Sporty Acura CL R-Type confirmed by a dealer

Submitted by Michael Wong on June 25, 1998 at 08:12:43:

When wandering by an Acura dealer the other day, I spotted a couple Integra Type-R's lying around (I'm not kidding). So, I went in for a test drive and got into some info. about where Acura was heading. Eventually, I brought up the rumor of a "stoked" CL. The sales rep. I was talking with confirmed that rumor is fact!!! Evidently, Acura wants a piece of the high-end sporty coupe market, it is meant as a direct competitor to the BMW M3. He was suggesting something in the range of 300 HP!!! (some 60 odd HP more than the E36 M3). Although, he wasn't able to confirm the transaxle type. We both openly dreamt of a 6 speed manual. Which doesn't seem all that unfeasible, given the 2.5 CL has anoption for a manual gearbox. Although, he did make a good point in
saying that the majority of CL buyers wouldn't understand or enjoy a manual box. He anticipated it's release sometime in late 1999. Supposedly, it is currently under developement in Honda R&D test facility in Marysville, Ohio. If anyone is more curious than I, contact Continental Acura of Dupage in Chicago, Ill.

More of Jeff's babbling

Don't get too excited yet. As far as I know, this sort of information has not been released to any dealers. As for the dealer's point about manual transmissions, it's true that very few people in the current CL demographic would consider a 5-speed. But if they add a 5-speed option to the V6 and tune the suspension accoringly, I feel that a new (though not necessarily huge) market group would begin to show some interest in the car. That's just my 2 cents though... I think a larger market (large enough to pay for the development costs, I would think) would be interested in a truly sporty sedan with a 5 or 6-speed, and the CL would benefit by being able to use the same tranny. jkp