Acura introduced the CL nameplate for the 1997 model year as a U.S.-developed coupe that helped establish the brand’s North American engineering footprint. The first-generation CL ran from 1997 to 1999 and was sold in 2.2CL and 3.0CL forms, later updated to 2.3CL and 3.0CL. Acura positioned it as a premium coupe, and it is widely remembered as the first Acura vehicle designed, engineered, and built in America, as well as the first import-luxury car of its kind to carry that distinction.
After a one-year gap, the CL returned for 2001 as a second-generation model, now renamed 3.2CL. This version was a more upscale, more performance-focused coupe with an all-new body, chassis, and powertrain architecture. Acura also added the Type S performance variant, which became the enthusiast favorite in the lineup and gave the CL a stronger performance identity in its final years.
The CL’s run ended after the 2003 model year. It remains a notable Acura nameplate because it marked an important shift in the brand’s history: from an early Japanese luxury import identity to a broader North American development strategy centered on U.S.-built Acura vehicles. The CL also stands out as one of Acura’s more distinctive two-door models, combining executive coupe styling with a comparatively rare place in the brand’s timeline.