Tuesday, March 25, 2008

[Rumor] V8 + RWD for new 2010 Acura RL

I have read about how everyone suspects that Acura will be dropping in a V8 engine in the RL for years now and Acura still hasn't done it yet. However, Edmunds.com is reporting that Acura is finally listening to what people are saying and is planning to include a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 with a rear-wheel drive platform. That sounds almost unbelievable because Honda seems to be on this whole anti-V8 and rear-wheel drive crusade.

The V8 engine should help Acura go up against other luxury automakers. To help improve fuel economy the engine will use cylinder deactivation technology found in the V6 Honda Accord. Edmunds.com states that the all-new RL will incorporate a rear-drive platform and "a reconfigured SH-AWD system that engages the front wheels when rear traction is compromised." The expected price is over $70k!?!?



I'm still in the "I'll believe it when I see it" audience with this, but you know, maybe Hyundai is embrassing Honda enough that they have to do it. Take a look at the 2009 Hyundai Genesis:



Rear-wheel drive, V8, and starting price below $30k! Ouch Honda/Acura, ouch!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The 2009 Acura TSX



Acura debuted the all-new second-generation TSX sports sedan at the New York International Auto Show. With Acura's latest Keen Edge Dynamic styling, the all-new TSX highlight a new direction for Acura sedans.















Producing 201 hp from a 2.4-liter engine, the DOHC VTEC® in-line 4-cylinder now delivers its power across a much wider rpm range. Along with more torque, the new 2.4L is also cleaner as it meets EPA TIER 2-BIN 5 and CARB LEV II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standards.





Merging crisp, dynamic design with a bold new signature Acura grille, the 2009 TSX is more distinctive and sporty. Due to its greater length and width, wider track, and longer wheelbase, the new TSX provides additional interior room while new fully independent front and rear suspension with dual-stage dampers provides more agile handling.











The TSX is equipped with an impressive list of standard equipment which includes a power glass moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, power windows/mirrors/locks, a premium 7-speaker sound system (with CD, AM/FM and XM® Radio), Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, and USB port and AUX jack music interface.











The available Technology Package features leading-edge electronics including the AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink® Real-time traffic, Traffic Rerouting™ and AcuraLink® weather. Included in the Technology Package is an audiophiles dream in the form of a 415 watt, 10-speaker Acura/ELS™ Premium Surround Sound System with DVD-Audio designed by Grammy® Award winning producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner.













Designed with an emphasis on safety, the 2009 TSX now makes use of Acura's esteemed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. The 2009 TSX, with ACE™ and a host of other safety features, is expected to achieve the highest ratings in both governmental (NHTSA)* and independent (IIHS) crash testing - including IIHS's TOP SAFETY PICK.





POWERTRAIN
Engine Type 16-valve, DOHC, 2.4-liter, i-VTEC™ inline 4-cylinder
Horsepower 201 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque 172 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm (6MT); 170 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm (5AT)
Redline 7100 rpm
Bore and Stroke 3.42 in x 3.89 in (87 mm x 99 mm)
Displacement 143.6 cu in (2354 cc)
Compression Ratio 11.0:1
Induction System Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Valvetrain Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC™), DOHC, 4-valves-per-cylinder, chain-driven camshafts and variable timing control
Engine Block Aluminum alloy with cast-in iron liners
Cylinder Head Aluminum alloy with 4 valves-per-cylinder and pent-roof combustion chambers
Emission Control EPA TIER - 2 BIN 5; ARB LEV II ULEV
Ignition System Direct ignition system
Alternator 12V, 105 amp max
Battery 12V, maintenance free
Recommended Fuel Premium Unleaded
Drivetrain Layout Transverse-mounted front engine, front-wheel-drive

Transmission

6-speed manual
Gear Ratios (:1)
1st - 3.267
2nd - 2.040
3rd - 1.429
4th - 1.073
5th - 0.870
6th - 0.686
Reverse - 3.583
Final Drive - 4.764

Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic
Gear Ratios (:1)
1st - 2.652
2nd - 1.614
3rd - 1.082
4th - 0.694
5th - 0.566
Reverse - 2.000
Final Drive - 4.438

CHASSIS
Body Type Steel unit body
Front Suspension Independent double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension Independent multi-link double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Shock Absorbers Telescopic, hydraulic nitrogen gas filled
Stabilizer Bars Front 1.04 in x 0.21 in (26.5 mm x 5.3 mm)
Rear 0.67 in solid (17 mm)
Shock tower bar 1.26 in x 0.87 in (32 mm x 22mm) diameter; 0.09 inch (2.3 mm) wall thickness
Steering Type Torque-sensing, variable power assist rack-and-pinion
Steering Ratio 13.36:1
Steering Wheel Turns (lock to lock) 2.61
Turning Circle 40.0 feet
Wheels 17 x 7.5 in 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels
16 x 4T spare tire wheel (with T135/80D16 tire)
Tires Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 P225/50R17 93V M+S all-season high-performance
Braking System 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-channel ABS
Front Discs Ventilated 11.8 in (300 mm) diameter x 1.1 in (28 mm) thickness
Rear Discs Solid 11.1 in (282 mm) diameter x 0.35 in (9 mm) thickness
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) 4-channel
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) system Throttle control and brake control utilizing yaw, lateral g, speed and steering sensors for traction control and stability enhancement
Traction Control System (TCS) Incorporated into VSA®

CAPACITIES
Crankcase 5.1 qt
Cooling System MT 8.3 U.S. qt.
AT 8.2 U.S. qt.
Fuel tank 18.5 gallons (70 liters)
Volumes Passenger 94.52 cu ft
Cargo 12.61 cu ft
Total 107.13 cu ft

FUEL ECONOMY
EPA Fuel Mileage-City/Highway/Combined Manual: 20/28/23 mpg
Automatic: 21/30/24 mpg

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 106.4 in (2705 mm)
Track, front 62.2 in (1580 mm)
Track, rear 62.2 in (1580 mm)
Overall Length 186.1 in (4726 mm)
Overall Width 72.4 in (1840 mm)
Overall Height (unladen) 56.7 in (1440 mm)
Minimum Ground Clearance
(non-load) 5.7 in (145 mm)

WEIGHTS
Curb Weight 3419 lb (1549 kg) manual transmission
3485 lb (1581 kg) automatic transmission
Weight Distribution (% front / rear) 2015/1340 lb (914/635 kg); 59/41 manual transmission
2092/1298 lb (949/632 kg); 60/40 automatic transmission

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Front Head Room 37.6 in (955 mm)
Leg Room 42.4 in (1078 mm)
Hip Room 55.6 in (1411 mm)
Shoulder Room 57.8 in (1468 mm)
Rear Head Room 37.0 in (941 mm)
Leg Room 34.3 in (872 mm)
Hip Room 54.2 in (1377 mm)
Shoulder Room 56.1in (1426 mm)

WARRANTY
Vehicle 4-year / 50,000-mile limited warranty
Powertrain 6-year / 70,000-mile limited warranty
Outer Body Rust-Through 5-year / unlimited-mile limited warranty
Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC) with roadside assistance 4-year / 50,000-mile

ENGINEERING FEATURES
2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC™ aluminum alloy inline 4-cylinder engine
201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 172 (MT) and 170 (AT) lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm
Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
Computer-controlled Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Direct ignition system with knock control sensor
LEV-2 exhaust emission control system
100,000 mile tune-up interval
Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with magnesium alloy case
Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control
4-wheel-independent double-wishbone front suspension with multi-link rear suspension
Front and rear stabilizer bars
4-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front rotors
4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake Assist
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control
Torque-sensing, variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
17x7.5-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot P225/50R17 all-season performance tires

INTERIOR FEATURES
SEATING and TRIM

Perforated leather seating
Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
Heated front seats
8-way adjustable power driver's seat with two-position memory
4-way adjustable power front passenger's seat
Adjustable front headrests
Driver's and front passenger's seat back pockets
Locking 60/40 split fold-down rear seat
Rear seat armrest
Carpeted floor mats
Alloy-look or wood-look interior trim

COMFORT and CONVENIENCE
Power glass moonroof with tilt feature and sliding sunshade
Dual-zone automatic climate control with micron air-filtration system
HandsFreeLink® wireless telephone interface
XM® Satellite Radio with 170 channels
USB and AUX jack connectivity ports in center console for auxiliary digital music players
Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™
Steering wheel-mounted illuminated audio controls
Steering wheel-mounted remote cruise contro
Manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel
Auto-up/down driver and passenger power windows with auto-reverse feature
Power windows, power door mirrors and power door locks
Keyless entry system with window controls and panic button
Leather-covered front center console with sliding arm rest
In-dash CD storage compartment with nighttime illumination
Dual trip meters
Overhead map lights
Front and rear dual beverage holders
Overhead storage compartment for sunglasses
Door storage compartments
Maintenance interval reminder
Multi-Information Display (MID)
Maintenance Minder™ system
HomeLink® remote control system
Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror
Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors
Two 12-volt power outlets
Side-window defoggers
Blue LED ambient interior lighting
Digital clock

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE
* 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Audio System with 415 watt amplifier, multi-format 6-disc CD/DVD-Audio changer, AM/FM tuner, XM® Satellite Radio, Note feature for XM® Radio, and Dolby Pro Logic II
* Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition and rearview camera
* AcuraLink Real-time traffic™ with Traffic Rerouting™
* AcuraLink Weather™
* AcuraLink™ Satellite Communication System

EXTERIOR FEATURES
Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) front headlights
Front bumper-integrated fog lights
Turn signal indicators integrated within the side mirrors
Rear window defroster with auto timer
Galvanized steel body panels
Speed-sensing windshield wipers with mist feature
Heat-rejecting glass
Auto-off headlights
Remote trunk/fuel door release
Stainless steel door sill plates
Electric trunk switch
Flush-mounted rear glass
Folding side mirrors
Heated side view mirrors

SAFETY and SECURITY FEATURES
Driver and front passenger dual-stage front air bags
Driver and front passenger side air bags with passenger position sensors
Front and rear side curtain air bags
3-point seatbelts for all five seating positions
Front seat belt pretensioners with load-limiters
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system on rear outboard seats
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Phosphorescent emergency trunk release
Front and rear crumple zones
Sliding front subframe

AVAILABLE DEALER INSTALLED ACCESSORIES

INTERIOR
* Perforated leather steering wheel
* Perforated leather shift knob
* Interior trim kit (Dark Metallic)
* Steering wheel trim (Titian Silver)
* Steering wheel trim (Dark Metallic)
* Ashtray
* All-season floor mats
* Trunk tray
* Trunk hooks
* Cargo organizer
* Advance cargo net

EXTERIOR
* 18-inch diameter 10-spoke alloy wheels (chrome-look or ebony finish)
* Wheel locks
* Sport bumper kit
* Rear bumper appliqué
* Deck lid spoiler
* Wing spoiler
* Color-matched splash guards
* Body side protection molding
* Door edge guards
* Car cover
* Nosemask
* Moon roof visor
* Door visor
* Back-up sensors
* Engine block heater

[Source] HondaNews.com

From the looks of it, the second generation Acura TSX won't make the first generation too outdated. Seems like Acura's new signature grill is here to stay. It also looks like the TSX won't be getting rear air vents like in the TL. I think they could have done better on the rims. Overall, not bad, but not extraordinary.

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