Acura RSX 2002 test drive - 2005 compartment

Another Honda

If you want to sell part of America, buy a Japanese car. At one time, such an opinion was very common among the inhabitants of the New World. However, the serious intentions of the Japanese and their competent policy of introducing the American market eventually took effect. Living this proof of the new Acura RSX that has just appeared in Moscow.
Actually, opening any decent European automobile catalog, you will find exactly the same car there, but it will be called Honda Integra. Then where did the Acura come from? The fact is that large Japanese manufacturers in the 80s specially created new brands for the United States. Asian marketers quite reasonably considered that it was easier to sell the Yankees, for example, some Lexus than to convince them to buy Toyota hated from childhood. However, Lexus is now known to many. Even Nissanovsky Infiniti is often found. But with the word acura, many have a question on the faces. Meanwhile, this brand appeared back in 1986 earlier than the mentioned Lexus and Infiniti. So, our guest today is the latest Acura RSX model. In appearance, the car looks like a real sports compartment, but in fact the RSX body of the hatchback. However, this circumstance does not prevent the novelty from being fast and elegant. Acura is especially good in front of her predatory beak and original headlights look very stylish and, most likely, will cause respect in front of those who looked in the rearview mirror. Yes, and the design of the rear with the headlights A la Ferrari turned out to be bright and memorable.
I open the massive door and ... I freeze, looking at the amazing sports bucket of seats. Yes, before these could be seen only on Integra Type-R or S2000! The front panel with its architecture reminded of the hybrid Honda Insight. It is, as it were, deployed to the driver, so the control of the radio or the climate control unit is not difficult. By the way, the latter was made in a very original and fashionable way of now something similar to meet the modern Alfa Romeo and the new mini. In general, the RSX interior is extremely non -trivial. Take at least a combination of devices: each dial is a kind of titanium saucer, along which scarlet arrows move. It looks stunning, but in the dark, the readability of the readings is significantly reduced.
Another surprise was the back seat. It turns out that Acura is a full-fledged 4-seater car, a rarity for a compartment of this size. Well, for those who nevertheless believe that a sports compartment for only two, a very interesting option for transforming the cabin is offered. You can fold the rear seat (entirely or in parts!), And then you get the luggage compartment (and even with an absolutely even floor!), Which will envy another family hatchback. So lovers of outdoor activities will not have to leaf through catalogs in search of an additional trunk for a bicycle or ski. But today we will go on other, no less active, sports ... A pleasant baritone was heard from under the hood. Well, let's check what its owner is capable of. Moreover, this engine, although not the highest-composed (for Honda 160 horses with 2 liters of working volume, is not the largest indicator), is equipped with a modernized I-VTEC system.
Confident acceleration with idle speed, accompanied by a pleasant sound of the configured release, after 4,000 revolutions gently gaining strength, breaking off only in the region of 7000. There is a quick change in transmission and everything is repeated again. However, this happens only if the gas pedal stuck to the floor. Otherwise, the machine is too early switches up, and with uniform movement constantly strives to stick the fifth gear, holding it even on braking. Nothing to be done, setting up a car for a consumer from the United States. Meanwhile, the Honda automatic machine itself deserves a very high rating. The switching is fast and soft, the delay in the transition to the Kick-Down mode is small. Disagreements with settings are active lovers can use manual mode. Moreover, RSX only encourages a similar ride. A hard suspension shakes the riders pretty much, but the various flaws of our roads in the form of joints, somehow laid pars and simply swallow quite willingly. In addition, the clearance of Acura (15 cm) allows you not to fear for the health of low suspended units. So you can quickly move in space on this car even in harsh conditions of Russian roads.
You can’t say that the car is configured for America, and by the nature of controllability. No cotton in communication between the driver and the road! The information content of the steering is on top. The reactions are fast and accurate. The rotation is almost neutral. Class! And only the brake pedal could be a little more transparent. What is the end? Acura RSX is a very interesting car. Moreover, it is designed, in my opinion, on people who have long stared at spectacular sports two -door, but they are not dared to put this in their garage for practical reasons. Say, there is almost no trunk, and the rear seat for a sports bag. For such people, RSX will lay out its trump cards. In addition to the style, individuality, and sports, traditional for such cars ... Well, for those who are forever poisoned by high-octane gasoline, the Japanese made a special gift Acura RSX Type-S. By the way, they hinted to me that this car is already on the way to Russia.
Text Alexander Bochkarev
Photo Alexander Nozdrin
 

Source: Cars