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Acura took the wraps of the all-new TSX today at the New York Auto Show, although we already saw it with Honda badges at the Geneva Auto Show a couple of weeks ago. The TSX will almost certainly be the first Acura model to get Honda's new 2.2L diesel four cylinder next year. Unfortunately, Acura decided not to officially announce it here in New York, although it was shown in Geneva. For launch, the TSX gets an updated 2.4L gasoline four cylinder with 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 21/30/24mpg city/highway/combined with the 5-speed automatic. The TSX is also available with a 6-speed manual transmission. The new model is also about 2.4 inches longer providing more room inside. The Nav system that is part of the technology package now features automatic traffic re-routing based on data from the Acura-Link telematics system.


[Source: Acura]

Several bits of information have come out about Acura and their participation in the American Le Mans Series over the past two months so it's time to put two and two together and see if we can get to add up to seven. Acura jumped into the fray in the LMP2 class in 2007 and had a reasonably successful first season with the ARX-01. Back at the Detroit Auto Show in January when ALMS CEO Scott Atherton announced the series "Green Racing" initiative, American Honda EVP John Mendel was on hand and I asked him about Acura's plans. While Mendel was coy about specifics, he did say that the company was evaluating both diesel and hybrid powertrains for the race program. Of course manufacturer participation in motorsports is at least as much about promotion as it is engineering. Since Acura also disclosed that they would launch a clean diesel in the U.S. market in 2009, that would seem to have the edge over a hybrid here.

Then at the end of January, retired IndyCar champion Gil De Ferran announced that he would launch a new ALMS team this year and run the Acura ARX-01B starting with the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend in April. During the course of the coverage of the 12 hours of Sebring this weekend, commentators mentioned the possibility of De Ferran's team and Acura moving up from the LMP2 to the LMP1 class in 2009. Acura splits the development efforts among the teams, with Fernandez Racing focusing on engine development, and Highcroft doing chassis, while Andretti-Green does integration. If the company were looking at a change in class or powertrain, it would make sense to have another team work on that. A diesel-powered LMP1 Acura running against the Audis full-time next year would be fun to watch. Or, perhaps, they will keep the diesel in a lighter LMP2 car which has an advantage over the LMP1s under the current technical regulations. Either way I say bring it on, the more the merrier. On the other hand, maybe two plus two only equals four.

[Sources: American Le Mans Series, Speed TV]

American Le Mans Series CEO Scott Atherton announced a partnership this morning with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation and the Society of Automotive Engineers to make ALMS the global leader in green racing. Working with those groups, the series is defining a new formula for a Green Challenge that will be added beginning with the Petite Le Mans race at Road Atlanta this October. The new Green Challenge formula will factor in a variety of sustainability measures including types of fuels, efficiency of the vehicles, the materials used in the cars and more, combined with the performance of the vehicles on the track to establish a Green Challenge champion. Beyond this year, the Green Challenge will be expanded and will also incorporate measures of well-to-wheel efficiency.

Atherton made it clear that, unlike some other series that emphasize personalities and entertainment (ahem), the ALMS wants to foster technological innovation among manufacturers and use auto racing as a catalyst for developing sustainable transportation. To that end they are evolving a series of technical rules to further encourage the use of alternative fuels and drivetrains including diesel, energy regeneration, hybrids and more. At the same press conference, Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper announced that the Corvette Racing team was targeting the season opening race at Sebring in March to begin running the C6Rs on cellulosic E85. The team would be using ethanol fuel produced from wood chips, making it the first racing car to do so. Honda of America Executive Vice President John Mendel was also present although he did not participate in the press conference. Honda already provides engines for the IndyCar series that run on E100 and they are evaluating a variety of options for the Acura LMP2 racers that run in ALMS. Acura announced here in Detroit that they will introduce diesel engines in their lineup in 2009 and Mendel said that both diesel and hybrids are being looked at for future race programs.

[Source: American Le Mans Series]

During Acura's recent 2008 vehicle preview I had a chance to chance with Product Planning Manager John Watts about alternative powertrain plans. While Lexus has produced hybrid versions of several of their models, Acura hasn't incorporated Honda's IMA system on any vehicles. In fact Watts feels the hybrid honeymoon may be nearing its end.

Honda will continue developing hybrids but the technology will probably aimed at smaller urban cars that are best able to take advantage of regenerative braking. The upscale Acura division is looking at other options. A new 2.2L diesel is coming to the Accord in 2009 followed by a V-6 diesel for the larger SUVs and vans. Both engines are likely to migrate over to the sister brand.

On the gas engine side, the turbocharged 2.4L in the RDX likely won't be the last of its type. Just as companies like Ford, VW and GM are developing or releasing downsized boosted engines with direct injection, the same types will expand to other Acura models. On the subject of ethanol, Watts was decidedly unenthusiastic. He said that corn ethanol wasn't a viable solution, although once cellulosic ethanol becomes commercially available it could help displace a chunk of the demand for petroleum. Although we didn't discuss it, long term it's probable that there will be Acura-branded fuel cell vehicles as well.

[Source: Acura]

This is a follow-up to the earlier announcement from Honda about the diesel engines for the U.S. market. The Financial Express reports the vehicles that will be offered in the U.S. with the proposed diesel engine are the Honda Odyssey minivan and Acura MDX SUV. The vehicles will also be offered in Japan. According to Honda president Takeo Fukui, there are no plans for hybrid systems for light trucks, and it is believed they will be more fuel efficient with diesel engines. The engines might also make their way into cars, if they prove popular in the light duty truck market. The same article mentions Nissan Motor Co is also considering diesel pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

[Source: The Financial Express]