Lowell Ullrich, one of the more combustible people you will ever meet and a true car nut, has just exploded over what he thinks is myopic criticism of the 2004 Acura TSX.
"Some of these guys, these so-called car critics, they just don't get it," says Ullrich, who from his Brooklyn, N.Y., base writes for Money magazine. "You don't need 300 horsepower, 400 horsepower to have a great sports sedan!"
I agree, though the horsepower race we're seeing in the car business might lead you to think otherwise.
Take Chrysler's red-hot, Hemi-powered 300C sedan ($42,995) for instance. It is flying off dealer lots in large part due to a 340-hp Hemi V-8 under the hood.
Heck, even a relatively mainstream but mildly sporty sedan like the Honda Accord (topping out at $32,700) comes with a 240-hp V-6. And for the record, you can get a Chrysler 300 with a 3.5-litre V-6 for $29,995 and it has 250 hp.
It is a similar story for zippy, aggressive-looking four-doors like the Nissan Altima SE (245 hp for $29,098), Mazda6 GT V-6 (220 hp for $32,095), Mitsubishi Galant GTS (230 hp for $33,098) and Subaru Legacy GT (250 hp and all-wheel drive for $36,495).
The thing is, and here is where those "myopic" critics get their ammunition, the $34,800 TSX tops out at 200 hp from its 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine. So in the horsepower wars, the TSX isn't blazing away with the biggest guns.
Now this isn't to say this four-banger isn't a brilliant modern engine. It is silky, responsive, with good fuel economy and low emissions. Thank really smart engine technology -- Honda's race-bred technology -- for all that. And it will propel the 1,465-kg TSX from 0 to 100 km/h in about seven seconds, which is very quick.
Except the TSX isn't aimed at any of those more powerful and, with the Legacy exception, less-expensive sedans. No, it joined Acura's lineup last spring to attract buyers of near-luxury and, for the most part, European imports such as the Jaguar X-Type, Audi A4, Volvo S40, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Richard Jacobs, Acura and Honda's public relations manager in Canada, says on that score, the TSX has done its job. According to Maritz Research, TSX buyers most often cross-shopped the Accord, Mazda6, Audi A4, BMW 325, Infiniti G35 and Nissan Maxima.
At the same time, the TSX is also keeping owners in the Acura family, another goal. The Maritz data shows TSX buyers most often turned in an Accord, Acura EL or Integra, Honda Prelude or Civic.
Overall, first-year sales of 3,761 came close to the 4,000 Acura Canada said it had hoped to move when the car first hit showrooms in April, 2003. Not a stunning success, but adequately popular.
People such as Ullrich embrace the TSX's nifty driving dynamics and slick six-speed manual gearbox wrapped up in a tight little high-quality package. Little, though, is the operative word.
You see, the TSX is a North Americanized version of the Japanese-made European Honda Accord. In Europe, the Accord is considered a mid-size car, but compared to our mid-sizes, it is a compact and compared to a monstrously big sedan like the 300, it seems tiny.
Truth is, the TSX at 2,574 litres has less cabin space than a Civic sedan (2,588). In particular, the TSX has less rear legroom and front headroom than the Civic. On the other hand, the TSX is marginally roomier than the BMW 325i (2,571 litres) and Mercedes-Benz's seriously updated 2005 C240 (2,506 litres).
The Acura, the Beemer and the Benz all have back seats more suitable for kids than full-size North American adults if you plan to stretch your drive to more than a hop around the neighbourhood.
Then, there is this front-drive versus rear-drive thing.
The TSX is a front-driver and for many purists that dog just won't hunt. Too much weight on the front wheels leads to plowing in the corners; handling compromises, in other words.
The Beemer is a rear-driver, the Benz, too. So is the I35, which by the way, is also bigger inside (2,775 litres). And all those European targets come in all-wheel-drive variants, as well. Not so for the TSX.
Finally, the issue of looks. From the outside, the TSX is handsome but anonymous, though the wheels are sharp and the interior is very nice.
The TSX shares its sheet metal, headlights, taillights, side mirrors, door handles and window trim with the European Accord. The big difference: Acura's stylized "A" sits in the grille rather than the Euro Accord's "H."
Now if this sounds as though I don't like the TSX, that is true. I don't just like this car, I like it a lot.
Ullrich and I are on the same page. I appreciate the subtle driving competence based on a tight chassis and a double-wishbone suspension layout both front and rear.
Beyond that, there is the creamy engine, the tight shifts of that six-speed, superb brakes and all the features you get for the price: From a useful electronic stability control system called Vehicle Stability Assist to little things like beautiful blue mood lighting that shines down from the ceiling onto the shifter to give the cabin an elegant appearance at night.
I like the way the controls and instruments are done. The thick adjustable steering wheel feels great and all the switches, knobs and whatnots are well-placed and easy to operate. The front bucket seats are a snug but not-too-tight fit. We've got some really smart ergonomics going on here.
What's missing? Air vents to those smallish rear seats.
The standard package of features includes a dual-zone automatic climate control system and a 360-watt, eight-speaker premium sound system with steering wheel-integrated controls. A power moonroof and a keyless remote entry system with power window control are part of the package, as are heated and power-adjustable leather seats.
Among the very few options are a rear DVD entertainment system for $2,355 and a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential clutchless manual shifting if you choose to use it. There is no charge if you want the autobox.
For safety, you get the usual anti-lock braking and airbags, including side curtain airbags in an Acura vehicle in Canada. All in all, we are talking about a well-loaded package.
And a dynamically balanced one, too. That is the calling card of the TSX, not raw horsepower.
The TSX may have limited appeal because even a technically advanced four-cylinder engine can't match the more powerful six-cylinder motors available from BMW, Infiniti and Mercedes.
But the car appeals to me and Ullrich.
Specifications
2004 Acura TSX
Type: Four-door sedan
Price: $34,800
Engine: 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder (DOHC)
Output: 200 hp/166 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: Six-speed manual or electronic five-speed automatic with SportShift
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 10.9 city/7.4 highway
Alternatives: Jaguar X-Type, Audi A4, Volvo S40, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz
C-Class
Like: Handsome, understated design; roomy up front with comfortable seats; loads of standard stuff; elegant interior; silky engine mated to a fine gearbox
Don't like: Small back seat; rivals have six-cylinder engines available; rivals available in all-wheel-drive
