The Acura TL, controversially redesigned in 2009, appears due for a mid-cycle redesign for 2012. Brenda Priddy’s photographers caught the first sightings of a mule with its controversial “Power Plenum” grille tightly masked.

Modest powertrain enhancements may also be in store, possibly to include Acura’s new six-speed automatic transmission to replace the aging five-speed. Another possibility is that the TL could receive one of the new family of V6s that Honda is working on.

Sources say that production has been bumped up to September in order to have models available in showrooms by late spring/early summer 2011, which might provide a boost to a model that has seen sales dip 4.5% from last year.