Acura Unveils The All-New 2009 Acura TSX
Repackaging of a product which has been in existence for a number of years is an approach that has been utilized by different companies. Part of the repackaging process may include the look of the company and its products or just products alone. This is done in order to attract a new and different client base and to be able to excite their old client base as well. Acura, a brand of Honda Motor Company, decided to follow this approach when it developed its all-new 2009 Acura TSX.
Set to be unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show this March, the 2009 Acura TSX will have two versions released in the market: the base version and the Type-S version. The base version of the car will be equipped with a 2.4L four-cylinder i-VTEC engine. The car’s engine will be able to give out 230 horsepower, which is a 20 to 30 increase in horsepower from the previous model. Aside from the improvement in the car’s engine, the 2009 Acura TSX base model will also come with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission depending on the choice of the client. As for the Type-S version, Acura has installed it with a bigger turbocharged engine which can give out 260 horsepower. The engine used for the Type-S version is similar to the engine found in the Acura RDX series. Being branded as a sportier vehicle than its base model counterpart, the Type-S Acura TSX will be given six-speed auto/manual DSG gearbox and will be equipped with Honda’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive System.
Aside from the improvement in the engine department, the 2009 Acura TSX will also sport additional exterior accessories. It comes with a redesigned grille and a badge and chrome strip placed on top of the car. Plus, the overall design of the car was done in compliance with the new pedestrian impact standards.
The 2009 Acura TSX will start being produced by the end of the year and will most likely appear in showrooms by the spring of 2009. The car will also be marketed in Europe but will carry the Honda Accord name instead of the Acura TSX label.
Sources: Left Lane News, Top Honda News, MotorTrend, Jalopnik, Car And Driver, Wikipedia, Auto Blog Green