By Jim Brennan

UDMan

A new wagon was introduced at the New York Show, and I wondered why it took so long to get here. You see, the European Honda Accord is really a re-badged Acura TSX here in the States, and a wagon has been available on the Continent for a few years. When it hits our shores, the TSX Wagon will only be available with the 2.4L DOHC four cylinder, and a five-speed automatic. Will this be enough to sway potential buyers back into a wagon instead of a crossover? I’m not so sure, because it’s missing two things that appeal to the core Acura buyer; a V-6 engine, and a proper manual transmission. They were so close… What do you think?

Continue reading "NYIAS: The Acura TSX Wagon–A European Honda Accord With a New Badge." »

Did you know that it’s Thursday already? For some reason I thought it was Wednesday. Here’s the news:

• The Truth About Cars threw a major hissy fit about the new Acura TSX. Is it really that bad? Jeez. TTAC.
• Some dude in Ontario managed to run himself over with his own car with the help of a remote starter. Oops. Jalopnik.
• A version of the next Z might come with a V8. Sounds good to me. Autoblog.
• First Porsche and now Suzuki. Who else is gonna blow off NAIAS next year? Left Lane News.
• Did you miss Musclepalooza? Well, you can still catch the video. Hemmings.

Despite cries of unfairness from both camps, our TSX-vs-Maxima Showroom Showdown was one of the closest yet, with the Maxima pulling ahead by only a scant 3 votes. In true CarDomain fashion, you picked the Maxima’s burlier performance over the TSX’s luxier extras—and only two of you opted for "neither."

Continue reading "2009 Maxima More Popular By a Hair" »

A couple of really nice 2009 rides were revealed today at NYIAS. Both Nissan’s Maxima and Acura’s TSX feature controversial styling and "Four-Door Sports Car" performance. The Maxima will have a V6 pushing 290 hp, and a CVT automatic with optional paddle shifters. The TSZ has about 90 fewer horses, but its 2.4L VTEC will still be packing some serious punch, especially with the optional 6-speed manual. So which would you choose? TSX or Maxima?

Since its introduction in 2003, the TSX has served as Acura’s entry-level luxury sedan and has competed against the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class. Although a solid entrant into the segment, the car has been criticized for its front-wheel drive layout and lack of power. But it looks as though Acura is trying to quell some of the past complaints with the 2009 TSX. 

Spy photographers have spotted the next-generation Acura TSX out testing. Taking design cues from the 2005 SPORTS 4 concept car, the new TSX has a more aggressive look than the current car. Power for the base TSX is expected to come from a 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder–rated in the 220-230 horsepower range–driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.

Also look for Acura to offer a Type-S model of the TSX. Power is said to come from the turbocharged engine found in the Acura RDX–tuned to 260 horsepower–and will be connected to a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch gearbox similar to Audi’s DSG. But unlike the base TSX, the Type-S is expected to use Honda’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive.

The U.S.-spec TSX also gives us a hint of what to expect from the European Accord when it debuts next year. As with the current models, the U.S. TSX and European Accord are essentially the same vehicle with small design changes. The European Accord is slated to receive a diesel power option, something Acura could offer in U.S. bound TSX.

The TSX should start production by the end of 2008. More photos at Left Lane News.