The current TSX, with its crisp lines, looks nice and tidy – well proportioned.

This thing looks a bit bloated by comparison. It needs to get back to the gym and tone up a bit. It’s like it just ate half a box of donuts and is realizing that that was a mistake.

How come the Yurrupeons always get all of the good stuff?

Yes it does look like a Saturn, but it also looks kind of like the Lexus IS.

My lease ran out in Sept of last year, and I have been biding my time, waiting to see the ‘09.

I’m disappointed in the look. What’s with the grill? Who, within Acura, thinks this is a good corporate face? It’s ridiculous.

I will still wait to see the engine-drivetrain combos they end up providing. Diesel would be great, and I would like it with SH-AWD. The more likely scenario, as I see it, is a three-model lineup:

1. Standard TSX: FWD, 2.4L four ~220-230hp
2. Diesel TSX: FWD, diesel engine
3. Type-S: 2.3L Turbo Four, SH-AWD.

I also imagine that the first two models will be released together at launch, with the Type-S released several months later.

Jesus, that’s a lot of buttons. It seems like “Advance” or whatever the new Acura brand signature is doesn’t mean so much the sharp edges on the outside as the baroque gadget-geekery on the inside.

“Without RWD or AH-AWD it fails.”

Yea right…..the ‘04-’08 version was a total flop with FWD. Some/most are perfectly happy with a economical 4cyl/FWD “sporty” sedan. I don’t care how many so-called “enthusiasts” tell me I need RWD. As a daily-driver street car driven in a law abiding manner, the TSX is fine.

Do hate the grille on the ‘09 though.

I don’t know what Honda is thinking with Acura these days. Their SUVs are decent, the cars are of almost-irreproachable quality, but the styling is getting worse and worse. The RL went from one of the most understatedly handsome luxury sedans to something that looks like it stepped out of an early-1990s futuristic action flick! The nasty-huge overhangs, “Euro” tail lamps, and tacked-on grille scream “cheap” to me. If the extremely attractive RL wasn’t selling before, why would an uglified version of the same car sell with slight price hikes? Idiocy in its purest form.

They’re acting like GM – seemingly wanting to commit corporate suicide.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=740462

Lich is right, the grille looks better. I wonder how difficult it would be to do a conversion.

It is also on the RSX their version of the CRV.

Will the diesel be available on it?

It’s also too bad their CUVs have a massive thirst for fuel, even the turbocharged four-cylinder which slurps it like a dog at a water bowl.

I sat in several Acura’s yesterday at the auto show and was very impressed with the interior quality. It’s just too bad they are all CUV’s or FWD.

If you want sporty FWD buy an Accord or Altima coupe/sedan.