The full spec of the 2009 Acura TSX has been revealed today:
Compared to the outgoing TSX, the wheelbase grows 1.3 inches, overall length is up 2.4 inches and width swells 3.0 inches (over a 2.6-inch-wider track).
Honda's 2.4-liter i-VTEC DOHC four returns as the TSX's sole power plant. When lashed to a six-speed manual transaxle it will be rated at 201 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of peak torque. That's down four ponies from the 205-hp rating the engine carries in the 2008 TSX, but up 8 lb-ft of torque. Acura claims that the better midrange oomph means the 2009 model should launch harder, with better responsiveness through corners.
Acura is pegging the mileage ratings for the manual tranny at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined. For the automatic those numbers go up to 21, 30 and 24 respectively.
Now my question is: You've gotta be kidding me right? We've waited 6 years for this?
Where is the turbo-4 found on the RDX with 240hp and 260 lb-ft? Granted that engine is less fuel efficient but at least it puts out "respectable" numbers compare to cars in this segment. Where is the SH-AWD? Why isn't it at least an option? Where is the new automatic transmission? When other manufactures have already moved on to 6-speed (Lexus and BMW), 7-speed (MB) and even 8-speed (Lexus) why is Acura still stuck on the ancient 5-speed?
Let's compare the 2009 TSX to the same model from 5 years ago:
2009 TSX: FWD, 5-speed AT / 6-speed MT, 201hp, 172 lb-ft
2004 TSX: FWD, 5-speed AT / 6-speed MT, 200hp, 166 lb-ft
Then let's see other competitors' 5-year comparison:
2008 BMW 335i: RWD, 6-speed AT / 6-speed MT, 300hp, 300 lb-ft
2003 BMW 330i: RWD, 5-speed AT / 5-speed MT, 225hp, 214 lb-ft
2008 Lexus IS350: RWD, 6-speed AT, 306hp, 277 lb-ft
2003 Lexus IS300: RWD, 5-speed AT / 5-speed MT, 215hp, 218 lb-ft
2008 Infiniti G35: RWD, 5-speed AT / 6-speed MT, 306hp, 268 lb-ft
2003 Infiniti G35: RWD, 5-speed AT / 6-speed MT, 260hp, 260 lb-ft
By looking at the above numbers I have only one word for the '09 TSX: PATHETIC.
