Joined
·
2,496 Posts
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
By Donald I. Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Can car companies undergo personality changes?
You bet.
Have you seen the newest Acura models, the TSX and the TL? They're nothing like any Acura you've ever seen. Bold, brash, in-your-face and not particularly subtle, these cars are so edgy and menacing in an alluring way that you'll swear there's got to be an automotive Dr. Frankenstein behind the curtain pulling the switches at Acura.
Acuras no longer are quiet, subtle cars that are "safe" choices. Nowadays, Acura distinguishes itself by being at the forefront in technology as well as styling. And things are just getting good -- wait until you see the all-new RL next fall. It's a knockout.
For now, when you visit your Acura dealer, take a look first at the TSX. This is Acura's entry-level luxury sedan with a decidedly blade-like appearance, sleek profile and technology that bristles. Power comes from a 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, and for a front-wheel-drive car, the TSX handles quite aggressively. It corners as if it's on tracks, and the brakes are among the best around.
Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with manual shift option, dual zone air conditioning, anti-skid system, and anti-lock brakes, curtain side air bags, front side air bags, traction control, full power, and enough other goodies to place it at the front of the pack.
And the wonder of all this is that it comes at a reasonable price. Base prices start at $26,490 without navigation and $28,490 with it. Fuel economy is 21/29 with the manual and 23/32 with the automatic.
The TL is the midline luxury model, but there's nothing middle of the road about this front-wheel-drive performance machine. The aggressive grille features headlights and frontal design that look like an angry snarl, and a character line along the flanks of the car draw the eye to that lowered side profile, with fat tires and aluminum wheels.
If you're a sound and tech freak, this is the ride for you. The sound system is incomparable, with a ground-breaking DVD-audio capability in which each instrument in your music comes from a different speaker. It's like sitting in the midst of a symphony orchestra. It also has a HandsFreeLink system that allows you to use your cellphone and keep your paws on the steering wheel at the same time.
Performance is terrific with a 270-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6, which gets 20/30 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway, respectively, with the six-speed manual. If you get the five-speed automatic, expect 20/28 miles per gallon.
Prices range from $32,650 to $34,650.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04168/332338.stm
By Donald I. Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Can car companies undergo personality changes?
You bet.
Have you seen the newest Acura models, the TSX and the TL? They're nothing like any Acura you've ever seen. Bold, brash, in-your-face and not particularly subtle, these cars are so edgy and menacing in an alluring way that you'll swear there's got to be an automotive Dr. Frankenstein behind the curtain pulling the switches at Acura.
Acuras no longer are quiet, subtle cars that are "safe" choices. Nowadays, Acura distinguishes itself by being at the forefront in technology as well as styling. And things are just getting good -- wait until you see the all-new RL next fall. It's a knockout.
For now, when you visit your Acura dealer, take a look first at the TSX. This is Acura's entry-level luxury sedan with a decidedly blade-like appearance, sleek profile and technology that bristles. Power comes from a 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, and for a front-wheel-drive car, the TSX handles quite aggressively. It corners as if it's on tracks, and the brakes are among the best around.
Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with manual shift option, dual zone air conditioning, anti-skid system, and anti-lock brakes, curtain side air bags, front side air bags, traction control, full power, and enough other goodies to place it at the front of the pack.
And the wonder of all this is that it comes at a reasonable price. Base prices start at $26,490 without navigation and $28,490 with it. Fuel economy is 21/29 with the manual and 23/32 with the automatic.
The TL is the midline luxury model, but there's nothing middle of the road about this front-wheel-drive performance machine. The aggressive grille features headlights and frontal design that look like an angry snarl, and a character line along the flanks of the car draw the eye to that lowered side profile, with fat tires and aluminum wheels.
If you're a sound and tech freak, this is the ride for you. The sound system is incomparable, with a ground-breaking DVD-audio capability in which each instrument in your music comes from a different speaker. It's like sitting in the midst of a symphony orchestra. It also has a HandsFreeLink system that allows you to use your cellphone and keep your paws on the steering wheel at the same time.
Performance is terrific with a 270-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6, which gets 20/30 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway, respectively, with the six-speed manual. If you get the five-speed automatic, expect 20/28 miles per gallon.
Prices range from $32,650 to $34,650.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04168/332338.stm
