ACURA-RSX

Since its debut in July of 2001, the RSX sports coupe has been an unqualified success, winning an array of industry awards including being named to Car and Driver’s “10 Best” and Ward’s “10 Best Engines” lists. To maintain the RSX’s position as the benchmark in its class, Acura’s dynamic sports coupe receives substantial performance and styling enhancements for 2005 that update its dynamic looks, refine and modernize the interior and make it even more fun to drive.For 2005, the high performance Type-S model receives engine and exhaust system modifications that boost horsepower from 200 to 210 and torque from 142 lb-ft to 143 lb-ft. Engine output was optimized by applying high performance camshafts and enlarging the diameter of the intake duct by 10 percent. A larger diameter exhaust pipe and free-flowing catalytic converter helped to boost horsepower by increasing exhaust flow by 10 percent.Ever seen a 75-year-old boy racer? Not a pretty sight, you say? Well, maybe not to a 25-year-old but I still have all my faculties and Paul Newman’s older than me and he’s racing in this year’s Daytona 24 Hours. Normally I drive with dignity, as befits a person of my age. Unfortunately this copper-colored rocketship absolutely refused to be driven slowly. It begged to hit the 8000 rpm redline, snicked through its gears quicker than a train conductor can punch a ticket, cornered as though glued to the pavement. Yes, the Acura RSX S-Type may be a front-wheel-drive coupe derived from a Civic platform but on the road it is pure sports car and don’t let a rear-drive fanatic tell you otherwise. Yet I was prepared not to like it, having experienced too many cars that demand the agility of a sloth to enter and exit. Indeed, this was all but confirmed on the BC Ferry when the attendant parked me against an inner wall. With less than 2-ft. clearance that barn-wide door wouldn’t open enough to let me out. Luckily the seatbacks recline to near-horizontal so I managed to wiggle into the back seat and exit, albeit ungracefully. Once off the ship, however, I fell in love with the RSX, the nearest thing to the fountain of youth on four wheels.Freshened styling and sporty-model upgrades mark Acura’s entry-level car for 2005. RSX is a 2-dr hatchback coupe sold in base and higher-performance Type-S trim. Both have a 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine. The 160-hp base model offers 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions. The sportier Type-S comes only with a 6-speed manual and for ’05 gains 10 hp, to 210. Both get revised suspension, steering, and brakes, plus a minor facelift, more heavily bolstered front seats, and extra interior accents in chrome and faux titanium. The Type-S has a firmer suspension, and, for ’05, increases wheel size to 17 inches from 16 and gains a standard rear spoiler. The base model retains 16s. Every RSX includes antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and front side airbags, sunroof, and heated mirrors. Leather upholstery is standard for the Type-S and available on the base. Type-S also comes with an in-dash CD changer.On the road, the first thing we noticed is how smooth the new shifter is and how easy the transmission is to operate. The clutch is also very buttery soft, as it never lets your leg get sore and makes finding the friction point a breeze. This is arguably one of the nicest transmission/clutch setups we’ve sampled as of late. We noticed that there wasn’t an armrest on the driver’s right side, which is a bit awkward. While we found the Acura RSX had plenty of headroom for our 5-foot-11 frame, someone taller might find it a bit tight.We also noticed that the car can get pretty loud inside. Substantial road noise comes through the floor from bumps and ruts in the road, and the engine is loud, though only on the street with the windows rolled down and the motor winding up into the upper-rpm range. On the freeway in sixth gear it really isn’t an issue. Other than the noise complaint, driving this car is a very rewarding experience.To make it easier for rear occupants to get in, the right front passenger seat will slide forwards when you flips the backrest forward, and automatically slide back to its original position. The two rear seats are separated by a centre storage bin, and for adults, offer adequate legroom but headroom is marginal. In fact, the rear passengers sit right under the rear window.