Acura CL

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Acura CL

Manufacturer:	Honda
Production:	1997–1999, 2001–2003
Assembly:	Marysville, Ohio
Predecessor:	Acura Legend Coupe
Class:	Mid-size luxury car
Body style:	2-door coupe
Related:	Acura TL Honda Accord
Similar:	Audi A4 Cadillac Eldorado Volvo C70

First generation

Production:	1997–1999
Engine:	2.2 L or 2.3 L I4; J30 V6
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	106.90 in.
Length:	190.00 in.
Width:	70.10 in.
Height:	54.70 in.

Second generation

Production:	2001–2003
Engine:	3.2 L SOHC VTEC J-series V6
Transmission:	5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	106.90 in.
Length:	192.00 in.
Width:	70.60 in.
Height:	55.50 in.

The Acura CL is a model of automobile manufactured by Honda between 1997 and 2003 and was designed to replace the Acura Legend coupe.

Following the end of the 1995 model year, The Acura Legend coupe disappeared from Acura's line-up when the sedan version was renamed the Acura RL. The coupe was replaced by the Acura CL for the 1997 model year, following Acura's transition to alphanumeric naming of all of its vehicles except for the Integra, which continued until the 2001 model year. CL stands for "Contemporary Luxury".

[edit] First generation (1997-1999)

For the 1997 model year, the CL was initially offered with either a 3.0 L J30 V6 or a 2.2 L I4 engine, which was later bumped up to 2.3 L for the 1998 and 1999 models. Also, there were four different versions of the CL known as the 2.x Base, 2.x Premium, 3.0 Base, and finally the 3.0 Premium. The Premium models had numerous extra features such heated leather seats as well as a premium Bose stereo system. For the non-premium CLs, interior choices were either cloth or leather (the premium version had heated leather). All Acura CLs were built at Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio alongside the TL and the Honda Accord upon which the Acuras were based. Also, the CL is the first Acura to be built in the United States.

[edit] Second generation (2001-2003)

For the 2000 model year, the Acura CL's sibling, the TL, was redesigned. The CL, however, was never produced as a 2000 model and instead in March of 2000 the completely redesigned Acura CL was released as a 2001 model featuring a 3.2 L SOHC VTEC J-series V6. A navigation system was also available along with the Type-S model, denoting Acura's 'Sport' edition. While the regular CL featured a 225 horsepower V6, the Type-S boasted a 260 horsepower V6 with 17" wheels, a firmer suspension, slightly larger brakes, and firmer seats.

In 2002, the CL Type-S was offered, as a 2003 model, with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. One of the main criticisms of the CL was that a manual transmission had been dropped when the car was redesigned for the 2001 model year. Very few manual transmission models were built; there were 2,691 without navigation and 820 with navigation for a total of 3511. Despite such small numbers of manual transmissions there was still a greater demand than Acura had expected. However, with the CL's sister car, the TL, coming up on a redesign for the 2004 model year, the CL was dropped from Acura's lineup due to declining sales, and Acura currently has no mid-sized luxury coupe replacement. Total Acura CL sales from 2000 until 2003, when the last new model was sold, totalled less than 31,000 units. The CL's manual transmission survives in the TL.

The CL is a 2-door which is similar to the TL and suffers the same transmission issues. The 5-speed experienced sudden downshifts from 5th gear to 2nd gear, which caused tire-screeching and a loss of control from regular freeway speeds. Also it slipped, flared or failed to shift. There was a recall to route oil to one overheating gear but this was only a rare problem. The real problem was excessive wear and overheating of clutch disks. The third clutch pack was most often the problem. Clutches reached a temperature of 350 degrees Celsius. Broken-off pieces of worn clutch material would clog the transmission so that transmission fluid could not flow where it should, so the transmission would begin to slip and not shift. Very frequent transmission fluid changes did not solve the problem. Even units with add-on transmission coolers were not immune. Because of these problems, there is a 7-year, 100,000-mile extended warranty on the 5-speed automatic transmission. There is even a pending class action lawsuit which may extend the warranty to 109,000 miles. Replacement units have also had problems. Many Acura CL and TL owners have suffered through multiple transmission replacements because of failures. Resale value has declined as knowledge of transmission problems has become widespread.

Acura — A division of Honda — road car timeline, 1986-present - [edit]

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