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2004 Acura TL
2004 Acura TSX
While narrower than a North American Accord, the TSX seats four adults comfortably, and according to Tsuto Sasaki, Deputy Project Leader for the TSX, it offers more interior room and a bigger trunk than the BMW 3-Series. Standard equipment is extensive: the interior comes with a standard 360 watt, 8 speaker sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD player, perforated leather seats, moonroof, dual zone climate control, power 8-way driver's seat, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, heated mirrors, cruise control, and for the first time in an Acura, standard side curtain airbags. And unlike the N.A. Accord, the TSX gets split folding rear seatbacks instead of a single folding seatback. However, Canadian cars don't get the optional navigaton system because mapping software is not yet available.
A high-revving but surprisingly quiet and refined 2.4 litre twin cam 16 valve four cylinder engine with intelligent variable valve and cam timing controls pumps out a substantial 200 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. That's more horsepower than the BMW 325i, Audi A4 1.8T, and Mercedes-Benz C240 but a little less torque than all three. Still, with the aid of VTEC, this engine has a broad, even torque band and offers the quickest 0 to 100 km/h time in its class: just 7.3 seconds. Fuel economy numbers (with the manual transmission) of 11.3 l/100 km city and 8.2 l/100 km highway are better than the 325i and C240, and slightly less than the A4 1.8T - at least under ideal conditions. I'm willing to bet the turbocharged A4 get worse mileage when driven enthusiastically.
The car's vehicle dynamics are really superb - you can throw the TSX into a decreasing-radius off-camber downhill turn without much fuss - the car is well-balanced with minimal dive under braking or pitch under acceleration. Much of the credit must go to it super stiff chassis which Acura claims has better bending and torsional rigidity than the BMW 3-Series. As well, its independent double wishbone suspension, low profile Michelin MXM4 215/50R-17 inch all-season radials, standard disc brakes with ABS and EBD all provide the balance and control you'd expect of a European sports sedan. And if all else fails, the car's standard Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Assist systems will kick in automatically to restore traction and directional control.
Still, the TSX is a front-driver while the 3-Series and C-Class are rear-drivers, so its front to rear weight balance is not as even. And the TSX's power-assisted rack and pinion steering, while quick and accurate, lacks the precision of the 3-Series which is unencumbered by drivetrain duties.
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