2010 Acura TSX - Body

INTRODUCTION

The 2010 TSX reflects Acura's advanced design direction. Forceful and muscular but at the same time sleek and elegant, the styling clearly sets the tone for the TSX's driving dynamics - agile and invigorating for performance oriented drivers, and quiet and comfortable for those with luxury intentions.

BODY OVERVIEW

The 2010 Acura TSX body design represents the latest direction in Acura styling. The TSX was styled in Acura's Wako design studio (located just outside Tokyo, Japan) and is assembled at the Sayama Factory in Japan. With a wide body that provides agile handling and greater interior roominess (along with a lower seating position) the TSX continues to be the best handling front-wheel-drive vehicle in its segment.

Inside, the TSX is quiet and refined. Advanced aerodynamic treatments such as inside frame rails, underbody air deflectors and a chiseled aerodynamic body shape help the TSX move with a minimum of drag - thereby reducing fuel usage and lowering emissions, while enhancing quietness and high-speed dynamic stability.

The TSX's dynamic styling is designed to appeal to a wide range of customers. These customers lead an active lifestyle, and often participate in outdoor activities. Thus, they want a vehicle that reflects their passion for performance and athleticism while also supporting their active social lifestyle with roomy, comfortable seating for five.

KEEN-EDGED STYLING

The 2010 TSX features Acura's signature design language known as Keen Edge Styling. In keeping with this styling language, Acura designers infused crisp, dynamic design elements into the exterior design of the TSX. Additionally, the TSX's aerodynamic design evokes both emotion and tension with a decisively sporty flair - as if a solid piece of billet material was shaped with a sharp knife.

The TSX features Acura's signature power plenum grille - making the TSX instantly recognizable on the road. Inside the grille's bold, chiseled chromed surround trim is a satin-black parallelogram "honeycomb" mesh that adds a look of power and performance. The headlight arrays, containing reflectors on the outside edges, piercing projector-style low-beam headlights and sculpted halogen high-beam headlights, all reside behind a smooth contoured lens. Fog lamps are located in the outer edges of the front fascia and are a standard feature on the TSX. Keen eyes will notice that the 2010 TSX V-6 makes use of a slightly redesigned front bumper assembly that features added air intake openings for improved cooling of the V-6 model's oversized radiator.

Sharp contour lines run alongside the body and connect the front and rear of the new car together in a strong, windswept line that promises both agility and performance. Bold wheel arches that frame the five-spoke, 17-inch aluminum wheels (TSX I-4) or split five-spoke, 18-inch wheels (TSX V-6) emphasize strength and muscularity. Chrome door handles and chrome trim surrounding the side windows adds a look of substance and quality.

In back, sculptured taillights compliment large turn signals at the outside edges of the trunk lid. Twin reflectors are low-mounted on the rear fascia near the 3.2-inch diameter exhaust finishers.

WIDER BODY DIMENSIONS

The body width for the 2010 TSX is a full three inches wider than the previous-generation TSX. This increase, along with the 2.6-inch wider track and the 1.4-inch longer wheelbase, considerably improves interior roominess. There is a dynamic upside to the wider track: enhanced handling agility and stability. The seating position is also 0.4-inch lower than in the previous generation TSX, helping to create a sportier driving experience.

	Acura TSX	Audi A4	BMW 3-Series	Lexus IS	Mercedes C-Class
Length, in.	185.6	185.2	178.2	180.1	182.3
Width, in.	72.4	71.9	71.5	70.9	69.7
Height, in.	56.7	56.2	55.3	56.7	56.3
Wheelbase, in.	106.4	110.6	108.7	107.5	108.7
Track, F/R, in.	62.2/62.2	61.6/61.1	59.1/59.6	60.4	60.4/59.6

SLIMMER A-PILLARS

To improve the field of view for the driver, the TSX has thin A-pillars which permit a broader field of forward view without compromising structural strength. While a robust interior structure helps ensure the necessary structural rigidity, at 4.2 inches wide in their interior dimension, the pillars are an inch narrower than the previous TSX A-pillars. The use of thin A-pillars improves driver's point of view and allows for best in class outward frontal field of view.

CLOSED-CHANNEL CROSS-BRACED ROOF STRUCTURE

The 2010 TSX uses a strengthened roof section designed to significantly reduce flexing and vibration, resulting in less noise in the passenger compartment. Whereas the roof section on the previous TSX used open-channel stiffeners, the new TSX's roof section uses two closed-channel crossbeams that help create a structure that is highly resistant to flexing and vibration.

The installation method of the roof structure is unique as well. With the previous TSX, the roof panel and its open-channel stiffeners were welded onto the rest of the unit body as a unit. With the 2010 TSX, the roof frame assembly is first welded in place without the roof panel, allowing full access to the ideal welding locations. The roof panel itself is then attached. This process creates stronger joints and a stiffer overall roof and body structure - 35 percent greater rigidity in front and 20 percent greater rigidity in back. The end result for the TSX owner is markedly decreased noise and vibration inside the car.

FRAME RAIL SYSTEM

The TSX uses an internal frame rail system for reduced aerodynamic turbulence and drag. In addition by positioning the stamped steel frame rails above the floor of the passenger compartment - instead of below it - the bottom of the vehicle can be made much flatter resulting in a quieter ride at highway speeds.

CIRCULAR-TYPE REAR BULKHEAD STRUCTURE

A circular-type rear bulkhead structure significantly improves structural rigidity of the rear area of the passenger compartment, measurably reducing noise and vibration experienced by passengers.

AERODYNAMICS

Careful attention to airflow management helps increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and improve stability at higher speeds and in crosswinds. Visible elements of the TSX's aerodynamically efficient body design include flush mounted headlights, hidden windshield wipers, flush mounted side and rear glass, and a tail that cuts off airflow abruptly instead of inducing drag. The aero improvements continue under the vehicle with a series of plastic moldings that redirect air to reduce turbulence underneath the car.

Underbody aerodynamic aids include:

• A short, wide wickerbill underneath the front fascia that helps separate the airflow and allows it to move underneath the engine and transmission assembly with the least drag.
• A large aluminum and plastic undercover that further improves airflow beneath the engine and transmission.
• A pair of deeper, separate air "strakes" located in front of the front tires to help air flow efficiently around the tires.
• A pair of covers located in front of the rear suspension subframe that help improve airflow.

NOISE INSULATION

The TSX make use of extensive insulation features to reduce the interior sound level. Four separate strategies are employed:

• A thorough insulation package including melt sheet is applied to lower unit body areas.
• The floor carpet provides sound absorption and insulation to markedly reduce road noise in the passenger compartment.
• Floating front and rear suspension subframes are rubber mounted to reduce road and suspension noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
• A, B and C-pillar separators (see below) are also used.

A, B & C-PILLAR SEPARATORS

In vehicles, generally the A-, B- and C-pillars that extend vertically from the floor of the vehicle to the roofline are hollow, which can transmit road and wind noise into the passenger compartment. The TSX pillars are sealed internally, dramatically reducing the transmission of noise and vibration.

WIND NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES

A comprehensive series of features dramatically reduces audible wind noise inside the TSX - especially at higher speeds or in windy conditions.

Wind noise reduction measures include:

• Inside frame rail system positions structural frame rails above the floor rather than below it. This smoothes the bottom of the vehicle for reduced air turbulence.
• A series of underbody fairings controls airflow underneath the car and around the front and rear tires.
• Windshield wipers and arms are positioned below the hood line.
• Flush window and moonroof moldings reduce air turbulence.
• Exterior mirror housings are aerodynamically shaped to further reduce turbulence.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The TSX uses projector-style Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beam headlights and 60-watt halogen high beams, plus a bright incandescent taillight array and bright Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL). Bumper-integrated front fog lamps are standard and bright backup lights are incorporated into the edges of the trunk lid.

EXTERIOR COLORS

A range of new exterior colors (including a choice of four pearl and four metallic colors) are designed to compliment the TSX's new styling. Body colors are applied with a waterborne paint process to reduce environmental impact and waste.

	Basque Red Pearl	Crystal Black Pearl	Premium White Pearl	Vortex Blue Pearl	Glacier Blue Metallic	Grigio Metallic	Palladium Metallic	Polished Metal Metallic
Ebony leather interior	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Taupe leather interior				X	X	X	X	X
Parchment leather interior	X	X	X

MOONROOF

The TSX features a power sliding moonroof that is flush mounted to reduce wind noise as well as featuring an inner panel that further reduces noise from entering the passenger compartment when the moonroof is closed. A pop-up wind deflector reduces turbulence and noise when the moonroof is open.

For ease of operation, a one-touch switch is located ahead of the moonroof on the ceiling. The switch controls open/close as well as tilt functions. The moonroof also features an auto-reverse feature for safety and may be operated after the ignition is turned off (until the driver's door is opened).

POWER WINDOWS

The 2010 TSX is equipped with both driver and passenger-side front power auto up/down windows. With one light touch of the window switch the windows will either lower all the way or rise all the way. An auto-reverse feature reduces the likelihood of injury in the event that a passenger's hand or arm is extended out the window while it is closing.

EXTERIOR MIRRORS

The TSX's passenger-side power-activated exterior rearview mirror features a Reverse gear tilt-down feature. At the driver's discretion (the feature may be switched off), when Reverse gear is engaged, the passenger side mirror automatically tilts downward to provide an improved view of curbs or painted lines. The mirrors are also heated to improve rear visibility in foggy or icy conditions, and feature a special tint to reduce glare. The mirror housings are designed for good aerodynamics and incorporate turn indicators at the outer edges of the housings.

ELECTRIC FUEL DOOR LOCK

The TSX's fuel-filler door locks and unlocks automatically along with the doors. By eliminating the need to reach for the traditional floor-mounted cable release, the new system simplifies the process of refueling the car. As long as the driver's door is unlocked, opening the fuel-filler door is as simple as gently pushing on the rear edge of the door to release its latch. Latching the door requires a gentle push.

EXTERIOR GLASS

All exterior window glass on the TSX, including the laminated front windshield, safety-glass side and rear windows, have a special UV-resistant coating that helps reduce interior temperatures, lessens glare, and helps protect the leather and other surfaces inside the vehicle from fading.

DOOR EDGE GARNISH

To provide a more finished interior appearance, an attractive metal garnish covers the inside edges of front and rear door ends except for the door latch (and the child safety locks on the rear doors). This improves the visual appeal of the doors when they are open.

TRUNK UTILITY

The TSX features a wide and usable trunk that makes loading bulky or heavy items significantly easier. Widely spaced trunk lid hinges provide greater clearance, and when closed, the hinges disappear into slots in the finished trunk lining and do not intrude on cargo space. Plus, the hidden hinge design improves trunk aesthetics and gives a more high-quality feel. The fully lined and illuminated trunk can accommodate a wide range of cargo, including four golf bags or four Pullman suitcases.

TRUNK OPENER

The TSX's trunk latch may be released with the remote transmitter built into the folding ignition key, via a pushbutton on the rear fascia (when the doors are unlocked) or by pushing a button on the driver's inside door panel. An emergency cable release is available in case the TSX battery should ever run down.

EXTERIOR ACCESSORIES

An exciting line of Acura Genuine Accessories was developed simultaneously with the TSX to provide personalization for the Acura client. Like all Acura Genuine Accessories, the TSX accessories are covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.

Exterior Accessories

• 18-inch diameter chrome-look 10-spoke aluminum wheels with TPMS sensors
• Wheel locks
• Sport bumper kit including front bumper, side sills and rear bumper (available painted in factory TSX colors)
• Rear bumper appliqué (provides scratch protection when loading trunk cargo)
• Rear deck lid spoiler (available painted in factory TSX colors)
• Wing spoiler (available painted in factory TSX colors)
• Front and rear splash guards (available painted in factory TSX colors)
• Body side protection molding (available painted in factory TSX colors)
• Door edge guards (available painted in factory TSX colors)
• Car cover
• Nosemask
• Moon roof visor
• Door visor
• Back-up sensors (audible sensors aid backing up)
• Engine block heater (V-6 only)