Acura CL

Acura CL

Acura CL
Acura
aka	none
Production	1997-1999 2001-2003
Class	Mid-size luxury
Body Style	2-door coupe
Length	First Gen: 4,826 mm Second Gen: 4,877 mm
Width	First Gen: 1,781 mm Second Gen: 1,793 mm
Height	First Gen: 1,389 mm Second Gen: 1,410 mm
Wheelbase	2,715 mm
Weight	1574 kg (3.2)
Transmission	First Gen: 4-speed Auto + FWD 5-speed Manual + FWD Second Gen: 5-speed Auto + FWD 6-speed Manual + FWD
Engine	First Gen: 2.2 L F22B1 I4 2.3 L F23A1 I4 3.0 L J30A1 V6 Second Gen: 3.2L V6 VTEC
Power	3.2 Type S: 260 hp @ 6,100 rpm 232 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,500 rpm
Similar	similar (competition)
Designer	Unknown

The Acura CL is a mid-size luxury coupé manufactured by Honda's Acura brand from 1997 to 1999, and from 2001 to 2003. The CL is often thought to have been a replacement for the Acura Legend coupe, but with the advent of the TL in 1996, which directly replaced the Vigor, the CL is more precisely a TL coupe. All Acura CLs were built at Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio alongside the Acura TL and the Honda Accord upon which the Acura CLs were based. The CL was the first Acura to be built in the United States.

Following the end of the 1995 model year, the Acura Legend Coupe disappeared from Acura's lineup when the sedan version was renamed the Acura RL. The CL was not a direct replacement for the Legend coupe as it no longer shared the same chassis as its sedan counterpart, and was not made in Japan, unlike the RL which still is. The first CL was a model year 1996. Because Acura no longer had a suitable Legend coupe replacement, they created the CL, which is based on the first generation Acura TL, which was released one year before the CL. With the release of the TL and 3.5RL in 1996 Acura transitioned to alphanumeric and/or two letter names, naming of all of its vehicles (with the exception of the Acura Integra, which kept its name until the 2001 Model year). Although the CL was considered to be a satisfactory vehicle, it never gained traction or popularity like the other Acura coupes.

Model changes throughout the years

1997: First generation introduced; offered with either a 2.2L I4 or a 3.0L V6
1998: 2.2L I4 dropped, replaced by 2.3L I4
1999: Leather upholstery becomes standard
2001: Second generation introduced; only offered with a 3.2L V6
2003: Last model year for the CL; 6-speed manual transmission offered

Styles and Major Options

The Acura CL is only available as a 2-door coupe. The first generation comes in 2.2, 2.3, and 3 trim levels. The 2.2 was only available for 1997, while the 2.3 was available for 1998 and 1999. The second generation comes in 3.2 and 3.2 Type S trim levels.

Pricing

1997

Trims
2.2	3
MSRP
$22,110	$25,110

1998

Trims
2.3	3
MSRP
$22,310	$25,310

1999

Trims
2.3	3
MSRP
$23,100	$26,150

2001

Trims
3.2	3.2 Type S
MSRP
$27,980	$30,330

2002

Trims
3.2	3.2 Type S
MSRP
$28,030	$30,380

2003

Trims
3.2	3.2 Type S
MSRP
$28,200	$30,550

Gas Mileage

Add more fields as necessary.

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
Trim1	Trim2	Trim3	Trim4
MPG
c/h	c/h	c/h	c/h

Engine and Transmission

Engines
2.2L I4 (1997) - 145 hp
2.3L I4 (1998-1999) - 150 hp
3.0L V6 (1997-1999) - 200 hp
3.2L V6 (2001-2003) - 225 hp (3.2), 260 hp (3.2 Type S)

Transmissions
First generation: 4-speed automatic/5-speed manual
Second generation: 5-speed automatic/6-speed manual

Performance

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Reliability

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Safety

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Photos

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Colors

• San Marino Red
• Sandance Gold
• Nighthawk Black
• Satin Silver
• Taffeta White

Main Competitors

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Hybrid Models

There are no hybrid models of the CL.

Unique Attributes

The Acura CL was the first model from the marque to be built in the U.S.

Interior

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Resale Values

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<MODEL> Year
Year X	Year X-2	Year X-3	Year X-4
Resale Value
$	$	$	$

Criticisms

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History

First generation (1997-1999)

The Acura CL was released in February 1996 as a 1997 model. It had two engine choices: a 2.2L I4 or a 3.0L V6. The 2.2L I4 was replaced with a 2.3L I4 for the 1998 and 1999 model years. Leather upholstery became standard for 1999.

The first-generation CL had a choice of either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission, the latter only for the four-cylinder models.

Second generation (2001-2003)

Skipping the 2000 model year, the CL made a return for the 2001 model year. It came in two trims: base 3.2 and 3.2 Type S. Both models had a 3.2L V6 which produced 225 hp in the 3.2 and 260 hp in the 3.2 Type S.

The second-generation CL was available with a 5-speed automatic transmission, with a 6-speed manual offered for 2003 only. This was also the last year for the CL; it was discontinued after 2003. There is currently no replacement for the CL.

Worldwide

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Design quirks and oddities

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Awards

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External links

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News and References

Enthusiast Sites and Discussion Forums