Mikeyb

0-60: 7.4
By Jim Hall
Photo by Kenny Nakajima
Fall 2004


Launched last year on the TL sedan, Acura has now made their high-performance A-Spec accessory package available for the new Acura TSX.

The component package for the TSX includes lighter 17-in. alloy wheels shod with all- season Michelin Pilot P215/50R-17 rubber, stiffer shocks and springs, and body trim eye-candy that consists of A-Spec badging, a new front air dam, chin spoiler, side skirts and a rear decklid wing (you can opt out of this last item if so desired). The cost is $4330 plus labor, as it is a dealer-installed package. If four large is a little too rich for your blood, the suspension upgrade is available as a stand-alone item that runs $800 plus labor. All A-Spec kits come with a full warranty from the factory.

Out at the track we recorded a 0–60 time of 7.4 seconds from the i-VTEC-equipped 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that’s good for 200 horsepower. The independent suspension at all four corners performed noticeably better in the handling department over the stock TSX. But both handling and acceleration would improve if the A-Spec package included more aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

The body trim accessories in our A-Spec-equipped TSX did improve the car’s looks but may be a bit too understated for many import tuner aficionados.

This sports sedan comes with a host of standard features including high-intensity-discharge headlights, HomeLink, leather seats, dual-zone climate control and an 8-speaker 360-watt AM/FM/6-disc CD changer. And the interior’s fit and finish look like something straight out of an expensive luxury sedan.

The Acura TSX starts at a very reasonable $26,490 with either the 5-speed automatic or a slick, short-shifting 6-speed manual. The navigation system that can operate on voice commands adds an additional $2000.

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