I especially like the way the car seems to be designed around the driver, with contoured sport seats that wrap-around the body
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| I especially like the way the RSX seems to be designed around the driver, with contoured sport seats that wrap-around the body and support from every angle. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
and support from every angle, incidentally featuring an improved thicker urethane lower cushion for added comfort. All controls are within clear sight and easy reach, and one of the sportiest leather-wrapped steering wheels in the business is included, ideally placed for 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock hand positioning. The standard Type S 6-speed shifter is also perfectly suited to the job literally at hand, with the most delectably short throws and fluid-like shift intervals. Acura stiffened it since last year, to improve feel, and incidentally the final gear ratio is set a little higher than on the outgoing model, to improve high end performance. The engine that powers the 2005 Type S is an evolutionary step forward, up 10 horsepower to 210 at a lofty 7,800 rpm, and 1
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| The 2005 Type S is powered by a 210-hp 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
lb-ft of torque to 143 available at 7,000 rpm. Yes it revs supreme, which is an attribute that might not be suitable to every North Americans' driving tastes, but enough, like me, enjoy spinning the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder to maximum just to hear the sound of its twin cams and sixteen whirring valves in frantic operation. Honda makes wonderful engines, whether its lineup of Acura cars, Honda brand cars and motorcycles, large-displacement outboard watercraft engines, or in the highly competitive 2004 F1 car rising star Jensen Button piloted to 6 podiums this season. By the way, in case you hadn't heard, Honda bought 45 percent of the BAR team that uses its F1 V10, which bodes well for its future in the world's premiere open-wheel motorsport series.
