Acura, Porsche add flash, power to flagship models

Acura reworks entry-level, mid-range, flagship sedans

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Porche

The Porsche 911 Carrera has an optional PDK gearbox with a double-clutch mechanism that operates its seven gears.

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Acura/HO

The 2009 second-generation Acura TSX is larger, has updated exterior styling, and with its 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine produces a peak of 201 horsepower.

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All three Acura sedans are revised for 2009.

The entry Acura TSX is a larger, second-generation model with updated exterior styling and a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with 8 more foot-pounds of torque — to 172 foot-pounds — than its predecessor. Horsepower peaks at 201.

The mid-range TL is a larger, fourth-generation model and has the most powerful sedan engine in Acura’s lineup: a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 with 273 foot-pounds of torque. This powerplant is available in the uplevel TL SH-AWD version that, for the first time, includes Acura’s special all-wheel-drive system. That not only shifts power from front to rear wheels when needed, but also from one side of an axle to the other for improved cornering.

Acura’s flagship sedan, the RL, has more aggressive styling this year and a more powerful engine: a 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 that develops 271 foot-pounds of torque. The new RL has a roomier back seat than its predecessor did, and suspension and tires are upgraded.

Porsche beefs up engines for Carrera, Cayenne

The 911 Carrera and Carrera S get more powerful engines for 2009.

Both the base 3.6-liter six cylinder and the 3.8-liter S version become direct injection powerplants. In the 3.6-liter unit, horsepower rises by 20 to 345 and torque increases to 287 foot-pounds. In the larger 3.8-liter engine, horsepower now is 385 and torque rises to 310 foot-pounds.

A new option for the 911 Carreras is a PDK gearbox, which uses a double-clutch mechanism to operate the seven gears.

It can operate as an automatic or be shifted manually.

Porsche’s SUV, the Cayenne, adds its most powerful version yet. The Cayenne Turbo S has a 4.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 generating 550 horsepower. The vehicle can reach 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, remarkable for an SUV weighing more than 5,000 pounds.

Porsche also is expected to move to direct-injection in the engines of the Boxster and Cayman in the next year.