2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Acura just rolled out the new 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon at this year's New York Auto Show. They are going to sell this ride in America, and I don't see anything wrong with that. What I do see as being a bump in the road is whether American's will buy it or not.

One of the things that I like about cars and driving and people's attitude towards cars in Europe, is that they can do something like make a super-fast very elegant station wagons. Think of Audi's Avants and such like. Americans, on the other hand, don't like station wagons very much.

They have a stigma over here. They are seen as being a rung below minivans, and minivans are a rung below SUVs, and SUVs are what you want to be hauling Biff to soccer practice and Muffy to ballet, because, you know, well safety. Right? Right?

So the thought of actually getting a ride that can do 90% of want an SUV can do, only do it more efficiently, with more elegance and more outright pace, that's something that's hard for a lot of American's to get their minds wrapped around. Too bad too, because the Acura TSX Sport Wagon looks like a hell of a ride.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is the North American market version of Europe's Honda Accord Tourer and it will go on sale in the States late this fall. Since it's a wagon, you get a huge increase in rear cargo space over the sedan. You also get some neat features like a removable side panel to accommodate wider items like golf clubs as well as incorporating under-floor bins for hidden storage.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon will be launched exclusively with a 201HP 2.4-liter inline-four mated up to a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Not bad for a grocery getter and a brat hauler. OK, it could use a bigger mill, but c'mon aftermarket, take this on.

"The TSX Sport Wagon represents a smart choice for those seeking a vehicle with utility. It's practical, fun to drive, luxurious and technically advanced, all while achieving an outstanding estimated highway fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon," said John Mendel, Acura's executive vice president of sales.

Pricing for the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon will be announced later in the year.

Source: Car Scoop