Acura TL Type-S – Photo Gallery: Getting “work” done as middle age arrives is relatively uncommon. We wrinkle, we sag, we bulge, and we buy new cars with luxury badges to make us feel better about the ordeal. Cars like the refreshed Acura TL, a three-year-old sport sedan that’s been Botoxed and working out with a personal trainer for 2007. It’s got a new look, bigger muscles, and added refinement to keep it competitive until a redesigned version arrives around the end of the decade. And with the new TL Type-S model, Acura is lookin’ for love with a more emotional, enthusiast type.

Power and torque are what make emotional, enthusiast types drool, and the 2007 Acura TL Type-S has plenty of both. It’s also got bigger pipes, a stiffer suspension and meatier brakes. There are other modifications, too, including sexier styling. A new five-speed automatic SportShift transmission is available to replace the standard manual gearbox.

Inside, the Acura TL Type-S gets soft leather upholstery, dash trim with greater visual impact, and a thick three-spoke steering wheel. The gauges wear fresh makeup in the form of improved graphics resolution, and a new navigation system includes a reversing camera, AcuraLink with real-time traffic, and Bluetooth cell phonebook transfer. Other new features include one-touch start for cars equipped with the automatic, signaling side mirrors, and Active Noise Cancellation technology which reduces aural irritants to a breathy whisper. The stereo purrs with upgrades like Dolby Pro-Logic II, an MP3 auxiliary jack, WMA and MP3 playback capability, and speed-sensitive volume compensation.