[Rumor] TSX Couple and SH-AWD for next TL & TSX.

Rumor floating around on Acura forums that it is has been confirmed by an Acura dealer that the next generation Acura TL & TSX will definitely have SH-AWD, however still questionable on a turbo TSX.

I am an Acura dealer and have had confirmation from our rep that the TSX re-design will be for the 2009 model year. AWD is definite and no confirmation on Turbo yet (not sure if that will only be on Type S or not). RSX will come back same time as TSX Coupe. I have also been told this release will happen earlier than Fall 08, and more along the lines of the original TSX release (Spring 08)

This will also coincide with the TL re-design (Fall 08) for 09 model year with AWD as definite and 3.5L and a mid-model re-design on the RL.

Current generation Acura TL

Speculations about SH-AWD being a feature for all Acuras have been around since the introduction of the Acura RDX and redesigned MDX. Front wheel drive only cars won't cut it competing in the luxury segment, so SH-AWD in all their cars make sense. Although, there is a good portion of the Acura population that would like to see a rear wheel drive option, this is unlikely to happen, at least in 2009.


Honda Sports 4 (rumored to be next gen TSX)

Not everyone is excited about a turbo TSX because of the poor gas mileage seen in the RDX (19 city - 24 highway). The RDX's fuel economy may be due to it's size and weight, a turbo sedan makes more sense. Still, only time will tell if the next TSX will see Acura's new force induction technology, maybe only on the TSX Type-S? There are some people out there who would like a small naturally aspired V6 instead of a turbo 4 cylinder.


Acura RSX

Currently, there are no coupes in Acura's lineup ever since they dropped the NSX and RSX. A brand that pushes luxury performance vehicles, yet doesn't have a sports car to sell sounds kind of like an oxymoron. There also have been some rumors of how Honda is going to drop the Honda S2000 so that Acura can pick it up. Either way, Acura needs a coupe soon.



Honda S2000

[Source of Rumors] Acurazine.com

[Video] 2007 ALMS (Sebring) Pre-Race Interview

Great interview with technical group leader for Acura motorsports at the 2007 12 hours of Sebring. Topics included number of horsepower the engine produces, which class to race in, angle of the V8 engine, and more. The pre-race interview was conducted before Acura's debut into the American Le Mans Series.



The debut was a great success for Acura because they finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th in their class, crashing Porsche, and kept up with the upper-class Audi basically the whole race.

[Video Source] Vtec.net

[Video] 2007 Acura MDX Review

The Acura MDX is an important vehicle for Acura because it makes up 30% of Acura's sales. The Fuel Show reviewed the new generation 2007 Acura MDX. They commented on the car's aggressive look, saying maybe it's "too aggressive." They also think the SUV is heavy. However, they were impressed with how the vehicle felt secure on the roads and that it's "basically an RL with a big set of tires and wheels." One of the commentators commented about the solid fit and finish, saying that his 1-year old was able to grab onto the DVD screen in the back and how it didn't come apart.


Results:
Q Factor = 4.50/5
Curb Appeal = 3.25/5
Performance = 3.75/5
Fit & Finish = 4.50/5
Drivability = 3.75/5
Total = 19.75/25

[Video] Acura ALMS LMP2 Lola First Test

Honda/Acura Recall!!!

Honda revealed a new recall for the United States that affects 165,000 vehicles that could develop engine problems from a sealer material that may leak onto wires in the engine and cause them to snap. Multiple complaints about the problem have been filed at Honda HQ, though none have led to crashes or injuries. This is the same issue that sparked the giant recall in China.

The affected vehicles include the 2005 Acura RL, TL and TSX, the entire 2005 Honda Accord lineup (include the Accord Hybrid), 2005 Honda Odyssey and 2006 Honda Ridgeline.


If you think your vehicle is affected, you can call Honda at (800) 999-1009 for more information.

[Source] AutoBlog.com

AcuraZine.com forum is reporting the following defective range for the various models:

2005 RL – From VIN JH4KB1...5C016266 thru JH4KB1...5C020997

2005 TL – From VIN 19UUA6...5A046061 thru 19UUA6...5A067961

2005 TSX – From VIN JH4CL9...5C018626 thru JH4CL9...5C025175

Acura Victory In American Le Mans Series

The three new Acura American Le Mans Series teams made a spectacular debut Saturday by taking the first, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class at the 55th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. The Andretti Green Racing (AGR) team finished second overall to the factory Audi LMP1, racing on the lead lap against the more powerful German manufacturer before gearbox woes slowed the Acura ARX-01a driven by Herta in the final hour. Until the final hour, the AGR Acura machine (LMP2) challenged the more-powerful Audi in the upper-class (LMP1) lap for lap, before the late race gearbox problem slowed Herta in the final hour. The Fernandez team placed third overall, just two laps shy of the AGR team.



The victory was special for the staff of Honda Performance Development. The winning machine was designed and developed, in partnership with chassis specialist Wirth Research, at the HPD headquarters in Santa Clarita, Calif. It marked the first time an HPD-designed engine and car had competed in a U.S. racing event. The LMP2 race was set up to be a battle between the factory Porsches from Penske Racing and the three Acura factory cars. But early brake trouble for the Porsches proved to be German marque's demise. The Acura finish was one of the most impressive debuts ever seen in the 55-year history of the famed Sebring International Raceway and set the stage for the reminder of the 12-race American Le Mans Series.



The next Acura event is Saturday, March 31, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the three-hour Acura Sports Car Challenge.

[Source] AcuraNews.com

Although, it doesn't feature any Acuras, here's a clip from the 12 Hours of Sebring (2007):

Useful Links

This blog has some very useful URLs in the Links section. For example:

Technical Service Bulletins & Do-It-Yourself/How-To from AcuraWorld.com

Installation instructions for various parts for various models from HondaAcuraWorld.com

Locate a local dealer using Dealer Maps (powered by Gooogle Maps) from Acurazine.com

[Video] MotorTrend.com's Acura ASC Unveiling

Another video of Acura's Advanced Sedan Concept unveiling at the LA Auto Show. The concept car is supposed to show what a vehicle will look like in 15 years (around 2020). The purpose of the design exercise was to look 2.5 generations ahead and rival Bentley or Maybach in terms of performance and luxury.

"Actually, we just wanted to build the biggest, bad-est, meanest luxury sedan we could." - Acura



Quote from video: "What will the luxury flagship of the future look like?"
My comment: Hopefully, not like this.

Making of the Advanced Sedan Concept.

[Video] 2007 Acura RDX Review From Fuel

The Fuel Show's review on the 2007 Acura RDX.



Q Factor = 4.25/5
Curb Appeal = 3.25/5
Performance = 3.75/5
Fit & Finish = 4.50/5
Drivability = 3.75/5

Overall = 19.50/25

[Video] Acura Legend (Honda Legend) Review from Fifth Gear

Fifth Gear compares the Acura RL to the Audi A6 and the BMW 5-series. Follow the link to see how the "Legend" fairs against the competitors.

[Video Link] Fifth Gear Acura RL Review

[Video] CGI Video of Acura NSX vs. Lamborghini Diablo

[Video] Acura Cake on South Park

For some reason there was an Acura cake on South Park.



Acura TSX or TL... what do you think?

[Video] Acura TSX Dynos

Early First Gen Acura TSX with CAI Dyno:



2004 Acura TSX with CompTech Supercharger Dyno:

[Video] TOV's Acura TL-S

Not sure what TOV was trying to show off here...

[Video] 2007 Acura TL-S from MotorWeek

CompTech Closing!

With more than 20 years of involvement in motor sports and the automotive industry, Comptech USA is closing its doors. These specialist are dedicated to developing the fastest, safest, best handling, street legal Hondas and Acuras possible. "At Comptech USA, [they] recognize that properly tuning a vehicle to improve its performance involves more than grabbing a part off the shelf and making it 'fit' your car." Honda/Acura owners had the opportunity to enhance the performance of their cars using the same technology Comptech developed exclusively for International Motor Sports Associations (IMSA), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and Indy car racing. Comptech is well known for its superchargers, exhaust, and air intakes. Their superchargers usually adds approximately 50 Horsepower and 30 lb/ft. of Torque at the wheels. The word on the internet (confirmed by vendors) for their closing is due to low number of sells and not enough management.



Comptech race cars.



Comptech supercharged V6 Honda Accord.


Comptech supercharged 2003 Acura CL.



Comptech supercharged 2004 Acura TL.



Comptech supercharger kit for Acura TSX.



2004 Acura TSX with Comptech supercharger installed.


Old Comptech Realtime racing cars.

This is sad news to many Honda/Acura enthusiasts. Instead of buying a new car, I wanted to supercharge my Acura TSX in the future (5+ years from now). However, I think what will happen in the future is that Comptech tuning parts will be harder to find and the prices will be outrageous. So if you have a Comptech part you're planning to pick up, go to your nearest Comptech vendor now!

[Source] Acurazine.com

WOW! ~$10k for NSX supercharger kit.

[UPDATE] CompTech no longer closing!

"No odometer is going to be perfect."

"No odometer is going to be perfect," says Honda spokesman Chris Martin. But prompted by the class-action lawsuit, Honda realized, "The customer expectation is that it would be based on zero. We weren't. So we decided to settle the suit." Starting with '07 models, Honda tightened its odometer accuracy and centered in on 0%.

Honda is notifying 6 million owners of Hondas and Acuras that they are entitled to warranty extensions and, in some cases, payments because odometers in their vehicles rolled up miles too fast. A lawyer in the lawsuit that resulted in Honda's moves now is aiming at Nissan, alleging that its Altima sedans back to 2002 roll up miles 2.5% to 3% too fast.

The Society of Automotive Engineers' voluntary standard is plus or minus 4%, or no more than 4 miles high or low in every 100 miles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it doesn't regulate odometer accuracy.

Honda says its odometers were accurate to within 3.75% on the high side and 1% on the low side, within the SAE standard. But it says it will extend the warranty mileage 5% and will pay lease-mileage penalties due to fast odometers, at least $6 million just for overcharges on vehicles leased directly from Honda.

A U.S. district court in Texas will accept or reject the settlement, probably this summer. Holmes says it's rare for a settlement not to be approved. Vehicles covered in the deal: 2002 to 2006 Hondas and Acuras bought from April 13, 2002, to Nov. 7, 2006. Some 2007 Honda Fits also are included.

For more information:
http://aboutacura.blogspot.com/2007/01/hondaacura-odometer-inaccurate.html

USAToday.com - Money/Autos

[Making Of] Acura ASCC

"The Advanced Sports Car Concept will not only take your eyes to unexpected places, it will transport the rest of you, as well." - Acura.com


Some sketches were drawn up. Makes me wonder what the car would have ended up like if they stuck with this version.




This is the design they ended up building. Designers were inspired by nature. They studied "cracks in glaciers and the contours of sand dunes," this gave them a sense for the natural flow of shapes, edges and movements.




Next a quarter scaled clay model was made to establish the form.




Painted version of the clay model.


Designers further fine-tuned details using a computer-aided design (CAD) program.






A full size model was built.




Photos of the final product: The NSX's replacement?




There is a rumor saying that Acura is scrapping this as the NSX's replacement.



Click here for all articles relating to the ASCC.

Take a 360 degree spin of the Advanced Sports Car Concept and find more information on the development process at Acura.com

[Making Of] Acura ASC

"Advanced Sedan Concept: The Bold Future of Luxury

The ASC mixes classic Acura design elements 'Keen Edge' surfacing for bold, in your face exterior that simultaneously exudes a mysterious aura of luxury. One can only hope that the future arrives early." - Acura.com


There were a wide variety of inspiration.


From art and architecture to industrial and fashion design.


Next a quarter scale clay model was made to visual the car in 3D.


After the scaled model was created, it was scanned and imported into a computer-aided design (CAD) program.




The designers can fine-tune the car's details on the computer.








A full scaled model was made from the CAD data, this gave "the designers their first experience with the vehicle's actual size."

The finished product was released November 29, 2006.

For all Advanced Sedan Concept articles, click here.

For more details on the development process of the ASC, visit Acura.com

[Rumor] Acura's ASCC No More?

According to the Winding Road, "Acura has completely torn up the whole script and started over" for the Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC). Acura is starting over "in terms of how the finished car will look, although the basic proportions and front-engined V-10 package and all-wheel drive layout will stay" the same for the NSX's replacement. For a car that is supposed to be in showrooms around 2009, this is a little concerning.



Even more concerning is that the "new NSX" is going to be priced around $150,000! I thought it was crazy when the original NSX cost around $90,000... For $150,000 can almost get you an Aston Martin DB9 (~$165,000). For a list of cars you can get for $150,000, click here.

[Rumor] 2009 Acura TSX Spy Photos

Popular Mechanics has some photos of the "the next generation Acura TSX." A group of Honda engineers were testing a new vehicle on the Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California.

At first glance, this test mule looks like a current generation Honda Accord. But it’s not. Under the Accord’s skin is the chassis of the next generation Acura TSX... We suspect the 2009 model will again have a unique chassis from our own American Accord. A turbocharged four cylinder derived from the recently introduced Acura RDX crossover SUV will likely provide the motivation. Expect standard all-wheel drive and much swoopier styling when the ’09 model appears. Our sources say it will be a dead ringer for the Honda Sports 4 2005 we spied recently at the Tokyo Motor Show concept.

Spy Photo Front



Spy Photo Back

[Rumor Source] Popular Mechanics

Kind of a boring spy photo rumor if you ask me, aren't we just looking at the USDM Honda Accord? However, please don't shot the messenger, I'm only reporting what I see and read. I like what I'm reading though: turbo + SH-AWD + will look like the Honda Sports 4. Sounds more expensive than the current generation TSX, which is already pushing $30k.

[Videos] TOV Video Road Test - 2007 Acura RDX

VERY DETAILED & EXCELLENT reviews from VTEC.net.

Exterior/Underhood Overview:


Acura RDX Interior Overview:


Road Test:


[Video Source] Temple of VTEC

All of About Acura RDX articles.

The Acura RDX Concept in 2002.

[Drawing] Pre-2006 Acura TSX

Drawing of a pre-2006 Acura TSX, notice no fog lights and the old style rims. In 2006, the Acura TSX got re-styled and some upgrades. The 2006+ Acura TSX comes standard with Bluetooth, fog lights, multi-informational display (MID), 205 hp SAE, and uglier stock rims. IMO, the newer 2006+ styling makes the TSX more feminine.

[Video Review] 2007 Acura TSX Review from Fuel Show

This Acura TSX review segment was from The Fuel Show (2/4/2007).

Results:

Q Factor - 4.00/5.00
Curb Appeal - 3.75/5.00
Performance - 3.75/5.00
Fit'N'Finish - 4.25/5.00
Driveability - 4.25/5.00

Total - 20.00/25.00

[Commercial] Acura TSX - "Windows"

Featuring the re-styled 2006 Acura TSX.