2010 Acura TSX V6 with wallpapers and pictures , image

Acura TSX V6 - Front Side

Acura TSX V6 car Review
 used to be that you could have any engine in your Acura TSX as long as it was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. At least that was the case until the debut of the Acura TSX V6 at the Chicago auto show.

We’ve been fans of Acura’s smallest sedan since the introduction of the first-generation model for the 2004 model year, but we have always longed for a little more pep from under the hood. Our wishes appear to come true with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 hp, which provides a 79-hp jump over the four-cylinder.

The downside is that Acura will be offering the V6 only with a five-speed sequential sportshift automatic transmission for now. We can only hope that the six-speed manual transmission becomes an option later.

Exclusive to the TSX V6 is special suspension tuning, 18-inch split five-spoke wheels and a lightly massaged front fascia.

Pricing information has not been released, but when the TSX V6 lands in Acura showrooms this summer, expect a base price of about $31,500.

Engine Acura TSX V6 Review
- 3.5L V6, 24 valves, 280 hp @ 6200 rpm
- 5 speed automatic transmission
- 18 mpg city / 27 mpg hwy

Accura is the most disappointing car line this year. I love Honda for their steering and road feel, the fact that they run on regular gas and are fun to drive and have low maintenance and great resale. Acura, however, isn’t so good at any of these things and now their new designs are just plain ugly. They’ve taken one of the best Japanese body designs, the TL, and ruined it. What they should have done was fix “Tokyo by night” dash gages, stop trying so dammed hard with all the buttons and make this car look more like a Audi inside…and leave the outside alone. Bring back the old TL. They catch my eye everytime I see one on the street. This new TSX and the new TL loook like Camry to me…which is not a good thing.

Acura TSX V6 - Rear Side

Camry’s sell because they have a great reputation for reliabilty and resale, not because of their generic yet slightly strange looks. Why would anyone imitate that ugly design? Styling guys playing it safe and following the market leader would be my guess.

But the new TL is even uglier than the Camry. The old TL was so cool! I want it in all wheel drive. I want a more subtle interior. I see by other comments, I’m not alone. Acura, open your EYES!!!

car Performance Driving 2010 Acura TSX V6 Review

The Acura’s front-wheel drive means the non-expert driver is much less likely to spin out than in the rear-drive Corvette. The Acura’s stability control, absent in ’84 Corvettes, would help keep its driver on the pavement should he make a driving error. Also, if the Acura does leave the track, the driver’s chance of surviving is much higher thanks to better energy absorbing structure, six airbags, active front head restraints and more. The 2009 TSX was rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of America: 2010 ratings weren’t available as this was written. The 2010 model earned five-star ratings, the highest available, in all Federal tests. The ’84 or ‘91 ‘Vettes would not have met those standards.

Acura TSX V6 - Right Side

A word about the tires: While they lack the grip of, say, a Michelin Pilot Sport 2 summer tire, almost no TSX owner will intentionally take the all-season 235/45R18 Michelin Pilot MXM4 to the limit of their dry drip. It’s a different story on damp roads. Since all-season tires give up some wet-road grip, among other things, to get mobility in the snow, it’s easy to reach the “Oh, Shoot” point on a damp freeway ramp. The tires were surprisingly noisy, especially over such obstacles as tar strips, and not particularly smooth riding. On the plus side, steering feel is spectacular: The car feels as if it is connected directly to your brain. This is partially thanks to the electronic power steering. The TSX V6’s suspension is retuned with firmer springs and shocks from that in the four-cylinder in an effort to provide a sportier feel.

The V6 in question is a 3.5-litre SOHC unit that develops a robust 280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. Putting this into perspective, that’s nearly 40% more horses for the TSX than the base, high-revving, 201-hp 2.4L four-cylinder. The added power, says Honda, comes courtesy of a high 11.2:1 compression ratio, VTEC valvetrain control and a dual-stage induction system contained within a lightweight magnesium intake manifold. And, while most won’t give a care for the engineering explanation, what they will care about is the strong mid-range oomph instantly available with a prod of the gas pedal. It’s a linear torque curve,Honda says, with emphasis on the rpm range most commonly used during day-to-day driving.

Indeed, where the four-cylinder TSX would best be described as balanced, the V6 definitely emphasizes the word sporting, with a healthy shove in the back seat and a rapid increase in acceleration when the pedal is mashed. Hitting 100 kilometres an hour from a standstill takes about six seconds, a good 1.5 seconds faster than with the four-banger. However, taking the car out for regular exercising exacts a penalty at the pumps. I averaged a thirsty 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres of premium unleaded during my week with the tester.

The TSX’s 3.5L SOHC V6 is silky smooth even under wide open throttle conditions. Stoplights are disposed with ease with a stab of the throttle, eliciting an acceleration that is quick but not abrupt nor harsh. Even with the right foot buried deep under the dash, there wasn’t any noticeable torque steer or drama through front wheel hop. We surprised more than a few drivers with quick getways and passing speed. Perhaps they should have taken greater notice of the discrete V6 badging out back.

It’s safe to say that the addition of the V6 has completely changed the character of the TSX. Whereas we would have viewed it as the now-defunct RSX’s 4-door brother in the past, the bigger engine changes things completely. Smaller displacement Honda / Acura engines have been traditionally known for their high-revving nature, producing horsepower figures that belie their displacement, but the weak link has always been torque. But with an available 254lb-ft of torque on tap, the TSX doesn’t need to rev very high to attain the level of acceleration to put smiles on our faces.

The 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting is a perfect compliment to the V6. Although we have never been big fans of automatic slushboxes with wanna-be manual shifting, the TSX’s unit does an admirable job with quick shifts and engagement, even blipping the throttle on downshifts. The paddles on the steering wheel reminded us of those found in DSG-equipped Audis with its feel and design. Imitation, in this case, was a great call to make.

Taking the V6 around bends and corners was pretty eventless. Although it is a front-wheel drive car, we never noticed any significant understeer that took us outside of where the steering wheel was pointed. We suspect that most TSX V6 owners will never take their cars to the limit, but it’s certainly reassuring that there is a margin of error built into the car 2010 Acura TSX V6 .