Autoblog

Acura preparing Civic-based RSX sedan?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Acura, Honda, Luxury

The Civic has long been a big volume model for Honda. But while it has grown in size and standards of accommodation over the years, Canadian buyers are the only ones in the world who can get their hands on an Acura version.

Called the CSX, it's essentially a rebadged Civic with some extra luxury touches. It was preceded by the EL, also based on the Civic, which in turn took the place in Acura Canada's lineup left vacant by the departure of the Integra sedan in 1996. Rumors, however, have been circulating for the past year that Acura was developing a new Civic-based model earmarked towards a broader market - including the United States.

We've heard this line of thinking out of the rumormill before, but it's been a while, and this is the first time we've heard talk of it reviving the RSX badge. The RSX, as you may recall, succeeded the Integra, albeit in coupe form only, and it was a favorite among front-wheel drive performance guys and gals. Whether a new RSX sedan might prove a worthy successor - or for that matter, whether a two- or three-door version might be offered as well - remain to be seen, but word on the street is that we can expect it to arrive in 2013 as a 2014 model.

Acura preparing Civic-based RSX sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DDR launches McLaren F1-influenced Miami GT with Acura RSX or Chevy Corvette power

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Acura, Chevrolet, Specialty, MISC

The guys at DDR Motorsport have put their brand-new Miami GT kits on the market. The kits all sell for right around $20 grand, and can be set up to accept the four pot from either an Acura RSX or Toyota MR2 in Sport Prototype 4 form, or the LS Series small block from the Chevrolet Corvette in Sport Prototype 8 form. The idea, DDR says, is to put a truly affordable supercar on the market.

For your $20k, you get a full tube chassis, an unpainted fiberglass shell, lights, signals and all the glass. What you don't get is an engine or any running gear. Though they can't supply the drive trains, DDR will happily explain how to get your McLaren F1 lookalike up and running.

DDR launches McLaren F1-influenced Miami GT with Acura RSX or Chevy Corvette power originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online Find of the Day: K20-powered Honda Insight recalls '88 CRX Si

Zach Bowman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Insight with K20A2 Swap - Click above for high-res image gallery

We miss the first-generation Honda Insight. The aluminum-bodied hybrid represented a no-holds barred quest for fuel efficiency with innovative weight saving techniques, an aerodynamic design and a tiny 1.0-liter gasoline engine. As a result, the two-door garnered an EPA-rated 70 mpg highway and 61 mpg city - a far cry from the 43 mpg highway of the much larger current car. Of course, the Insight of yore also begged to be modified, even if it wasn't done that often. Still, some tuners simply couldn't resist the thought of plopping a high-horsepower engine into a featherweight chassis, which is exactly what CincyStreetScene forum member Cheezoto did with his first-gen Insight.

A 210-horsepower K20A2 lifted from an Acura RSX Type S is now bolted in place of the old IMA lump and motor, and the seller promises the swap was done as cleanly as possible. There are no check engine lights, and the gauges, anti-lock brakes and cruise control all work as they should. The seller did the swap himself back in 2007, and the engine now has around 45,000 miles on it. The chassis, meanwhile, sits at a shave under 300,000 miles.

Surprisingly enough, the asking price is a reasonable $9,900. Considering that a non-modified 2000 Insight will set you back close to $9,000, we'd say this sounds like a deal. Head over to CincyStreetScene for a closer look.

Online Find of the Day: K20-powered Honda Insight recalls '88 CRX Si originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acura planning RSX successor?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Hatchback, Acura, Rumormill, Luxury

2006 Acura RSX Type S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Good news, Hondaphiles: Acura may be planning a return to the sports car game. According to Motor Trend, the Japanese automaker has plans to add up to three new performance-oriented models to its lineup over the next few years. While that includes a spiritual successor to the NSX, it may also mean that the RSX will return to life, as well. The entry-level sports hatch was nixed in the U.S. back in 2006, leaving the TSX to carry the burden of luring younger buyers to the brand.

MT reports that the RSX-successor is on the Acura near-term agenda, and that while supply issues kicked up by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters in Japan my delay the vehicle somewhat, it shouldn't be long before we start seeing three-door mules kicking around on public streets.

Under the hood, the vehicle will likely pack a modified version of the same 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine found in the recently unveiled 2012 Honda Civic Si. Expect to find a six-speed manual cog box, complete with a helical limited-slip differential, bolted behind that mill.

Of course, this particular report has been kicking around since 2009, so we'll wait for a little more solid confirmation before busting out the welcome-back party hats.

Acura planning RSX successor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 May 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Acura planning to take on BMW 1, Audi A3 with new RSX?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hatchback, Acura, Rumormill, Luxury

Remember back in the day when Honda was all about building two-doors? At various times between its own badge and its premium Acura division, the Japanese automaker had the Prelude, CRX, RSX, NSX, Legend, CL and S2000 - in addition to coupe versions of the Civic and Accord. A few years down the line and the S2000 is on its way out, leaving the Civic and Accord coupes to hold down the fort by themselves until the new NSX arrives in whatever form it takes. According to new reports, however, the Japanese automaker is keen to bridge that gap once again with a successor to the RSX coupe.

Based on the next-gen Civic, due in 2011, the new RSX (or whatever it would be labeled) is rumored to, like the upcoming CT hatchback from arch-rival Lexus, take on the likes of the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 in the premium compact segment. If it happens, expect a front-drive layout with probable four-cylinder propulsion (if not a hybrid setup like the forthcoming CR-Z), but beyond that your guess is as good as ours, so stay tuned.

[Source: eGMCarTech]

Rumormill: Acura planning to take on BMW 1, Audi A3 with new RSX? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acura exec outlines future vehicle lineup

Dan Roth — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Acura, Honda

Acura's sales are down, and rather than try to be all cars to all buyers, filling niches is more the game plan. Product planning manager John Watts intimated that Acura's looking at segments with a narrower appeal, such as the now-defunct CL, and the possibility of a retractable hardtop vehicle, too. The MDX does well, and the new RDX is the darling of everyone who drives it, but as far as cars go, Acura's not catching anyone's hair on fire. The top-dog RL sedan is a wonderful car - beautifully drawn, SH-AWD moves, and a powerful V6 make it a very pleasant way to devour miles, but it doesn't offer the flavor du jour for premium sedans with performance leanings. The engine layout is wrong, and it's missing at least two cylinders to truly be taken seriously by some buyers who are looking for a V8 and rear drive as prerequesites.

There's talk of a new 8 or 10 cylinder powerplant in the offing. The NSX is supposedly getting a V10, which could then propagate through to other Acura cars. Analysts have noted that there's a need for a flagship sedan above the RL to offer RWD and larger engines. While Acura gets its act together developing the new NSX and readying the new TL for launch in 2009, dealers are enviously eyeing Lexus and Infiniti stores, wishing they had a big V8 boomer to throw into the fray, as well.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Acura exec outlines future vehicle lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. to get Honda Civic Type-R?

Erin Mays — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Acura, Honda, Misc. Auto Shows

We might not get another Acura RSX, but as it turns out, that might not be such a bad thing. AutoWeek spotted the Honda Civic Type-R testing in Germany recently (pictured), and had a deep thought: the publication is ~~predicting~~ hoping that the Type-R, the tippy-top model in the Civic lineup, may be making its way to this side of The Pond.

Here's why: in an effort to take aim at BMW, Acura is moving upscale, leaving a Type-R -sized hole where the RSX used to operate. The production Type-R, powered by a 220 hp 2.0L four-cylinder, is set to premiere at the London Motor Show.

Similar statements have been made about the Civic Si as the RSX's replacement, but we're hoping AutoWeek is right and we're not left out of the loop on the Type-R yet again.

[Source: AutoWeek]

U.S. to get Honda Civic Type-R? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Si = RSX R.I.P.

Erin Mays — Mon, 01 May 2006 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Acura, Honda

Honda is moving Acura along the socio-economic ladder, and unfortunately for RSX buffs, the brand is quashing its relatively inexpensive coupe its way upmarket. By the end of the 2006 model year, the RSX will have ridden off into the sunt. The move is rather predictable, given that not only is parent Honda keen on moving the brand to a higher rung, the redesigned Civic Si outpoints the base RSX (197 horsepower versus 155) for a c-note less. So... will something come along to fill out Acura's low end? The automaker won't elaborate, but dealers say that a coupe and/or convertible TSX could be in the cards.

The cancellation is somewhat reminiscent of when Toyota's upstart Scion outlet began selling the tC coupe, which outpointed the aging Celica in many areas for significantly less money.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Si = RSX R.I.P. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 May 2006 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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