OVERVIEW
The new CL coupe's body has been completely redesigned and is now
based on the state-of-the-art Global Midsize Platform. Compared to
the previous generation coupes, the new CL unit-body is six-percent
stronger in torsional rigidity, 23-percent stronger in bending
rigidity, is longer overall, has a wider track, a wheelbase of 106.9
inches (2715mm) and boasts more interior room. Additionally, a
four-point strut-tower bar has been added to enhance handling.
The new CL rivals the segment's best competitors in all areas, including fit and finish, safety, structural performance and overall refinement.
A graceful and classic overall coupe silhouette, the CL's dynamic, dimensional styling lines reflect a youthful, aggressive spirit and allow a higher belt line.
A mission of quality and refinement leads the CL into 2001. Tightly controlled noise and vibration keep the interior calm and quiet. Heat-rejecting green glass provides the driver and passengers with a climate-controlled, spacious view from the inside. Rigid door structures are created by laser welding sheet steel of different thickness together before forming, thus adding more strength at the door hinge, yet allowing for lower overall weight. Further refinements include a jointless front and rear windshield molding, gas spring hood supports and new low-effort multi-link trunk hinges providing easy operation.
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) is controlled by various elements throughout the vehicle to provide a comfortable experience for the driver. Foam sound barriers in all body pillars, triple door seals and an increased density dashboard insulator capture the varying degrees of NVH. Extensive asphalt-based sandwich melt sheets are used in rear wheel-house regions and in the floor. A fiberglass hood insulator and additional engine room dashboard insulator create a luxuriously calm driving experience. Finally, increased rigidity of the steering hanger beam, steering column shaft and accelerator cable bracket allow for a reduction of vibration in the steering wheel and gas pedal.
A large 13.6 cu ft trunk provides more utility space while generous head, leg, shoulder and hip room for front and rear passengers reflect the increased total passenger volume to 90.0 cu ft, and increase of 5.3 cubic feet from the previous model.
As in all Acura vehicles, safety advancements provide occupants with the utmost in protection. Side-impact door beams, an upper door panel stiffener structure and door lining pads create a stronger outside structure to keep the driver and passenger safer inside. Furthermore, reinforced side-sills with added bulkheads for offset and side impact protection, thicker floor cross members and strengthened front pillars and roof side rail sections provide additional impact protection. Additionally, reinforced center pillars help reduce auto body deformation during side impact. For better visibility, Xenon / High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide 40-percent more area coverage and 60-percent further coverage down the road than conventional halogen headlamps.
Vehicle security is of major concern for Acura owners and several steps have been taken to keep potential intruders at bay. Reinforced door key cylinders, full frame windows, sash-style doors around windows and special body shielding protects door-locking mechanisms and latches to make a break-in more difficult. A standard immobilizer and security system cuts fuel feed to the engine and sounds an alarm in the event of tampering.
In an effort to lengthen the life of the CL body, sophisticated corrosion resistance techniques have been employed. Double-sided galvanized steel panels as well as anti-acid-etch clear coat on dark colors helps protect paint from acid rain and other corrosive elements. An anti-chipping primer is applied to leading edges of hood and fenders, and PVC and wax sealer are applied to the underbody to ensure a long-lasting body structure.
STYLING
The beautiful exterior of the new CL coupe was styled to exude the
classic lines of 2-door coupes of the automotive past. Acura's own
styling cues were adapted from the NSX supercar as well as the
original Legend Coupe. A long sculpted hood and a short, rear deck
along with large diameter performance wheels and tires mark the key
styling elements for this coupe.
A signature Acura pentagram grille adorns the front of the CL and creates an aggressive "pointed" effect. The lines flow over the large, oblong headlights with Xenon / High Intensity Discharge (HID) technology, initiating a character crease that flows along the side profile of the car.
The large greenhouse glass area provides excellent visibility and has been shaped to mimic that of the original Legend coupe, a winning design that has greatly influenced Acura's style since its inception.
A blunt tail design encompasses a large trunk area bookended by triangular tail lights, providing a substantial and sporty rear design.
PRECISE FIT AND FINISH
The new CL coupe incorporates the latest techniques to achieve an
uncompromised level of fit and finish. Stiffened door structures,
laser-welded inner door panels, special plastic-encapsulated door
checkers and latches, and added sound damping materials all combine
to tune the closing sound of the CL's doors. Special power window
motors increase window speed and reduce noise. Window sealing is
better with improvements to the door sash structure and seals that
are preformed for more reliability.
Key features:
- The windshield wiper stopping position has been lowered to a position beneath the hood to improve visibility and reduce wind noise. Under-hood wiper washer nozzles have also been used
- Body gaps have been minimized to reduce wind noise and complement a more streamlined cosmetic appearance, specifically the front grille gap, door/fender cut line gap, outer door handle gap, and front and rear bumper gaps
- A very thin center B-pillar has been used to provide a clean, seamless side glass appearance
UNIT BODY STRUCTURE
To achieve significant improvements in ride, handling and noise
reduction, the engineering goals for the new-generation CL unit body
centered around maximizing torsional and bending rigidity of the body
without adding unnecessary weight.
The CL unit body utilizes a high-strength cabin and ladder type subframe with box section rails and strategically placed reinforcements for maximum rigidity.
The previous generation CL set new standards for rigidity of Acura automobiles. The goal of the new CL was to improve on these already impressive levels. Significant advances in design efficiency make the CL's body six-percent stronger in torsion. Bending strength has been increased by 23-percent as well.
SAFETY STRUCTURE
The CL's passenger "safety cage" was engineered from the earliest
stages of development to meet tough safety regulations. Using
computers to conduct extensive crash simulations, engineers studied
the impact forces on a "virtual car" to supplement actual prototype
crash testing. These tests led to the development of numerous safety
innovations in the design of the CL.
In frontal impacts, straight-section frame box rails with large cross-sections feed impact energy directly into the main frame structure. To meet new 2002 federal head-impact safety regulations, the CL's interior has energy absorbing roof-pillar garnishes and roof lining designed to help reduce injury to the occupants. To better deal with offset-impact energy, reinforcements are placed at the roof side rails, floor frame, A-pillars and front and side frame members.
SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION
Extensive reinforcements were made to the CL's structure to help
protect occupants during side impacts. The B-pillar thickness was
increased and stiffened to minimize the possibility of intrusion
during a side impact while a substantial cross member runs
transversely across the floor pan to reinforce the passenger cabin
structure. The doors have special twin-side impact reinforcement
beams as well as impact-absorbing door-lining pads.
DOOR CONSTRUCTION
The CL utilizes highly rigid door structures with full-frame windows
for improved protection, weather sealing and reduced wind noise. By
laser welding the door panels, steels of different thickness could be
used in the inner door construction.
NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH)
Throughout the body, features like foam roof pillar separators, wheel
arch extension melt sheets and vacuum-controlled hydraulic engine
mounts are used to minimize noise intrusion into the car's interior.
Noise attenuation material is used throughout the CL, resulting in a
vehicle that is serenely quiet, making long trips less fatiguing.
Triple door seals, increased density dashboard insulator and a
fiberglass hood insulator capture the varying degrees of NVH.
Finally, increased rigidity of the steering hanger beam, steering
column shaft and accelerator cable bracket allow for a reduction of
vibration in the steering wheel and gas pedal.
XENON / HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS
Typically an extra-cost option, if offered at all on competitive
cars, the CL follows the RL and TL sedans' lead and is equipped with
standard reflector-type Xenon / High Intensity Discharge (HID) low
beam headlights. Three times as efficient as conventional halogen
lamps, the Acura HID system uses less energy, with more than double
the bulb life. The useful range of illumination on low beam increases
by 39 percent and the increased beam width eliminates the need for
separate fog lights. The CL's high beams use conventional halogen
bulbs and operate in conjunction with HID. An auto-off feature turns
off the headlights 15 seconds after the driver's door is closed or
the doors are locked.
ROAD LAMPS
The CL is equipped with road lamps located below the headlights in
the front bumper. These lights are used in conjunction with both the
low beam and high beam headlights and add a sporty appearance to the
front end design.
KEYLESS TRUNK LATCH
For greater security and clean rear styling, the CL's trunk has no
key cylinder. The trunk lid can be released by the keyless remote, by
a button on the driver's door panel, or by a backup manual release
accessible through the pass-through in the rear seatback.
ADVANCED MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY
A wide range of advanced materials and technologies are used in the
CL. Here is a listing of the more significant advances:
- Laser-welded inner door panel blanks increase strength while minimizing weight
- High-strength steel door panels for greater dent resistance
- Body-color drip rail roof molding
- Lightweight fiberglass hood insulator
- Anti-acid-etch clear coat
- Chrome-plated injection-molded door handles
- 100-percent of plastic materials are ABS, engineered thermoplastics, polypropylene or polyethylene and are all recyclable