CABIN OVERVIEW
The spacious interior of the TL has been designed to be attentive to
the needs of enthusiast drivers while also delivering maximum comfort
and convenience. From rich leather seating to fine wood-patterned
trim, the cabin exudes an ambiance of warmth and luxury. The
instrument panel is outfitted with large, analog gauges and all
essential controls are grouped within easy reach of the driver -
making the TL cockpit an ideal environment for spirited driving.
The TL Type-S features its own cockpit theme with special trim materials for an enhanced feel of sportiness.
STYLING
In designing the TL cabin, the interior designers looked to Pacific
Coast powerboats for their inspiration. Their muse can be readily
seen in the sweeping, wraparound cockpit design and the purposeful
instrument panel configuration. At the same time, the TL cabin offers
a highly personalized flavor, with controls designed for rewarding
tactile feedback and fine materials selected to enhance the inviting
ambiance.
INTERIOR ROOMINESS
With 110.5 cubic feet of interior volume, the TL ranks as a midsize
car - and one of the most spacious sedans in its class. To create
this roomy, five-passenger cabin environment, engineers capitalized
on the space efficiency provided by the TL's unit-body design and
compact, multi-link rear suspension
SEATS
The standard power front seats of the TL are designed to provide both
enduring comfort over long drives and secure support during spirited
driving maneuvers. The stitching pattern of the U.S.-sourced leather
was carefully planned to ensure that it remained comfortable during
extended cruises. The wide, contoured seats incorporate dual-density
backrests for a soothing and enveloping feel, and also include firm
side bolsters to hold the driver and front passenger in place during
high lateral-g cornering.
The driver's seat is eight-way power adjustable and linked to the 3.2 TL's keyless remote entry system. Linked by a memory system with the outside mirrors, it permits one of two preset configurations to be accessed at the touch of a button. The front passenger's seat is four-way adjustable.
The driver's seat includes a heated bottom cushion and backrest, while the passenger's seat offers a heated bottom cushion. Both front seats include 4-way adjustable headrests on the 3.2 TL and 2-way adjustable headrests on the TL Type-S. All five TL seating positions are equipped with three-point seat belts.
For enhanced ventilation and a sporty appearance, the seats in the Type-S are trimmed in perforated leather. The Type-S seats also feature deeper bolsters and added support for sporty driving.
INSTRUMENTATION
Keeping the driver informed at all times is a highly accurate,
micro-processor-controlled instrument cluster with displays for
engine speed, vehicle speed, outside air temperature, fuel level,
dual trip meter, and secured door signal. The large tachometer face
includes a bright LED digital display that indicates the current gear
position when the transmission is in its semi-manual SportShift mode.
Illuminated pointers on the analog instruments make the gauges easy
to read regardless of the amount of light in the cabin. The TL Type-S
includes a metallic-faced instrument cluster for a sportier cockpit
look.
MATERIALS
All of the materials used inside the TL cabin were carefully selected
to create an atmosphere of refinement and soothing luxury. The
instrument panel and door armrests are made with a special molding
process that creates a softer-feeling surface with a uniform surface
grain. The sides of the center console are backed with soft foam to
cushion the legs of the driver and the passenger. Wood-patterned
accents on the door panel and edges of the console warm the look of
the 3.2 TL interior.
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
For exceptional comfort and convenience, the TL is equipped with a
state-of-the-art, high-capacity, Automatic Climate Control System.
The system's large compressor and evaporator help provide extremely
rapid cabin-temperature correction while adjustable rear seat vents
positioned behind the center console help to cool the backseat
quickly and efficiently. The TL's heater is equally effective and
uses an aluminum heater core and the same quiet blower unit as the
air conditioning unit.
Controls on the dash allow the system to be overridden manually. When equipped with the available DVD-based Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System, the override controls for the Automatic Climate Control System are incorporated into the computer-controlled, touchscreen LCD monitor.
MICRON AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM
To help ensure a clean, pollutant-free cabin environment, the TL's
automatic climate control system is complemented by a standard micron
air-filtration system that traps dust and pollen particles as small
as eight microns and bacteria as small as one micron.
ACURA SATELLITE-LINKED NAVIGATION SYSTEM
The DVD-based Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available
as the only factory-installed option on the fully equipped 2003 Acura
TL. Like the similar system in the 3.5 RL flagship sedan, the TL's
unit utilizes a bright, easy-to-read LCD color touchscreen display in
the center dash, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, an
on-board inertial guidance unit, and a DVD database to provide the
driver with route and navigation guidance for millions of
destinations across the continental United States.
Using GPS data received from orbiting satellites, plus information from the on-board inertial-guidance system, the Navigation System can determine the vehicle's precise location in seconds. Using the touchscreen display, the driver enters a destination and the Navigation System guides him there using clear audio voice cues and a detailed moving-map display. For exceptional convenience, the DVD database stores information on 3.7 million points of interest - including ATMs, service stations, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, and more.
The large, 6-inch color LCD display in the dash offers picture-in-picture capability, so the driver can see both a detailed map and highlighted turning instructions simultaneously. The system can display the vehicle's current position at any time, while a balloon function allows the driver to summon the address of any location simply by selecting it on the map. The system can also search for a desired destination by phone number.
In addition to the moving-map display, the system highlights route directions with clear voice instructions. Eleven different volume settings are available, and for ease of use the system automatically mutes the audio system's front speakers whenever a voice instruction is given.
The DVD-ROM database includes mapping information for all freeway networks and every major metropolitan area in the United States. Updating the Navigation System is accomplished quickly and easily by simply changing DVD discs. Updated DVDs are published annually and are available through Acura for a nominal charge.
ONSTAR® IN-VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS AND ASSISTANCE SERVICE
OnStar® is standard in all TL models fitted with the Acura
Satellite-Linked Navigation System. Providing an extra level of
security and convenience, OnStar can offer 24-hour emergency
assistance, accident notification, airbag deployment notification,
stolen vehicle tracking, door unlock command and vehicle tracking.
The OnStar activation button is located on the rearview mirror. Pressing the button provides quick access to a live OnStar advisor, any time day or night. Using input from orbiting GPS satellites, the OnStar advisor can easily pinpoint the location of the owner's vehicle to help provide assistance.
In the event of theft, subscribers need only contact the OnStar Center (after filing a police report) and provide a personal identification number. An OnStar advisor can then pinpoint the car and direct authorities to its exact location.
OnStar-equipped TLs come with a free one year subscription to the Safe and Sound Plan. In addition, TL owners can choose to upgrade (additional cost) to either the Directions and Connections Plan or the Luxury and Leisure Plan. The Directions and Connections Plan adds route support, online concierge and convenience services and ride assist. The Luxury and Leisure Plan adds personal concierge services and other benefits (Med-Net fee is also waved for the first year). The optional Personal-Calling Package, which includes wireless phone and "Virtual Advisor" Internet services, is available as part of both plans for an additional charge. The Luxury and Leisure Plan adds personal concierge services and other benefits.
PREMIUM ACURA/BOSE® MUSIC SYSTEM
For a car as sophisticated and luxurious as the TL, only the finest
of audio systems was considered appropriate. Thus, the TL features a
standard Acura/Bose® Music System custom-engineered to take maximum
advantage of the unique acoustics of the TL cabin.
Using data from such advanced measuring tools as microphone-equipped mannequins, Bose engineers precisely located each of the system's five speakers for optimum fidelity. Bose equalization circuitry automatically maintains proper tonal balance at all times, yielding a natural, lifelike musical experience no matter which seating position the passenger occupies.
Anchoring this remarkable music system is a 9-inch Bose Neodymium woofer in the rear package shelf. Using a rare earth, neodymium iron boron magnet, this sophisticated speaker produces powerful, accurate bass and impressive output from a remarkably slim and compact package.
Complementing the Bose speaker array is a new 6-disc, in-dash CD changer that eliminates the need for a separate trunk-mounted changer unit or CD cartridges. Though similar in appearance to a conventional single-disc in-dash CD player, the Acura/Bose in-dash changer stores up to 6 compact discs behind the flush-mounted faceplate. Operating just like a conventional trunk-mounted unit, the Acura/Bose changer can automatically shuffle tracks within one CD at random and provides hours of uninterrupted listening pleasure. For maximum flexibility, the Acura/Bose head unit also includes a cassette deck. To allow the driver to remain focused on the road ahead, the radio stations, CD changer, and system volume can be conveniently operated using controls mounted on the steering wheel.
POWER GLASS MOONROOF
For those occasions when the driver wants to enjoy open-air driving,
the TL includes a standard power operated glass moonroof that can be
tilted-up or fully opened. The moonroof's trim, efficient packaging,
with sliding sunshade, ensures that it does not infringe upon the
TL's abundant headroom.
MULTIPLEX DATA BUS
The three separate CPUs in the TL-which control such functions as
warning systems, intermittent wipers, and the auto-headlight
system-communicate with each other via a multiplex data bus, which
requires considerably less wiring and is more reliable than
conventional systems.
KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM WITH MEMORY FEATURE
A standard keyless remote entry system allows the driver and
passenger doors to be unlocked by pressing a button on the key fob. A
"panic button" on the keyless remote activates the security siren and
flashes the headlights to summon assistance in an emergency. The
keyless entry remotes also include a trunk-release button for easy
access.
Two separate keyless remotes allow two different drivers to quickly customize the driving position to their preferred positions. When remote number one is pressed to unlock the door, the driver's seat will automatically reset itself to that driver's memorized seat position. Similarly, when remote number two is pressed, the driver's seat will automatically move to the second memory setting. The memory function may be turned off without affecting other remote entry system features.
TRUNK STORAGE
Thanks in large part to the compact dimensions of the TL's multi-link
rear suspension, the trunk volume is an impressive 14.3 cubic feet.
The trunk is designed with a wide opening and a low lift-over height
for easy loading and unloading of cargo. To carry long items such as
snow skis, the trunk features a lockable, flip-down pass-through door
in the rear seat. Other trunk conveniences include a
multiple-attachment cargo net, a jack and toolbox in a closed
compartment, a storage compartment on the trunk's left side, an
overhead hook for securing plastic grocery bags, and a tether with a
hook that allows the trunk floor to be secured in the raised position
for easy access to the spare tire.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
The Acura TL offers a comprehensive array of handy features as
standard equipment. These include:
- Overhead storage compartment for sunglasses
- Large, dual cupholder in the center console with a removable lining for easy cleaning
- Illuminated, two-compartment console with internal power port
- Padded center armrest slides fore and aft for comfort
- Glove box includes damper-controlled door and interior light
- Trunk opening switch on the driver's door panel with trunk valet on/off switch in glove compartment
- Sliding sun visor extension
- Illuminated power window and mirror switches
- HomeLink® remote system operates up to three different devices
- Vehicle speed-sensitive intermittent wipers
- Dual cupholder built into rear fold-down armrest
- Security system with remote keyless entry and "panic button" feature
- Automatic day/night rearview mirror
- Lockable trunk pass-through
- Two-position memory driver's seat and mirrors
- Auto tilt-down passenger side mirror
- 4-way adjustable headrests (3.2 TL)