Acura RSX

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This article is about the automobile. For other uses of RSX, see RSX (disambiguation).

Acura RSX

Manufacturer:	Honda
Production:	2002–2006
Assembly:	Sayama, Japan
Predecessor:	Acura Integra
Successor:	Acura CSX
Class:	Sport compact
Body style:	2-door hatchback
Layout:	FF layout
Engine:	2.0L 155 hp I4 2.0L 201 hp I4
Transmission:	5-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive 6-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	101.20 in.
Length:	172.20 in.
Width:	67.90 in.
Height:	54.90 in.
Fuel capacity:	13.2 gal.
Related:	Acura EL Acura CSX Honda Civic Honda CR-V Honda Element
Similar:	Dodge SRT-4 Mitsubishi Eclipse Toyota Celica

The Acura RSX is an automobile sold by Honda. In North America and Hong Kong, the vehicle was marketed as the replacement for the Acura-badged version of the Integra, however Honda continues to sell the vehicle as the Honda Integra in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere. It is available in base and "Type-S" trim levels in North America, and a "Integra iS / Integra Type S" and "Type R" version sold in Japan and Oceania. However, to add to the confusion, the "Type R" sold in Oceania is very similar to the "Type-S" sold in North America, and the Integra line naming in Oceania have recently been realigned so it's similar to North American conventions. Canada had 3 models, a Base (no sunroof or leather), a Premium (U.S. Base) and the Type S. In other places, (eg. Hong Kong, Singapore) only the base version is available.

1 Engineering and design
2 Replacement
3 Changes from 2004 to 2005
4 Awards
5 Racing
6 Trivia
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Engineering and design

When designing the RSX, Honda chose to base it on an entirely new platform, rather than incrementally re-engineering the previous Integra/Civic platform. This new chassis would also be shared with the 2001 Civic. This was a significant change from the previous 1998 revision of the Integra, which had only been a minor refresh. In addition, this platform was the first entirely new entry-level chassis Honda had debuted since 1994. Owing to its more capable and luxurious nature, the Acura division chose to market the vehicle as the Integra's replacement, and badged it as the RSX. Touting the vehicle's more upscale feature-set and more luxurious amenities, Acura hoped to use the RSX to help garner more brand recognition and respect from older, wealthier buyers who tended to see the company's offerings, especially the Integra, as sporty and reliable, but not as mature or luxurious. Outside of the U.S., where the Acura division did not exist at the time, Honda chose to continue selling the model as the Integra, and continued to aim the car at younger men who wanted something nicer than a Civic Si or Subaru Impreza without having to spend considerably more money.

The RSX suspension employs MacPherson struts in the front and double-wishbone suspension in the rear. This engineering decision disappointed some Honda fans who had come to appreciate Honda's previous philosophy of employing double-wishbones for both front and rear suspensions. However, the K-series engine proved to have significant potential for tuning, a trait shared with the B-series engines previously employed in Integra and certain performance-oriented Civic models. The K-series engine features intelligent VTEC or (i-VTEC), which electronically adjusts valve lift, valve timing and cam timing, giving the 2.0 L engine a flatter torque curve and smooth power transition relative to previous VTEC implementations which only adjusted valve lift and valve timing.

The base RSX has the K20A3 motor with a specific output of 160 hp (119 kW) and is offered with either an automatic or a five-speed manual transmission; and the Type-S has a 200 hp (2002-2004) K20A2 or 210 hp (157 kW) in 2005 K20Z1 motor and a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission. For 2006 model year vehicles Honda has switched to the Rev 8/04 SAE standards for measuring hp. The base RSX for 2006 is rated at 155 hp and the Type-S is rated at 201 hp. In 2005 the RSX Type-S received camshafts, b-pipe and muffler from the exhaust, 4.77 final drive ratio, crankshaft pulley and the intake snorkel duct from the Japanese model Honda Integra Type-R. Rev-limit was also increased from 8100 rpms to 8300 rpms.

The Honda Integra Type R, sold in Japan, Australia, and some other markets, has reduced weight, a 220 PS / 164 kW / 217 hp K20A engine (Japan-only; Oceania models have an engine similar to the Acura RSX-S), as well as a limited slip differential (LSD) and stiffer springs and shocks, Brembo brakes, 17" wheels on Bridgestone Potenza tires, Recaro suede seats, body trim, and more. The IIHS did not rate the RSX.

[edit] Replacement

Although it has been a strong seller for Honda, the RSX does not fit within the confines of Acura's re-structured market strategy, formulated after the decision to take the Acura brand worldwide (previously, the Acura nameplate has appeared only in North America, elsewhere in the world the same models are sold as Hondas). With the introduction of the similarly powerful and less expensive 2006 model-year Honda Civic Si to the marketplace, the decision has been made to discontinue production of the RSX, with the final units slated to be built in summer 2006. Because of its lower pricing and longer list of available options, Honda considers the new Si to be a more viable choice for performance minded young men, who are the most common buyers of RSXs. Speculatory articles seem to indicate that a 2-door variant of this new TSX will replace the RSX as Acura's entry-level sports coupe, although it will be more luxurious, more expensive and more powerful than the RSX and will thus likely appeal to a different market segment. In Canada, the RSX was replaced by the related Acura CSX, which also replaced the EL.

Recently, Dick Collier, VP of PR at Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has come out to say that there will be no 2007 RSX.

[edit] Changes from 2004 to 2005

- Revised suspension tuning for increased handling precision and a smoother ride

Ride height reduced by 7 mm
Optimized damper and spring settings
Firmer stabilizer bars (front and rear for Type-S, front for RSX)
Bushings at suspension installation points were optimized
Inversely wound front coil springs

- Refined steering system for enhanced feel and quicker response

Quicker steering ratio
Stiffer steering column
Pump flow increased by seven percent
Kickback reduction valve

- Optimized braking system for enhanced stopping power and feel

Pedal stroke decreased
Master cylinder diameter increased
Brake pedal to rigidity increased

- Larger diameter 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/45R17 all-season high-performance tires

- Body rigidity increased 15 percent in front and 21 percent in the rear through the application of reinforcements at key areas

- Vehicle noise and vibrations reduced

Engine damper added to front subframe to reduce engine rocking and vibration transmitted from the engine to the cabin
Insulation material added at key points on doors and roof to reduce road noise
Side-mirror gaps sealed and weather strip added

- More aggressive exterior styling

New front and rear bumper designs
Redesigned headlight and taillight assemblies
Restyled signature 5-sided Acura grille
Redesigned side sill garnish
Four new exterior colors: Magnesium Metallic, Vivid Blue Pearl, Jade Green Metallic, Blaze Orange Metallic

- Freshened interior design

Deeply bolstered front seats with thicker cushions
New chrome and titanium-look accents
Meter faces changed from metallic to white

RSX Type-S Additional Enhancements:

- Engine intake and exhaust modifications that boost the horsepower of the Type-S model to 210 at 7800 rpm (revised to 201 hp in 2006), compared to 200 hp at 7400 rpm on the previous model.

High performance camshafts to improve engine breathing
Air intake duct enlarged for increased air flow
Larger diameter exhaust pipes to increase exhaust flow
Catalytic converter optimized to reduce exhaust backpressure

- 6-speed transmission optimized with a lower final gear ratio for quicker acceleration and carbon synchronizers replacing brass on 5th and 6th gears for a smoother shift feel

- Larger diameter front strut tower bar gas

- Bushings replaced by bearings on strut mount

- Deck lid spoiler

[edit] Awards

The RSX was listed among Car and Driver magazine's 10 Best list for 2002 and 2003.

John Lingenfelter Memorial Trophy

Won the September 2005 "Cheap Speed" comparison in Car & Driver in which it was pitted against the Dodge SRT-4 ACR, Subaru Impreza WRX, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and the Saturn ION Redline.

Won the May 2002 "Four Wedges & a Bubble" comparison in Car & Driver in which it was pitted against the Celica GT-S, Eclipse GTS, Hyundai Tiburon GT V6, and the The New VW Beetle Turbo S.

Won the "2001-2002 Sports Coupe" comparison from Edmunds.com in which it was pitted against the Celica GT-S, VW GTi, Prelude Type SH, Eclipse GT, and the Mercury Cougar V6.

Won Spike TV's "Autorox" car awards show for tastiest tuner.

Listed as one of Spike TV's top 52 cars of all time.

Won top ten car in SCC in 2004

[edit] Racing

The RSX is currently raced in the Speed World Challenge Touring Car class, and is currently in the lead in the manufacturer's championship as of September 24, 2006.

[edit] Trivia

The RSX forms the vehicle mode for two characters in the Transformers Alternators line of officially licensed 1:24 scale figures. Prowl has a black and white police-style appearance to him, designed to recall the 1984 toy of the same name, while Camshaft is stock standard R Type in grey. In the Japanese version of Alternators, called Binaltech, two versions of Prowl can be found: one in a similar (but different) police livery, and a second as a standard R Type in Vivid Pearl Blue.

[edit] References

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This article has been tagged since December 2006.