, bold design gauges and available ventilated front seats. In addition, a host of driver relevant technology is available including AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™, and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with radar image maps. Other available features include a full VGA 8-inch navigation screen, a rear view camera with three unique view choices, rear entertainment system with a full VGA color screen, an audio system with 15 gigabytes of hard disk drive (HDD) space and USB port connectivity.

"Long considered the benchmark in its class, the MDX has always provided equal parts sport and utility," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "Add in Acura's plentiful use of cutting-edge technology, and you can see why the MDX is so popular."

In keeping with Acura's leadership in the application of advanced, customer-relevant features, the 2011 MDX is available with an array of cutting edge technologies including Acura's unique Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and a blind spot information system (BSI).

Acura is celebrating this month its first 25 years of operation in the United States, while it also prepares for the arrival of the all-new TL performance luxury sedan and the new TSX Sport Wagon. When it was first launched in 1986, Acura was the first Japanese luxury-performance nameplate in the world.

The brand?s US dealerships offered customers two different models, namely the Legend luxury sedan and the sporty Integra that was available in 3- and 5-door hatchback variations. The Acura lineup continued to expand over the years with the addition of the NSX sports car, the 3.5RL sedan, the 2.2CL coupe, the 2.5TL and 3.2TL, the MDX, the RSX sports coupe, the TSX, and the RDX.
In motorsports, for 2007 Acura debuted three teams in American Le Mans Series competition. At the famed 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, Acura engines powered vehicles to First, Second and Fourth places in the competitive LMP2 class.

Today, the Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and all-new Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

For 2011, Acura offers a host of innovative features, such as Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather, Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a blind spot information (BSI) system and Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS).

Acura?s network comprises 270 dealers within the United States. The company began its 25th Anniversary year by winning the 2011 ALG Residual Value Award for Best Near Luxury Car. As said, the division also unveiled the all-new 2011 TSX Sport Wagon and the newly refined 2012 TL that debuted at the Chicago Auto Show.  

Acura announced today that the TL performance luxury sedan received the 2011 ALG Residual Value Award for Best Near Luxury Car. The ALG Residual Value Awards recognize the vehicle in each industry segment that is predicted to retain the highest percentage of original purchase price after a conventional three-year period.

"It is an honor to win our fourth ALG Residual Value Award for the Acura TL," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "The Acura TL combines the best of advanced technology, luxury, performance and quality at an unbeatable value".
ALG determines the award winners after carefully studying the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts include vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, pricing strategies and resale performance.

"The TL offers an unmatched combination of size, technology and sportiness that buyers love," said Raj Sundaram, SVP, ALG. "Acura's value pricing was also a major factor in the TL claiming the top spot in the near luxury category."

Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The 2011 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV, the MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the all-new ZDX four-door sports coupe.

About ALG
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" ? the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 40 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a company of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRAK).

By Zach Gale, Motor Trend
 
Acura's much-maligned TL has been reinvigorated. With fresh styling and a new six-speed automatic transmission, the refreshed 2012 Acura TL may no longer be the odds-on favorite to make fun of from a design perspective. The mid-size Acura four-door debuts at the Chicago Auto Show and goes on sale later this year. The five-speed automatic transmission on the TL is gone; for 2012, all automatic-transmission TLs get a six-speed. In front-wheel-drive form, fuel economy is expected to improve from 18/26 mpg city/highway to 20/29 mpg, a noticeable boost.

Acura's 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 remain, but the automaker says that optimized gear ratios will make the cars slightly quicker. The new six-speed automatic will also allow double-kickdowns, for example, from fifth to third gear. The six-speed manual transmission is still an option for those who start with the 3.7-liter V-6 and Acura's "super-handling" all-wheel drive. NVH levels have been improved on the 2012 TL but, for many, dynamics and luxury were never the glaring faults of the car. That dubious distinction goes to the awkward grille. The 2012 TL's stylistic enhancements go much farther than simply giving the car a new grille like the one you'll find on the refreshed TSX. There are plenty of new design details that may, finally, help Acura convince luxury car buyers that the TL is again worth consideration.

The 2009-2011 TL's aggressive styling may have been a little too bold for the market, suggests Jeff Conrad, Acura's vice president of sales, though we'd probably use a different word to describe it. Besides the new grille that's positioned lower on the body, the TL has revised fog light surrounds on the lower front fascia, which now has a character line connecting them.The headlights have been updated, as well, and Acura says that the front overhang is now shorter. The 2012 model year also marks the introduction of new wheel styles for the 17- and 18-inch sizes while the SH-AWD's optional 19-inchers come with new P245/40R19 all-season tires.From behind, the 2012 TL benefits from a number of small changes, starting with a new diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper. The license plate area has moved upward a bit, and two new character lines break up the huge mass of bumper. Up close, owners of the 2009-2011 TL may notice that the taillights use red chrome instead of silver trim.

Better technology heads to the TL for the 2012 model year. The navigation system is now 60 gigabytes and map coverage is more expansive. The monitor is brighter and has richer colors than before, Acura says. The USB connection speed is faster, and new ventilated front seats are an option as part of the Advance Package. A new blind spot information system completes the interior changes on the TL, which is 3 decibels quieter at highway speeds.