AERODYNAMICS

Careful attention to airflow management helps increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and improve stability at higher speeds and in crosswinds. Visible elements of the aerodynamically efficient body design include flush headlights, hidden windshield wipers, flush side and rear glass, and a tail that cuts off airflow abruptly instead of inducing drag. The aero improvements continue under the vehicle with a series of plastic moldings that redirect air to reduce turbulence underneath the car.

Underbody aerodynamic aids include:

• A short, wide wickerbill underneath the front fascia that helps separate the airflow and allows it to move underneath the engine and transmission assembly with the least drag.
• A large aluminum and plastic undercover that further improves airflow beneath the engine and transmission.
• A pair of deeper, separate air "strakes" located in front of the front tires to help air flow efficiently around the tires.
• A pair of covers located in front of the rear suspension subframe that help improve airflow.

NOISE INSULATION

The 2009 TSX make use of extensive insulation features to reduce the interior sound level. Four separate strategies are employed:

• A thorough insulation package including melt sheet is applied to lower unit body areas.
• The floor carpet provides sound absorption and insulation to markedly reduce road noise in the passenger compartment.
• Floating front and rear suspension subframes are rubber mounted to reduce road and suspension noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
• A, B and C-pillar separators (see below) are also used.

A, B & C-PILLAR SEPARATORS

In vehicles, generally the A, B and C-pillars that extend vertically from the floor of the vehicle to the roofline are hollow, which can transmit road and wind noise into the passenger compartment. In a first for Acura, with the 2009 TSX these pillars are sealed internally, dramatically reducing the transmission of noise and vibration.

WIND NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES

A comprehensive series of features dramatically reduces audible wind noise inside the TSX – even at higher speeds or in windy conditions.

Wind noise reduction measures include:

• Inside frame rail system positions structural frame rails above the floor rather than below it. This smoothes the bottom of the vehicle for reduced air turbulence.
• A series of underbody fairings controls airflow underneath the car and around the front and rear tires.
• Windshield wipers and arms are positioned below the hood line.
• Flush window and moonroof moldings reduce air turbulence.
• Exterior mirror housings are aerodynamically shaped to further reduce turbulence.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The TSX uses projector-style Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beam headlights and 60-watt halogen high beams, plus a bright incandescent taillight array and bright Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL). Bumper-integrated fog lamps are standard and bright backup lights are incorporated into the edges of the trunk lid.

EXTERIOR COLORS

A range of new exterior colors (including a choice of four pearl and four metallic colors) are designed to compliment the TSX's new styling. Body colors are applied with a waterborne paint process to reduce environmental impact and waste.

MOONROOF

The 2009 TSX features a power sliding moonroof that provides more open area than that of the previous generation TSX. Flush mounted to reduce wind noise, it also features an inner panel that further reduces noise from entering the passenger compartment when the moonroof is closed. A pop-up wind deflector reduces turbulence and noise when the moonroof is open.

For ease of operation, a one-touch switch is now located ahead of the moonroof on the ceiling, instead of located near the driver's door as in the previous TSX. The switch controls open/close as well as tilt functions. The moonroof also features an auto-reverse, anti-pinch feature for safety and may be operated after the ignition is turned off (until the driver's door is opened).

POWER WINDOWS

In the 2009 TSX, both the driver and passenger-side front power windows now have an auto up/down feature. With one light touch of the window switch the windows will either lower all the way or rise all the way. A pinch-protection feature reduces the likelihood of injury in the event that a passenger's hand or arm is extended out the window while it is closing.

EXTERIOR MIRRORS

For the first time on the Acura TSX, the passenger's power exterior rearview mirror features a reverse gear tilt-down feature. At the driver's discretion (the feature may be switched off), when Reverse gear is engaged, the passenger side mirror automatically tilts downward to provide an improved view of curbs or painted lines. The mirrors are also heated to improve rear visibility in foggy or icy conditions, and feature a special blue tint to reduce glare. The mirror housings are redesigned and incorporate turn indicators at the outer edges of the housings.

ELECTRIC FUEL DOOR LOCK

In another first for Acura, the 2009 TSX's fuel-filler door locks and unlocks automatically along with the doors. By eliminating the need to reach for the traditional floor-mounted cable release, the new system simplifies the process of refueling the car. As long as the driver's door is unlocked, opening the fuel-filler door is as simple as gently pushing on the rear edge of the door to release its latch. Latching the door closed requires only a gentle push.

EXTERIOR GLASS

All exterior window glass on the 2009 TSX, including the laminated front windshield, safety-glass side and rear windows, have a special UV-resistant coating that helps reduce interior temperatures, lessens glare, and helps protect the leather and other surfaces inside the vehicle from fading.

DOOR EDGE GARNISH

To provide a more finished interior appearance, an attractive metal garnish covers the inside edges of front and rear door ends except for the door latch (and the child safety locks on the rear doors). This improves the visual appeal of the doors when they are open.

TRUNK UTILITY

Despite the slightly reduced trunk cargo volume (of 12.6 cu. ft. is slightly reduced from 13.2 cu. ft. in the previous-generation TSX when equipped with navigation system), utility is improved with a larger trunk opening (measured front to rear). The wider opening and reduced lift-over height (3.1 inches lower at 26.7 in.) make loading bulky or heavy items significantly easier.

More widely spaced trunk lid hinges provide greater clearance, and when closed, the hinges disappear into slots in the finished trunk lining and do not intrude on cargo space. Plus, the hidden hinge design improves trunk aesthetics and gives a more high-quality feel. The fully lined and illuminated trunk can accommodate a wide range of cargo, including four golf bags or four Pullman cases.

The trunk lid can be opened anytime the doors are unlocked by pressing a hidden electric switch located on the rear fascia, via a switch in the driver's door panel, or with the ignition key remote.

TRUNK OPENER

The TSX's trunk latch may be unlatched with the remote transmitter built into the folding ignition key, via a pushbutton on the rear fascia when the doors are unlocked or by pushing a button on the driver's inside door panel. The door-mounted release button replaces the floor-mounted cable release in the previous TSX, improving convenience and simplicity at the same time. An emergency cable release is still available in case the TSX battery should ever run down.