In order for the Acura TSX to be the BMW 3 Series fighter that Honda so desperately wants it to be, the sedan needs two more cylinders and rear-wheel drive. Acura aims to give us half of what we want for the 2010 model year with the TSX V-6.
The TSX V-6 will be equipped with a 3.5-liter--you guessed it--V-6 engine that looks suspiciously like the 3.5-liter mill that powers the Honda Accord. In Acura tune, the V-6 outputs 280 horsepower (nine more horses than the Accord). Torque isn't yet stated, but we can assume it'll at least match the Accord's 254 pound-feet of twist.
The new engine will be paired only with Acura's Sequential SportShift automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, but we're holding our breath for a three-pedal version with Acura/Honda's excellent six-speed manual.
Acura's engineers didn't just toss a bigger engine under the hood and retire for celebratory drinks (although, that's exactly what we'd have done). The TSX V-6 features a larger 18-inch wheel and tire package and updated suspension tuning for sportier handling. There's also a new "V6" badge on the trunk to let everyone know what you're packing.
Like the now-lesser four-cylinder TSX, the 2010 TSX V-6 features standard leather interior, power moonroof, a premium seven-speaker sound system with CD, AM/FM/XM tuner, and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink. Optionally available is the Technology Package that includes the Acuralink satellite navigation system, rear-view camera, and the Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system.
Will a bigger engine and more power finally catapult the TSX into 3 Series fighting range? Some may argue that without the rear-wheel drive, the TSX won't match the dynamic of the BMW when driven in anger. However, considering that most sport sedans are never really driven in anger, I'd say the TSX V-6 has at least a sporting chance.