Report: 2011 Acura TSX first in line to get hybrid powertrain

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Acura, Luxury

Closely following Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's admission at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month that the Acura brand would soon jump head-first into the deep end of the hybrid waters comes a report from Automotive News suggesting that the entry-level TSX sedan would be the first such model from Honda's luxury brand so equipped.

AN's source is an unnamed Acura dealer who says the hybrid technology will grace the TSX's engine bay starting in 2011. TSX not your cup of tea? Fret not. John Mendel, American Honda Motor Co. executive vice president for auto sales, says that there will be more Acura hybrid models to follow - though, for what it's worth, there won't be any V8 engines any time soon.

Ironically in light of Acura's recent addition of giant metal beaks, company spokesman Gary Robinson adds, "The idea of the big, bad luxury sedan with the shiniest grille has become a little uncouth." Robinson adds that Acura isn't in the business of "making compromises," insinuating that future cars from the automaker will combine fuel efficiency with appropriate performance and luxury.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: 2011 Acura TSX first in line to get hybrid powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announces that Acura will add a hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Acura

During the unveiling of the CR-Z at the Detroit Auto Show, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announced that Acura will be adding a hybrid drivetrain to its models. Ito gave no further insights as to timing or which vehicles would get the systems, but it's safe to speculate that the TSX and TL sedans would be the first recipients of the new system. However, when we spoke to Ito last fall in Japan, he did say that Honda was developing a hybrid system suitable for larger vehicles. It's not clear how much it will differ from the architecture of the current IMA mild hybrid system used in the Civic, Insight and CR-Z, but we do expect the system to come equipped with lithium ion batteries from Honda's new partners at GS Yuasa. Make the jump for a copy of Ito's comments.

[Source: Honda]

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Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announces that Acura will add a hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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