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The Acura TSX is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by Honda
Honda

is a multinational corporation headquartered in Japan.The company manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, scooter , robots, jet aircrafts and jet engines, all-terrain vehicle, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies....
. Introduced in April 2003, it was sold only in the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 and Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
, but from the 2009 model year on it will also be available in Mexico
Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federalism constitutionalism republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico....
. It is sold in North America under the Acura
Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It primarily competes with Buick, Lexus and Infiniti among others in the luxury vehicle segment....
 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
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
 since the EL
Acura EL

In 1996, the Acura EL was born as a compact car entry-level luxury car developed by Honda as an entry-level vehicle , and sold only in Canada. It replaced the Integra sedan in the lineup, while the Acura Integra sedan continued to be sold in the United States until 2001....
 was the Integra sedan's replacement there).






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Encyclopedia


The Acura TSX is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by Honda
Honda

is a multinational corporation headquartered in Japan.The company manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, scooter , robots, jet aircrafts and jet engines, all-terrain vehicle, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies....
. Introduced in April 2003, it was sold only in the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 and Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
, but from the 2009 model year on it will also be available in Mexico
Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federalism constitutionalism republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico....
. It is sold in North America under the Acura
Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It primarily competes with Buick, Lexus and Infiniti among others in the luxury vehicle segment....
 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
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
 since the EL
Acura EL

In 1996, the Acura EL was born as a compact car entry-level luxury car developed by Honda as an entry-level vehicle , and sold only in Canada. It replaced the Integra sedan in the lineup, while the Acura Integra sedan continued to be sold in the United States until 2001....
 was the Integra sedan's replacement there). The TSX would also eventually replace the Acura RSX (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
Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact car/compact cars manufactured by Honda. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer....
-based CSX
Acura CSX

The Acura CSX is Acura's entry-level luxury car exclusively designed for the Canadian market. The CSX is the first Acura model with two predecessors, the Acura Integra and the Acura EL ....
 (and the preceding 1.6/1.7EL
Acura EL

In 1996, the Acura EL was born as a compact car entry-level luxury car developed by Honda as an entry-level vehicle , and sold only in Canada. It replaced the Integra sedan in the lineup, while the Acura Integra sedan continued to be sold in the United States until 2001....
) sold only in Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
. All TSXs are built in Sayama, Saitama
Saitama Prefecture

is a Prefectures of Japan of Japan located on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama, Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which floods of residents commute each day....
, Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
.

The TSX is badge engineered from the CL-series Accord
Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is the series of midrange automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in most automotive markets throughout the world....
 (also known as the European Accord or JDM Accord) sold in Europe
Europe

Europe is, conventionally, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural , the Caspian Sea, and by the Caucasus Mountains to the southeast....
, Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
 and Australia
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
. 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 Australia
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
n & New Zealand
New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous Islands of New Zealand, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands....
, the CL-series is sold Accord Euro, a smaller mid-size car
Mid-size car

A mid-size car is the North American and Australian term for an automobile with a size between that of a Compact car and a full-size car. In Europe, cars of a similar size are often referred to as large family cars, or executive cars....
, where the USDM Accord
Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is the series of midrange automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in most automotive markets throughout the world....
 is sold in the large car category. In North American, the TSX is sold alongside the mid-size luxury Acura TL
Acura TL

The Acura TL is a mid-size luxury car from Honda's Acura brand. It was introduced in 1996 to supplant the Acura Vigor and was rebadged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber....
, which itself is based on the USDM Accord
Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is the series of midrange automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in most automotive markets throughout the world....
, as well as the USDM Accords sold under the Honda name.

First generation (2004–2008)


Overview

The 2008 model year
Model year

The model year of a product is a number used in North America to describe approximately when a product was produced.The model year and the actual calendar year of production do not always coincide....
 TSX's powertrain consisted of a 2.4-litre
Litre

The litre or liter is a unit of volume. There are two official symbols: the Latin letter L in lower and upper case . The lower case L is often written as a cursive l to avoid confusion with the number 1 in antiqua fonts....
 inline four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission

A manual transmission is a type of Transmission used in automotive applications. It generally utilizes a driver-operated clutch operated by a pedal or lever, for regulating torque transfer from the engine to the transmission, and a gear-shift either operated by hand or by foot ....
 (which featured a magnesium casing, to reduce weight), and a front wheel drive layout. A five-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission

An automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manual transmission....
 was optional and did not incur extra cost in the U.S.
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 based on MSRP
MSRP

MSRP may refer to:* Suggested retail price in business* Message Session Relay Protocol, an IP network protocol...
, 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.

2005 was the second year of the TSX and Acura updated it with XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio

XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television....
, 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, and luxury features such as an auxiliary MP3 player input and Bluetooth
Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks . It was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS232 data cables....
-compatible HandsFreeLink. 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

The K24A2
Honda K engine

The Honda K series engine is a four-cylinder otto cycle engine. The K series engines are equipped with Dohc#Dual Overhead Camshafts valvetrains and use roller rockers to reduce friction....
 engine used in the TSX was related to the engine in the Honda Accord
Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is the series of midrange automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in most automotive markets throughout the world....
 (7th generation), the Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV crossover SUV manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda since 1996. It was loosely derived from the Honda Civic to satisfy a public demand for a sport-utility vehicle from Honda....
, the Honda Element
Honda Element

The Honda Element is a compact SUV crossover SUV based on a modified CR-V automobile platform, manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio and marketed in the United States since 2003....
, and a smaller version in the Acura RSX
Acura RSX

The Honda Integra DC5 is a Japanese vehicle, which was also known as the Acura RSX in North America and Hong Kong. It is available in base and "Type-S" trim levels in North America, and a "Integra iS / Integra Type S" and "Type R" version sold in Japan and Oceania....
 and RSX Type-S. The K24A2 featured intelligent variable valve timing (i-VTEC) and produced 205 horsepower (150 kW) in this iteration.

Since 2006 model year
Model year

The model year of a product is a number used in North America to describe approximately when a product was produced.The model year and the actual calendar year of production do not always coincide....
, the Acura TSX has used a 2.4-litre
Litre

The litre or liter is a unit of volume. There are two official symbols: the Latin letter L in lower and upper case . The lower case L is often written as a cursive l to avoid confusion with the number 1 in antiqua fonts....
 in-line 4 cylinder engine
Internal combustion engine

The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs in a combustion chamber inside and integral to the engine. In an internal combustion engine it is always the expansion of the high temperature and pressure gases that are produced by the combustion which apply force to the movable component of the engine, such as...
 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. 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
Acura RSX

The Honda Integra DC5 is a Japanese vehicle, which was also known as the Acura RSX in North America and Hong Kong. It is available in base and "Type-S" trim levels in North America, and a "Integra iS / Integra Type S" and "Type R" version sold in Japan and Oceania....
-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
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a United States non-profit organization funded by auto insurers. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that still occur....
 (IIHS), the Acura TSX received an overall rating of "Poor" rear crash protection, an overall rating of "Good" for frontal offset testing, and an overall rating of "Acceptable" for side impact testing.

Second generation (2009–)


The fully redesigned 2009 Acura TSX made its debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show
New York International Auto Show

File:Car at New York Internatonial Auto Show.JPGThe New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center....
 on April 11, 2008. The new TSX uses a base engine similar to that of the 2008 TSX. The engine is a 2.4-litre
Litre

The litre or liter is a unit of volume. There are two official symbols: the Latin letter L in lower and upper case . The lower case L is often written as a cursive l to avoid confusion with the number 1 in antiqua fonts....
 in-line 4 cylinder engine
Internal combustion engine

The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs in a combustion chamber inside and integral to the engine. In an internal combustion engine it is always the expansion of the high temperature and pressure gases that are produced by the combustion which apply force to the movable component of the engine, such as...
 reaching 201 hp (150 kW) and torque. While the rated power of the new TSX engine is 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.

In addition to the 2.4-litre
Litre

The litre or liter is a unit of volume. There are two official symbols: the Latin letter L in lower and upper case . The lower case L is often written as a cursive l to avoid confusion with the number 1 in antiqua fonts....
 engine, the Acura TSX also receives Honda's 2.2-litre i-DTEC clean turbodiesel
Turbodiesel

Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines....
 engine in the 2010 calendar year. The i-DTEC engine features an advanced NOx
Nox

Nox may refer to:* Nox , the primordial goddess of the night in Greek mythology* Nox , a race in the television series Stargate SG-1* Nox , a video game developed by Westwood Studios...
 emissions reduction system that does not require urea
Urea

Urea is an organic compound with the chemical formula 2carbonoxygen.Urea is also known by the International Nonproprietary Name carbamide, as established by the World Health Organization....
 additives to meet emissions standards in all 50 states. While no official numbers on the TSX's new diesel engine have been released, some speculation places the engine at roughly 180 hp (134 kW). The i-DTEC engine to be used in the Euro Accord is rated at and torque, but the TSX's version has higher output.

In terms of size, the 2009 TSX is larger than its predecessor. The new TSX has a greater width, a wider track and a longer wheelbase than the current TSX; additionally, the length grows by .

The 2009 TSX comes standard with luxury features like leather seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power driver's seat with memory, sunroof, Xenon
Xenon

Xenon is a chemical element represented by the chemical symbol Xe. Its atomic number is 54. A colorless, heavy, odorless noble gas, xenon occurs in the Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts....
 headlights, and adds a USB port music interface. 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
DVD-Audio

DVD-Audio is a digital audio format for delivering very high-fidelity audio content on a Digital Versatile Disk. DVD-Audio is not intended to be a video delivery format and should not be confused with DVD-Video containing concerts and music videos....
 capabilities. Also making its debut on the new TSX is Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering
Advanced Compatibility Engineering

Advanced Compatibility Engineering is the marketing name given to an automobile body structure design from Honda Motor Company. It claims to distribute collision energy evenly and redirect it away from the passenger compartment, while at the same time, minimizing damage to other impacted vehicles....
 body structure, which is designed to reduce accident impact on passengers. The TSX was released on July 16, 2008.

For 2010 there will be a v6 engine option with 280 bhp coupled to a 5 speed automatic with f1 style sport shifter.

In the IIHS
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a United States non-profit organization funded by auto insurers. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that still occur....
 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. The IIHS gave the TSX its "Best Pick" accolade.

At the 2009 Chicago Auto Show
Chicago Auto Show

The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Placeconvention complex. At , with over 1,000 vehicles on display, it is the largest auto show in North America and the third largest in the world ....
, Acura debuted a 3.5L V6 model.

Awards and recognition

  • 2009 Car of the Year Finalist, Motor Trend
    Motor Trend

    File:motor trend cover.jpgMotor Trend is an automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, California, and bearing the tag line The Magazine for a Motoring World. Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen magazines to...
  • Ranked best resale value in the Sedan category in CNN
    CNN

    Cable News Network, almost always referred to by its initialism CNN, is a major US Cable News Network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first station to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television network in the United States....
    's "Best Resale Value Cars" article on November 29, 2006.
  • The Acura TSX was on Car and Driver
    Car and Driver

    Car and Driver is an United States automobile enthusiast magazine. Its total Magazine circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi M?dias....
    s Ten Best list
    Car and Driver Ten Best

    Car and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:...
     in its first three years of production (2004 - 2006).
  • Top-Value Car of 2004 in the Category: Sedan under $35,000 from SmartMoney
    SmartMoney

    For other uses, see: Smart Money .SmartMoney The Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business was launched in 1992 by Hearst Corporation and Dow Jones & Company....
    .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
    Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

    The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a United States non-profit organization funded by auto insurers. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that still occur....
    .
  • In November, 2004, the TSX earned Consumer Reports'
    Consumer Reports

    Consumer Reports is an United States magazine published monthly by Consumers Union. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory....
     "Recommended" mark; in addition they rated the car "best overall in tests of four sporty sedans." 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
SPEED World Challenge

The Speed World Challenge is an United States auto racing series that is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America. It consists of two classes: touring car racing and grand tourer....
 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. Driving for RTR in 2007 is Peter Cunningham, Pierre Kleinubing, Brandon Davis, Nick Esayian, and Kuno Wittmer. 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
SPEED World Challenge

The Speed World Challenge is an United States auto racing series that is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America. It consists of two classes: touring car racing and grand tourer....
 Touring Car class for the second year in a row, running both RSXs
Acura RSX

The Honda Integra DC5 is a Japanese vehicle, which was also known as the Acura RSX in North America and Hong Kong. It is available in base and "Type-S" trim levels in North America, and a "Integra iS / Integra Type S" and "Type R" version sold in Japan and Oceania....
 and TSXs. TSX drivers finished in 3rd and 4th in the Drivers' Championship.

US sales

Calendar Year Total American sales
2003 18,932
2004 30,365
2005 34,856
2006 38,035
2007 33,037
2008 31,998


External links

  • - Chart of real world MPG.