Spy pics and info on 2009 Acura TSX

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

These are teaser images of a teaser car previewing a first look at the next-generation Acura TSX for North America.
The images offer glimpses of the new Honda Accord for Europe that makes its world debut at the Geneva auto show in March. We care because the Euro-spec Accord will be sold as the 2009 TSX on this side of the pond.
Honda so far is only showing isolated aspects of the redesigned Accord sedan and the Accord Tourer wagon for Europe, which is based on the concept we saw at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. Both vehicles are slated to go on sale this summer.
We expect the TSX will be available with the turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine currently found in the Acura RDX. Europeans wanting a gasoline engine will have a choice of Honda’s revised 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter gas mill.
Also available under the hood of the TSX and the European Accord will be Honda’s all-new turbocharged 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel engine, projected to generate about 150 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. The TSX should become Honda’s first car with a diesel in the U.S.
Honda also has promised new chassis technology for better handling, as well as the usual “unique package of passive and active safety features” on the new vehicles.

2009 Acura TSX/European Honda Accord - Auto Shows / Entry Luxury / Car Shopping / Hot Lists / Reviews / Car and Driver - Car And Driver

[saturnine]

Looks nothing like that beautiful concept image we were treated to a while back.

It's hard to say from those images, but the front end reminds me of a Pontiac Grand Prix...which is not a compliment.

Whatever the case, I really wish Honda/Acura would treat the US to a wagon of some kind.

[Ska]

I'll have to see an undisguised version to make a final call, but from the pictures...I might have to give the nod to the previous generation.

[Slider]

Turbo

I plan on getting a new car sometime this summer...this might have to be added to the consideration list as long as it doesn't end up looking like shit.

[MC Teg]

These pics are way old, I saw these like 7 months ago. From the looks of it (even though in its mule stage), I like it.

[CaliMike]

Honda/Acura's really into the big buck toof thing, aren't they? The MDX has it, now the RL and TSX. Even the new CR-V has it.

[Slider]

Type-S coming...260hp, turbo...AWD!

[MC Teg]

DETROIT Acura plans to unveil a new version of its TSX sports sedan next month at the New York International Auto Show.

The 2009 TSX, which will go on sale in the spring, is the second generation of the luxury brand's entry-level sedan. The company said the new version will have improved performance, styling, technology and safety features.
"The TSX is a significant step in the advancement of our sedan lineup and the continued enhancement of the Acura brand," Dick Colliver, Acura's executive vice president for sales, said in a statement.
The company did not announce the price or details of the new features. The current model starts at $28,190, it says.
Acura, the luxury brand of Honda Motor Co., is hoping the new TSX can help revive sagging sales. It sold 33,037 TSX models in the U.S. last year, down 13.1 percent from 2006. Acura sales dropped 10.5 percent from the previous year.
The new car, which looks sleeker and meaner than its predecessor, will be introduced during media preview days March 19 and 20. The show opens to the public for a sneak preview March 21 and runs until March 30.

I still like it, the front grill doesn't annoy me like with the new RL.

[CaliMike]

Originally Posted by Slider

Type-S coming...260hp, turbo...AWD!

Interesting. I'm still holding out for an AWD TL maybe. I drove the RDX and it just felt gutless until the turbo spun up. Can turbo cars compensate for low air pressure at altitude?

[Slider]

Originally Posted by CaliMike

Interesting. I'm still holding out for an AWD TL maybe. I drove the RDX and it just felt gutless until the turbo spun up. Can turbo cars compensate for low air pressure at altitude?

Sure. They still suffer, like any other car. But it won't be any worse than a naturally aspirated car. I stole this from another site:

Altitude and Engine Performance

Sea Level: Units of Pressure

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inches of Mercury = (in. Hg.)
Atmospheres = (atm)
Kilopascal = (kpa)
Millibars = (mb)

Pressure equivalents to: 1.0 atm = 29.9 in. Hg. = 760 mm Hg. = 101.3 kPa = 1013.25 mb

Atmospheric Pressure = 14.7 psi & 13 cubic feet of air = 1 pound

Power Loss due to Altitude
Air Density decreases at a rate of 2.9% - 3.0% for each 1000 ft. of elevation above Sea Level. See Standard Atmosphere below for background information.

Naturally Aspirated: Atmospheric Pressure 14.5 psi (It's hard to ride at sea level 14.7 psi)
Atmospheric Pressure @ 9000 feet = 10.5 psi
Pressure Loss = (14.5 - 10.5) = 4.0 (4.0/14.5) = 27.58 % @ 9,000 feet


Turbo: Atmospheric Pressure = 14.5 psi, Boost = 10 psi, Total Pressure = 24.5
Atmospheric Pressure @ 9000 feet = 10.5 psi + Boost of 10 psi = Total 20.5 psi

Approximate Pressure Loss = (24.5 - 20.5) = 4.0 (4.0/24.5) = 16.32 % @ 9,000 feet

The power loss due to altitude is much less with the Turbo. The critical difference is that you can flip the switch on the Turbo to 15 lbs boost and get your sea level HP!!

Turbo considerations: As altitude is increased the turbo fan must increase rpm to maintain a constant boost pressure. With large displacement engines (read 1000cc 4-strokes) the turbo fan may have to spin faster than is efficient. The result is slower acceleration. The cure is a larger turbo or lower elevation. Mountain sleds will challenge the best tuners ability to compensate for temperature, altitude, and changing snow conditions!

[RenoG]

Looking at the concept I must say that this thing is really looking american...Saturn like. The wheel well treatment is ugly to me.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

[Acurite]

I'll go one step further...

I know this may be a repost, but these are pics outside of Honda headquarters.
Spy Photos: 2009 Acura TSX Caught Outside Honda HQ

[integra_guy]

Originally Posted by saturnine

Whatever the case, I really wish Honda/Acura would treat the US to a wagon of some kind.

Happy now

[redlight_005]

Originally Posted by integra_guy

Happy now