More Details Leak on 2009 Acura TSX

Thanks to some over-zealous folks in charge of a certain few internet forums, the cat’s out of the bag when it comes to the 2009 Acura TSX. Although the car isn’t slated to be fully unveiled until March’s New York Auto Show, we’ve got a brief rundown of what to expect from the sports sedan’s makeover.

The largest change lies with the TSX’s exterior form, which now looks considerably more aggressive and sporty than the previous iteration. The side day light openings are raked from front to back, and we’re seeing a hint of more muscle from front and rear fenders.

Proboscis? What proboscis? We were warned that the beak on the 2009 RL would spread to other cars, but from what we can tell here, it’s not anywhere as overbearing on the TSX as it is on the larger sedan. We wish we could comment on the rear fascia of the car; as Acura’s only supplied the above photo, we’ll have to wait until we see it in person.

(Click through for more on the TSX, along with a release from Acura)

Few changes lie underhood, as the 2.4-liter I-4 carries over from the last car with little change in performance figures. Acura says the motor produces 201 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque when coupled to a six-speed manual transmission; specs for cars equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. Considering the TSX has grown 3 inches in width and 2.4 in length, there may be a bit more mass for the motor to muscle, but we’ll wait ’till we slide behind the wheel to make that call.

Speaking of the interior, we’re expecting Acura to pull out the stops with the amenities within. A 7-speaker audio system with CD, XM satellite radio, USB interface and Bluetooth connectivity is standard; an optional technology package adds satellite navigation with real-time traffic information, and an ELS surround-sound system.

We’ll see the 2009 TSX in person in late March, but we don’t expect to see the car arrive at dealers until later in 2008. Stay with WINDING ROAD for the latest on the up-and-coming TSX.

ACURA RELEASE

TORRANCE, Calif. – Designed and engineered to reaffirm its place as a desirable and affordable entry point for entry-premium buyers, the all-new second-generation 2009 TSX is larger, more agile, more performance minded and even “more Acura” than ever
before. Carefully crafted to honor the original TSX’s vision as a world-class sports sedan, the new TSX has significantly evolved to offer more comfort, convenience, driving performance and safety. It does so with expanded luxury and electronic features, a wider
stance for more agile performance, and advanced safety systems.

The 2009 TSX is expected to appeal to current TSX owners, young professionals and other image seekers who will appreciate its innovative styling, technical allure and total performance – while also valuing the outstanding customer treatment that owners
have come to enjoy at Acura dealerships. Extremely brand conscious and eclectic in their tastes, buyers will find the TSX as satisfying for driving colleagues to lunch as it is for weekend snowboarding trips or vacation travel.

Powertrain
An all-aluminum DOHC i-VTEC® in-line 4-cylinder engine heralds a pair of firsts for the TSX model, including dual balance shafts and a direct ignition system.

Along with improved performance, it is also cleaner as it now meeting the EPA’s aggressive Tier 2-Bin 5 and CARB LEV II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards for the first time in TSX history.

Displacing 2.4-liters and producing 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque (with manual transmission), the new in-line 4-cylinder engine produces its useable power across a much wider rpm range, while five percent more torque further strengthens the engine’s
pulling power at middle rpm levels. This allows the 2009 TSX to be more responsive off the line and out of corners, and stronger in the middle of the rpm range where the engine operates most of the time.

This newfound performance and flexibility is due in part to a higher compression ratio, revised valve timing, and improved intake and exhaust gas flow. Further credit goes to the TSX engine’s i-VTEC® “intelligent” valve control system, which provides the
power characteristics of a V-6 without sacrificing the light weight or fuel efficiency of an in-line four. Likewise, a new rear-mounted exhaust manifold layout, a close-coupled catalytic converter design, and a Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system substantially reduce emissions levels. Estimated fuel mileage is 21/30/24 mpg (city/highway/combined, 5 AT) and 20/28/23 mpg (city/highway/combined, 6 MT).

Two transmissions are available, both as standard equipment – a 6-speed close-ratio manual with new performance-oriented ratios for Second through Sixth gears, and a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic with a new lock-up torque converter assembly.

The manual transmission features a short-throw shifter with a precise, light action that makes it highly rewarding to use, while the Sequential SportShift automatic permits fully automatic operation with intelligent features such as Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control, which make driving the TSX on hilly or winding roads more enjoyable. If the driver desires, the automatic transmission can also be operated manually via new steering-wheel mounted F1®-style paddle shifters.

Body and Chassis
The 2009 TSX body structure includes two firsts for the Acura division, including a closed-channel cross-braced roof structure and inside frame rails. Along with a stronger rear bulkhead, the closed-channel cross-braced roof structure yields a more rigid and
vibration-resistant structure. The first use of inside frame rails for any Acura model help tailor the aerodynamics underneath the car for improved fuel economy, lower emissions and reduced noise. In addition, new A-, B- and C-pillar separators improve the TSX’s quietness over rough roads and at high speed. Slippery aerodynamics also helps fuel economy as well as high-speed stability – all while lowering emissions.

In addition to its 3.0-inch greater width and 2.6-inch wider track, the 2009 TSX has a 1.3-inch longer wheelbase and 2.4 inches more overall length. These dimensions combine to provide greater interior roominess, more agile handling and improved ride
quality. Another first for Acura are the TSX’s new dual-mode suspension dampers, which provide superior suspension damping characteristics at both lower and higher damper speeds. Using a unique deflector plate stack, the new dampers adjust compression
damping characteristics to suit the vehicle speed, cornering forces and road surface.

In creating the second-generation TSX body design, Acura designers sought to retain the crisp, dynamic design of the original and enhance it by widening the body overall and adding more muscular and distinctive cues to create a keen-edged sports sedan. Their key design goal was to create an aerodynamic design that evokes both emotion and tension with a decisively sporty flair.
Outward visibility is improved with a slimmer A-pillar design, while an auto up/down front passenger window adds convenience and a reverse-linked passenger-side door mirror tilts down to help improve safety while parallel parking. The new TSX also
has a wider trunk opening and a lower trunk lift-over height for more convenient loading.

Exterior/Interior
Functionality and refinement converge with luxury and style in the interior of the 2009 Acura TSX. Featuring a blend of sweeping, contemporary shapes, a high level of standard comfort and convenience features, widespread use of premium materials and an
available Technology Package, this 5-passenger sports sedan offers the upscale modern interior that customers have come to expect from Acura.

From the precision-crafted metal door sills to the satin-metal finish accents, from new leather-covered seats to the steering-wheel mounted controls, and from the premium 7-speaker sound system to the dual-zone automatic climate control, the TSX represents a merge of intelligent design and innovation. For example, Bluetooth® connectivity is standard and includes a HandsFreeLink® cellular telephone interface that makes communications easier and safer while en route.

Typical of Acura, the TSX offers an exceptional level of standard equipment. Included are a standard power passenger seat, a new folding key with remote entry, new automatic headlight activation, a premium 7-speaker sound system with CD, AM/FM/XM®, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® , and USB port music interface. A HomeLink® remote control system is also standard.

Adding to the already impressive list of TSX standard equipment is the available Technology Package, which bristles with leading-edge electronics that make driving much more efficient and enjoyable. These include an Acura Navigation System with
Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink® Real-time traffic, AcuraLink® weather, and the highly useful AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System. The navigation system also features Real-time traffic™ covering 76 major metropolitan markets, and offers Traffic Rerouting with dynamic route guidance to help navigate around slow-downs. For 2009, the TSX receives a dash-mounted electronic compass for added directional information while driving.

Included in the Technology Package is a premium sound system tuned by legendary sound engineer Elliot Scheiner. This 10-speaker Acura/ELS™ Premium Surround Sound System with DVD-Audio includes a new Note function for XM® Radio that makes it easy to identify songs to recall at a later date. With push of a button, the Note function can capture 10 seconds of up to 30 songs, along with noting text indicating song title, artist name, and XM® channel.

Safety
The 2009 Acura TSX leads the way in safety with its new Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. Engineered into the TSX model for the first time, ACE™ improves the dispersal of frontal crash energy through the use of
load-bearing frame structures that better match the TSX with other vehicles of differentsizes and with different bumper heights. Simply put, ACE™ helps maximize the effectiveness of the TSX’s front crumple zones, better dispersing crash forces before they
reach the passenger compartment.

A broad range of passive safety features likewise contributes to occupant safety, including six airbags (dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, new dual-chamber front seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions). Three-point
seatbelts and head restraints are provided in all seating positions, and front seatbelt load limiters with an integrated automatic tensioning system further protect the TSX driver and front passenger. A new Active Headrest Restrain System is used for the first time on the TSX, while the rear seat features a Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system that allows for the easy and secure affixing of up to two child seats.

Exterior features designed to further improve safety include daytime running lights (DRL), pedestrian-injury mitigation features such as a deformable hood, hood hinges and windshield-wiper pivots, and a 5-mph front bumper and 2.5-mph rear bumper.

The 2009 Acura TSX is expected to achieve the highest ratings in both government (NHTSA) and independent (IIHS) crash testing – including garnering IIHS’s TOP SAFETY PICK.

Finally, the 2009 Acura TSX is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. Additional benefits of ownership include Acura Total Luxury Care® (TLC®)
that provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.