Honda North America is to sell the European and Japanese version of the Accord alongside its US-built line but has folded the new model into its sporty, upmarket Acura line as the TSX sports sedan.

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The new model made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show, giving Acura an entry luxury performance vehicle positioned between the popular RSX sports coupe and top-selling 3.2 TL sedan.


“The TSX is designed to compete head on with other premium sport sedans from Europe and Japan,” said Dick Colliver, Acura executive vice president, sales. “With 200 horsepower, a six-speed manual transmission, race-bred suspension and an abundance of features, the TSX has what it takes to be a success in this hotly contested segment.”


The US-market TSX has the Accord’s 2.4-litre DOHC, i-VTEC engine developing 200 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.


The i-VTEC “intelligent” valve-control system adjusts valve timing and lift for enhanced performance across a broad power band in addition to improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions.

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The TSX is equipped with a drive-by-wire throttle control system and comes with either a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission or a performance-oriented five-speed ‘Sequential SportShift’ automatic transmission.


The TSX has an extremely rigid unit body structure, four-wheel-independent double-wishbone suspension, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), 17-inch alloy wheels and P215/50R17 all-season performance tyres.


Exterior styling of the Acura TSX is virtually identical to the European and Japanese-market Accord but the dashboard and cabin differ in details such as the placement of wood trim.


Standard TSX equipment includes leather seating, power moonroof, leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, premium audio system, power windows and door locks and keyless entry.


The TSX sport sedan will go on sale at US Acura dealerships in April 2003. Annual sales are forecast at 15,000 units. Total Acura sales in 2002 were just over 165,500.

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