Last year, Acura previewed the Type S Concept at Pebble Beach, making itself an exciting brand for the first time in years. The model heralds the return of the marque’s performance nomenclature and gives us a taste of the next-generation TLX sports sedan — which will be the first Acura product to wear the Type S badge in quite a while.
On Wednesday, the company announced the new model will debut on May 28th. Not surprisingly, it also confirmed the next TLX will share as much with the concept car as regulators allow.
Originally intended to debut at the 2020 New York Auto Show, the TLX showcase was scrubbed by the coronavirus’ arrival. While the trade event is still on, albeit delayed until August, there’s a real fear among exhibitors it could still end up cancelled. Like some of its rivals, Acura decided to open with a digital debut, hoping an opportunity remains to hold a physical introduction later. Better to launch something online than wait endlessly for trade shows that may never happen.
The announcement came with a new teaser, showing exactly how much the TLX (top of the page) resembles the Type S Concept (everywhere else) from behind. Some of the angles have been softened, with the taillights, haunches, and rear bumper being the smoking gun. The car is otherwise shaping up to be very similar to the design study it’s based on.
The 2021 TLX is assumed to utilize the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor already found inside countless Honda products (including the Accord and Acura’s own RDX). That seems to indicate base model sedans will churn out somewhere between 250 and 300 horsepower. Obviously, the Type S will trump whatever the base sedan brings to the table. Acura is keeping technical specifications on the lowdown to ensure all eyes remain fixed on the official debut.
The brand is making some bold claims, however. In the debut announcement, Acura really talked up the upcoming model’s performance chops by saying “the new TLX will be the quickest, best-handling and most well-appointed sport sedan in Acura history, with the Type S being the model’s performance pinnacle.”
The sedan will make its public debut on Thursday, May 28 at 10:00 in the morning (PT) on Acura’s website.
[Images: Acura]
Any news if they are staying with a naturally aspirated V6?
Yahoo says it will be a turbo V6, but they (Autoblog) are also asking about a manual, so I’m not sure they know what’s going on.
3.0-liter V6 has been living in Rumor Town for a while as the default Type S powertrain but we haven’t been able to get anyone to accidentally confirm anything. But I did just listen to a computer-enhanced rev up of the model and it doesn’t sound like a 4 banger. Twin-turbo V6 seems likely for the performance trim with the base TLX coming with the 2.0-liter turbo.
Test your ears here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUSbHMHIfIs&feature=emb_title
Sounds like the Jaguars exhaust.
I prefer RWD, but this design really works for me (assuming the production version is very close to the concept).
Give it about 400hp and price it under $60K and I might be game.
What about a Lexus GS-F? and you get more HP! But real world prices are closer to 75k, New.
GS dies in August.
The Lexus GS-F is absolutely ancient.
Anything but elegant.
shame. wasted all that money and time engineering a car that will have almost zero demand.
I had a black ‘08 TL-S 6MT, loved that car despite it being wrong wheel drive. This new one looks promising…
It’s the love child of a Mustang and an Accord.
And it’s likely to be exactly what Acura needs to get attention turned back to its brand.
SH-AWD with 2.0T or V6 only? That will be one reason to get it over an Accord.
The design is more coherent and an improvement over the current design, but a little too “Hot Wheels” for my taste.
Acura better hurry up only a week time June! May 28th it is!
Fingers crossed the finished product has actual physical buttons on the interior. The current two screen Acura layout is a turn off. As long as it has a refined version of what the Accord is currently using with some different graphics and the ELS sound system (if that is still a thing), and they will nail it. Now will anyone buy something like this? That’s the bigger issue.
Perhaps this will be a Giulia without the reliability concerns?
The rear and taillights give me a Giulia vibe.
And that’s about the only thing I like about this Acura.
Our pre beak TL was a very nice and sporty sedan. Afterwards the following generations of Acura TL become an ugly expensive versions of a Honda Accord. Hopefully this car will finally be more competitive with current sport sedans leaders.