This is an interview w/the guy who had overall responsibility for the styling of the G4 Acura TL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2b_8pcleJ4

You probably feel better about Matt, the engineer in overall charge of putting the technology and performance together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPAM3GJODkM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXhdUkwH8-s

 

*throws lit cigarettes at designer*

 

A car's looks shouldn't have to be rationalized.

"Acura's customer base doesn't care about looks; they are more concerned with lap times at VIR."

*two weeks later*

"I don't understand how you can't like how this car looks."

*two weeks later*

"OK so we got the guy responsible for the design here to hopefully shed some light on the philosophy of the design for you guys to understand"

The car is bloated and has some off putting details. Yes I'm sure it performs great, and it has a nice interior, but looks-wise it is polarizing, and just generally doesn't have too many nice looking exterior elements.

Compare this car to
- the last TL
- Honda's best looking sedan, the G2 Legend
- the TSX

It becomes obvious where Honda messed up the design. Leave the exteriors to the Japanese, please Honda. I am begging you.

 

ya there is an out-cry on other boards for the american designers to stay away from the next civic as well

the new tl is fugly . . makes the soul sick

 

The saving grace is that it performs well. Unfortuantely, most people select a car by its looks.

 

It's a shame because I am sure it's prob Honda's best car to date. But there's no point in the effort if the exterior, which is the initial draw, is repulsive.

 

you shouldn't smoke, it's bad for you.

 

How the hell does that guy have that job?

He seems like that douche in high school no one likes.

 

similar to this guy on HT that can find anyone. . . how weird.

 

No pics of yours GK???

Still think you should have bought the RL

 

Basically from what I gather by his wording...he has no clue wtf he was getting at by the design and pretty much came into work really hungover the morning design was due with it drawn on a napkin.

 

I wanted to know who did this?

 

Who smokes? This is pure aggression. Picture the next level of the Clerks gum scene.

 

do not like the new design

 

GK has an Accord, no?

 

He bought a 2010 TL 6-Speed SH AWD

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...2#post40720062

 

dynamic dynamic dynamic dynamic

 

looks like the body of a cow

 

Sometimes I will stare at the trunk lid. I've heard all the explanations, and I guess I understand them, but I swear it still looks like somebody just up and karate-chopped the lid for no apparent reason.

As time goes on, however, I admit that more and more people seem to be liking the looks of the G4 TL.

I put up some pictures of somebody else's car that looks exactly like mine.

One SH-AWD 6-6 with 18" five spoke wheels and Palladium Metallic looks pretty much like every other one built that way.

 

 

After seeing a few on the road and not just in dealership lots, it just looks... wonky compared to other cars on the road. The back end especially just doesn't make sense to me.

 

It would be absolutely idiotic to buy a (non-track day) car that you hate looking at just b/c it will turn a fast time.

 

My dad has one and it has really grown on me. Interior is truly incredible, and i can honestly say is on par or better than my uncles 550e.
The handling and chassis feedback is just ridiculous for a pig that it is, and the fourwheel drive system really does wonders when you start pushing the car. brakes are more than enough for the car and the sound of the engine is incredible for a 6cyl.

For what my dad is paying for it i can honestly say there is not better car on the road.

 

I am now waiting for druid to come in and share how amazing the car looks.

 

You don't know what it looks like when you're driving it. Even if you don't like what it looks like when you're outside the car, you forget it...definitely...when you start driving it.

Yes, it is. Lots of thought went into it.

The electronics are staggering for an old guy, but I'm getting the hang of it. Much of it is intuitive as you get used to the idea behind it.

Today I just guessed that I could say, "Map zoom in" to get what I was thinking and it worked perfectly.