Acura model names: Origin of name "TSX"?
#1
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Acura model names: Origin of name "TSX"?
Where does the model name "TSX" originate from? Is there any rhyme or reason to Acura's naming convention, or do they use a random letter generator for each new model?
#2
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#8
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Back in the day I know the CL was Coupe Luxury, the TL was Touring Luxury, and the RL was Road Luxury. That's when the Integra's were still around. The NSX name was a mystery- figured the "S" was for sport and the "X" was just because it sounded cool, who knows what the "N" stood for...
So with that thinking I would say that RSX is Road Sport and the TSX is Touring Sport. Just my guess...
So with that thinking I would say that RSX is Road Sport and the TSX is Touring Sport. Just my guess...
#11
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The NSX could be called New Sport Experimental because since the 80's Honda wanted to create a exotic sports car. I guess this car was an experiment into that niche. It was something new to Honda back in 1990, but thats just my guess....dunno.
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#12
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I think y'all are right on target about the RS and TS parts.
About the "X": I think it's mainly just that the letter has acquired a racy, high-tech connotation in general. Corporations discovered this, especially around the early or mid-'90's but actually going back to the early '80's. They started using the "X" liberally in the names of tech products and programs, and even in company names (e.g. "Xidex"). Pharmaceutical companies got into it too (e.g. "Xanax"). Maybe Honda/Acura had some real word in mind for the X (like maybe "experimental"), but I think we can be sure that would have been after-the-fact rationalizing. I'd bet the main reason was just the high-tech connotation.
About the "X": I think it's mainly just that the letter has acquired a racy, high-tech connotation in general. Corporations discovered this, especially around the early or mid-'90's but actually going back to the early '80's. They started using the "X" liberally in the names of tech products and programs, and even in company names (e.g. "Xidex"). Pharmaceutical companies got into it too (e.g. "Xanax"). Maybe Honda/Acura had some real word in mind for the X (like maybe "experimental"), but I think we can be sure that would have been after-the-fact rationalizing. I'd bet the main reason was just the high-tech connotation.
#21
Well, S can't be short for "sedan" RSX and NSX.
X may mean "sporty". RSX, NSX, MDX (MDX is pretty sporty for an SUV weighing over 4000 pounds)
T = touring?
The way I look at it, its an "in between" model. Between the RSX and the TL. Combine the two and you get TSX. Works for me
X may mean "sporty". RSX, NSX, MDX (MDX is pretty sporty for an SUV weighing over 4000 pounds)
T = touring?
The way I look at it, its an "in between" model. Between the RSX and the TL. Combine the two and you get TSX. Works for me
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#22
2006 DGP Sold 10/24/2012
Originally posted by w_piti
TL .... RSX.....
Put together become
TSX?????
Isnt that so?
TL .... RSX.....
Put together become
TSX?????
Isnt that so?
Originally posted by larchmont
About the "X": I think it's mainly just that the letter has acquired a racy, high-tech connotation in general.
About the "X": I think it's mainly just that the letter has acquired a racy, high-tech connotation in general.
Santa Rosa Steve
#23
X is the letter Honda uses for their concept/Experimental cars.
The NSX started as NS-X (New-sportcar eXperimental) the company liked how NSX sounded so much they stuck with it. In concept form RS-X, TL-X, CL-X, MD-X, RD-X, NS-X. In production form RSX (Racing-sports eXperimental), TL (Touring Luxury), CL (Contemporary Luxury), RL (Refined Luxury), TSX ( Touring Sedan-eXperimental), MDX ( Multi-Dimension eXpermental ).
The L line is supposed to be the more refined of the two lines of cars. The X line being the racy versions. Now we have the FP (A-Spec) line to deal with too.
The NSX started as NS-X (New-sportcar eXperimental) the company liked how NSX sounded so much they stuck with it. In concept form RS-X, TL-X, CL-X, MD-X, RD-X, NS-X. In production form RSX (Racing-sports eXperimental), TL (Touring Luxury), CL (Contemporary Luxury), RL (Refined Luxury), TSX ( Touring Sedan-eXperimental), MDX ( Multi-Dimension eXpermental ).
The L line is supposed to be the more refined of the two lines of cars. The X line being the racy versions. Now we have the FP (A-Spec) line to deal with too.
#25
Originally posted by larchmont
Justin -- Doesn't the fact that the "S" is in RSX and NSX mean that it can't mean "sedan"?
"Sport" sounds good to me.
Justin -- Doesn't the fact that the "S" is in RSX and NSX mean that it can't mean "sedan"?
"Sport" sounds good to me.
Yeah S can't stand for sedan in the RSX or NSX.
#28
Originally posted by STC
I think you are all wrong! The letter names was Hondas way of being luxurious. Thats why they got rid of the Integra name. Its still Integra in Japan, Europe, etc.
I think you are all wrong! The letter names was Hondas way of being luxurious. Thats why they got rid of the Integra name. Its still Integra in Japan, Europe, etc.
I know what the letters they stand for...
I should heck I only worked for them for 6 years.
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You could both be right. In fact, I think you are.
I think what STC said is the "really basic reason."
And once they decided that, they figured they'd make the letters stand for something, at least sort of --
and I guess what they stand for is what Justin said.
But I still wonder, is it really likely that the "S" stands for different things on different models??
I think what STC said is the "really basic reason."
And once they decided that, they figured they'd make the letters stand for something, at least sort of --
and I guess what they stand for is what Justin said.
But I still wonder, is it really likely that the "S" stands for different things on different models??
#30
Originally posted by STC
I think you are all wrong! The letter names was Hondas way of being luxurious. Thats why they got rid of the Integra name. Its still Integra in Japan, Europe, etc.
I think you are all wrong! The letter names was Hondas way of being luxurious. Thats why they got rid of the Integra name. Its still Integra in Japan, Europe, etc.
Honda kept the Integra name outside NA since Acura doesn't exist outside US and Canada. It's also more consistent with global naming conventions since you don't run into language and culture traps with certain names (Nova and Miata come to mind).
Acura dropped the engine size numbers since it became redundant when they got rid of the 2.4L engines on the first-gen TL and CL.
#31
I guess the above mentioned marketing trick worked on me. When I people ask, I say "I drive an Acura", because many non-car people have no idea what a TSX is. When they ask what a TSX is, I say "bigger than a Civic, smaller than an Accord". People also get confused here because in Toronto, TSX also stands for the Toronto Stock Exchange.
#32
I posted to link to an article about this, but I don't remember which thread it was in. Anyway, TSX doesn't stand for anything.
#33
Originally posted by kiteboy
I guess the above mentioned marketing trick worked on me. When I people ask, I say "I drive an Acura", because many non-car people have no idea what a TSX is. When they ask what a TSX is, I say "bigger than a Civic, smaller than an Accord". People also get confused here because in Toronto, TSX also stands for the Toronto Stock Exchange.
I guess the above mentioned marketing trick worked on me. When I people ask, I say "I drive an Acura", because many non-car people have no idea what a TSX is. When they ask what a TSX is, I say "bigger than a Civic, smaller than an Accord". People also get confused here because in Toronto, TSX also stands for the Toronto Stock Exchange.
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#35
04EuroAccordTsx wrote:
I liked the old names too. Does this mean my TSX could be called an Acura Accord
maybe someone should mail or email acura and ask them?
i still miss their old names
acura legend
acura integra
i still miss their old names
acura legend
acura integra
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#36
i'm going with the "experimental" people...I remember people used to say that the crx was civic racing experimental, but I'm actually clueless as to how any car maker comes up with their names.
#38
Originally posted by gavinn58
but I'm actually clueless as to how any car maker comes up with their names.
but I'm actually clueless as to how any car maker comes up with their names.
At least the other lux makes adhere to some sort of alphanumeric naming convention related to body type/size and engine displacement. Although lately BMW has been breaking their own rules on engine size to get even model numbers.
#39
2006 DGP Sold 10/24/2012
Originally posted by kiteboy
It's also more consistent with global naming conventions since you don't run into language and culture traps with certain names (Nova and Miata come to mind).
It's also more consistent with global naming conventions since you don't run into language and culture traps with certain names (Nova and Miata come to mind).
Originally posted by justinjsw
I give up you guys believe what ever you want.
I give up you guys believe what ever you want.
Santa Rosa Steve
#40
Originally posted by Santa Rosa Steve
Never heard of any problems with Miata, although the Nova fiasco is well-documented.
Never heard of any problems with Miata, although the Nova fiasco is well-documented.