TheAcura CSXisAcura'ssubcompact executive carexclusively designed for the Canadian market. Like theAcura EL,it was only available in Canada and built inAlliston, Ontario,Canada. For the 2013 model year, theILXwas introduced as the CSX's replacement and is available in both theUnited StatesandCanada.

Acura CSX
2007 Acura CSX
Overview
ManufacturerAcura(Honda)
Also calledHonda Civic (eighth generation)
Ciimo1.8
ProductionNovember 2005–2011
Model years2006–2011
AssemblyCanada:Alliston, Ontario(HCM)
DesignerMotoaki Minowa and Jiro Ikeda[1]
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact executive car
Body style4-doorsedan
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
RelatedAcura RSX
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speedmanual
5-speedautomatic
6-speed manual (Type-S)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,544 mm (178.9 in)
Width1,752 mm (69.0 in)
Height1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Curb weight1,313 kg (2,895 lb)
1,343 kg (2,961 lb) (AT)
Chronology
PredecessorAcura EL
SuccessorAcura ILX

Design

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Honda chose the Canadian-designed CSX styling as the template for the Civic sold in the Japanese and international markets, instead of the opposite.[2][3][4]The CSX uses the same chassis as the 2006–2011 North American market Honda Civic Sedan.[5]Differentiating the Acura from its mainstream North American counterpart include a slightly longer nose with shaped headlamp clusters, a full-width lower air intake and a slight crease up the hood's centreline. At the rear, jewelled taillamps and the shaping of the trunk's sheet metal contrast the upscale-marketed CSX from the Civic.

The CSX shares some features with theJDMCivic, most notably the 2.0 LDOHCi-VTECenginerated at 155 hp (116 kW) at 6,000rpmand 139 lb⋅ft (188 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm. Also shared with the JDM Civic are the front and rear fascias; the steering wheel design is used in Japanese, European, and American-market Civic models.

Trims

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The CSX went on sale in November 2005 as a 2006 model. The 2006 CSX was introduced in 3 trims: Touring (the base model), Premium, and Premium + Navi. Standard features on the touring model include 16-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, side and curtain airbags, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls,paddle shiftersfor automatic transmission models, heated door mirrors with integrated turn signals, 6-speaker audio system with CD/MP3/WMA capability, automatic climate control, cruise control, chrome door handles, and 60/40 split folding rear seats. Key additions in the Premium model includedhigh-intensity discharge (HID)headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and an in-dash 6 disc CD changer. The Navi model was only available as an upgrade to the Premium trim, adding a bilingual voice-activated navigation system, illuminated steering wheel controls, and a digital audio card reader. Leather upholstery was not available for Honda Civics sold in Canada until the 2008 model year when the EX-L was made available, while the navigation system was never offered for the Canadian lineup of Civics. Lastly, the 2.0 LDOHCi-VTECengine, HID headlamps, chrome door handles, paddle shifters, and the 6 disc CD changer remained exclusive to the CSX as they were not available for Civics in Canada nor the United States.

The resulting car is 62 kg (137 lb) to 88 kg (194 lb) heavier than the Civic EX sedan, with fuel consumption raised to 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres (32 mpg‑imp;27 mpg‑US) city, 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres (44 mpg‑imp;37 mpg‑US) highway for the manual model; and 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres (30 mpg‑imp;25 mpg‑US) city, 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres (43 mpg‑imp;36 mpg‑US) highway for theautomaticmodel. The CSX uses regular unleaded gasoline (Min 87AKI), while the Type S model uses premium gasoline (Min 91AKI).

Type-S

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2007 Acura CSX Type-S
'2010 facelift Acura CSX Type-S (MIAS '10)

The Type-S variant debuted as a 2007 model and uses the identical powertrain found in the US and Canadian market 2006-2011Honda Civic Si,consisting of a 2.0LI4,197 horsepower (147 kW) i-VTEC engine, 6-speedmanual transmissionand a helicallimited-slip differential.The "sport-tuned" suspension is identical to the US-only 2006+ Honda Civic Si sedan with stiffer springs, firmer damping and thicker stabilizer bars compared to the regular CSX and is supported on 215/45R17 all-season tires and 17-inch alloy wheels. Unlike the Canadian market Civic Si coupe, the CSX Type-S employs Honda's version ofelectronic stability control(Vehicle Stability Assist, or VSA). Other amenities include 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, rear wing spoiler with integratedLEDbrake light, fog lights, bilingual navigation system, a 350-watt7-speaker audio system, digital audio card reader, Type-S badging and illuminated foot wells.

Fuel consumption is 10.2 L/100 km (28 mpg‑imp;23 mpg‑US) city, 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp;35 mpg‑US) highway with a minimum of 91 octane AKI fuel required.

The 2007 CSX Type-S went on sale on November 6, 2006 with anMSRPof $33,400Canadianat the same time as theAcura TL Type-S.

For the 2008 model year theHonda Civic Siwas offered as a sedan as well as a coupe, however the Acura CSX Type-S remained available since it has features not found in its Honda counterpart such as the navigation system and leather upholstery.

For 2009, Acura made some slight modifications to the CSX's front-end. Inside, the Type-S came with new USB and Bluetooth connections.[6]The Type-S did not have any major modifications for 2010 and was discontinued in 2011.

Trim and mid-model changes

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Interior of a 2008 CSX
Acura CSX
2009–2011 facelift Acura CSX

For 2007 models, an auxiliary input jack for the audio system was added for all CSX models.

For 2008 models, leather upholstery, a tire pressure monitoring system, illuminated vanity mirrors, and vehicle stability assist (VSA) were made standard equipment on all CSX models. The decision to phase out the base CSX with cloth seats was due to the Honda Civic EX-L trim being available for the 2008 model year onwards. The CSX Premium was renamed CSX Technology, which added high-intensity discharge headlights, fog lamps, XM Satellite Radio with roof-mounted antenna, premium stereo and bilingual voice-activated navigation system.

Like the Honda Civic, the CSX received a mid-model change in 2009, most notably giving it Acura's trademark Power Plenum grille. Other exterior changes include black-housing headlights, octagonal tail-lamps, and revised front bumper and fog lights. While not new to the line-up, the 17-inch alloy wheels previously exclusive to the Type S are now standard on all models. New features for 2009 include USB audio connectivity for all models, and Bluetooth hands-free wireless link for Technology and Type-S models. For 2010, the base model has been discontinued and the now-entry level Technology model has been renamed "iTech".

For the car's final model year, Acura has simplified the CSX line for 2011, offering two trim levels, Base and iTech, both have significantly reduced MSRP from the previous 2010 models. The Type-S trim has been discontinued for 2011. Only four colours were available: Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, and Taffeta White.

Discontinuation

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Despite being the best-selling vehicle in Acura Canada's lineup from 2006–07 and late 2009/early 2010, Honda announced the discontinuation of the Acura CSX after the 2011 model year.[7]The Civic-basedILXwas confirmed as the car's successor for the 2013 model year.[8]As such, the Acura CSX became the fourth Acura to have only sold one model generation, after theVigor(1992–94), the U.S.-exclusiveSLX(1996–99), and theRSX(2002–06). (TheAcura ZDXnameplate was initially only used for one generation from the 2010 to 2013 model years; however, the nameplate got revived in 2024 to be used for anelectric vehiclemade as part of Honda's collaboration withGeneral Motorsfor EVs)

TheCivic-basedILXwas confirmed after the car is discontinued.

References

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  1. ^US D525915,Minowa, Motoaki & Ikeda, Jiro, "Automobile", published 2006-08-01, assigned toHonda Motor Co. Ltd.
  2. ^"Acura CSX Review".The Truth About Cars. 2008-09-03.Retrieved2010-11-11.
  3. ^"2006 Acura CSX Road Test - Auto123.com - Canadian automotive network".Auto123.com. 2006-02-10. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-08-08.Retrieved2010-11-11.
  4. ^"2008 Acura CSX - Type-S".Honda Tuning Magazine.Retrieved2010-11-11.
  5. ^"2006 Acura CSX".Wheels.ca.Retrieved2010-11-11.
  6. ^"2009 Acura CSX - News, reviews, picture galleries and videos - The Car Guide".Guideautoweb.com.Retrieved2018-10-04.
  7. ^Acura aims to revive its image--The Globe and Mail(Retrieved 2012-01-23)
  8. ^ Acura retools lineup to put the focus on mpgArchived2012-04-22 at theWayback Machine--Autoweek(Retrieved 2011-12-12)
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