Could This Be the New Acura TLX?
Acura has been pretty cryptic as far as their future offerings as of late. For example, they brought the Acura Type-S Concept to Pebble Beach late last year and while everyone was stunned at its beauty, it left us all wondering what would become of it. Could it be a glimpse of the new next Acura TLX Type-S? Maybe.
However, we were recently treated to a series of grayscale images that were leaked on the web, courtesy of the European Union Intellectual Property Office, via the forum WorldScoop. Now, we’re definitely wondering if these images could be actual renderings of the 2021 Acura TLX.
Somewhat true to form
From what we can tell in these recent composite images, the Acura TLX looks like a cross between the current iteration and the Type-S concept that was revealed last year.
There are thinner and more-angular headlights that flank the brand’s trademark pentagon-shaped grille and the long hood meets a slightly more-vertical windshield just as it does on the Type-S concept.
On the sides of the car, there are sharper character lines and the window line is shifted more towards the rear of the car. Unlike the current model, the rear doors on the computer-sketched model don’t include the rear C-pillar windows.
New powertrains
We still don’t know what kind of powertrains will power the 2021 Acura TLX, however, multiple reviewers from around the web have their speculations. Car and Driver noted that the base trim will likely be powered by the same 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the current Honda Accord, which produces an impressive 252 horsepower.
Additionally, the TLX should be offered with a V6 powertrain for the higher trim levels, which is most likely to be turbocharged as well. It has also been noted that a Type-S variant will be returning to the Acura line-up and if history were to repeat itself, then we can expect a TLX with sharper handling and a more powerful engine than the current 290-horsepower V6 that’s being used.
As far as the rest of the drivetrain, Acura will most likely incorporate the same tried-and-true 10-speed automatic transmission on all their TLX models along with front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.
Our fingers are crossed that they might even throw in a six-speed manual option of the Type-S model, however, our appendages will most than likely turn blue and fall off before that actually happens.
Release and pricing
Considering we have only been treated to concept renderings and composite images thus far, there has been no word on pricing. We can only speculate that the car will be priced in the mid-$30,000 to $45,000 depending on the trim level. If so, this means that the TLX will still be very competitive with others in its class.
Actual release dates are foggy as well. But Car and Driver did report that we can expect to see the new TLX to debut sometime this Summer with the Type-S variant possibly coming out early next year.
In either case, it’s about time that Acura redesigned the TLX and more power is just what it needed. We definitely look forward to a new debut and we hope that the latest mishap releases of these images are actually tell-tale signs of what’s to come.
