2010 Acura TSX V6

Acura’s TSX has always been known as a responsible entry-level luxury car. Based on the European Honda Accord, the TSX has offered a right-sized exterior, solid amenities and 4-cylinder power since it was introduced in 2004. The TSX grew a bit with its 2009 redesign, and today at the Chicago Auto Show the Japanese automaker unveiled the first TSX with a V6 engine.

 

"We’ve taken a great car and we’ve kicked it up a notch," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. By doing so, Acura believes it has made the TSX more competitive with the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS.

 

The TSX’s 3.5-liter V6 engine, which also powers the base Acura TL, will produce 280 horsepower. It will be mated to Acura’s Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate that can be operated through the shifter or a pair of steering-wheel shift paddles. Acura hasn’t announced torque or fuel-economy numbers for the TSX V6, but the 3.5-liter V6 churns out 254 lb-ft of torque and gets 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway in the larger TL. That’s in comparison to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway for the TSX’s base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine when paired with the 5-speed automatic transmission.

 

The 2010 Acura TSX V6 will also get minor exterior changes and unique suspension tuning. On the outside, the front fascia will have a slightly more prominent lower lip and the trunk will get a V6 badge. Underneath, the suspension damping will be slightly firmer for sportier handling. And at each corner, the 5-spoke alloy wheels will be one inch larger, growing from 17s to 18s, and will be wrapped in Michelin Pilot all-season tires.

 

Inside, the TSX V6 will be equipped much like the base 4-cylinder model. Standard features will include leather upholstery, a power moonroof, automatic climate control, a 7-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, XM satellite radio, a Bluetooth cell phone link, a USB port and an auxiliary audio input jack.

 

Also like the base model, the TSX V6 will be offered with an optional Technology Package that will include a navigation system with voice recognition and Acuralink real-time traffic and weather, a rear-view camera and an Acura/ELS surround sound audio system.

 

The 2009 Acura TSX V6 goes on sale this summer. Pricing has not been announced.