R-Type minus 20 hp equals FP
Acura's RSX gets a handling and appearance package

Acura is tenuously joining the BMW M/Mercedes AMG tuner market with a new line of products badged under the Factory Performance name. First up is a handling package for the RSX Type-S that features stiffer "track-tuned" springs and shocks that lower the coupe by about 1 in., 17-in. lightwieght aluminum alloy wheels and 225/45VR17 tires, slotted brake rotors with performance pads and lower body cladding and the requisite boy-racer wing. Inside there's a billet aluminum shift **** and special Factory Performance badging with aluminum look interior trim. This is the home-market Honda Integra's Type-R handling package without the 220-hp engine. Acura says it has no plans to import the Type-R, so if you lust after that car you might consider springing for the $4800-plus dealer installation (estimated at six hours). Hurry: Only 1000 copies will be available the first year.

The package is well worth it, for the most part. Based on a slalom provided by Acura, the RSX Type-S FP has quicker turn-in than the stock setup with the body roll and impending oversteer of the stock RSX Type-S virtually gone. This sucker corners flat; slalom speeds increase substantially. Power is the same 200 hp from the 2.0L i-VTEC four.

FP's focus will be on handling improvements, at least for the time being. In coming years, expect more packages and products for pretty much the full Acura line, including the MDX, and probably a second package for the RSX that will offer suspension and brake mods without the rice-rocket look.