PRICE RANGE: $30,330 Standard MSRP (base); $32,330 with Navigation System (base); As Tested, $32,330 Pricing and Options

ENGINES: 3.2 liter DOHC V6 - 260 hp

CONFIGURATION: Front Engine/Front Wheel Drive; 5-speed automatic transmission; with Sequential Sport Shift

FUEL ECONOMY: 18 mpg city / 28 mpg highway

SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, and side airbags, standard; ABS, standard; Vehicle Stability Assist, standard

WARRANTY: 4 years/ 50K miles; 4 years/50K miles Roadside Assistance

IMPRESSION: The Type-S version adds the spice to make Acura's CL Coupe competitive with the best in class, and a fantastic value.

The 3.2 CL is Acura's cool entry into the midsize, luxury coupe class and the Type S is the spicy version. With this model Acura has shaken off the stodgy image of its former high line models. The dazzling Sundance Gold color option is a rich, deep saffron shade perfectly suited to this coupe's sporty flavor.

This saffron color is totally wild. I first saw this color a few years back, when Volvo introduced it with the C70. The color was, perhaps, a little too progressive for the '90s market, and it certainly didn't make it into Crayola's top ten. In the new millennium, the positive feedback on this color has been non-stop. Although still very advanced, people really seem drawn by it now, and asked me a lot of questions. I wasn't too keen on the shade at first finding it too strong, but, being fashionably fickle, I ended up liking it, too.

By sprinkling this dazzling saffron into the makings of the 2001 Acura CL Type S, Acura has created a dish as appealing and intriguingly exotic as any oriental curry that company founder, Soichiro Honda might have savored in his childhood home in Japan.

The 3.2 CL is already a hot number, and the Type S version adds some extra zest in the performance department. The exterior lines are sharp, clean, and well-defined. The Honda/Acura genealogy is quite apparent in the front end. The overall styling is distinctive and very good looking.

The interior of my CL was absolute charcoal. Its flat slate appearance worked well with the vibrant exterior. The only color break comes from the dark, wood-tone trim, which actually resembled dark pearl granite, rather than any wood I've seen. Without a doubt, the look is original. All controls are conveniently located and easy to use, except for the heated-seat switch which is hidden away under the stereo. The leather steering wheel, along with the leather seats, wrap you comfortably into the slateness of the cabin. With the power-operated, multi-adjustable seats, I was able to find an ergonomically correct position and enjoy a pleasurable ride. There are lots of useful storage compartments throughout, but the glove box is a tiny one. The spacious interior provides ample room for four adults, and is a comfortable place to spend a long trip.