In case power isn't your thing, the base
RSX comes with a sporty 160 horsepower 2.0-liter four with 141 lb-ft of torque, mated to
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| While the base RSX starts at $24,900, the Type S shoots up to $33,000. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
a 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic transmission with manual-mode actuation. Its rolling stock rubber is 15 inches in diameter, framing large-diameter discs at all corners, enhanced by standard ABS. While performance is decent, considering the relatively low mass of the RSX in general, its $24,900 price tag is even more enticing. A quick move up to $26,900 adds premium trim without leather, which includes 16-inch rims, a power glass sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, lumbar support and 6-speaker stereo. A total of $28,500 adds premium hides and heated cushions. The Type S I tested comes close to TSX territory, at $33,000. Like the
TSX, the RSX Type S coupe's miserly fuel usage should help appease the initial purchase price. If the right foot is kept only moderately depressed, 10.4 L/100 km (23 mpg) can be expected in the city and 7.0 L/100 km (34 mpg) on the highway.
But despite the obvious merits of the RSX Type S, it faces a challenging future with the sporty segment having gone through an
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| Despite the obvious merits of the RSX Type S, it faces a challenging future. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
especially difficult year. While already low segment sales are expected to decrease another 27 percent by 2010, Acura is committed to its RSX. And it should be, what with a third place ranking behind the dominant Mustang and Subaru Impreza (just how a 4-door sedan managed to squeeze into this category is beyond me). Other cars the Acura competes with in this category, in order of sales success, starts with the MINI Cooper, Hyundai Tiburon, discontinued Honda Civic SiR, and Mitsubishi Eclipse. I would have thought that the long-running Celica would at least rate in the top ten, but it doesn't. Rather it sits in 11th place, which makes it hardly a mystery why Toyota will pull the plug on it after this year.
