The Acura CL Type S stands as a high-water mark for Honda’s luxury division during the early 2000s. Introduced to bridge the gap between everyday luxury and enthusiast-grade performance, this front-wheel-drive coupe packed a punch with its high-output VTEC engine and retuned suspension. It's a car that still commands respect among enthusiasts today, long after production ended.
Underneath its sleek, late-90s coupe silhouette, the CL Type S offered a driver-focused package that differed significantly from standard luxury cruisers. Let's look at what made this specialized trim level unique, how it performs on the road, and why its legacy endures.
The Mechanical Blueprint: What Defined the Type S
The standard Acura CL offered a competent 3.0-liter V6 engine, but the Type S badge brought major mechanical upgrades. Acura dropped in the J32A2 engine—a 3.2-liter V6 that cranked out 260 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. That was a massive output for a front-wheel-drive coupe in 2001.
How did engineers squeeze an extra 35 horsepower out of the base J32 block? They redesigned the intake and exhaust systems, bumped the compression ratio to 10.5:1, and installed more aggressive VTEC camshaft profiles. The dual-stage intake manifold allowed the engine to breathe freely at high RPMs, creating a signature VTEC crossover sound that enthusiasts love.
Transmission and Handling Architecture
Power met the pavement through a five-speed automatic transmission featuring Sequential SportShift. While a manual transmission was a notable omission for the coupe, the SportShift unit allowed drivers to manually select gears.
Handling upgrades matched the engine's extra power:
- Stiffer spring rates and thicker stabilizer bars reduced body roll.
- 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in stickier rubber improved mechanical grip.
- Larger disc brakes front and rear reined in the extra speed.
- Retuned steering rack calibration offered sharper turn-in response.
Real-World Performance and Driving Dynamics
On the road, the Acura CL Type S delivers a balanced mix of grand touring comfort and sharp cornering ability. Off the line, torque steer is present if you mash the throttle from a dead stop, but once rolling, the engine pulls hard all the way to its 6,600 RPM redline.
For road trips, it cruises quietly at highway speeds. The suspension absorbs rough pavement without feeling floaty, yet it firms up nicely when you point it through a winding backroad. Real-world fuel economy hovers around 19 mpg in city driving and up to 28 mpg on the highway, making it a practical daily driver.
If you want to see how these cars handle modern roads, Car and Driver provides extensive historical archives and road test data on iconic performance coupes from this era.
Common Weaknesses and Maintenance Realities
No deep dive into the CL Type S is complete without addressing its Achilles' heel: the automatic transmission. The five-speed automatic units in the 2001–2003 models suffered from premature internal wear due to inadequate oil lubrication of the third-gear clutch pack.
Many cars received factory recall replacements or aftermarket oil jet kits, but if you're looking at buying or maintaining one today, you'll want to check service records closely. Symptoms of a failing transmission include slipping gears, delayed engagement, or harsh shifting.
Beyond the transmission, routine maintenance is straightforward. The J32A2 uses a timing belt that needs replacement every 105,000 miles or seven years, along with water pump service. Sticking to OEM Honda fluids for the power steering and transmission is critical for longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years was the Acura CL Type S produced?
Acura produced the CL Type S for the 2001, 2002, and 2003 model years during the second generation of the CL lineup before discontinuing the model.
Is the Acura CL Type S manual or automatic?
It came exclusively with a 5-speed automatic transmission featuring a manual shift mode (Sequential SportShift). A factory manual transmission was never offered on the Type S.
How does the CL Type S differ from the base CL?
The Type S features a higher-output 3.2L V6 engine (260 hp vs 225 hp), stiffer sport suspension, larger brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips, and unique leather interior trim with perforated seats.
What is the fuel economy of a 2003 CL Type S?
It is rated by the EPA at approximately 17 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, though real-world mixed driving typically yields around 20 to 22 mpg depending on driving style.
