When the Acura TSX first went on sale in North America it broke with convention, proving a luxury sports sedan could not only use a 4-cylinder, but also be front-wheel drive. Having grown in size since then it’s lost some of its charm.

Rather than re-invent the car, Acura may look to delete it completely from the brand’s North American lineup as part of a new model strategy.

Acura is looking to introduce a Civic-based RSX sedan to North America, which would result in the brand having two smaller front-wheel drive sedans – which is perhaps one too many. In addition, Acura’s plans call for the TL to shrink in size, to avoid so much competition with the flagship RL. As a result of these changes the TSX could get squeezed out of the lineup.

If there is one thing that could save the TSX it’s that it is based on the Euro-market Honda Accord and therefore much of the R&D expense is already covered.

Honda hasn’t confirmed if it will axe the TSX, but it is one decision being considered.

[Source: Automotive News via CNET]

On of the largest growth areas in the auto industry is the premium compact segment. Acura had it all locked-down with the Integra and then the RSX and then made the foolish move to axe the car.

Now, the RSX is poised to return, arriving in the Spring of 2013, but as a sedan. A coupe is also planned, it won’t arrive until 2015, with the possibility of a convertible version to follow.

The RSX will be based on the current Honda Civic platform and powered by a 210-hp version of the Civic Si powerplant. Honda intends to differentiate it more significantly from the current Civic-based CSX sold in Canada, however.

This move could result in the death of the TSX, with the next-generation TL set to shrink slightly in order to fill the gap.

[Source: AutomotiveNews via CNET]

JDM fanboys and Honda lovers everywhere are sure to wince at the above photo, showing yet another side to the devastating Japanese tsunami.

Were it not for info provided by Ichishima-san of Spoon Sports, we might not be able to guess that this blue and yellow liveried heap was once an RSX Type R race car. The team found the remains of the RSX a little over 3 miles from their shop and it’s amazing the damage it went through.

The rubble in the background serves as a reminder of just how devastated Japan still is.

GALLERY: Spoon Sports RSX Race Car

[Source: Speedhunters]

Before most automakers had any interest in the compact premium segment, Acura launched the Integra, and then the RSX. A car that was perhaps ahead of its time, the RSX is set to make a comeback.

A Motor Trend reports cites sources claiming the next-gen RSX will get the new 201-hp 2.4-liter Civic Si engine, mated to a six-speed manual and a limited slip differential. It will also get Acura’s more angular styling (none of which comes as a surprise).

A brand distinctly short on coupes, Acura is reportedly also developing a larger 2-door that will be powered by the company’s new plug-in hybrid system, but mated to a V6 rather than the 4-cylinder engine Honda has been showing off.

As many as three other coupes may also joint the lineup, with the MT report mentioning another C-Segment coupe, as well as the next-generation NSX, which is now rumored to use a 400-hp V8 engine. In addition, there are continued rumors about more potent version of the CR-Z.

[Source: Motor Trend]

The recession may prove to be a saving grace for Acura, which was forced to cancel its plan to be a tier-one luxury automaker as resources and the market for such vehicles dried up. “The direction we were going became irrelevant within 60 days,” said Steve Center, marketing boss for American Honda in a recent interview with Automotive News.

As a result, Honda’s luxury brand had to step-back and reexamine what its goals were. The exact message Acura wants to send isn’t clear and execs at the company admit that the current plan of branding the automaker as Honda-plus is not what they want. However, that has worked for Acura over the years and the plan is to still push ahead with vehicles that are performance-oriented but which are also a good value with normal maintenance and ownership costs.

According to Acura dealer Jim Smail, the automaker is committed to the brand and will be injecting more money into it over the next few years – particularly in developing new products. Smail says that at a recent dealer meeting in Denver dealer reps were told that Honda will expand the Acura lineup, with new hybrid powertrains, but also into new segments – likely returning to the premium compact arena where it has had so much success in the past. That won’t just mean a rebadged version of the Civic though, says Center, who highlights the Canadian-market CSX (a rebadged Civic) as exactly how not to transform Acura.

[Source: Automotive News]

While we’ve heard several rumors before that Acura is reconsidering getting into smaller cars, a new report by Automotive News is the most credible yet. According to AN, Jeff Conrad, the VP of Acura confirmed at a recent dealer meeting that the brand is looking at expanding its lineup with a new vehicle that would slot in underneath the TSX. While there’s some speculation that Acura would bring the Canadian CSX (essentially a rebadged and gussied-up Civic) to the U.S., the report says this new model would compete against the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30. It would also help Acura meet increasingly strict CAFE regulations.

That being said a small hatchback or coupe is likely and so our immediate guess is that Acura could revive the much-loved RSX badge – perhaps even using the CR-Z as a base. After all, if the goal is to create a fuel-efficient model and Acura has made known its plan to expand into hybrids in the near future, an Acura branded CR-Z might work – although it would have to have a more powerful engine, something that has been rumored in a CR-Z Type R.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

Rumors have surfaced that Acura is planning to get back into the entry-level luxury segment, with a possible RSX successor coming in 2012. The new model would reportedly be based on the next generation Honda Civic which is due out in 2011 and would compete with vehicles like the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 in the growing premium compact segment.

Making the possibility more likely are rumors that the upcoming European Lexus CT hatchback may find its way to North America after all. Then again, Honda has never been a company to follow the lead of others.

Currently Acura offers no coupes in its lineup after killing off the RSX in 2006. An entry-level four-door Acura, the CSX, is offered exclusively in Canada, however.

[Source: eGMcartech]