PEABODY, MASS. (12/13/2011)(readMedia)– While Acura has had its share of firsts in the industry, like the first all-aluminum production car, it has taken a more calculated approach in developing its first alternative powertrains. In the near future though, Acura dealers could feature a range of vehicles showcasing hybrid and diesel drivetrains designed to boost performance and fuel economy simultaneously.
Acura recently allowed Motor Trend magazine behind the wheel of three vehicles sporting its new powerplants, including a 1.6-liter turbodiesel, a 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder gas engine and a hybrid version of the automaker’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Motor Trend says the new drivetrains would be coming sooner rather than later once approved for production, a fact that is sure to please the many Acura fans that have been waiting for a hybrid from the luxury automaker.
“Acura is always looking to innovate and improve, and a large part of their focus is directed toward the powertrain,” said Joel Avery, general manager of Greater Boston Acura dealer Acura of Peabody. “An Acura hybrid that has both performance and cost savings would check a lot of boxes with Massachusetts drivers, and the fact that it will likely come as part of the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is really icing on the cake.”
While some automakers may have simply added a single electric motor to the SH-AWD system and called it a day, Acura added a set of three for its hybrid drivetrain. Each rear wheel gets an electric motor that produces 27 horsepower and 52 pound-feet of torque, aiding acceleration and providing more power to the outside wheel during cornering. Up front, there is a 310-horsepower direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 40-horsepower electric motor that also contributes 96 pound-feet of torque.
Every Acura currently features SH-AWD except for the TSX, which was fitted with the new 2.4-liter gas engine and 1.6-liter diesel for Motor Trend’s testing. While Acura has remained silent when it comes to power output of the new gas unit, a diagram of its torque output has Motor Trend guessing it could reach 189 pound-feet of torque. This would be a 10-percent boost over the 2.4-liter engine on the current 2012 Acura TSX.
When it comes to torque it is hard to beat a diesel, and the 1.6-liter turbodiesel provided surprising acceleration in the TSX thanks to 221 pound-feet of twist. Featuring an advanced aluminum design, the 1.6-liter unit is the lightest diesel engine of its size in the world, and Acura claims it will offer the most output and highest efficiency of the 1.6-liter class. Coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, Motor Trend felt the diesel TSX provided more than ample performance.
The TSX was Acura’s best-selling car last month, netting its best November ever with 2,691 units finding new homes. Available as a wagon and a sedan, the vehicle is available with either the 2.4-liter engine that reaches up to 31 mpg on the highway or a 3.5-liter V6 unit with 280 horsepower that still returns 28 mpg on the highway.
“Massachusetts drivers love the athleticism of the TSX, as well as the fact that it doesn’t come with a penalty at the pump,” Avery noted. “It’s a fun car to drive on a twisty back road, and in the Sport Wagon guise it’s a great car for a family on the move.”
About Acura of Peabody:
Thanks to a complete commitment to the Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC) philosophy from the sales, parts and service teams, this dealership has the best customer satisfaction and retention rates of any Acura dealership in the Northeast. They offer an extensive inventory of new and used Acura models, backed by a service center with the highest customer loyalty in the Northeast. Visit their website at www.acuraofpeabody.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/acuraofpeabody, visit their Acura showroom and service center at 233 Andover Street in Peabody, MA, or call them at 888-825-7965.
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