Nari

Testing of the 6mt 4 cylinder Accord Sport shows it gets to 60 in 6.6 seconds

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-update-review

Since the TLX will probably have more power - Acura said it gets an all new engine - and since it should have a shorter first, second and third gear it would seem probable that it would be a low six second and possibly (remote) even a high five car. Just speculating but every time I've seen a dct tested versus a manual of the same car the dct is always faster. Assuming the same transmission was used in the Accord Sport with the same engine I'm guessing .03 seconds off 0-60. The torque converter on the DCT should also allow a brake torqued launch - a DCT first. I don't know, just speculating.

I wish they'd release more info on the TLX instead of teasing the hell out of us.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

More info is expected in April.

Given that the Accord is probably pretty close in weight to the TLX and the new DI motors seem to be quite solid performance wise, I would not be surprised if the TLX managed to deliver competitive performance with comparatively lower numbers.

JM2010 SH-AWD

We have the '13 EX with 2.4/6MT. If anything, it might be a bit quicker than the Sport because the 17 inch wheels are lighter than the 18s on the Sport.


It's no race car, but it has plenty of pop if you shift it correctly. Amazing, really, for such a practical car that has a ton of room and still attains 40 mpg on longer freeway jaunts.

Colin

This begs the question, "how fast do they need to go?" If, for example, they are able to get the 0 to 60 time into the middle six second range, should they back off from further speed to game a couple more mpg? Especially considering that the four-cylinder buyers are probably quite interested in this.

Nedmundo

The beauty of transmissions like a good 8DCT is that they can provide both, especially when paired with driving modes the TLX is slated to have (sport, Eco, etc.). Care most about MPG? Cool. Just switch to eco mode and "enjoy" softer throttle response and upshifts at lower rpm. Look at what BMW has managed with the 8AT in the 3 Series. It's remarkable, and I think the four cylinder TLX will pull off something similar, albeit without quite the performance of the 328i.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

There has to be a balance, obviously. I would be quite happy with a low to mid 6 second 0-60 time and about 35 mpg in the highway. I want performance and fuel economy competitive with the peer group.

Certainly not expecting it to put down acceleration times on par with the 328i, but the trade-off has to be better fuel economy than the BMW offers.

George Knighton

Personally I'm curious about how smooth they're going to be able to make the 8 DCT.

The 7 DCT in the RLX is as smooth as it is because of the integration of the electric motor that smooths out the shifting.

I'm afraid that without that electric system the 8 DCT is going to feel more like a Porsche PDK, and it'll generate the public criticism from enthusiasts that Honda cannot seem to escape.

:-)

Nedmundo

This 8DCT will have a torque converter, presumably to provide the smoothness.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Well, the inclusion of a torque converter in the 8DCT is supposed to help alleviate that issue my allowing it to act like a traditional automatic when first engaging, but get the exceptional shifting speeds of the DCT. Guess we'll see soon enough.

George Knighton

I think my problem is going to be that I will end up wanting both a TLX and an RLX.

:-)

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Why not? A nice commuter and a great sport sedan. Just hope you have garage space for it all.

Nari

Honestly, the Accord is an engineering masterpiece in my eyes. So many compromises balanced so well. Its one of the finest sedans available at any price .

The thing is, the wide ratio stack of an 8 speed transmission should really allow both like nedmundo said. A really tall 7th and 8th gear for highway fuel economy and the ability of the engine to quickly get into it's most efficient operating range and stay there in city traffic.

The 8 speed used by BMW is the same off the shelf ZF unit used by many other car manufacturers now including the Ram pickup . Not a bad thing since its an excellent transmission but how many parts can different manufacturers share before they lose a chunk of what makes them special. Hondas and Acuras transmissions, going way back, have been more like automated manuals and lack planetary gearsets typical on just about every other automatic car. This is one of the things that contributes to the light and lively feel of Acuras and Hondas. It appears that that Acuras new DCT transmissions are done in house thus preserving this history. Although the 9 speed used in the TLX 3.5 I'm not sure about.

Nari

Acura may soon lay claim to having two of the worlds smoothest DCTs. The torque converter + DCT is a game changer imo and Acura is the first one to do this. The dynamic range of the transmission, from syrupy city slushbox to bang-through-the-gears-racecar, should (or could) be pretty high.

Rocketsfan

The irony in this is the 9-speed is a ZF... possibly the same one used by Jeep/Chrysler.

Edward'TLS

How about the NSX too ?

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

For most folks 0-60mph in mid 6's is more than enough. But then there are cars like the 328i and A4 2.0t that are in the high 5's. Unless there is a TLX 2.0T coming up, then the TLX 2.4 will need to quite fast to compete with those.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Only the 328i is in the 5-second range. Most magazines place the A4 from a low of 6.3 to a high of 8.5 seconds and just about everywhere in between.

Other competitors in the class, like the C250 or the IS250, struggle to crack the 7-second barrier in most cases.

Colin

The current TSX doesn't stack up well against these either, but it still competes in the marketplace. I'm sure there will be virtues for the TLX if it ends up being a couple ticks slower, maybe better economy and a larger, roomier package at a lower price (when comparably equipped)? I'm just saying that I don't think we have to have th fastest car in the segment for it to still be a success.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I agree it doesn't need to be the fastest in the segment, but it wouldn't hurt if it drove extraordinarily well. That is in part what made the 3G TL such a hit is that it drove really nicely up to about 8/10ths and with the 6MT and LSD was more than competitive when pushed to 10/10ths.

BEAR-AvHistory

Agree. Only one car can be the fastest in the segement. The rest just need to be competitive in the eyes of the Sport Sedan buyer trading off other features for absolute top dog speed.

For the rest of the non enthusiast buyers (the vast majority) I don't think it makes any difference.

geekybiker

I'm not worried about 0-60. It's 40-80 or so that I'm worried bout.

Colin

Yup, in fact, NOT being the fastest has been a longtime H/A trait. It has always been the complete package that made the product appealing. I'm not holding my breath, but I hope the TLX gets DWB front suspension. This would help separate it from the Accord in perception and would surly yield a more well rounded car from a handling perspective.

Yeah, and being the fastest is a fleeting title as new cars are introduced.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Not sure what you mean by a "DWB front suspension." Are you thinking more of an electronically adjustable damper?

Colin

^^ DWB = Double Wishbone like the RLX.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Ah...I thought you meant drive-by-wire.

That makes so much more sense...

VR1

+1. I'm 99% the TLX will get front DWB front suspension, considering the TSX has DWB front suspension, and it feels very, very good on the TSX.

Colin

I am hopeful, but far from 99% sure!

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

haha guys it's just me who has the need for speed lol..and wanna do so in a Honda/Acura product.

I totally agree that 0-60mph in the 6's is competitive in this segment for a base model.

Colin

^^^LOL, You buy the V6 and let us 4 cylinder slow pokes get better economy....LOL

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

im just wondering if that turbocharged 3.5 V6 is true or not.....i might wanna get that one instead!

Colin

IMO there is NO WAY we'll see a turbo V6 in any car before the NSX arrives.

weather

^^ I agree. The turbo 4 is what we will see.....I am still thinking the base 4 to produce about 230hp, the turbo 4 about 280 and the V6 at 310

Colin

No no no no no no no NO NO NO!

I don't want to see 3 engines unless one is a hybrid. I want a DI NA 4 cylinder in the 200-220 hp range. I want 28-30 city and 36-38 on the highway. I'd be willing to sacrifice HP for better economy but the base model must sell for 33K or less.

Acura_Dude

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I highly doubt that the DI 4-cylinder will hit fuel economy number higher than the CVT equipped Accord. As long as it gets close and runs low 6-seconds 0-60, I would be happy.

fsttyms1

But it doesnt mean they need to settle for "it will do" either. There is NO reason they cant have very competitive performance numbers all while achieving great mpg.

fsttyms1

Sounds like you should go buy a Prius

hadokenuh

Prius doesn't have 200+ HP

I think it's the TLX 4cyl will have a bit more HP (like 10-15hp) with more mid-range torque than the Accord's 4 cyl while provides similar gas mileage. I don't expect to see a turbo'ed 4 right off the bat although that will be super awesome. Maybe at the MMC.

fsttyms1

He doesnt need 200hp. (he drives an ILX after all He already said he would sacrifice hp for better mileage. Sounds like he wants something with better mileage. That would be a prius.

Edward'TLS

High output horsepower and excellent fuel economy just don't mix, for naturally-aspirated automotive engines, unless there is a major breakthrough in engine technology.

However, performance-hybrid engines and force-induction engines are different stories.