Acura CEO Takeo Fukui announced at this year’s Detroit Auto Show that 2009 would mark the first year in which Acura would offer a clean diesel model in the U.S. Although Fukui never named a specific model earmarked for the diesel treatment, it was widely speculated that the TSX – which serves as the Euro-spec Honda Accord – would become Acura’s first clean diesel model. However, stringent U.S. diesel regulations have reportedly put the brakes on Acura’s diesel plans.
According to the enthusiast site Vtech.net, Acura’s i-DTEC TSX has been put on hold indefinitely, with the possibility of a complete cancellation.
The six-speed manual transmission version of the i-DTEC TSX has reportedly had no problems passing U.S. clean diesel laws, but the six-speed automatic car has yet to qualify for 50-state legal status. Acura feels that a manual-only version of the diesel TSX would greatly affect the car’s U.S. success, which has Honda ’s luxury brand re-thinking its U.S. diesel plans all together.
But, as the saying goes, there is always a silver lining, and this story is no different. In order to plug the hole now left by the diesel’s absence, Acura is reportedly fast-tracking a V6 for TSX use. No word on which V6 Acura is favoring for the TSX, but our money is on the TL’s 3.5L, with output in the 250-280 horsepower range.
