2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type S 6-Speed - The Leader in a Class of One
A couple of years ago I tested what was an all-new 2001 CL Type S for the first time, and was duly impressed. Its powerful engine and competent chassis lacked only one ingredient for true sport coupe status, a manual transmission. Fortunately Acura has addressed this concern for 2003, which gave good reason to book the car again for another close inspection.
While 2002 brought subtle improvements including a redesigned key fob and restyled side mirrors, the 2003 model offers attractive titanium-finish interior trim instead of ungainly gray 'wood-print' trim - my only real complaint of the outgoing model. The rest of the cabin is quite well made, especially the leather clad front seats which are as comfortable and supportive as any I've tested.
That said it's a good thing they hold the driver and passenger in place. All 260-hp spins up to the Acura V6 engines 6,900 rpm redline quickly, made especially enjoyable with the new close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. There's no reason other than the glorious exhaust note to push it to maximum revs, as all the power is found much sooner at 6,100 rpm. With that in mind it's even quicker if driven with a temperate right foot. Truly, there are few cars available that chirp the tires when dropping the clutch in 2nd and 3rd gear, let alone 1st, thus the need to be smooth letting off the clutch as well as on and off the throttle is essential. Get overzealous during either and the front wheels spin in excitement while torque-steer pulls the wheels from side to side until the car becomes unwieldy and overbearing - especially when accelerating up a steep incline. Actually, torque-steer is its Achilles heel and perhaps the only dangerous aspect of what is otherwise a rock of lateral stability. Shifting into 2nd gear under full throttle pulls the car sideways so dramatically it's possible to dart into the adjacent lane - an accident waiting to ensnare the uninitiated.
A couple of years ago I tested what was an all-new 2001 CL Type S for the first time, and was duly impressed. Its powerful engine and competent chassis lacked only one ingredient for true sport coupe status, a manual transmission. Fortunately Acura has addressed this concern for 2003, which gave good reason to book the car again for another close inspection. While 2002 brought subtle improvements including a redesigned key fob and restyled side mirrors, the 2003 model offers attractive titanium-finish interior trim instead of ungainly gray 'wood-print' trim - my only real complaint of the outgoing model. The rest of the cabin is quite well made, especially the leather clad front seats which are as comfortable and supportive as any I've tested.
That said it's a good thing they hold the driver and passenger in place. All 260-hp spins up to the Acura V6 engines 6,900 rpm redline quickly, made especially enjoyable with the new close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. There's no reason other than the glorious exhaust note to push it to maximum revs, as all the power is found much sooner at 6,100 rpm. With that in mind it's even quicker if driven with a temperate right foot. Truly, there are few cars available that chirp the tires when dropping the clutch in 2nd and 3rd gear, let alone 1st, thus the need to be smooth letting off the clutch as well as on and off the throttle is essential. Get overzealous during either and the front wheels spin in excitement while torque-steer pulls the wheels from side to side until the car becomes unwieldy and overbearing - especially when accelerating up a steep incline. Actually, torque-steer is its Achilles heel and perhaps the only dangerous aspect of what is otherwise a rock of lateral stability. Shifting into 2nd gear under full throttle pulls the car sideways so dramatically it's possible to dart into the adjacent lane - an accident waiting to ensnare the uninitiated.