1st Acura AWD sedan - TSX or TL?
#1
![Arrow](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/icons/icon2.gif)
Audi, BMW, MB, VW, Subaru, Volvo and now Infiniti all have sedans that feature various AWD systems. "IF" and this is a big "IF", Acura ever comes out with an AWD sedan, do you think it will debut on the TSX or the TL? Here are my thoughts...
I would put my money on the TL for a variety of reasons.
WEIGHT & PERFORMANCE: The TSX's 4 cylinder engine is already pulling a lot of weight around and adding the extra weight of an AWD system would hurt it's overall performance even more. Maybe a V6 version of the TSX would be better suited for any AWD system?
PRICE: The TSX is priced at 26,990 w/o navi. Adding AWD to a vehicle is usually around $2,200. That would bring the cost to around 29,200 which still isn't bad, but I am not sure they could do it with the 4 cylinder engine. Adding a V6 would push the price too close to the TL and I just don't see that happening.
The TL has more than enough power to handle the addition of an AWD system and more importantly, the TL's MSRP is more in line with the price being offered for the competitions AWD sedans.
The 2005 Volvo S40 will be interesting to see. The T5 edition will feature a turbocharged 220-horsepower engine with AWD. Early-to-mid 2004 - estimated $28,000 range. That vehicle will come down to the interior. IMO, Volvo has yet to impress me with ANY of thier interiors.
I would put my money on the TL for a variety of reasons.
WEIGHT & PERFORMANCE: The TSX's 4 cylinder engine is already pulling a lot of weight around and adding the extra weight of an AWD system would hurt it's overall performance even more. Maybe a V6 version of the TSX would be better suited for any AWD system?
PRICE: The TSX is priced at 26,990 w/o navi. Adding AWD to a vehicle is usually around $2,200. That would bring the cost to around 29,200 which still isn't bad, but I am not sure they could do it with the 4 cylinder engine. Adding a V6 would push the price too close to the TL and I just don't see that happening.
The TL has more than enough power to handle the addition of an AWD system and more importantly, the TL's MSRP is more in line with the price being offered for the competitions AWD sedans.
The 2005 Volvo S40 will be interesting to see. The T5 edition will feature a turbocharged 220-horsepower engine with AWD. Early-to-mid 2004 - estimated $28,000 range. That vehicle will come down to the interior. IMO, Volvo has yet to impress me with ANY of thier interiors.
![](http://www.swedespeed.com/old_site/resources/gallery/cars/04_s40/sport/small/01.jpg)
#2
Senior Moderator
I'd guess it would come in on the higher models, maybe even the rl, ...and then works its way down to the TSX.
I also think the TSX will eventually get a 6 cyl engine. With the horsepower wars going the way they are ... I dont think a N/A 4 will be able to keep up once cars like the 325, is300, A4, etc start getting alot more power in the next few years. Then again maybe I am not giving enough credit to honda...they are masters of the 4 bangers so maybe they can figure something out.
I also think the TSX will eventually get a 6 cyl engine. With the horsepower wars going the way they are ... I dont think a N/A 4 will be able to keep up once cars like the 325, is300, A4, etc start getting alot more power in the next few years. Then again maybe I am not giving enough credit to honda...they are masters of the 4 bangers so maybe they can figure something out.
#3
Senior Moderator
What we know for sure is that the next RL due later this year will not be FWD, thats been confirmed by the president of Honda. We can safely bet it won't be RWD so I guess it will be the first AWD Acura.
#4
More On
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Larchmont, NY
Posts: 4,388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TL, because of some additional reasons:
-- There are going to be a lot more of them, so the extra start-up manufacturing costs would be a lot less on a per-car basis.
-- TL's have basically their own production lines. TSX doesn't. (Right??)
But if they come out with an AWD on the Euro Accord, it's all a different story -- then it could go either way.
-- There are going to be a lot more of them, so the extra start-up manufacturing costs would be a lot less on a per-car basis.
-- TL's have basically their own production lines. TSX doesn't. (Right??)
But if they come out with an AWD on the Euro Accord, it's all a different story -- then it could go either way.
#5
Senior Moderator
Originally posted by larchmont
But if they come out with an AWD on the Euro Accord, it's all a different story -- then it could go either way.
But if they come out with an AWD on the Euro Accord, it's all a different story -- then it could go either way.
The RL will be the first AWD Acura IMO.
Trending Topics
#8
I think RL will get AWD first in America.Usually the "flahship" is the first to get the new item. And a V-6 TSX.. i don;t think so.... Acura will stay in I-4 for TSX. like EL model. In 99 is 1.6, 2000 move to 1.7. But still have the same HP. even the civic have the same HP as EL now.. (in 99 EL have 20hp more compare to 99 civic, beside SIR model) so acura won;t change TSX to V-6.
#10
Last rumor I heard was the RL will have a 6-cylinder engine driving the front wheels and IMA driving the rear wheels. It sounds like it's for performance rather than all weather capabilities, I don't think it's even considered to be truly AWD. But like I said, it's just a rumor.
#13
Moderator Alumnus
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Age: 51
Posts: 4,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let's not all forget that the TSX has been engineered in its current form to accept IMA driving the rear wheels.
The RL will be first, but don't put the money on that AWD TL just yet. However, the "where it fits in the line" problem is a very big one ... oh wait ... check out the A4 Quattro vs. the A6 prices![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I personally think the TSX AWD might have a bigger market than a more luxury based TL market. Anyone have a place handy that shows Audi's quattro sales on A4 vs. A6? That would be verrrrry interesting and might give some insight on this debate.
As for me ... I might just have to buy whichever one comes in 2nd after the RL
The RL will be first, but don't put the money on that AWD TL just yet. However, the "where it fits in the line" problem is a very big one ... oh wait ... check out the A4 Quattro vs. the A6 prices
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I personally think the TSX AWD might have a bigger market than a more luxury based TL market. Anyone have a place handy that shows Audi's quattro sales on A4 vs. A6? That would be verrrrry interesting and might give some insight on this debate.
As for me ... I might just have to buy whichever one comes in 2nd after the RL
![Wink](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#14
has been here awhile
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: 1st Acura AWD sedan - TSX or TL?
Originally posted by Buff-Daddy
..."IF" and this is a big "IF", Acura ever comes out with an AWD sedan, do you think it will debut on the TSX or the TL?...
..."IF" and this is a big "IF", Acura ever comes out with an AWD sedan, do you think it will debut on the TSX or the TL?...
#15
Re: Re: 1st Acura AWD sedan - TSX or TL?
Originally posted by SPUDMTN
Sorry, but AWD for future Acuras is not an "IF" question...it's WHEN and WHAT. Around the beginning of April we'll see the new RL @ the New York Auto Show (which almost certainly has AWD or some form of it.) Acura knows that it can't keep making FWD cars while upping HP.
Sorry, but AWD for future Acuras is not an "IF" question...it's WHEN and WHAT. Around the beginning of April we'll see the new RL @ the New York Auto Show (which almost certainly has AWD or some form of it.) Acura knows that it can't keep making FWD cars while upping HP.
#16
RL will be introduced with AWD, TL will get it next (to compete with AWD G35 and also to mitigate the reported excessive torque steer on the 6MT model especially) and the TSX will also get it, maybe even for 05.
Why do they need to put a 6 cyl in the TSX if they can tweak the I4 to make a smooth 240 HP or so? What's the point? Buyers haven't been so put off by the fact the TSX has a 4 cyl anyway, judging by sales.
Why do they need to put a 6 cyl in the TSX if they can tweak the I4 to make a smooth 240 HP or so? What's the point? Buyers haven't been so put off by the fact the TSX has a 4 cyl anyway, judging by sales.
#17
More On
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Larchmont, NY
Posts: 4,388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: 1st Acura AWD sedan - TSX or TL?
Originally posted by Buff-Daddy
.....I just don't see a big market for the RL unless it is a totally, and I mean totally different car. Either that or it will have to be consideribly less than the other flagship vehicles out there because there is a lot of stiff competition.
.....I just don't see a big market for the RL unless it is a totally, and I mean totally different car. Either that or it will have to be consideribly less than the other flagship vehicles out there because there is a lot of stiff competition.
Putting it all together, I'd have to guess the new one IS going to be a very different car all around.
#18
Originally posted by tsx-mdxman
RL will be introduced with AWD, TL will get it next (to compete with AWD G35 and also to mitigate the reported excessive torque steer on the 6MT model especially) and the TSX will also get it, maybe even for 05.
Why do they need to put a 6 cyl in the TSX if they can tweak the I4 to make a smooth 240 HP or so? What's the point? Buyers haven't been so put off by the fact the TSX has a 4 cyl anyway, judging by sales.
RL will be introduced with AWD, TL will get it next (to compete with AWD G35 and also to mitigate the reported excessive torque steer on the 6MT model especially) and the TSX will also get it, maybe even for 05.
Why do they need to put a 6 cyl in the TSX if they can tweak the I4 to make a smooth 240 HP or so? What's the point? Buyers haven't been so put off by the fact the TSX has a 4 cyl anyway, judging by sales.
As far as upping the 4 cylinder to 240hp, I think that is a little more than a "tweak" and I think they already "tweaked" fairly well to get it to 200hp. Can Honda/Acura do it, of course they can, but I would think that slapping in the current 240hp V6 Accord engine would be a heck of a lot cheaper and easier. Even if they tweaked the current 4 cylinder engine, the additional weight of the AWD system would eat up a lot of that additional hp in a hurry.
Although the 4 cylinder in the TSX is not preventing people from buying it, I don't think it is exactly thier main selling point either. I think it would be doing just as well if not better with a 240hp V6, even if that bumped the starting price to 28k.
#19
Originally posted by Buff-Daddy
AWD TSX in 05? That would mean it would be coming out toward the end of this summer? I think that is a little optimistic, but I think we would all love to see it.
As far as upping the 4 cylinder to 240hp, I think that is a little more than a "tweak" and I think they already "tweaked" fairly well to get it to 200hp. Can Honda/Acura do it, of course they can, but I would think that slapping in the current 240hp V6 Accord engine would be a heck of a lot cheaper and easier. Even if they tweaked the current 4 cylinder engine, the additional weight of the AWD system would eat up a lot of that additional hp in a hurry.
Although the 4 cylinder in the TSX is not preventing people from buying it, I don't think it is exactly thier main selling point either. I think it would be doing just as well if not better with a 240hp V6, even if that bumped the starting price to 28k.
AWD TSX in 05? That would mean it would be coming out toward the end of this summer? I think that is a little optimistic, but I think we would all love to see it.
As far as upping the 4 cylinder to 240hp, I think that is a little more than a "tweak" and I think they already "tweaked" fairly well to get it to 200hp. Can Honda/Acura do it, of course they can, but I would think that slapping in the current 240hp V6 Accord engine would be a heck of a lot cheaper and easier. Even if they tweaked the current 4 cylinder engine, the additional weight of the AWD system would eat up a lot of that additional hp in a hurry.
Although the 4 cylinder in the TSX is not preventing people from buying it, I don't think it is exactly thier main selling point either. I think it would be doing just as well if not better with a 240hp V6, even if that bumped the starting price to 28k.
#20
has been here awhile
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: Re: 1st Acura AWD sedan - TSX or TL?
Originally posted by larchmont
...Putting it all together, I'd have to guess the new one IS going to be a very different car all around.
...Putting it all together, I'd have to guess the new one IS going to be a very different car all around.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Evil Teo
3G MDX (2014-2020)
14
08-16-2020 04:29 AM
Nitin
Car Parts for Sale
4
09-30-2015 08:22 PM
elietania
4G TL Problems & Fixes
1
09-05-2015 06:52 AM