Acura TSX

The 2006 model year TSX’s powertrain is comprised of a 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission (which features a magnesium casing, to reduce weight), and a front wheel drive layout. A five-speed automatic transmission is optional and does not incur extra cost in the U.S. based on MSRP. Such is not the case in Canada. The engine, the K24A2, is related to the engine in the Honda Accord (7th generation), the Honda CR-V, the Honda Element, and a smaller version in the Acura RSX and RSX Type-S. The K24A2 features intelligent variable valve timing i-VTEC and produces 205 horsepower (150 kW) in this iteration. The TSX’s suspension setup of a double wishbone front and a multi-link in the rear was especially tuned by the Honda engineers to maximize handling and cornering speed. In 2006, the TSX was updated with slight tweaks to the engine (adding 5 hp); a sportier exterior styling featuring a slightly new front and rear treatment, standard side skirts, and standard, integral fog lights; and restyled wheels. State of the art interior features have been added, including a Multi-information Display (MID) in the instrument panel, more standard safety features, and luxury features such as an auxiliary MP3 player input and Bluetooth-compatible HandsFreeLink. In 2007, besides a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System and an improved electronic rear view mirror, the TSX is the same. The 2008 model year brings a few additional features and a new colour to the TSX. In testing conducted by the United States based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura TSX received an overall rating of Poor rear crash protection, an overall rating of Good for frontal offset testing, and an overall rating of Acceptable for side impact testing. The 2006 Acura TSX features a new 2.4-litre in-line 4 cylinder engine making 205 hp (153 kW) SAE J1349 net. The advertised increased power figures on previous models were over-estimated by +10 hp (7 kW), the actual power rating is 205 hp (153 kW). SAE J1349 is a third party program designed to eliminate ambiguities that allowed engine makers to cite power and torque ratings higher than the engine’s actual capabilities. The most significant changes to the motor are described as follows: On the intake side of the TSX engine, the diameter of both the throttle body and the intake duct were enlarged to increase induction flow rate from 95 liters per second to 110 liters per second. In addition the diameter and shape of the intake valve were enhanced to help increase intake flow by 16 percent and the high RPM cam profile for the intake cam was modified to provide increased intake valve lift and duration. In addition, a ventilation passage was machined into the engine block to reduce pumping friction by increasing air flow between cylinders.