Showing posts with label LA Auto Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LA Auto Show. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto show tomorrow is the barely botoxed 2011 Acura TSX sedan. Our previous guesstimates about Acura bringing the TSX sedan in line with the new Sport Wagon model, which is based on the corresponding European Honda Accord model, proved to be more or less true.

On the outside, the 2011 TSX gets an extremely discreet facelift that includes, a new front fascia, revised chin spoiler, new fog light garnish assembly and an updated grill. At the back, the sedan model features revised taillights and an updated license plate garnish. The fresh alloy wheel designs and new underbody panels that improve aerodynamics sum up the exterior changes.

Revisions inside the car concern the updated styling of the center console, the darker trim pieces, brightly finished door handles, an updated parking brake handle, new garnishes for the steering wheel and an available LED backlit full VGA navigation screen that generates 400-percent better resolution than before.

Furthermore, there's new contrasting-color stitching for the leather seats and door armrests, while Acura also mounted heating/cooling vents at the rear of the center console.

The thicker side glass, increased use of sound-deadening insulation, improved floor mats and new underfloor covers, complete the interior upgrades.

Under the sheetmetal, the Japanese maker's engineers have tweaked the 2.4L inline four cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 engines. According to Acura, both units receive numerous improvements to reduce internal operating friction which help improve fuel economy, lower carbon dioxide (CO2) output and increase engine life.

The automatic transmission was also upgraded with new programming that helps maximize engine output by allowing for Shift Hold Control during cornering along with "smart shift" functionality that allows for semi-manual operation when in Drive and not just when in Sport Mode as before.

Acura claims that the changes on 2011MY TSX improve both the 2.4L and 3.5L model's fuel efficiency by 1mpg in both city and highway driving.

The updated 2011 TSX sedan goes on sale in the U.S. on November 23, with prices starting from $29,610 for the 2.4L engine with both manual and automatic transmissions, and from $35,150 for the 3.5L V6 version.



_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________


The Los Angeles Auto Show will be opening its doors to the members of the press tomorrow, but Toyota can't wait to share its facelifted 2011 Corolla sedan. The Japanese firm's bread and butter model has received a mild makeover along with some equipment upgrades. It will go on sale in the States in December.

The most obvious visual changes concern the front end which gains new bumper, grille and headlamp designs. At the back, there are newly styled tail lamps as well as a revised turn lid and rear license garnish. Other changes include the slightly larger side-view mirrors, an engine undercover that promises to improve air management under the car and new wheel designs.

The S model seen in these photos features a standard body kit that adds a front spoiler, rocker moldings, and upper and lower rear spoilers.

The interior upgrades are even more subtle being limited to new seat colors and patterns, different trim on the instrument panel and doors, plus a newly designed three-spoke sports steering wheel on the Corolla S.

There are no changes under the hood with the 2011 Corolla being offered with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. According to the Japanese maker, the 1.8-liter engine has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with the five-speed manual transmission, and 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the four-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota made no mention of the XRS, which for the 2010MY, comes with a 158HP 2.4-liter unit, so we'll have to wait and see if it has been crossed out of the range or if it will return for the 2011MY.

For now, we know that the 2011 Corolla will be available in three grades, the base-model Corolla, LE, and S, all powered by the 1.8L engine.


_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________