Although I haven’t owned a car equipped with a manual gearbox for quite some time, I always find pleasure in rowing through the gears of a so-equipped tester – and this week’s ride is a marvelous example of that.
6-speed stick new for 2010
The big news for the 2010 TL SH-AWD is the adoption of a clutch. Simple as it is, the new piece of hardware transforms Acura’s much-lauded sports sedan into a true driver’s car. As functional as they are, electronic manual modes are incapable of rewarding drivers with the same level of engagement delivered via a clutch and manual shifter.
A manual transmission unites the driver with the car’s powertrain in a manner that’s essential to movement. In this symbiotic relationship, the driver metamorphoses into a mechanical implement served by a brain; shift mapping becomes cerebral rather than computerized and cog swaps are physically executed rather than electronically.
If performed correctly, this collaborative event becomes harmonious and exhilarating – a reward that is the Holy Grail for performance purists. And in the case of the 2010 TL SH-AWD, the process is near sublime thanks to the accuracy and ease-of-operation inherent in Acura’s 6-speed manual gearbox. Few vehicles, irrespective of price tag, supply a mixer more gratifying.
It’s a short-throw stick that clicks from position to position with no greater effort than that of two fingers; in a sense, this gearbox anticipates the next move. The other half of executing the perfect shift – and perhaps the most influential – belongs to the left foot.
Clutch travel is short and light, predictable and progressive. There’s no need to treat the clutch pedal with more aggression than a quick, gentle dip when rowing through the numbers. And to eliminate any start-up fear imposed by a steep grade and a fool on your bumper, the TL features Acura’s Hill Start Assist (HSA) function to prevent rollback prior to clutch engagement.
Undoubtedly, the majority of TL buyers will opt for the automatic 5-speed transmission that accompanies the full TL line. The optional manual affair is only available with the top-tier TL SH-AWD when combined with Acura’s optional Technology Package. Naturally, the top-tier TL carries with it top-shelf pricing. My tester rang in with an MSRP of $48,490.
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| The 2010 TL SH-AWD is one of those cars that I can attest to enjoy driving beyond the norm of cars that I enjoy driving. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
6-speed stick new for 2010
The big news for the 2010 TL SH-AWD is the adoption of a clutch. Simple as it is, the new piece of hardware transforms Acura’s much-lauded sports sedan into a true driver’s car. As functional as they are, electronic manual modes are incapable of rewarding drivers with the same level of engagement delivered via a clutch and manual shifter.
A manual transmission unites the driver with the car’s powertrain in a manner that’s essential to movement. In this symbiotic relationship, the driver metamorphoses into a mechanical implement served by a brain; shift mapping becomes cerebral rather than computerized and cog swaps are physically executed rather than electronically.
If performed correctly, this collaborative event becomes harmonious and exhilarating – a reward that is the Holy Grail for performance purists. And in the case of the 2010 TL SH-AWD, the process is near sublime thanks to the accuracy and ease-of-operation inherent in Acura’s 6-speed manual gearbox. Few vehicles, irrespective of price tag, supply a mixer more gratifying.
It’s a short-throw stick that clicks from position to position with no greater effort than that of two fingers; in a sense, this gearbox anticipates the next move. The other half of executing the perfect shift – and perhaps the most influential – belongs to the left foot.
Clutch travel is short and light, predictable and progressive. There’s no need to treat the clutch pedal with more aggression than a quick, gentle dip when rowing through the numbers. And to eliminate any start-up fear imposed by a steep grade and a fool on your bumper, the TL features Acura’s Hill Start Assist (HSA) function to prevent rollback prior to clutch engagement.
Undoubtedly, the majority of TL buyers will opt for the automatic 5-speed transmission that accompanies the full TL line. The optional manual affair is only available with the top-tier TL SH-AWD when combined with Acura’s optional Technology Package. Naturally, the top-tier TL carries with it top-shelf pricing. My tester rang in with an MSRP of $48,490.
 |
| The big news for the 2010 TL SH-AWD is the adoption of a clutch. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |