Take a look at a couple of Acura’s latest vehicles and it’s clear to see the brand is really starting to emphasize the sportiness of its vehicles. For Acura fans, the Type S sub-brand used to denote the automaker’s sportiest vehicles. The last time we saw an Acura with a Type S was back in 2008 for the TL, which had a host of performance upgrades. It’s been over a decade, but Acura has brought back its Type S badge with the Acura Type S Concept.
Making its debut during Monterey Car Week, the Acura Type S Concept is born with a hefty task – to bring performance vehicles bearing the Type S badge back to the market. Acura claims the concept will heavily influence the second-generation TLX, which will have a Type S variant. Previous concepts from the brand have all but spelled out exactly what the upcoming model is. So there’s a large chance that the upcoming TLX will look like the Type S Concept.
If that holds true, the next-gen TLX will be a looker. The proportions look incredibly athletic for a four-door sedan, and the vehicle follows the current trend of having a coupe-like silhouette. Acura’s Diamond Pentagon grille and “Chicane” daytime running lights are said to have been inspired by the Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype race car. That might be a stretch, but we’re happy to see Acura penning such an extreme design.
At the back, the Type S Concept is just as racy with quad exhaust tips, an integrated rear spoiler, and sharp taillights that mimic the DRLs at the front. The concept is even wearing a sizable rear diffuser. A heavy amount of forged carbon, which Acura created by bonding layers of carbon together, can be found on the spoiler, side sill, 21-inch wheels, along with the front and rear splitters. The incredible shade of blue is called Double Apex Blue Pearl. It apparently pays homage to blue Type S models from 2007 and 2008 TL Type S sedans.
Acura didn’t provide any information on the Type S Concept’s powertrain, but since it doesn’t have a rear-wheel-drive vehicle in its lineup, it’s unlikely that we’ll see it for the next-gen TLX. Instead, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive via the brand’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive System are more likely. Rumors speculate that power could come from a twin-turbocharged V6. But other than that, a lot is left to speculation.
At the beginning of last year, Acura confirmed plans to introduce Type S variants of multiple vehicles in its lineup. The TLX might be the first one, but it certainly won’t be the last.
The Type S badge has been on a number of vehicles in the past. Most recently, it was on the 2007 and 2008 TL. Other than that, there was the RSX Type S (2002 to 2006), 3.2TL Type S (2002 to 2003), and 3.2CL Type S (2001 to 2003).
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