Earlier this year at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced that 2009 would see Honda's first clean diesel engine to be sold in the USA. Though it was stated that the diesel engine would appear in an undisclosed Acura model, it was all but common knowledge that the TSX would be the first model to get the diesel engine.

Fast forward nearly 10 months, and we've received an anonymous tip asserting that the i-DTEC TSX has been delayed indefinitely (if not cancelled outright). According to the anonymous sources, the 6MT version of the i-DTEC TSX has successfully cleared emissions certification, but the automatic-equipped version has been unable to pass certification. According to these sources, Acura believes that the demand for a TSX diesel would be greatly compromised if it were only offered with a 6-speed manual, so the decision was allegedly made to put the TSX diesel on indefinite hold.

That's the bad news. The good news is that a V-6 version is said to be coming soon - it's supposedly being "fast-tracked" to make up for the missing diesel. We're still seeking any details we can uncover on that powertrain.

 

Hmmm....I dont know. Has it occurred to them that they just may need to update there old *** automatic transmission? How could they let something like common sense get in the way....


Smooth move on the V6. Definitely expected. Seems like they are moving the TL upmarket, and the TSX will come in to compete with the compact lux class.

 

They better pull though with the V6. These little cars are suppose to be the bigger seller of the brand.

V6 + SH-AWD? hrm..

But why do I get the feeling they're just going to shove in the old-tech J-series that lacks a good amount of low end power relative to its competitor's V6????

 

That is what they call good news? Me personally, I would have rather seen the i-VTEC tubo 4 myself in the TSX, not a V6.

 

Where is this information coming from?

 

The automatic transmission that Honda has in the Euro Accord diesel (what would have been our TSX diesel) is a brand new transmission.

 

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=796361

It still will be ugly as sin and probably have tons of weight bias up front. Its already 59/41.

 

I don't know how reliable this information is...If it's true, I have no idea why they'd stuff a V6 instead of the turbo from the RDX. It could be a real competitor to the 2.0TFSI from vw/Audi.

 

The lead engineer for the RDX is a lady. She put the intercooler on top of the engine.
Well the engine clearly would fit in the TSX, but the top fitting intercooler will not. Thus no turbo TSX.

This is from Honda themselves. The engine will not fit.

 

Time for a new engine then. I have two Accords and both really are lacking in low-end torque. Ones a J-Series 3.0 SOHC VTEC V6, the other a 2.4 i-VTEC. They both sound great in the upper RPM band and have relatively healthy 0-60 times (7.5 seconds) but torque monsters they are NOT. I really wish Honda would re-evaluate this. I don't enjoy driving down the city block at 4,000rpm just to get useable power. I mean, it's acceptable in an Accord/Civic I suppose, but when you're driving an MDX/Pilot, it's unacceptable.

 

VW sells the majority of their diesel Jettas in manual trans.

 

Funny how power is fasttracked to make up for mpg.... I've never seen it the other way around


Why? It guzzles gas as much as a V6 (or worst) so you might as well have a nicer, smoother V6 over a turbo 4.

 

None of the Acuras are imressive when it comes to fuel economy. Come on, the RL is rated for 16/22. Yick. Theyre in worse shape than Mercedes.

 

that's a shame about the diesel.

 

The new TSX is much bigger than the IS. The little IS is for midgets. And now they came out with a girlie cabrio IS. I say bring back the IS300 styling, something more aggressive and with usable backseat, otherwise make it a coupe.