Car Moon

Following on from the U.S. launch of the mildly refreshed 2011 TSX Sedan, Acura has released pricing for the new Sport Wagon model that goes on sale December 21. The North American version of the European Honda Accord Tourer will be available exclusively with the TSX's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a five-speed automatic transmission and a base price of $30,960.

Making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto show tomorrow is the barely botoxed 2011 Acura TSX sedan. Our previous guesstimates about Acura bringing the TSX sedan in line with the new Sport Wagon model, which is based on the corresponding European Honda Accord model, proved to be more or less true.

On the outside, the 2011 TSX gets an extremely discreet facelift that includes, a new front fascia, revised chin spoiler, new fog light garnish assembly and an updated grill. At the back, the sedan model features revised taillights and an updated license plate garnish. The fresh alloy wheel designs and new underbody panels that improve aerodynamics sum up the exterior changes.

Among the world premieres listed on the Los Angeles Auto Show's official website, is the 2011 Acura TSX sedan (known as the Honda Accord in Europe and Japan). Even though Honda has already confirmed its own debuts that include an all-new electric vehicle concept and a new plug-in hybrid platform, we've yet to receive official word on Acura's plans.

Honda Motors' Acura division is recalling 167,255 of its 2004 - 2008 MY TSX sedans with the 2.4-liter inline-four in the U.S. because the power steering hose can potentially deteriorate prematurely and leak fluids causing a fire hazard.

"Oil leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire," Honda said in a notice on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

[Updated with new Photos] Here is Honda's answer to the critics of the Accord CrossTour: the North American market version of Europe's Honda Accord Tourer that will be sold here in the States as the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

"The TSX Sport Wagon represents a smart choice for those seeking a vehicle with utility," said John Mendel, Acura's executive vice president of sales. "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."

Along with an increased rear cargo space over the saloon, the TSX Sport Wagon also features a removable side panel to accommodate wider items such as golf clubs and integrated under-floor bins for hidden storage.

Back in October of 2009, Acura told us about its plans to expand its TSX lineup with a more practical station wagon variant in the fall of 2010. Today, the Japanese automaker announced that we'll get our first look at what is essentially the North American market version of the European Honda Accord Tourer (pictured here) at the New York International Auto Show on March 31.

While Acura has confirmed that it will bring the European Honda Accord Tourer to the U.S. as the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon in fall 2010 (the Euro Accord and the TSX are virtually one and the same), it's highly unlikely that you'll ever see one in a yellowish finish with a Taxi roof sign. But if you're planning a trip to Germany, you might very well be able to hitch a ride on a Accord Tourer Taxi - that is, if you manage to spot one among all the Mercs.

Even before Honda revealed the controversial Accord CrossTour, U.S. consumers were wondering why the Japanese automaker wouldn't just add the European version of the Honda Accord Tourer to its Acura TSX lineup (the TSX and Euro Accord are virtually identical). Well, Honda has just answered their prayers (now let's see how many of those will actually buy it...) as the company announced today the addition of a TSX Sport Wagon to its 2011 vehicle lineup.

The latest generation Honda Accord (sold in the States as the Acura TSX) has been awarded with five-stars under Euro NCAP's revised safety rating scheme that replaces the three separate ratings for pedestrian impact, adult and child protection with a single five-star rating. In the previous rating system, the Accord had a 5 star adult occupant, 4 star child occupant and 3 star pedestrian protection scores

Acura finally decided to add a V6 option to its latest generation TSX model which as you probably already know, is sold in Europe as the Honda Accord. Unveiled for the first time today at the Chicago Auto Show, the most powerful version of the Acura's premium sports sedan is fitted with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that's coupled to a Sequential SportShift automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted F1-style paddle shifters. And no, Acura did not equip the TSX V6 with its four-wheel-drive system as it retains the 4-cylinder model's front-wheel drive layout.