2009 Acura TSX Preview

2009 Acura TSX Preview

New 2009 TSX is larger, more agile and more powerful than before

The 2009 Acura TSX sports sedan, designed for entry-premium buyers, is larger, more agile and more performance oriented than before.

It has 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 those who will appreciate its innovative styling, technical features and performance.

An all-aluminum DOHC i-VTEC in-line four-cylinder engine now includes dual balance shafts and a direct ignition system. Along with improved performance, it is also cleaner as it now meeting Tier 2-Bin 5 emission standards.

Displacing 2.4 litres and producing 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque (with manual transmission), the new engine produces its useable power across a much wider rpm range, with 5% more torque. 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.

Two transmissions are available - a standard six-speed close-ratio manual with new performance-oriented ratios for second through sixth gears, and an available Sequential SportShift five-speed automatic with a new lock-up torque converter assembly. The manual transmission features a short-throw shifter with a precise, light action, while the Sequential SportShift automatic permits fully automatic operation with features such as Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control, which make driving 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 vehicle 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 76-mm greater width and 66-mm wider track, the 2009 TSX has a 33-mm longer wheelbase and 61 mm additional overall length. These dimensions combine to provide greater interior roominess, more agile handling and improved ride quality.

In developing the second-generation TSX body design, Acura designers sought to retain the 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.

Standard equipment includes a sunroof and power passenger seat, new folding key with remote entry, seven-speaker sound system with CD, AM/FM and a Bluetooth HandsFreeLink cellular phone interface. A HomeLink remote control system and a dash-mounted electronic compass are also standard.

The Premium Package adds leather seats, XM Radio, automatic headlights, two-position driver memory seat, and digital media auxiliary USB jack with iPod/iPhone compatibility. HID headlights and fog lamps also improve functionality and add style.

The available Technology Package adds a 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround Premium Sound Audio System. This 10-speaker Acura/ELS 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. The Technology Package also adds Acura Navigation System with Bi-lingual Voice Recognition and rearview camera.

Safety

The 2009 TSX includes Honda's 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 different sizes and with differing bumper heights. ACE is designed to help maximize the effectiveness of the car's front crumple zones, better dispersing crash forces before they reach the passenger compartment.

A broad range of passive safety features also 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.

Canadian pricing starts at $32,900.

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