Acura introduced the all-new CL model to the North-American market in 1997, aiming to replace the old Legend Coupe model on the premium luxury & sport market.
Being the first Acura model to be built entirely in the United States, the all-new CL was available with two trim levels - base and premium - and featured either a 2.2L 150-hp engine of a 3.0L V6 unit delivering 220-hp. The premium variant was discontinued in 1999 and all its features became standard on the base model, including leather upholstery and trunk cargo net. As a low point, the CL registered plenty of problems on the driver’s window.