2007 Acura CSX Type-S on sale in November

November will see the launch of Honda’s new version of the 2007 Acura CSX, the Type-S, a high-performance luxury sedan available only in Canada. This model follows last year’s introduction of the CSX class to Honda’s luxury field with a compact sedan.

“The new Type-S model will serve as a gateway product to Acura’s performance heritage for those Canadians who want both affordable luxury and high performance,�? offered Honda Canada’s executive vice-president, Jim Miller.

Juicing the new model will be a new 2-litre i-VTEC engine letting loose 197 horses. “There was a time when the 100-horsepower-per-litre benchmark was an exclusive calling card of race car engines,�? pointed out Miller.

That race-car feeling will be felt in the close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. It has a speed sensitive electric power steering system for sporty driving effort and features drive-by-wire throttle control. Tack on 4-wheel disc brakes and vehicle stability assist with traction control.

Honda’s rates the Type-S at 10.2 L/100km (city) and 6.8 L/100 (highway).

While all CSX models have four-wheel independent suspension, the Type-S offers stiffer springs, firmer damping and more tightly controlled suspension movement with upgraded stabilizer bars at both ends – increased from 24 to 27 millimeters up front, and from 11 to 17 millimeters in the rear.

Performance-rated 215/45 R17 tires carry the vehicle. For the eye is specific Type-S badging, fog lights, a rear wing spoiler with integrated LED brake lights, fog lights, and upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels.

Open the doors and see leather trimmed seats and embossed Type-S logo on the seats and floor mats sitting under metallic-finished pedals.

You want mood – at night there’s a red hue to the ambient lighting.

Driving alone with no one to talk to? No problem. The Acura satellite-linked navigation system with bilingual voice recognition is standard equipment. You can choose the most direct route or find alternatives that avoid major highways. The bilingual voice recognition system responds to nearly 600 voice commands, including climate control and audio system settings

And there’s the 350-watts audio system pushing sounds through seven speakers, including an 8-inch sub-woofer -BA-BOOM BA-BOOM, BA-BOOM.

In addition to the usual AM, FM and CD functions, Acura has provided a digital audio card reader compatible with MP3 and WMA audio files plus an Auxiliary input jack for iPods® and similar music playback devices. Standard safety features include six airbags.

Price tag for the Aliston, Ont., produced CSX Type-S is $33,400.