page_title: Acura CL
section_title: First generation (1996–1999)
hierarchical_section_title: Acura CL / First generation (1996–1999)
caption_attribution_description: 1998-1999 Acura CL photographed in Washington, D.C., USA.
context_page_description: The Acura CL is a midsize coupé manufactured by Honda's Acura brand from February 19, 1996 to 1999, and from 2000 to 2003. The CL is often thought to have been a replacement for the Acura Legend coupe, but with the advent of the TL in 1996, which directly replaced the Vigor, the CL is more precisely a TL coupe. All Acura CLs were built at Honda's plant in East Liberty, Ohio, which is also the plant that builds the Honda Civic. The TL and the Honda Accord upon which the Acura CLs were based, are built at Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio, a few miles away from East Liberty. The CL was the first Acura to be built in the United States.
  Following the end of the 1995 model year, the Acura Legend coupe disappeared from Acura's lineup when the sedan version was renamed the Acura RL. The CL was not a direct replacement for the Legend coupe as it no longer shared the same chassis as its sedan counterpart, and was not made in Japan, unlike the RL. Because Acura no longer had a suitable Legend coupe replacement, they created the CL, which is based on the first generation Acura TL, which was released one year before the CL.
context_section_description: For the 1997 model year, early models having been licensed as 1996 models, the CL was offered with either a 3.0 L J30 V6 producing 200 hp (149 kW), or a 145 hp (108 kW) 2.2 L (F22B1) I4 engine. The 1998 and 1999 models featured a 2.3 L (F23A1) with 150 hp (112 kW).
  Both the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder CL offered a "Premium" trim level which offered leather upholstery (with heated front seats in the 3.0), and in the 3.0, an Acura/Bose stereo. For the 1999 model year, the "Premium" trim level was eliminated, and leather upholstery became standard on all models, as was a trunk cargo net. The alloy wheel design was different on the 3.0 for each year, moving from a five-spoke design (MY 1997) to a seven-spoke design (MY 1998), to a different multi-spoke alloy design for the 1999 model year. The 2.2/2.3 CL used a six-spoke design for 1997, then moved to a 5-spoke double-prong design for 1998 and 1999. The 4-cylinder model had an option for a 5-speed manual transmission. The CL also featured Galvanized body panels which helps to prevent rust.
  1996–1999 Acura CL 3.0 L V6 – 200 hp (149 kW)
  1996–1997 Acura CL 2.2 L I4 – 145 hp (108 kW)
  1997–1999 Acura CL 2.3 L I4 – 150 hp (112 kW)
caption: 1998–1999 Acura CL
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