In what Acura describes as the first in a series of enhancements the company will make to its lineup this year, a V-6-powered 2010 TSX sedan makes its debut at the Chicago auto show. Positioned to fill the gap between the new 2009 TSX four-cylinder and the similarly fresh TL mid-size sedan, the more powerful, front-wheel-drive TSX will go on sale this summer.
Powering the new TSX, which is sold as the Honda Accord in Europe, will be the same 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 found in the standard TL; all-wheel-drive TL SH-AWD models use a 300-hp 3.7-liter V-6, with a manual transmission option coming in 2010. The six-cylinder TSX, however, will only be available with a five-speed automatic featuring steering-wheel paddle shifters and shift-hold control. While the added grunt of the V-6 surely will benefit straight-line speed compared with the 201-hp TSX four-cylinder, we’re holding judgment until we experience how the TSX’s lively handling is impacted by the bigger, heavier engine.
To go along with the 79-hp boost, V-6 TSXs also will be equipped with sportier suspension tuning and unique 18-inch wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot all-season rubber. Other than the new wheels, aesthetic changes are limited to a revised front fascia and a V-6 badge on the trunk. As with lesser TSXs, the V-6 version will come with a host of standard features, including leather seating, a power sunroof, a seven-speaker audio system with XM satellite radio, and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity. Options will include a technology package with GPS navigation and a rear-view camera, as well as an Acura/ELS premium audio system upgrade.
Although the less powerful four-cylinder TSX is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, don’t expect the V-6 to affect fuel economy too much, as the larger TL with the same powertrain gets 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Acura says pricing and additional details will be available closer to the car’s launch, so stay tuned for updates and initial drive reviews.
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