I just noticed this, but with the CL being cut from production and the TL not having a Type-S this fall with the introduction of the 2004, that would leave the RSX as the ONLY model available with the Type-S option and the only one besides the NSX that has a performance upgrade. Doesn't make sense when they've got this big section on the Type-S in their show booths and the website.

 

It seems Acura is straying from their performance roots. Too bad. I mean, you can't really have a Type S MDX or RL can you. A Type S TSX with 240 bhp would be interesting, but for now the lowly RSX will have to carry the Type S banner - that is if they don't drop that to release the Type R. Maybe Acura got tired of being confused with Jaguar's S-Type.

 

Don't forget that there is a NSX Type-S!

 

The current TL Type-S was introduced one year after the 2nd generation TL was released. I bet that there would be a Type-S or Type-R or Type-whatever later (maybe next fall) after the new '04 TL come out this fall.

 

There is only one trim of NSX sold in the U.S. - there is no Type S. I believe there is a NSX Type S sold in Japan, but still for 2004 there will only be one U.S. Type S.

 

I knew something was wrong at the Type-S Department when Acura changed their logo color from red to white...

 

corolla S

 

Who said there was not going to be a 2004 Type S TL this fall?

 

I may be mistaken but I think it's an NSX Type-R, not S, right? Oh well, my knowledge ain't what it used to be.

 

i'm sad that the Type S line is getting cut short... but in reality... the CL and TL Type S's are getting their asses kicked by competition...

the CL-S has to handle the G35 and 350Z... of course the 3-series coupes...

the TL-S has to deal with G35 sedan... 3-series sedans... WRX... Evo... and so forth...

So it's only understandable that the entry level mid-size sport coupe and sedan Type S lines be removed.

Both cars are simply not able to contend based on thier platform. Plus a bunch of innate problems such as the automatic tranny... rotors... are all reasons to take off the CL/TL Type S lines...

My vision is this...

Acura decided to keep the RSX Type S because it is a more defined vehicle... a car that was meant to be a compact sport coupe... despite the fact that the RSX Type S is also having its ass handed back to it... the wealth of aftermarket components are much more readily available for the DC5 (than the CL) which could keep the car competitive as the FF warrior's car of choice.

my take on the sport sedan line would be our new hotshot TSX... which i think is rather depressing in it's current pre-pubescent stage... a 200hp sport sedan when the TL-S carries 260 and Accord V6 pumping 240... whoever decided to drop a 200hp I4 into the TSX should be shot in the foot first... then shot in the head... Honda and Acura is under severe heat... this is no time for an idiot to launch a marketing "test-run" to see if the TSX is accepted by the public...


my assumption... is the release of a TSX Type S... it'd be the only logical thing to do... and im hoping for our current J32A2 V6 260hp engine to be matched with the CL-S's 6-speed and LSD to make this car competitive against the on-coming barrage of hp-happy machines...

A visualization of this would be the frequent comparison (at least back then) of the 330i vs TL-S. Despite mixed results... it appears that more ppl seem to agree that the bimmer would take the TL.

However, IF the TSX were to be able to be matched with the J32A2 PLUS the 6-speed... it'd be a much more interesting match. I'm almost sure the lighter bodyweight would allow the TSX to defeat the 330 sedan in acceleration. handling... well... an FF will always be an FF... so let's not go there :P

Too much power for a FF sedan? Sure. But hey... that's the whole point of the Honda Tradition of FF cars right?

my 2 cents for free.

 

It is rumored that there will be a high end performance TSX (perhaps Type-S) for 2005.
Will have a V6. Do not have projected HP numbers for it yet.