After countless teases by the Japanese brand, the covers are finally off the 2nd generation 2021 Acura TLX sedan. Following the Type S Concept from last year, the all-new Acura TLX is lower, wider, longer, and packs 2 new engines.
Starting with the new engines, the base entry will be a 2.0L turbocharged unit that will produce 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It is the same engine that is found in the Acura RDX SUV and it will produce 13 lb-ft more of torque than the outgoing naturally aspirated V6. Power will go through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or all four wheels via Acura’s SH-AWD system.
The other engine is still a bit of a mystery at this time because Acura has not released much information on it. The top spec S-Type TLX will have a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine with DOHC and direct-injection. It will be exclusively sold with the SH-AWD system and the 10-speed automatic transmission but Acura have not released horsepower and torque figures. Acura will only say that this engine was developed by the same engineers who built the twin-turbocharged V6 in the Acura NSX and that it will have “dramatic gains” over the outgoing V6 engine.
The chassis is drastically different than the outgoing model with a 3.7-inch longer wheelbase, 2.2-inch wider body, and a 0.6-inch lower roof. Furthermore, the new chassis is more rigid and utilizes 56% more lightweight materials such as aluminum. The wider stance allows for double wishbone suspension up front, a variable-ration steering system, adaptive dampers and brake-by-wire braking system. Hopefully brake feel won’t be affected too much by the new system and the Type-S trim will use Brembo 4-piston fixed calipers.
The interior will look very similar to the new RDX with a similar dashboard layout and steering wheel controls. The 2021 Acura TLX will use their newest infotainment system that was first featured on the RDX and one that I’m not particularly a fan of, especially when it comes to controlling it via the center console track pad.
The exterior will have a grown up look but still keep in tune with Acura’s current design language. Best of all, the 2021 Acura TLX still mostly looks like the Type-S concept that it’s based off. I particularly like the rear design of the Type-S trim with the small trunk mounted spoiler, LED taillights, and quad exhaust pipes.
Acura says that the 2021 TLX will start at around $35,000 USD and go up from there in pricing. Deliveries should start by Fall of 2020.
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