With the chrome beak gone these cars look a lot better. But the front fascia is still so over-styled. This looks like it was designed by a committee and the only directive was "make it look aggressive".
The last Acura model to bear a Type S badge was the TL back in 2008. Now, 13 years later, that nameplate returns, this time attached to the second-generation TLX.
Acura isn’t super specific in its press release announcing the TLX Type S’s on-sale date and price, but the company does give us a starting price of “in the low $50,000s.” (For comparison, MSRP for the TLX starts at $37,500 and tops out at $48,300.) As far as when we can expect to see the Type S appearing in dealerships, the release says “in late May.”
The largest improvement over the lesser TLX models—the “base” TLX, along with ones equipped with the technology, A-Spec or advance packages—is the use of a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 rated for 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque in place of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 272 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque.
Other notable features on the Type S include Brembo brakes, a “sport tuned” 10-speed automatic transmission, and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).
So, is the Type S a true return to form for the Acura of old, or does it take more than a bigger engine to make a true sports sedan? At any rate, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for more Type S (and maybe even Type R) models in the future.
Read the full press release below:
Acura today announced the on-sale timing for the highly anticipated 2021 TLX Type S, which returns the Type S performance brand to Acura showrooms for the first time in more than a decade. Building on the award-winning second-generation Acura TLX, which went on sale in September, the TLX Type S debuts a brand-exclusive turbocharged V6 engine, sport-tuned chassis with double wishbone front suspension and powerful Brembo® brakes to become the quickest and best-handling Type S in Acura history.
When it arrives at showrooms in late May, the well-equipped 2021 Acura TLX Type S will carry a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting in the low $50,000s1.
Powering the 2021 TLX Type S is an all-new 3.0-liter Type S Turbo V6 that builds upon decades of performance engine development experience and motorsports prowess to produce 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque – making it the most powerful Type S yet. A double-wishbone front suspension and Type S-exclusive Sport+ driving mode also have been specially engineered to provide additional performance and driver enjoyment and, for the first time in a Type S model, power is distributed through Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system with true torque vectoring.
The 2021 TLX Type S is available in one of six exterior colors paired with three interior options, including an all-new Tiger Eye Pearl paint and Orchid leather interior – both exclusive to Type S. Numerous exterior signatures distinguish the TLX performance variant, including an open-surface diamond pentagon grille for increased airflow, large-quad exhaust outlets and two-wheel options including an NSX-inspired lightweight wheel wrapped in a 255-series Pirelli P-Zero summer tire.
Inside, Type S drivers are treated to Ultrasuede® trimmed 16-way power seats with adjustable side bolstering and Type S embossing on the headrests. Type S comes exceptionally well-equipped with several premium and sophisticated features from the TLX Advance Package, including the critically acclaimed and award-winning ELS STUDIO 3D® 17-speaker premium audio system. Detailed information about the 2021 TLX Type S will be available closer to its on-sale date this May.
Since its introduction, the second-generation Acura TLX has garnered numerous accolades for its style, driver-focused performance and technology. Following its launch last fall, TLX has been named a MotorWeek “Driver’s Choice”, is one of AutoTrader’s “Best New Cars for 2021”, and the ELS STUDIO 3D® premium audio system earned “Best Sound System” in the 2021 Esquire Car Awards. Additionally, the next-generation passenger-front airbag earned a Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award, and TLX has also received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest possible safety rating from the Institute.
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With the chrome beak gone these cars look a lot better. But the front fascia is still so over-styled. This looks like it was designed by a committee and the only directive was "make it look aggressive".
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
That doesn't only apply to the front fascia.
In reply to Driven5 :
The rear view isn't great but it isn't nearly as bad as the front. I haven't looked at the interior yet and I doubt I'd want to.
We're all just agreeing not to talk about only 355hp out of a TTV6? Alright, got it, first rule of low HP club, you do not talk about low HP club
In reply to calteg :
355HP sounds like much more than enough. What are you hoping for? It's well over 100hp/liter and seems like a lot to me.
Wonder if this is another Honda V6 that can be easily adapted to a RWD manual trans from a BMW. Not that I have any interest in such a swap myself but it'd be fun to see someone do.
In reply to calteg :
Honda has never been about high-hp numbers. I don't think Honda knows exactly what Acura is about these days, but it won't be that.
I was curious, and Acura's turbo V6 in the NSX makes 500hp without the hybrid stuff.
My initial reaction was that 335hp was plenty, and it might be, but turbo V6s are all over the map. We can look at engines from the Guilia Quadrifoglio, Nissan GT-R, or even the Ford Raptor and see 450-600hp as the expectation. But I don't think this car is supposed to be any of those vehicles. This car reminds me more of Acura's take on the most recent Taurus SHO. They're both large sedans with transverse turbo V6s that can supply power to all 4 wheels but prefer to drive the fronts. The 2010 SHO came with 365hp, so I guess in that regard 335hp from a brand new equivalent might be a bit disappointing. You never know until you drive them though.
Going to be a failure. No one buys sedans.
Used to be huge acura fanboy. Never bought anything from them after my 2012 Tsx wagon
no one buys the tlx, much less the type s.
Like the Infiniti 400 red sport, that no one also buys
at that price range, all sheep buy cuv. Those that dont, buy Tesla 3 or lease Bmw 3 series, now that alfa cheap lease sedans are played out
A whole lotta poo-pooing in here, but I'm hopeful that TTv6 will take to a reflash the same way the turbo-4 in the Accord does. That is, extremely well.
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
The Q50 Red Sport makes 400hp. The V6 Stinger makes 10 more hp and undercuts the Acura by thousands. The V6 Guilia makes 150 more horsepower. Hell, a bog standard 335i made 300 to the wheels...14 years ago.
There's a litany of natural aspirated V6's that have been making 300+ for a decade: IS350, Camaro, Mustang, G35.
Completely unfair comparison: A brand new 1LT V6 camaro is within spitting distance of the Type S motor without the benefit of two turbos and is half the price.
Acura has been behind the curve getting this car to market and when it arrives, it'll be more expensive and less powerful than most of its rivals. Am I supposed to be amazed? At least it's less ugly than prior Acuras.
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