Key details and images leaked ahead of the 2021 Acura TLX’s reveal including engine options.
It’s been six years since the current TLX’s had a proper predecessor and ahead of the 2021 Acura TLX’s big reveal, several presentation slides not meant for the public spilled the beans on the looks, engine, chassis, and, handling. You can see all the leaked photos on Acurazine.
For this blog post, enjoy a ahndful of those images courtesy of some Instagram galleries.
The big news is the looks, it’s an evolution of the current front-end facelift and looks 90 percent like the TLX Type S Concept that debuted last year. Unlike the concept, the two enormous bumper ducts are much smaller, the front headlights are a lot less dramatic, the bright DRLs taking a step back but keep its overall check mark shape, and a large radar sensor, like the current Accord, has a home smack dab in the center of the grille.
From the side the TLX loses those cool camera mirrors on the Concept, just plain ol’ regular mirrors in its place. Acura kept that gigantic power crease that runs the length of the doors, giving this super sedan a cut and muscular look well deserving of its performance evolution.
Outback it’s toned down, dual exhaust standard on base model TLXs with quad exhausts already revealed for the Type S. The distinct check mark-like taillights confirms what we’ve seen in camouflage TLX prototypes and should look super dramatic at night.
Inside, this TLX borrows gauges from the RDX and a selectable driving mode-centric center console from the NSX.
Since this is sitting on a bespoke chassis meant for the TLX, Acura pushed out the front track 1.2 inches. The overall TLX is 2.2 inches wider and half an inch lower, center of gravity and all.
The big news is engine choices, both of them will be capable. It’s been a not-so-secret rumor the RDX engine would carry over into the base-model TLX and that’s confirmed. Base model TLX owners can expect a potent 272 HP and 280 lb-ft torque from the proven K20C4 paired to a 10-speed automatic. Acura says this automatic is “beefier.” Acura was keen to point out, like all small-turbo engines, you get a lot more low-end torque compared to the current V6, +48 lb-ft, but torque takes a nosedive after 5,000 RPM.
The only detail dropped about the all-new twin turbo V6 under the hood of the Type S is there’s 50 percent more low-end torque. There’s around 200 lb-ft under 2,000 RPM in the current NA J-series so we can extrapolate this V6 Turbo will have north of 300 lb-ft in the lower end with a peak close to 400 lb-ft.
Acura will be keen to focus on its Acura-exclusive sports sedan chassis on its all-new TLX exclusive body. Acura says they’ve baked in Type-S exclusive levels of performance from the get-go but all trim levels share the same chassis. Acura points out how this will be a stiff chassis with light-weight cast aluminum shock tower mounts, tower bars, one-piece rear bulkhead stiffener and an ultra-rigid center tunnel.
Unrelated to this leak was Acura revealing they’ve dropped the Macpherson struts up fronts and brought back double wishbone front suspension instead, a hallmark of Type S performance from models past. This is in alignment with their mission, that the “2021 TLX will be the quickest, best-handling and most well-appointed sport sedan in Acura history.”
“The new TLX’s front suspension uses two wishbone-shaped control arms, in place of the more common Macpherson strut setup in many competing sport sedans, to deliver more precise control of wheel camber, caster and toe angles, and to maximize tire-to-ground contact for exceptional handling precision and cornering grip.”
Super Handling All Wheel Drive paired with Precision All Wheel Steering is a one-two handling combo that, in my opinion, most never really appreciated to its fullest, the only car bringing its potential to light being the current NSX. But, that a six-figure super car. This will be a car with 80 percent of the NSXs capabilities at a fraction of the price.
With close to or surpassing 400 HP, a capable chassis, an evolution of Acura’s technology inside and out, and the pedigree from the NSX as a focal point, when Acura unveils the real-deal tomorrow, it will be the culmination of bringing Precision Concept full circle for the TLX.
This new TLX is a bonafide super sedan and I can’t wait for all the details.
