2009 Acura TSX spied

lokman · 02-17-2007, 01:23 PM

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...html?nav=RSS20

Quote:

February 16, 2007

EXCLUSIVE Spy Report: 2009 Acura TSX

LOS ANGELES — Recently, I stumbled upon a group of Honda engineers testing a new vehicle on the Angeles Crest Highway here in Southern California. I’m certainly no Jim Dunne. But I have learned a thing or two from our resident Spymaster over the years. Timing is everything--the car could be driven away at any moment. So I nervously scrambled for my camera and started clicking away.

At first glance, this test mule looks like a current generation Honda Accord. But it’s not. Under the Accord’s skin is the chassis of the next generation Acura TSX. How do I know? Well, the engineers were traveling in a convoy of undisguised current-gen models. They were probably along for comparison purposes. Notice the flares and the swelled front fenders: Those were built to cover the 225/50ZR17 tires used for testing on this prototype.

The current TSX, which debuted in 2004, is based on the European Honda Accord platform. We suspect the 2009 model will again have a unique chassis from our own American Accord. A turbocharged four cylinder derived from the recently introduced Acura RDX crossover SUV will likely provide the motivation. Expect standard all-wheel drive and much swoopier styling when the ’09 model appears. Our sources say it will be a dead ringer for the Honda Sports 4 2005 we spied recently at the Tokyo Motor Show concept. —Ben Stewart

So, not much of an article or spy shots really - looks just like a regular Accord except with the wider fender flares. But if it is going to look like the Sports4 Concept, have turbo and SH-AWD, then this is sounding really appealing.

kyotousa · 02-17-2007, 01:51 PM

how do they know it's a TSX and not just an USDM Accord...
and it's ugly.....

BlueTSX05 · 02-17-2007, 02:11 PM

weird, looks just like an accord, but I'm loving the possbilities of a turbo charger and SH-AWD, although I think I remember a honda president or exec saying that engine wasnt going in anything else right now, hmmm, who knows

MemphisRheins · 02-17-2007, 02:50 PM

Odd, its first off the previous generation accord, so 03-05, Looks like the track is much wider, thus the ugly flares... but significantly wider in the front then the rear, which is an odd combo

AcidLotus · 02-17-2007, 03:36 PM

What a croc. There is no way that is the next TSX. It looks way too much like the current gen accord. It doesn't make since to take the accord in a new direction and give the TSX the accord looks. This editor/photographer doesn't have a clue.

lokman · 02-17-2007, 03:46 PM

I think the mechanicals are what they are testing. Why is everyone saying it looks too much like the current gen Accord? That's because it is - it's not uncommon for an existing body to be placed on top of a new chassis or drivetrain for testing, which is what is happening here. It would have been better if we could have gotten a look at the underside of the car or the engine bay to confirm some of the powertrain or driveline speculation going on out there. Anyways, I'm sure we will be seeing more and more in the coming months.

BlueTSX05 · 02-17-2007, 03:49 PM

its because we all like to see pics and not read, lok, but yeah I fully understand it now

VegaTSX · 02-17-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcidLotus

What a croc. There is no way that is the next TSX. It looks way too much like the current gen accord. It doesn't make since to take the accord in a new direction and give the TSX the accord looks. This editor/photographer doesn't have a clue.

You should read the article, i didn't read the article like you on another site either so posted that it looks like current USDM Accord.

The picture just fools you because underneath the current USDM Accord is the new TSX, because they use the ACCORD Chassis to disguise the '09 TSX they also went on to say that the new TSX will look like the Sport Concept 4 seen during the '05 autoshow. That USDM Accord is not the '09 TSX but in disguise pretty much.

shay654 · 02-17-2007, 04:47 PM

Yeah, it looks like an older model of an Accord! blehhhh

lokman · 02-17-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shay654

Yeah, it looks like an older model of an Accord! blehhhh

Is anyone actually reading the article???

VorteC · 02-17-2007, 07:10 PM

Guys you gotta read the article.. this is big news IF YOU READ!

Jree$e · 02-17-2007, 07:54 PM

I can't wait.. Turbo- all wheel drive...sounds good!

VegaTSX · 02-17-2007, 07:57 PM

With Turbo and SH-AWD wonder if the price will also be the same as the current TSX? It would be awesome if the price stay the same, i'm sure with all the added options alot of people will be buying more TSX than any other vehicle of the same class.

Daffunda · 02-17-2007, 10:07 PM

It is a mule vehicle. Just like how the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln MKZ is based off of the Mazda 6, the new TSX will be based off of the current Honda Accord, but with different chassis components and some modifications. This way, you won't be making a car out of complete scratch.

Of course, after all the testing is done with this mule vehicle and all the designs are put into motion, there will be a camo'd version coming out. Probably this time next year......

Automotive industry is very intriguing, glad I am in an automotive industry.

But as with any car company, there will be bugs in the first year's model, so I wouldn't be jumping on it so quickly.

On the above topic, folks at Toyotanation forum were pretty naive. the new camry came out in 07, and the folks who got their hands on the first 07 camry's were so persistent that nothing will be changed for MY08 from MY07. (I guess they want to think that their 07's are perfect..

)

I told them to get their heads out of their ass. I don't care if you're toyota, they will improve from 07 MY camry to 08 MY camry's. No car company is perfect. Just my two cents.

lokman · 02-17-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegaTSX

With Turbo and SH-AWD wonder if the price will also be the same as the current TSX? It would be awesome if the price stay the same, i'm sure with all the added options alot of people will be buying more TSX than any other vehicle of the same class.

Yes, I wonder what the price will be. The new options are great, but I can't see the price staying the same if they offer those features, so my guess is that the base price will go up at least $2-3K. However, this would still be a value compared to the competition.

As for platform, does anyone know if the next TSX is really being built off the current Accord platform?