What appear to be video screenshots of the
new 2021 Acura TLX have been offloaded on the internet ahead of the all-new
mid-size sedan’s debut later this week. Discovered on the Acurazine forums
before spreading like wildfire, the shots provide us with our best look yet at both the regular
and the hotter Type S variants of the production 2021 Acura TLX.
As anticipated, the new TLX hasn’t strayed
too far away from the beautiful Type S concept, displayed at this year’s
Chicago Auto Show, though obviously, the production Type S is a lot closer to
the study, even if less dramatic overall. It stands out thanks to its more
aggressive stance achieved by the lowered suspension and beefier tires with
taller wheels, blacked out exterior trimmings, front and rear spoilers and
large quad pipes at the back.
Interestingly, we get our first look at
the sedan’s interior that wasn’t revealed on the concept. While it’s what you expect from Acura nowadays, the design does look unnecessary bloated
in our eyes and doesn’t match the new TLX’s sharp exterior costume. The regular
model (possibly higher-end) has swathes of wood trim on the door panels and the
outer areas of the center console, while the Type S, a flat-bottom sports
steering wheel and red-stitching throughout.
From the screenshots, it looks like the
2021 TLX will offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 272 hp at
4,800 rpm and 280 lb-ft between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm paired to a 10-speed
automatic transmission. The sporty Type S is upgraded with a “new V6 Turbo”
that offers “V8-like power and refinement” along with “greater than 50%
increase in low-end torque compared to the current 3.5-liter V6”. We’ll remind
you that the current TLX is offered with a 2.4-liter inline-four producing 206
hp and 182 lb-ft, and a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 with 290 hp and 267
lb-ft.
The Type S will get a “beefier” 10-speed
automatic paired to Acura’s intelligent
Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, Brembo brakes and a
performance tuned suspension. Speaking of which, earlier today, Honda’s luxury
arm said that the “new TLX’s dedicated architecture is designed for Type S
levels of performance and includes a highly rigid body and a
performance-focused chassis highlighted by the return of double wishbone front
suspension”.