Acura TSX

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Acura TSX

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda Accord Euro Honda Accord Tourer Honda Accord Saloon Dongfeng Honda SPIRIOR
Production	2004–present
Assembly	Sayama, Japan
Predecessor	Acura Integra (sedan, US only)
Class	Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon (2011 [1])
Layout	FF layout
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Related	Honda Accord (JDM)

The Acura TSX is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by Honda. Introduced in April 2003, it was sold only in the United States and Canada, but from the 2009 model year on it will also be available in Mexico. It is sold in North America under the Acura luxury marque, where it filled the gap as Acura's 4-door, entry-level sedan when the Integra sedan was discontinued in 2001 (1996 in Canada since the EL was the Integra sedan's replacement there). The TSX would also eventually replace the Acura RSX in the US (which in turn succeeded the Acura Integra coupe). As of 2008, the TSX is the smallest vehicle in the Acura model line, other than the Civic-based CSX (and the preceding 1.6/1.7EL) sold only in Canada. All TSXs are built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan.

The TSX is badge engineered from the CL-series Accord (also known as the European Accord or JDM Accord) sold in Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand (Japanese: ホンダ・アコード). The TSX initially had a restyled interior and different suspension tuning than the European Accord when it was introduced; however since 2008 the interior is now standardized for all three markets. In the Australian & New Zealand, the CL-series is sold Accord Euro, a smaller mid-size car, where the USDM Accord is sold in the large car category. In North America, the TSX is sold alongside the mid-size luxury Acura TL, which is based on the USDM Accord, which in itself is a rebadged JDM Honda Inspire.

First generation (2004–2008)

First-generation (CL9)

Production	2004–2008
Assembly	Sayama, Japan
Engine(s)	2.4 L 205 hp (153 kW) @ 7000 rpm and 164 lb·ft (222 N·m) @ 4500 rpm I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	105.1 in (2670 mm)
Length	183.3 in (4656 mm)
Width	69.4 in (1763 mm)
Height	57.3 in (1455 mm)
Curb weight	3,318 lb (1,505 kg)
Fuel capacity	17.1 US gal (65 L; 14 imp gal)

Overview

The 2004 model year TSX's powertrain consisted of a 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission (which featured a magnesium casing, to reduce weight), and a front wheel drive layout. A five-speed semi-automatic was optional and did not incur extra cost in the U.S. based on MSRP;^[2] however such was not the case in Canada. The TSX's suspension setup of a double wishbone front and a multi-link in the rear was especially tuned by the Honda engineers to maximize handling and cornering speed. [citation needed]

2005 was the second year of the TSX and Acura updated it with XM Satellite Radio, heated door mirrors, a four-way power passenger seat and illuminated the steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. In 2006, the TSX was updated with slight tweaks to the engine (adding 5 hp); a sportier exterior styling featuring a slightly new front and rear treatment, standard side skirts, and standard, integral fog lights; and restyled wheels. State of the art interior features have been added, including a Multi-information Display (MID) in the instrument panel, more standard safety features,^{[citation needed]} and luxury features such as an auxiliary MP3 player input and Bluetooth-compatible HandsFreeLink.^[3] In 2007, a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System and an improved electronic rear view mirror were added, and the 2008 model year brought a few additional features and a new colour to the TSX.

Engine

This is the Honda Accord sedan sold in Japan and in Europe. It is the basis for the Acura TSX.

The K24A2 engine used in the TSX was related to the engine in the Honda Accord (7th generation), the Honda CR-V, the Honda Element, and a smaller version in the Acura RSX and RSX Type-S. The K24A2 featured intelligent variable valve timing (i-VTEC) and produced 200 horsepower (150 kW) in this iteration.

Since 2006 model year, the Acura TSX has used a 2.4-litre in-line 4 cylinder engine making 205 hp (153 kW) SAE J1349 net. The advertised increased power figures on previous models were over-estimated by +10 hp (7 kW), the actual power rating is 205 hp (153 kW). SAE J1349 is a third party program designed to eliminate ambiguities that allowed engine makers to cite power and torque ratings higher than the engine's actual capabilities.^[4] The most significant changes to the motor are described as follows:

On the intake side of the TSX engine, the diameter of both the throttle body and the intake duct were enlarged to increase induction flow rate from 95 liters per second to 110 liters per second. In addition the diameter and shape of the intake valve were enhanced to help increase intake flow by 16 percent and the high RPM cam profile for the intake cam was modified to provide increased intake valve lift and duration. In addition, a ventilation passage was machined into the engine block to reduce pumping friction by increasing air flow between cylinders.

Also significant of the i-VTEC system on the TSX and RSX-s was that unlike other Honda K-series motors variable timing was used on both the intake and exhaust ports in its three rocker design.

In testing conducted by the United States based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura TSX received an overall rating of "Good" for frontal offset testing,^[5] an overall rating of "Poor" rear crash protection,^[6] and an overall rating of "Acceptable" for side impact testing.^[7]

Second generation (2009–)

Second-generation (CU2)

Production	2009–
Assembly	Sayama, Japan
Engine(s)	2.4 L 201 hp (150 kW) and 172 lb·ft (233 N·m) I4 3.5 L 280 hp V6 (2010-)
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	106.5 in (2705 mm)
Length	185.6 in (4714 mm)
Width	72.4 in (1839 mm)
Height	56.7 in (1440 mm)
Curb weight	3,470 lb (1,574 kg) AT 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) MT

Overview

The fully redesigned 2009 Acura TSX made its debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show on April 11, 2008.^[8] In terms of size, the 2009 TSX is larger than its predecessor. The new TSX has a 3.0-inch (76 mm) greater width, a 2.6-inch (66 mm) wider track and a 1.3-inch (33 mm) longer wheelbase than the current TSX; additionally, the length grows by 2.4 inches (61 mm). Acura is also planning on adding a wagon version of the TSX in Fall 2010 as a 2011 model ^[1]

The 2009 TSX comes standard with luxury features like leather seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power driver's seat with memory, sunroof, Xenon headlights, and adds a USB port music interface.^[9] The TSX has an optional technology package, which includes a navigation system real-time traffic and weather, and a 10-speaker premium sound system with DVD-audio capabilities. Also making its debut on the new TSX is Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, which is designed to reduce accident impact on passengers. The 2009 TSX was released on July 16, 2008.

2008 Honda Accord (JDM and European model)

In the IIHS crash tests, the 2nd generation TSX received Good overall marks in both front and side impact crash tests and the Good score in all 14 measured categories.^[10][11] The IIHS gave the TSX its "Best Pick" accolade.

The fall of 2010 will see the introduction of a sport wagon variant of the 2011 model.^[12]

Engine

2008 Honda Accord (JDM and European model)

The new TSX uses a base engine similar to that of the 2008 TSX. The engine is a 2.4-litre in-line 4 cylinder engine reaching 201 hp (150 kW) and 172 lb·ft (233 N·m) torque.^[13] While the rated power of the new TSX engine is 4 hp (3.0 kW) lower than that of the 2008 model, Acura says the new engine distributes power across a much wider rpm range, which along with the increased torque, provides an increased feeling of power for the driver. The transmission choices remain 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual, though the automatic version now comes with steering-wheel paddle shifters for optional manual shifting.

The TSX was slated to receive a high performance 2.2-litre i-DTEC clean turbodiesel engine in the 2010 model year; however, it was later announced that Honda had abandoned its plans to bring diesel engines to the U.S. and Japan in favor of hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains.^[14] Instead, a 280 hp 3.5-litre V6 will be available in the 2010 Acura TSX.^[15] The TSX V6 will only be available with the 5-speed automatic transmission.^[16]

Awards and recognition

• 2008 Wheels Car of the Year award winner.^[17][18]
• 2009 Car of the Year Finalist, Motor Trend.^[19]
• Ranked best resale value in the Sedan category in CNN's "Best Resale Value Cars" article on November 29, 2006.^[20]
• The Acura TSX was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list in its first three years of production (2004 - 2006).
• Top-Value Car of 2004 in the Category: Sedan under $35,000 from SmartMoney.com.
• It has received the "Frontal Five Star Rating" from the NHTSA's frontal crash tests.
• "Best Pick" in a Frontal Impact from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• In November, 2004, the TSX earned Consumer Reports' "Recommended" mark; in addition they named the car "best overall in tests of four sporty sedans."^[21][22] In April 2007, the magazine rated used TSX a "Good Bet."

Racing

Realtime racing prepares a factory TSX and RSX to compete in the Speed World Challenge Touring Car series. The factory TSX is refashioned to be stiffer and lighter, and includes motor work with raised compression, and a custom built sequential transmission. Acura won the Manufacturer's Championship for the Touring class in 2005 with the RTR TSX, as well as the Driver's Championship for Peter Cunningham. Acura returned in 2006 and won the Manufacturers' Championship of the Speed World Challenge Touring Car class for the second year in a row, running both RSXs and TSXs. TSX drivers finished in 3rd and 4th in the Drivers' Championship.^[23] More success followed as Pierre Kleinubing won the Championship in 2007, and Peter Cunningham took it in 2008. Driving for RTR in 2009 is Peter Cunningham, Pierre Kleinubing, Toby Grahovic, Kuno Wittmer, and Jeff Courtney. ^[24]

US sales

References and footnotes

• "2004 Acura TSX Summary & Specs". Automotive.com. http://www.automotive.com/reviews/12/2004/acura/tsx/summary-specification/. Retrieved 2003-12-20. 
• "Acura TSX Reviews & Specs". JB car pages. http://www.automotive.com/reviews/12/2004/acura/tsx/summary-specification/. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Acura TSX

• Official American site
• Acura TSX enthusiast forum
• TSXClub is dedicated to Acura TSX Sport Sedan
• ACURAZINE forum for Acura owner

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