Acura
Hot news for 2009: You want new, Acura has loads of it with a fresh TL and TSX sedans, reskinned RL range-topper. Carryover: RDX, MDX Gone: None
Starting line After working on retooling its wagon brigade over the last couple of years to yield a new MDX and RDX, Acura has prepared a full-on remake of its sedan line - base TSX, mid-range TL and top-end RL - for the 2009 model year. The most intriguing of the group is the new fourth-generation upscale-leaning TL that now offers two very models of itself. Although both are similar looking (and longer and wider and have a bit more distance between the front and rear wheels than the previous TL) their demeanor is noticeably different. The starting-point delivers a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that transmits its torque to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission equipped with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The up-level TL SH-AWD features Acura's advanced all-wheel-drive system that can send up to 100 percent of the available torque to the outside rear wheel while turning, which aids agility and cornering ability.
This model includes a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 that's mated to a paddle-shifted five-speed automatic transmission. The AWD TL is definitely sportier with specific suspension settings as well as its own wheels and tires. The all-new TSX for 2009 remains based on the latest Accord from parent Honda, which is bigger than before, although the TSX remains somewhat shorter than the Honda.
The TSX includes dual-zone climate control, power moonroof, xenon headlamps,seven-speaker audio system, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and perforated leather seats that are heated and power-adjustable in front among its many standard features. At the opposite end of the sedan spectrum, the RL certainly has plenty of features as well as the best of the best technology that the Acura brand offers. But the designers elected to go back to the studio to rework both ends of the vehicle. There's also a lightweight aluminum hood and the suspension now has stiffer springs, stabilizer bars and subframe plus a new 18-inch wheel- and-tire package that replaces last year's 17-inchers. Elsewhere in the Acura line, the MDX wagon that was redesigned two years carries forward as does the smaller RDX that was new just a year ago.
Audi
Hot news for 2009: More models every year as Audi now builds a vehicle for just about everyone. - All-new mainstay A4 is bigger than before. - A6 keeps up with styling updates and a new 300-horsepower supercharged V6. - New Q5 tall wagon ready for gas-pump-weary buyers who are still wedded to the idea of a sport ute. - Styling updates to entry-level A3. - New TT-S model for performance minded fashion plates. Carryover: A3; A5; A8; Q7; R8; TT Gone: None
Starting line Over the last year or so, Audi has been making noises about how it wants to double car sales and be a much bigger player on the world scene. Quietly, new models have been added to the lineup such as the R8 two-door supercar, the stunning A5 coupe and the small A3 wagon. Aside from the A3, which gets a bit of the styling update this year, those models are basically unchanged for the 2009 model year. So what's new-new to talk about?
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