2012 Acura TL Is Ahead of the Game in New IIHS Crash Test

Peabody, 09/12/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

During the initial round of a new crash test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2012 Acura TL was one of only two midsize luxury sedans to earn the top rating of "good." The small overlap frontal crash test simulates what happens when a car hits a tree, pole or another vehicle with only part of its front end, a type of crash that accounts for nearly a quarter of frontal collisions resulting in serious or fatal injuries to front-seat occupants.

The IIHS' new test measures compartment intrusion and driver injury by colliding 25 percent of a car's front end on the driver's side against a five-foot-tall barrier at 40 mph. Aside from testing at some automakers' proving grounds, there is no similar crash test conducted anywhere in the United States or Europe. The IIHS plans to make the small overlap frontal test part of its strict criteria for future Top Safety Pick awards, which recognize the best vehicles for protecting passengers in front, side, rollover and rear crashes.

"As the only Japanese midsize luxury car to earn a top rating, the Acura TL's performance was impressive, especially when you consider that German makes like BMW and Mercedes-Benz fell well short," said Joel Avery, general manager of Acura of Peabody, an Acura dealer in Massachusetts. "New tests like the frontal small overlap can reveal which automakers are thinking outside existing frameworks to protect their passengers, and Acura has all the angles covered."

Part of the Acura TL's effective crash protection in the IIHS test came from its front and side-curtain airbags, which deployed in time to protect the dummy's head from getting too close to any objects that could cause injury. Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) frontal body structure also helped earn the top rating, as there was minimal intrusion into the driver's space and a low risk of injury to the legs. The automaker is in the process of implementing its second generation of ACE, a unique body design that distributes crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, resulting in less force transferred to the cabin.

While the recent IIHS test shows that the Acura TL performs well in small overlap frontal crashes, the sedan has additional safety features that help prevent collisions in the first place by making drivers more aware of their surroundings. An optional rearview camera provides assistance while backing out of tight parking spaces, while the available blind-spot information system flashes an indicator light when another car is detected in the driver's blind spot.

Even the TL's entertainment options can help drivers stay focused on the road, with an optional Song By Voice feature allowing drivers to find songs or albums with voice recognition, rather than taking their hands off the wheel to fumble with the radio. Meanwhile, when it comes to driving enjoyment, buyers can choose between a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 or Acura's largest engine, an optional 3.7-liter VTEC V6 that pumps out 305 horsepower.

"The Acura TL has all the high-tech features and performance that Massachusetts drivers could want in a luxury car, but its advanced safety features deliver protection should the worst happen," added Avery. "While other luxury automakers are playing catch up to meet new standards from the IIHS, Acura is finding new ways to protect its passengers from the unexpected."

About Acura of Peabody:
Thanks to a complete commitment to the Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC) philosophy from the sales, parts and service teams, this dealership has the best customer satisfaction and retention rates of any Acura dealership in the Northeast. They offer an extensive inventory of new and used Acura models, backed by a service center with the highest customer loyalty in the Northeast. Visit their website at www.acuraofpeabody.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/acuraofpeabody, visit their Acura showroom and service center at 233 Andover Street in Peabody, Massachusetts, or call them at 888-825-7965.