Month: May 2020

2021 Acura TLX Type S Delivers As Promised

Reveal 2021 Acura TLX Type S
2021 Acura TLX Type S

Viewing Thursday’s video reveal of Acura’s latest and greatest TLX offering left me scratching my head. Honda’s premium wing once again blurs the line between affordable premium and high-end luxury by delivering exceptional drive and ride packaging as promised. This thing is a beast! 

In short, the 2021 Acura TLX in any trim delivers “exceptional” pretty much everything as promised by its maker. The redesigned TLX may represent the segment benchmark for advanced design and engineering sport sedan packaging. Yet, there’s a bit more to the story.

Acura’s  Precision Concept Car inspired 2021 TLX Type S

Most evident in the body-line, low sweeping long sculpted hood, tail light treatment and integrated ground effects, one can see Acura’s Precision Concept show car’s influence in the ground up redesigned Acura TLX. 

Measuring 2.2 inches wider and 3.7 inches longer than the first generation TLX, the all new Type S looks ready for Pirelli World Challenge racing. 

When looking to the wider track and lower roof line of the newly minted TLX, grand sport touring comes to mind. Furthermore, the short tail and trunk overhang accentuates a hood that seemingly goes on forever, as Acura design intended. I was blown away at the L.A. Auto Show with this Acura. 

The redesigned TLX sets a new Auto design benchmark for the midsize sport sedan segment. Presenting what the maker calls a true multiple personality sedan, the lower body work, grill integration and rocker design, presents a near track-ready nuance, as befitting a true sport sedan. This head turner looks fast at a standstill. Take a close look at the headline photo. Europe anyone?

Entire 2021 Acura TLX trim walk to benefit from reboot

Although the 3.0 turbocharged V6 TLX Type S takes the spotlight this week, according to Acura engineering, every 2021 TLX trim level borrows nothing from past itterents, as to frame, suspension and body design. The entire 2021 TLX trim walk benefits from the reboot. 

New is new! For me, a driver first, Auto writer second, looking at TLX Type S I find a track worthy, wider, longer and lower exciting drive and ride experience. The redesigned TLX is a head turning — tire burning — road sticky, high speed stable and Teck rich sport sedan. Hey! What’s under the hood? 

2.0 L, 3.0 L, 10 speeds, turbocharged excellence

Acura shares with yourhondanews that TLX comes to market in 2021 with 2 new turbocharged engine options, both paired to an advanced 10 speed automatic transmission, featuring sequential paddle shifting, and an all-wheel-drive option. 

Acura has not stated horsepower and torque output numbers for the all new 24 valve 3.0 turbocharged V6. But, the 2.0 VTEC 4cylinder base gasoline engine develops 272 peak horsepower and an impressive maximum 280 lb-ft torque from the midrange up, very close to the current normally aspirated TLX single cam V6. You’ll find my educated guess as to estimated horsepower here.

SH-AWD option affords ultimate traction control 

The latest generation SH-AWD will afford best in class all weather road handling and high speed car control. Also new for 2021 is improved frame rigidity, front suspension, and an NSX derived braking system. An affordable NSX-like driving experience?

Acura TLX added frame rigidity and double wishbone suspension

Featuring Brembo floating calipers, 20 inch alloy rims, a redesigned and very smart twin “cockpit” cabin environment, state of the art sound-studio like entertainment, advanced touch-pad technology and much more. This thing’s a beast!  When looking at the cabin, one can damn near smell new Milano leather — when surveying the proprietary designed, hand stitched-like 10-way power seats, first experienced in this Acura. 

Premium materials abound with just enough wood and burnished trim accents to shout premium, without being ostentatious. Acura retains just enough minimalistic functionality to retain the Acura loyal while appealing to a wider demographic. I anticipate more than a few BMW and Lexus owners coming to the Acura brand with this offering. 

Winding it up: When’s TLX Type S available , and how much does it cost?

As with all reveals, the devil is in the details. In short, 2021 Acura TLX Type S will come to market sometime in the late Spring 2021. In the meantime, I’ll assume that other 2021 TLX offerings will be available Fall 2020. I’ll keep you posted. 

2021 Acura TLX is affordable

Good news for Acura TLX fans: Active safety and accident avoidance technology will be standard across all trim levels. All offerings will be turbocharged. While there is no mention of P-AWS, (precision steering) my guess is that it will be available on lower trim levels. Acura tells us that 2021 TLX comes to dealerships with a low beginning MSRP of $30,000 ish + .

Photo attributions: Acura Division 2020  

2021 Acura TLX Type S Turbo V6 Hints to Segment Topping Performance

On Thursday 05/28/2020 Acura will shake up the midsize sedan sport class by presenting a redesigned from the pavement up turbocharged 3.0 L V6 powered TLX.  

The next generation 2021 Acura TLX Type S features segment topping horsepower, midrange torque, track tested handling and performance. If that’s not enough to get your heart pumping, take a close look at the teaser image posted above.

3.0 turbocharged V6 power, new frame, suspension and more

Well, I may be stretching a bit on that specific disclosure. Acura, while hinting at the logical engine selection for the newly minted TLX, has not shared specifications as of this writing. So, we don’t know what transmission they’re pairing to. I’ll assume Acura’s award winning traction and safety systems come into play. 

What I do know is that Honda Performance Development, and Acura racing favors V6 powered performance for the internal combustion side of NSX, Honda’s winning Desert Racing Ridgeline Racetruck, GT, Pirelli World Challenge, and RealTime Racing’s dominant Pikes Peak racing efforts.

I anticipate a twin turbocharged fuel injected 3.0 Liter turbocharged V6 for the TLX Type S, with a milder normally aspirated V6, or a turbocharged 2.4L 4 cylinder mill for A-Spec, Touring, and lower trim levels. The first time I road tested TLX I was blown away by how good it truly is. 

Acura to offer gasoline/ electric hybrid options throughout the lineup?

With Acura’s mother company Honda vowing to electrify the entire lineup prior to model year 2025, I’ll make the bold prediction that a hybrid TLX option will be available for 2021. But, today belongs to Acura performance. Is Acura utilizing MDX engine technology here? 

TLX is already a very capable and fun to drive midsize premium class 4 door sport sedan. Acura, through this latest precision crafted performance redesign goes after the premium sporting set in spades.

Granted, Kia’s twin turbocharged 3.3 liter Stinger comes to mind, prior to seeing and driving the all new TLX as a viable contender. With a stated 365 H.P, I’d anticipated Acura pushing that power number to higher ground with greater horsepower and torque on a chassis capable of handling the power upgrade

Acura teases double wishbone suspension for 2021 TLX Type S 

To date I’ve driven every Acura TLX power and trim option. As a V6 engine fan, I’m excited about the forthcoming turbocharged offering. Looking to the suspension tease photo, I’ll assume TLX just came up a notch in downhill sweep road handling.

And, that the nose dive is gone, along with any real or perceived torque steer. Always a pleasure to drive, the reinvented Type S will be a head turning road warrior. Acura will once again give the premium sport class contenders, Audi, BMW, Lexus and Volvo a run for the consumer dollar. Stay tuned for more as Acura makes an online debut here Thursday.

Photo attributions: Acura Division 2020

American Honda Motors Back In Production Monday With Economic Headwinds Predicted

2020_Honda_Civic_Type-R
Bold new colors and upgrades for 2020 Honda Civic Type-R

American Honda Motor Company announced plans to come back on line in the US and Canada, while Corona virus continues to take a toll on all North American car and light truck sales. According to V.P. of Automotive Sales, Steve Centers, Honda will take a guarded approach to recovery, while anticipating economic Headwinds in the unknown

Honda’s Humanitarian efforts

Last month ‘Your Honda News’ reported Honda’s humanitarian efforts in North America, pledging $1 million for food challenged families. Honda has sense embarked on mask and ventilator production. Today, Honda along with all major North American Auto manufacturer’s look to dismal March and April sales reports, while attempting to measure market recovery, not an easy task.

Car sales tank in wake of Corona Virus, Economic Headwinds Predicated

Car sales in the US, Honda’s largest market, have effectively stalled as consumers look to an uncertain health and financial future.

Despite government stimulus checks and federally subsidized unemployment payments, health, home and food, take precedent over long term financial commitments.

Looking to American Honda’s April 2020 Automotive sales report, dealerships took an extreme financial haircut, with Honda and Acura car and light truck sales down trending by – 53.8%.

Honda is not alone in this, with all car, truck and motorcycle manufacturers on Earth impacted by the Corona Virus pandemic.

In past years Honda’s effectively staged production ramp ups, and down turns in line with dealership demand, and will do so as State Governor’s loosen social distancing restrictions impacting on-lot car sales.

Car Dealers Go Virtual

With many dealerships now offering virtual car tours, and, comprehensive finance and buy tools, Honda looks to an uptick in on-line internet activity to turn sagging car sales around. As demonstrated here.

Centers and Honda Take Guarded Approach

“There will be challenging days ahead as this very serious public health crisis continues, but with consumer traffic beginning to increase online and at Honda and Acura dealerships, we are approaching the coming weeks with guarded optimism,” said Steven Center, vice president of Automobile Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We value the actions of our Honda associates and dealers as we work to align our business with changing market conditions, and we are now turning our attention to creating momentum for a broader recovery.”

A Buy Opportunity

As Corona virus restrictions ease and the economy ramps back up, there may be a measurable discount buy opportunity for consumers. Here’s what Honda’s offering at the corporate level. Check with your local Honda dealer for additional dealership incentives.

Photo attribution: AHMC 2020