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2009 Acura TSX Spy Shot: Turbo AWD!?


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http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/acura-tsx-2009.jpg

 

LOS ANGELES — Recently, I stumbled upon a group of Honda engineers testing a new vehicle on the Angeles Crest Highway here in Southern California. I’m certainly no Jim Dunne. But I have learned a thing or two from our resident Spymaster over the years. Timing is everything--the car could be driven away at any moment. So I nervously scrambled for my camera and started clicking away.

 

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. How do I know? Well, the engineers were traveling in a convoy of undisguised current-gen models. They were probably along for comparison purposes. Notice the flares and the swelled front fenders: Those were built to cover the 225/50ZR17 tires used for testing on this prototype.

 

The current TSX, which debuted in 2004, is based on the European Honda Accord platform. 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. —Ben Stewart

 

http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/2009-Acura-TSX-back.jpg

 

2005 Tokyo Auto Show: Honda Sports 4

http://world.honda.com/Tokyo2005/sports4/

 

http://world.honda.com/Tokyo2005/sports4/image/top/top.jpg

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I don't believe that Honda has ever offered it's SH-AWD with a manual transmission.

 

Are the RDX's manual or are they paddle shift?

 

Anyway, I'm not a fan of the acura concept. If the front grille looks like the MDX, I'll dislike it even more. I'd love the honda 6-speed w/ SH-AWD, that would be amazing. But design wise, they better not screw it up. I'd be happy with a current TSX slightly refreshed, especially the front, and then flare the fenders a bit, put in the 6-speed, turbo and SH-AWD, and I'd be ready, it would be amazing.

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Mark me down! As long as the keep the same interior from the present TSX. That is one of the best interiors I have ever seen. Everything is laid out "just right". I can't put my finger on it, but something about it suits me to a "T". It's not too flashy, or too bland, and seems to be high quality parts. Me likey!http://legacygt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif Too bad the interior is all that thing has going for it. That car is so weak, it wouldn't pull a greasy string out of a cats ass.:lol:
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Verdict is still out on super happy all women drive(aka SH-AWD). Acura really hasn't used it in a sporty vehicle. The technology looks interesting and so do the demos but Honda's implementation in production vehicles has been less the sporty.

 

I recently test drove an RL and was not impressed. It felt more like a big heavy FWD car more then anything. Nothing like an Infiniti M35X or G35X.

 

However, I think SH-AWD will be getting a big upgrade for the Sports Concept they have been showing off. That has the potential to be a more sporty system.

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