Acura TSX
| Acura TSX | |
|---|---|
| Acura TSX | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 2004–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Platform | FF |
| Related | European Honda Accord |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Acura Integra Sedan |
The Acura TSX is a mid-size near luxury car manufactured by Honda and sold in North America under the Acura brand name. It fills the gap in the Acura lineup since the cancellation of the Acura Integra sedan in 2001. The TSX is badge engineered from the Honda Accord sold in Europe and Japan. As of 2003, the TSX is the smallest sedan in the Acura model line, other than the CSX sold only in Canada. Prices for the TSX range from roughly $27k to $30k.
The 2004 model year TSX's powertrain is comprised of a 2.4-L inline four-cylinder engine (automotive.com, 2003), a six-speed manual transmission (Engine Power, 2003), and a front wheel drive layout (automotive.com, 2003).
The TSX is based on the European and Japanese CL-series Honda Accord. However, the TSX has a restyled interior and different suspension tuning.
The engine, the K24A2, is 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 features intelligent variable valve timing and produces 200 horsepower (150 kW) in this iteration.
The TSX comes with either a 5-speed sportshift automatic or a 6-speed manual. The manual features a magnesium casing, to reduce weight.
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.
In Europe, the TSX is also sold in station wagon (estate) body style and is called the Accord Tourer. It features an electric tailgate which means you can fully open and close the tailgate via a button on the remote key.
In 2006, the TSX has been updated with a sportier exterior styling featuring a new front look, standard, integral fog lights, restyled wheels and a bolder rear look with standard side skirts. State of the art interior features have been added, including more standard safety features, and luxury features such as BlueTooth compatible HandsFreeLink(TM) wireless interface, a digital media auxiliary jack for MP3 connectivity and front power seats, with dual memory settings.
In addition, the 2006 Acura TSX features a new 2.4L engine making 205 hp (SAE J1349 net)[1]. 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.
Awards
- The Acura TSX has been on Car and Driver's Ten Best list in all 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.
Footnotes
- ^ All Hondas and Toyotas have downsized in horsepower due to a SAE J1349 (Society of Automotive Engineers) net horsepower change in calculations which translate into a smaller total horsepower than in 2005 so the 5 hp increase on the TSX should mean 10 horses.
References
- automotive.com. 2004 Acura TSX Summary & Specs. Retrieved December 20, 2003 from http://www.automotive.com/reviews/12/2004/acura/tsx/summary-specification/
- Engine Power. 2004 Acura TSX. Retrieved December 20, 2003 from http://www.engine-power.com/acura/tsx.html