Chris Davies - May 20, 2021, 8:00am CDT
Acura has confirmed pricing for the hotly-anticipated 2021 TLX Type S, the return of the classic performance nameplate and the latest iteration of the well-received sports sedan. Sales kick off on June 23, Acura confirmed today, with pricing for the TLX Type S starting at $52,300 plus $1,025 destination.
Acura had been teasing something affordable ever since it confirmed that a new Type S was coming, though with the specifications promised some had been skeptical as to just how competitive the most potent TLX could actually be. The sedan packs a brand new 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine, specially designed for the Type S, after all.
For at least the last decade Acura hasn’t really known what it wants to be. It has traded away much of its sporty reputation for luxury crossover sales. It dabbled in performance hybrids to support its NSX supercar, but many of those have since been dropped. Acura lost its heritage, walked away from a history of delightful sports cars, coupes, and sedans, and muddled its signature. In recent years, the company has taken great strides to reviving its specialness. The TLX Type-S is the next step in that process.
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Full Disclosure: Acura invited me to foggy Carmel, California to test drive its new big-power all-wheel drive sports sedan TLX Type-S. I paid for my travel, riding a motorcycle to the event rather than flying. Acura handed me the keys to a new Type-S for a road drive in the morning and a lead-follow session with pro racer Ryan Eversley on track at Laguna Seca. I was also given a posh hotel room, excellent food, and delicious wine.)
2021 Acura TLX Type S First Drive: A long-awaited return to form
Vincent Nguyen - May 20, 2021, 8:00am CDT
The 2021 Acura TLX Type S is a return to form for Honda’s premium brand. Long renowned for offering spirited performance alongside the Integra Type R, the Type S arguably couldn’t have returned at a better time. In a market where sedans comprise less than 38-percent of new premium vehicle sales, the TLX Type S is a compelling attempt to lure enthusiast drivers back from the domestic crutches of sport-utility vehicles and homogenous crossovers.
Acura knew from day one that they had to live up to Type S enthusiasts’ expectations and had to challenge the leaders, referring to the likes of Audi S4, Mercedes-AMG C43, Genesis G70, and the BMW M340i xDrive. In my opinion, I highly respect the team for not only setting high benchmarks but also delivering the goods, making the Type S a true sports sedan that performs and handles like a sports car.
-Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with true torque vectoring
-Sport-tuned chassis features a double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers
-NSX-derived electro-servo braking system
-16-way driver and front passenger sport seats with power-adjustable bolsters
-Milano leather seating surfaces with Ultrasuede inserts and Type S embossing
-ELS STUDIO 3D® 17-speaker premium audio system and a 10.2-inch display
This is one sports sedan we look forward to testing and reporting on. Check back in at Torque News for more details soon. Shoppers interested in more details can visit Acura s information page on the 2021 TLX Type S. The new 2021 Acura TLX Type S begins to ship to your local dealer in June.