2001AcuraCL-SeriesAcura CL-Series2001 Acura 3.2 CLCoupeCoupeFWDMarysville, OHAcura's CL undergoes a major makeover to gain headway in the luxury coupe market. New from the ground up, the CL receives upgraded 3.2-liter V6 engines making up to 260 horsepower, a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential SportShift, and a full load of standard equipment for a bargain-basement price. A new sport-tuned Type S is worth the extra money if you value performance over ride comfort.Subdued yet elegant styling, powerful V6 engines, lavish standard features list, comfortable cabin, impressive handling.Interior trimmings lack refinement, rough ride from Type S suspension, front-wheel drive, no manual transmission.Acura's target market for the 3.2CL is aging baby boomers that are experiencing life without children for the first time in decades. No longer needing that silly SUV or monstrous minivan, these empty nesters are supposed to rediscover the joys of coupe life…preferably in a CL. Well, there are worse places to go for a midlife crisis. Acura's CL offers spirited performance and competent handling in a package that effectively marries the two with a comfortable, well-appointed cabin. Two models are available: the standard CL or, for those who crave a sportier ride with additional power, the performance-oriented Type S. Though it will never threaten an NSX in terms of absolute handling nor a Bentley Continental R with regard to lavish trimmings, the stoutly bodied CL may surprise drivers who think that automatic climate control and canyon carving are mutually exclusive. Highway manners are excellent, with a comfortable ride that provides plenty of feedback. Standard 16-inch wheels and antilock brakes provide sure footing when pushed to the limit, and the variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering is communicative without making low-speed parking maneuvers difficult. A smooth, torquey 3.2-liter, 225-horsepower V6 in standard CLs (or a 260-horsepower version in the Type S model) makes for lively acceleration. The front wheels are driven through a five-speed SportShift automanual transmission. The extra investment required to purchase the Type S is worth the cost in drivetrain dividends, which include a dual-stage induction system, low-restriction dual exhaust, larger throttle body, increased compression ratio, special cylinder heads, firmer springs, increased shock damping and handsome 17-inch wheels. Type S also gets a Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system to keep the car pointed in the direction you want to go. Be warned, however, that the stiffly sprung Type S suffers from a somewhat harsh ride on most urban streets. Unlike American personal coupes that are often overweight and overtly flashy, or austere German sport coupes, which are often Spartan to the point of monasticism, the CL's interior effectively blends ergonomic simplicity with the look, if not the feel, of rich appointments. Up front, occupants will find comfortable and supportive leather-faced seats, as well as plenty of legroom. Side-impact airbags are standard. Acura calls the CL a 2+2, so it should come as no surprise that backseat passengers will feel a bit pinched if they are over average height. Standard niceties include an in-dash six-disc CD changer hooked to an Acura/Bose audio system, heated front seats, remote keyless entry, and a power moonroof. The only option on either model is a DVD-based navigation system containing complete mapping of the 48 contiguous states. As the first Acura designed, engineered, and manufactured almost entirely in the United States, the CL certainly doesn't feel "American." From its high-end accouterments to its sporty road manners, the CL takes personal luxury to a level not commonly found on vehicles in this price range. BMW 3-SeriesHonda AccordSaab 9-3Toyota Camry Solara450,000450,000450,0005UnlimitedNANANA63.2 litersV6225 hp @ 5600 rpm216 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm192 in.70.6 in.55.5 in.3470 lbs.106.9 in.37.5 in.36.7 in.56.4 in.54.2 in.52.9 in.50.4 in.42.4 in.33 in.13.6 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested17.2 gal.19 mpg / 29 mpg327 mi. / 499 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$25,508$27,9807.35%$480N/A2% of the Base MSRP3.2 CL (5A): 3.2L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 105-amp alternator; auto-manual transmission; front-wheel drive, traction control, 4.43 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 17.2 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite high intensity headlamps; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; body-colored driver's power remote outside mirror, passenger's powerremote with tilt down outside mirror; 16" x 6.5" silver alloy wheels; P205/60VR16 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter; premium AM/FM stereo, seek-scan feature, cassette player, 6-disc CD changer, 6 premium speakers, premium amplifier, theft deterrent, and window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2 stage unlock, remote keyless entry, power remote trunk release, remote fuel door release; 2 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval; driver's and passenger's front airbags with occupancy sensor, driver's and front passenger's seat mounted side airbags; ignition disable,panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 4, heated-cushion front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way power adjustment, lumbar support and easy entry, passenger's seat includes 4-way power adjustment and easy entry; rear bucket seat with fixed headrests, center pass-thru armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; driver's seat memory includes 2 settings for exterior mirrors; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, rear consolewith storage, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo net, cargo tray, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.
3.2 CL TYPE S (5A) (in addition to or instead of 3.2 CL (5A) equipment): 260-HP 3.2L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing; 120-amp alternator; sport-ride suspension, electronic stability control; body-colored heated driver's power remote outside mirror; 17" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P215/50VR17 BSW A/S tires.