First Look: The 2021 Acura TLX and 2021 TLX Type S!
611It’s always nice when an automaker shows off a cool concept, then turns around and builds a production car that actually resembles that concept! Novel… concept, right? Usually, that’s not what happens, but today is a good day because Acura is giving us a look at its all-new 2021 TLX and delivers on the sweet lines promised by the Type S Concept car.
We’re looking at a sedan that takes smart proportions and applies them perfectly. The stance is low and wide. The hood is long. And the rear fenders are pronounced and eager for action. Compared to the last TLX, this new one is wider both in the body and the front and rear tracks, and its roof sits a little lower.
These headlights? They feature an LED daytime running element called the Chicane which is inspired by the ARX-05 prototype race car. The taillights get a similar treatment.
This is a sedan, but it’s one built upon sports car pretenses. The platform here is all new and features a double-wishbone suspension setup up front. That lets the tires do their thing and find proper amounts of grip. Now factor in that the chassis is 50% more stiff, uses more lightweight materials, and has better front-to-rear weight balance than the last car, and we’re looking at a four-door that should be able to properly boogie on back roads.
If you’re looking at engine options on the TLX, you had better like forced induction. Turbocharging is the only game in town right now, with the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the prior naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four cylinder engine, we’re talking about a gain of 66 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of peak torque. Even more impressive, you can see a torque gain of 123 lb-ft at just 1,500 rpm. Stoplight to stoplight dashes in the new car would crush the old one. Heck, this new turbo four even has more torque than the older 3.5-liter V6.
The more serious engine, however, is the one reserved for the return of a Legend… no, not that Legend, that would be cool though, right? I’m talking about a Type S version of the car. The TLX Type S is set to arrive this Spring. Power for that one arrives by way of a brand-new 3.0-liter turbo V6. The goal on this one is immediate response. So it’s a dual-scroll turbo setup with an electronic waste gate. Acura is mum on power for that one, but it should up above the 300 hp mark. Each engine pairs with a ten-speed automatic that can be shifted manually via paddles.
Different driving selectable driving modes will allow you to fine tune your driving experience. These are comfort, normal, and sport, though the Type S gets an extra level with Sport+. And an Individual mode now exists for the first time on an Acura vehicle, so you can really dial in your ride.
All TLX models can be had with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. It is optional on the 2.0-liter car but comes standard on the Type S. Now in its 4th generation, the SH-AWD setup can send up to 70% of the available torque to the rear wheels. And 100% of that torque can be vectored to the left or right if needed.
On the inside, Acura wants a blend of driver-focused features and upscale appointments. So get what the automaker calls a Dual Personal Cockpit. The wide center tunnel separates driver and front passenger to clearly mark the space for each. A-Spec and Type S models get a thick-rimmed flat-bottom steering wheel and the Type S gets extra badging throughout.
A 10.2-inch hi def display is front and center in the dashboard while a lower touch pad lets you control the action. In the gauge cluster, a 7” display provides you crisp readouts while an available 10.5” full color HUD helps keep your eyes where they belong.
The 2021 Acura TLX goes on sale this fall. It will feature a price tag starting somewhere in the mid $30,000 range, and you can up the style a bit if you opt for the A-Spec package. If you want the Type S though, you’re going to have to wait until the spring of 2021.
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