Power comes on gently once the car is rolling, then stays on strong and peaks out just before shifting at the 7000 rpm fuel cutoff. Very entertaining- and it snorts like a V8 out of the biggest set of pipes ever fitted to a factory stock Acura product.
A True Driver's Car
The clutch pedal has very little forgiveness- meaning that it's easy to stall the car, difficult to shift smoothly, and far more rewarding once you've nailed the technique. The steering, albeit for a touch of free play, reacts with sudden urgency and communicates everything at the roads surface. It feels nearly like an S2000, except it has a rear seat, a less violent ride and you can breathe inside of it. It costs less than an S2000 too, and has far more features and safety- which might be just the ticket to convince the wife it's a good buy.
Truly, most models the TL Type-S competes with are soft and spongy by comparison.
But Front Wheel Drive?
Nudge the throttle while leaning hard into a corner, and you're best advised to have both hands on the wheel. That's what happens when 286 ponies are sent to the front. Push too hard, and the suspension bounces tightly as the springs and struts try to reconnect with the tarmac.
Powering out of a corner too soon sees the front end become twitchy and vague, though it still tracks well when pushed thanks to a limited slip differential. Torque steer is never unmanageable, though it's a constant reminder to hang on tight.
Drivers will need to remember to grab the Type-S by the scruff of the neck and guide it along with a firm hand. It's the best handling front driver I've ever driven, and this level of dynamic expertise put to work in a rear-drive machine would be simply staggering.
Control and Comfort
Inside, is a set of leather seats, a decent stereo system, navigation and more than adequate storage space. Wind and suspension noise is a little obtrusive, though the ride on the highway doesn't suffer horribly for the performance the Type-S is capable of. Visual upgrades set it apart inside too- like red lighting, aluminum trim, carbon fibre inserts and appropriate badging.
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| If you are dreaming of a 6-speed manual transmission, you will have to a TL Type-S. |
A True Driver's Car
The clutch pedal has very little forgiveness- meaning that it's easy to stall the car, difficult to shift smoothly, and far more rewarding once you've nailed the technique. The steering, albeit for a touch of free play, reacts with sudden urgency and communicates everything at the roads surface. It feels nearly like an S2000, except it has a rear seat, a less violent ride and you can breathe inside of it. It costs less than an S2000 too, and has far more features and safety- which might be just the ticket to convince the wife it's a good buy.
Truly, most models the TL Type-S competes with are soft and spongy by comparison.
But Front Wheel Drive?
Nudge the throttle while leaning hard into a corner, and you're best advised to have both hands on the wheel. That's what happens when 286 ponies are sent to the front. Push too hard, and the suspension bounces tightly as the springs and struts try to reconnect with the tarmac.
Powering out of a corner too soon sees the front end become twitchy and vague, though it still tracks well when pushed thanks to a limited slip differential. Torque steer is never unmanageable, though it's a constant reminder to hang on tight.
Drivers will need to remember to grab the Type-S by the scruff of the neck and guide it along with a firm hand. It's the best handling front driver I've ever driven, and this level of dynamic expertise put to work in a rear-drive machine would be simply staggering.
Control and Comfort
Inside, is a set of leather seats, a decent stereo system, navigation and more than adequate storage space. Wind and suspension noise is a little obtrusive, though the ride on the highway doesn't suffer horribly for the performance the Type-S is capable of. Visual upgrades set it apart inside too- like red lighting, aluminum trim, carbon fibre inserts and appropriate badging.
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| Exemplary interior features supportive sport seats, red lighting, aluminium trim and carbon fibre inserts. |