Of course the drivetrain only accounts for the first half of the performance factor. The second half belongs to the chassis. BMW set the chassis benchmark with the 3 Series sport coupes and sedans. Dare I say it, but I am of the opinion that our Japanese brethren have met the German benchmark and possibly exceeded it with the new TL. There, I've said it and I am still standing, well sitting actually, upright and conscious. It would take side-by-side runs around a twisty track to identify the true pole sitter in terms of chassis dynamics. Suffice to say the TL will not disappoint any fair-minded, objective motoring enthusiast.
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| The TL's chassis has met and possibly exceeded the benchmark set by BMW's 3-Series. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Slight understeer during hard cornering imparts a sense of control to the driver. There is nothing tricky or unpredictable going on. The rear end stays where it should, behind the front, and the car arcs through curves while maintaining a predetermined line. Should things become perilous, the TL's Vehicle Stability Assist throws a little technology into the mix to provide wheel specific braking in an effort to return control from whence it came. This technology is not a substitute for common sense and caution, of course, and never can or should be, so drive wisely.
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| The TL maintains a supple ride while delivering exceptional handling. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
I have sampled a number of fine handling vehicles over the years, with most rattling loose a filling or two due to the rigidity of their suspension setups. Quite admirably, the new TL has managed to retain ride comfort that is not markedly different than that of its cousin, several times removed, the Honda Accord. Acura press material expounds upon the effort their engineers put into ensuring the TL maintained a quality ride while delivering exceptional handling. Once again I would characterize their effort in this regard as striking the bulls-eye.
The TL utilizes an independent double wishbone suspension and stabilizer bars at both the front and rear, along with speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering. The engineers were also successful at nearly eliminating the bane of all front-drivers, torque-steer, however, the little devil can still present itself under full acceleration when the front wheels are on uneven pavement or dealing with rutted roads. Hence my weakened, but not evaporated skepticism of front-wheel drive performance vehicles.
