3B
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/The Charlotte Post
Thursday, March 14,1996
Acura’s new 2.2 CL is competent coupe
97 Acura 2.2 CL
PALM SPINGS,
Calif. - Acura's
revamp of it's car
line will be nearly
complete this month when it
releases the CL, a familiar
looking coupe which replaces
the two-door Legend.
The Legend name is gone for
ever, replaced by Acura's weird
decision to go with alphanu
meric names. Why? Because
the company says more people
knew the names of its cars
than the company.Why should
that matter? Ask Acura. I
couldn’t figure that one.
Anyway, the CL is a totally
different approach to the
Legend. It is not a two-door
version of the RL, the new
flagship sedan that replaced
the four-door Legend. And it's
nothing like the Legend coupe.
So why is it familiar? The
CL screams Honda Accord
coupe. It should. It's based
heavily on the Accord, from
chassis to transaxle. It even
looks like an Accord from the
front. That wide-mouth
chrome grill is nothing but
Honda.
But that’s where a lot of the
similarities end. View the car
from a three-quarter angle
and you see a much more
striking figure, especially the
rear. It is wildly aggressive,
moving the tail lights to the
corner and using a subtle
crease down the center. There
is no external trunk lock, just
the Acura symbol. It's des
tined to become one of the
most distinct rear ends on the
road.
Inside, there is plenty of
room for a coupe, but it's best
suited for two. Four can ride,
but the rear passengers need
to be short and narrow to have
a good time.
The interior is much like the
Accord's — trimmed neatly, fin
ished meticulously. The excep
tion is that the CL is trimmed
in fake wood, acceptable fake
wood, but fake none the less.
All the amenities are standard
- power locks, mirrors and
windows and single CD play
er.
The standard five-speed
transmission coupled to a 2.2-
liter, four-cylinder engine is
straight from the Accord. The
proven engine is quiet, making
145 horsepower with 147
pounds-feet of torque. Acura
engineers said the gear ratios
are slightly different from the
Accord's, thus giving the car a
sportier feel.
I found this to be true. We
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INVITES YOU TO A LIVE BROADCAST OF
AND
1 ST ANNIVERSARY
BREAKFAST BUFFET
AAARCH 20
RENNAISANCE PLACE
631 NORTH TRYON ST.
DOORS OPEN AT 6:30AM
BUFFET FROM 7~9:30AM
SPECIAL BUFFET PRICE $1.98
LIMITED SEATING
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL (704)333-8899
flogged the CL through some
breath-taking mountains and
found it to be a great handler
as well as driver. Negotiating
twisty roads (many of which
didn't have guard rails, which
1 found to be a bit unnerving)
was fairly simple. The front-
wheel drive CL was right at
home whipping around tight
curves.
The greatest advantage the
CL has over its Honda cousin
is its rigid body. Acura has
shored-up the CL's body in
critical areas, making it feel
solid as a rock. This in turn
adds to the car's deft handling
ability.
Complaints? I hate fake
wood no matter how real it
looks. The cloth seats look
much too much like the
Accord's. And there's not
enough engine. The 2.2-liter
See TEST DRIVE Page 4B
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WEEKLY FEATURES:
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• Wed. R&R
• Fri. & Sat. DISCO with C.C.
• Sunday - LIVE MUSIC or DISCO
^Oca-Cola RoltUOQ
Calendar
Of
Events
The 1996 CIAA Basketball Tournament in Winston-Salem Kicked Off with the
Sprite/Homets Road Show Appearing at
Food Lion Locations in the Triad Area
"ATLANTA BLACK HERITAGE TOUR SWEEPSTAKES"
Coca-Cola Consolidated,, and Bi-Lo recognize "Black History Month" with a special
Celebration of "Black Life" and "Achievement" in America with the
ATLANTA BLACK HERITAGE TOUR SWEEPSTAKES.
Look For The Coca-Cola Display at Participating Bi-Lo Stores In Your Area, And Enter The
ATLANTA BLACK HERITAGE TOUR SWEEPSTAKES For Your Chance To WIN One Of
TEN TRIPS For A Family Of Four (4) To Tour "THE TRAIL OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HIS
TORY" IN Atlanta And Visit The "WORLD OF COCA-COLA" And
"THE 1996 OLYMPIC SITES"
ALWAYS AIM HIGH... ALWAYS COCA-COLA
See Official Rules For Details, No Purchase Necessary, Void Where Prohibited
” "AN EVENING WITH BILL COSBY"
The NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Presents A Unique Brand Of Story-Telling
Humor, Delivered With Intimate Phrasing, Tickling The Funny Bone While Warming The
Heart. The Event Will Be Held On March 16 At The Belk Theater At 5:00p.m. And 8:b0p.m.
Call 372-lBOO For More Information.
"THE AFRICAN SAFARI" ”
In Connection With Its Family Arts Programs, The Afro-American Cultural Center Is
Presenting, "The African Safari"... Maisha And Omar Of Sarasota, Florida Will Take
Children And Adults On An African Safari With The Magic Of African Rhythm As The
Vehicle In A Four-Week Series Of Classes, Beginning On April 20, 1996. Students Will
Experience Song And Dance, Textile Designing, Beading, Storytelling’ Writing, Musical
Instruments, Languages, Traditions And Foods. The Class Is $45 For Center Members And
$60 For Non-members. Registration Ends On April 19th. For Additional Information, Call
The Afro-American Cultural Center At 374-1565.
"INAUGURAL CIRCLE OF HONOR AWARDS"
You Are Cordially Invited To Attend Johnson C. Smith University's INAUGURAL CIRCLE
OF HONOR AWARDS On Friday, March 29th at 7:00p.m. At The Sheraton Airport Plaza
Hotel. Join Mistress Of Ceremonies, Ms. Val Holley-Dennis At This Black Tie Affair. This
Event Is Hosted By Dorothy Cowser Yancy, Ph.D., President, Johnson C. Smith University...
The Committee Of 100 Women,... And Sponsored By Hoechst Celanese Corporation.
"HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BE CONNECTED"
Submit, in writing, on your organizations letterhead, the title of your event, date, location, contact person and telephone number
for your activity to:
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
P.O. Box 31487, Charlotte, North Carolina 28231 Attn: Johnna Snell • Phone: 553-4944 • Fax: 553-4910
If you are interested in the Coca-Cola Community Music Van appearing at your non-profit event call; 553-4944 • FAX 553-4910
Three Winners from the Carolina's Won a
CIAA Dream Weekend Sweepstakes by
Entering at a Coca-Cola Display at a
Participating Food Lion Store.