2009
ACURA LINE-UP
 Five unique cars make up the 2009 fleet from Acura, a brand of luxury and performance vehicles derived from Honda of Japan. The collection includes Acura's elegant full-size flagship RL sedan, which shows fresh styling and a larger engine; sleek TSX, a compact-class sports sedan in new generational design, and chic TL, a slick performance sedan repackaged with Acura's most powerful engine ever.
 RL
Keen lines with muscular bulges define the new body styling for Acura's fancy full-size sedan. Below the aluminum hood lurks a new single-cam 3.7-liter V6 engine with VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) system. It produces 300 hp now and operates through a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, plus a new straight-gate shift lever pegged on the console. The RL also employs Acura's smart AWD (all-wheel-drive) system dubbed SH-AWD (super-handling all-wheel-drive). Safety gear includes the new Active Head Restraint System built into front seats plus six air bags.
 TL
Chic TL is a slick performance sedan, as well as a plush ride with cushy appointments. It handles like a sports car, although the content of TL's five-seat cabin — with soft leather seats and electronic controls governing climate and sound and navigation equipment — conjures an image of elegant, even luxurious, motoring. TL for 2009 arrives in redesigned skin and a luxurious cockpit fitted with high-tech equipment. Two VTEC engine options cap with Acura's most powerful plant ever at 305 hp. Two trims apply, including a sport-tuned model which gains Acura's SH-AWD traction mechanism.
 TSX
Acura's compact-class sports sedan gets the Generation II treatment for 2009 in four-door format with cabin seats for five. Engine is a 2.4-liter in-line-four pushing 201 hp through a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox or electronic automatic five-speed Sequential SportShift. TSX carries VSA (vehicle stability assist) equipment operating in conjunction with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS). The cockpit houses bolstered sport bucket seats covered in perforated leather and a sports steering wheel. An Active Head Restraint System (AHRS) is new. A ten-speaker Acura/ELS premium audio system with 415-watt amplifier appears on the option sheet.
 RDX
This five-seat CUV (crossover utility vehicle) for the compact class is stuffed with luxurious appointments but also tuned for sporty performance. RDX brings a turbo-charged engine and the agile control of SH-AWD plus high-tech communications, navigation and entertainment equipment. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder plant, outfitted with the turbo-charger and i-VTEC controls, delivers 240 hp and ties to a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Acura adds a navigation system with voice recognition, a 360-watt premium sound system, plus curtain-style side air bags keyed to rollover sensors.
 MDX
Acura's car-based CUV slants toward performance, as the name means Multi-Dimensional Cross-Trainer in the image of a toned athlete. It has a 300-hp VTEC V6 with SH-AWD traction and a VSA system to check lateral slippage. However, MDX is also a refined luxury car. The cabin -- with three rows of flexible seats -- piles on comfort gear and trim in leather and hardwoods. Three optional packages create step-up models, like the Technology package, a Sport package and the Entertainment package with a DVD-based video screen.
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