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The Acura TLX is a four-door entry-level luxury sedan sold by
Acura Acura is the luxury and performance division of Japanese automaker Honda, based primarily in North America. The brand was launched on March 27, 1986, marketing luxury and performance automobiles. Acura sells cars in the United States, Canada, M ...
, a luxury division of
Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...
, since 2014. It is the successor to both the TL and
TSX The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX; ) is a stock exchange located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the List of stock exchanges, 10th largest exchange in the world and the third largest in North America based on market capitalization. Based in th ...
models. As of 2021, the discontinuation of the RLX leaves the TLX as the flagship sedan in Acura's lineup.


Design history

The Acura TLX was first revealed in January 2014 at the
North American International Auto Show The Detroit Auto Show, formerly known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan. Hosted at Huntington Place (formerly Cobo Center) since 1965, it is among the largest auto shows in ...
as the "TLX Prototype", a sedan designed in Acura's Los Angeles Design Studio as a replacement for the TL and
TSX The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX; ) is a stock exchange located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the List of stock exchanges, 10th largest exchange in the world and the third largest in North America based on market capitalization. Based in th ...
sedans. The production version was unveiled in April at the 2014
New York International Auto Show The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan, New York City in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes ...
. The TLX entered production during July at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant with sales beginning in August.


First generation (UB1/UB2/UB3/UB4; 2014)

Two powertrain options are available. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder
DOHC An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combus ...
i-VTEC VTEC (described as ''Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control'', but stands for ''Valve Timing Electronically Controlled'') is a system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine, r ...
engine with direct injection was offered with front-wheel drive only, mated to a
dual-clutch transmission A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission) is a type of multi-speed motor vehicle, vehicle Transmission (mechanics), transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear train, ...
and all-wheel steering (P-AWS). This model's chassis code is UB1. The Honda designed dual clutch transmission is the first to use a
torque converter A torque converter is a device, usually implemented as a type of fluid coupling, that transfers rotating power from a prime mover, like an internal combustion engine, to a rotating driven load. In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, the ...
, which absorbs transmission gear shift shock, thus reducing NVH. The engine is rated at with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of // (city/highway/combined) compared to // (city/highway/combined) from the previous TSX. Honda estimates that the six-cylinder model is 1.5 seconds faster from . A 3.5-liter direct injected SOHC VTEC V-6 with
cylinder deactivation Variable displacement is an automobile engine technology that allows the engine displacement to change, usually by deactivating cylinders, for improved fuel economy. The technology is primarily used in large multi-cylinder engines. Many automobil ...
( VCM) is mated to Honda's first time use of a 9-speed automatic transmission (sourced from ZF), available with either P-AWS or
all-wheel drive An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. Types The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflects one axle with ...
( SH-AWD). The SH-AWD system uses hydraulic clutches instead of the electromagnetic clutch packs found on the previous TL which significantly cuts weight, size and cost. The engine is rated at and front-wheel drive models deliver // (city/highway/combined) while all-wheel drive models are rated at //. Model codes are UB2 for the front-wheel drive and UB3 for the SH-AWD, which comes standard with a "Technology Package". TLX models configured with the V6 engine lose nearly compared to the FWD TL, and over compared to the SH-AWD TL. Overall length compared to the previous TL was reduced by while the wheelbase maintains the same length. As with the ninth-generation Accord, the TLX loses the front double wishbone suspension of the TSX and TL in favor of a
MacPherson strut The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles. The name comes from American automotive engineer ...
arrangement, and loses the TL's all-aluminum front subframe in favor of a lower cost friction stir welded aluminum and steel piece. To significantly cut down on interior noise, triple door seals are used as well as additional sound insulation.


Facelift (2017)

Acura unveiled the revised 2018 TLX in April 2017. Changes include revised front fascia, fenders, and grille, restyled wheels, and new infotainment features including
Apple CarPlay CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is an Apple Inc., Apple standard that enables a car radio or automotive head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. It is available on iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or later. More than 800 ...
and
Android Auto Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of a smartphone (or other Android device) on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit. Once an Android device is paired with the car's head unit, the system ...
support. Additionally, a new 'A-Spec' performance trim has been added. Newly introduced features include an optional 360° surround camera and power driver's seat thigh extension. US sales began during June 2017. In April 2017, an extended-wheelbase version specifically developed for the Chinese market was announced. It debuted in August 2017 at the Chengdu Motor Show and is called the Acura TLX-L. The TLX-L is only offered with the 2.4-liter four, producing and receiving the UB4 model code.


Safety

TLX safety features include Lane Keeping Assist System with Road Departure Mitigation System,
Adaptive Cruise Control Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a type of advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As of 2019, it is also called by 20 unique names that ...
with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information System, Tire Pressure Monitoring system with Tire Fill Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Vehicle Stability Assist. There are 7 airbags, including a driver's side knee airbag. :1 vehicle structure also rated "Acceptable" :2 strength-to-weight ratio: 5.67


Second generation (UB5/UB6/UB7; 2020)

Based on the design of the Type S concept introduced in 2019, the second generation TLX launched digitally on May 28, 2020, production began on August 28, with sales following on September 28. This Type S model possesses a new turbocharged 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine that makes and . of torque; up from the base and A-Spec's and of torque. This marks the return of the Type S trim after a decade-long hiatus, which was scheduled to go on sale June 23, 2021. Without a direct replacement for the discontinued RLX, the TLX serves as the flagship Acura sedan, slotting above the ILX/ Integra. The four-cylinder TLX's model code is UB5 for front-wheel drives and UB6 for the SH-AWD model, while the model code of the Type S is UB7.Built on its own new platform, the TLX uses a front double wishbone suspension with
forged Forging is a manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using localized compression (physics), compressive forces. The blows are delivered with a hammer (often a power hammer) or a die (manufacturing), die. Forging is often classif ...
aluminum lower control arms, mounted to cast aluminum damper towers and an aluminum subframe. To increase front suspension rigidity, a steel tubular strut bar connects the front damper towers together, with two additional bars tying each tower to the cowl in a triangular arrangement. Included on higher trims is a front subframe lower tie bar. To further reduce weight, the front fenders are aluminum, with the AGM battery moved to the rear to improve
weight distribution Weight distribution is the apportioning of weight within a vehicle, especially cars, airplanes, and trains. Typically, it is written in the form ''x''/''y'', where ''x'' is the percentage of weight in the front, and ''y'' is the percentage in t ...
. In total, 64 percent of the body structure's mass comprises high-strength steel (HSS) and aluminum, with 1,500-MPa steel making up 10.1%. To further increase body rigidity a larger center tunnel, reinforced lengthwise with 980-MPa grade steel is used. A single-piece rear bulkhead steel stamping improves body rigidity without the rear seat brace found on previous TL models, allowing for a folding rear seat trunk pass-through. An underbody triangular brace is added to stiffen the rear suspension on AWD models. An electric-servo
brake-by-wire Brake-by-wire technology in the automotive industry is the ability to control brakes through electronic means, without a mechanical connection that transfers force to the Brake#Types, physical braking system from a driver input apparatus such as a ...
system similar to the second generation Acura NSX replaces the
hydraulic brake A hydraulic brake is an arrangement of braking mechanism which uses brake fluid, typically containing glycol ethers or diethylene glycol, to transfer pressure from the controlling mechanism to the braking mechanism. History During 1904, Frederic ...
, with Type S models adopting four-piston
Brembo Brembo N.V. is an Italian manufacturer of automotive parts that most notably produces braking systems, for high-performance cars and for the sim racing series Gran Turismo. Its operational head office is in Curno, Bergamo, Italy, while Amst ...
front
brake caliper A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc (sometimes called a rakerotor) to create friction. There are two basic types of brake pad friction mechanisms: abrasive friction and adherent frict ...
s. New options include adaptive dampers, a 10.5-inch
head-up display A head-up display, or heads-up display, also known as a HUD () or head-up guidance system (HGS), is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. The origin of the name stems from a ...
(HUD), a 17-speaker audio system with four ceiling mounted speakers, open-pore
wood Wood is a structural tissue/material found as xylem in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulosic fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin t ...
, and 16-way power full grain leather front seats with four-way
lumbar In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm (anatomy), diaphragm and the sacrum. Naming and location The lumbar region is sometimes referred to as the lowe ...
adjustability as introduced on the third generation
RDX RDX (Research Department Explosive or Royal Demolition Explosive) or hexogen, among other names, is an organic compound with the formula (CH2N2O2)3. It is white, odorless, and tasteless, widely used as an explosive. Chemically, it is classified ...
.


Type S

Acura introduced a high-performance Type S variant for the second generation TLX, marking the return of the Type S brand after over a decade-long hiatus. It features an all-new
DOHC An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combus ...
3.0-liter V6 engine with a single twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection, producing and of torque. The engine also features a high-strength forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods. All Type S models have Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which can send 70% of torque to the rear axle and as much as 100% of that torque to either rear wheel. Body structure is 13-percent stiffer than the standard TLX, while front spring rate as well as front and rear
anti-roll bar An anti-roll bar (roll bar, anti-sway bar, sway bar, stabilizer bar) is an automobile suspension part that helps reduce the body roll of a vehicle during fast cornering or over road irregularities. It links opposite front or rear wheels to a t ...
s are also stiffer compared to the standard model. The 10-speed automatic transmission is also upgraded over the regular TLX, with 40 percent quicker downshifts and 30 percent quicker upshifts. Top speed is increased to compared to on the standard TLX. Braking performance is improved with four-piston
Brembo Brembo N.V. is an Italian manufacturer of automotive parts that most notably produces braking systems, for high-performance cars and for the sim racing series Gran Turismo. Its operational head office is in Curno, Bergamo, Italy, while Amst ...
front brake calipers in a Type-S exclusive red color with 14.3-inch brake rotors. The car also contains an active exhaust system, which can alter the sound of the exhaust note depending on the selected drive mode. The suspension features adaptive dampers which change dampening at different drive settings. It has 40-percent stiffer front springs, a thicker front stabilizer bar that is 9-percent stiffer, and a thicker rear stabilizer bar that adds 31-percent additional roll stiffness by increasing from 20.5 mm to 22.5 mm thickness. Distinctive features include a fully open diamond pentagon grille for engine cooling, quad exhaust outlets, front splitter, and rear diffuser. The exterior features gloss black grille, matte black window surrounds, and headlights with a blackout treatment. The interior has a flat bottom steering wheel with the Type S logo, 16-way adjustable Milano leather seats with adjustable bolsters, and Type S-embossed headrests. In ''
Car and Driver ''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1955. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased it from its prior owner Hachette Fi ...
'' magazine's Lightning Lap test at the
Virginia International Raceway Virginia International Raceway (VIR) is a race track located in Alton, Virginia, near Danville. It is less than a half-mile from the North Carolina/Virginia border just outside Milton, North Carolina, on the banks of the Dan River. VIR hosts ...
's Grand West Course, the TLX Type S set a lap time of 3:06.7, which, for reference, was six tenths of a second faster than the Genesis G70 3.3T and five tenths off the time of the Cadillac CT4-V. The magazine commented that getting on the throttle as early as possible during cornering resulted in the best performance, as the SH-AWD system helps rotate the car; they felt that on-throttle "the car pivots productively but doesn't aggressively oversteer". In 2022, for the 2023 model year, Acura introduced a limited-production (300 units) TLX Type S PMC Edition, tuned by the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center, which specializes in assembling and tuning the NSX supercar. Changes for the PMC include 20-inch NSX inspired wheels and carbon fiber interior and exterior trim.


Facelift (2023)

The TLX facelift was revealed on November 2, 2023 for the 2024 model year. Changes include updated exterior styling with a new frameless Diamond Pentagon grille, the A-Spec model has an updated rear fascia with a dual exhaust system from the Type S, new exterior colors, and new wheel designs, Inside, the interior features a new 10.5-inch
head-up display A head-up display, or heads-up display, also known as a HUD () or head-up guidance system (HGS), is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. The origin of the name stems from a ...
, new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a new larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, increased interior insulation in response to customers feedback, and additional standard features such as ELS STUDIO Premium Audio and Iconic Drive™ LED ambient cabin lighting. For safety, the AcuraWatch driver-assistance system has been improved with a new front millimeter-wave radar of 120-degree, Blind Spot Information (BSI) function, and a new HD Surround View Camera system. The TLX range was restructured to three models: the front-drive Technology, all-wheel-drive A-Spec, and high-performance Type S.


Safety

To improve passenger safety in frontal oblique collisions, a front passenger three-chamber airbag, co-developed with Autoliv, is standard, and the
ACE An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or a club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the ...
structure has been upgraded. The new airbag marketed as a "catcher's mitt" is designed to "catch" the occupant's head in the event of an oblique collision. During an impact, uninflated side panels help guide the occupant's head in the direction of inflated chambers acting as a "catcher's mitt." To disperse crash forces more effectively, two tunnel caps made from 780-MPa steel originate from the lower dash and end behind the front seats to direct crash loads away from the lower foot compartment. The 2021 TLX was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, scoring good ratings in all six of the Institute's crashworthiness tests also earning a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 TLX comes standard with safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist. Also include on the 2021 TLX is Traffic Jam Assist, which helps keep the car moving in stop-and-go traffic without the need for accelerator or brake inputs from the driver. :


Motorsports

A TLX-GT race car version of the TLX SH-AWD, with a twin turbo version of the direct injection V6 engine found in the production TLX SH-AWD sedan, has also been developed by the Acura Motorsports Group at Honda Performance Development. It has a modified chassis and aerodynamic performance parts approved for Pirelli World Challenge competition. The TLX-GT was unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. RealTime Racing entered a factory-backed car in the GT class at the Mid-Ohio and Sonoma rounds of the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge, with Peter Cunningham claiming a best result of 13th place. In 2015 the team fielded two full-time entries for Cunningham and Ryan Eversley; the latter won the first St. Petersburg race and finished sixth in the GT class drivers classification, whereas Cunningham finished 14th. Eversley continued as a full-time driver in 2016, winning the two Road America races. Cunningham raced the first half of the season, claiming a runner-up finish at Road America race 1, then Spencer Pumpelly took his place for the last three rounds. The TLX-GT was replaced by the Acura NSX GT3 in 2017.


Sales


References


External links


Acura TLX
- Official Site
Acura TLX News
- Official Site {{DEFAULTSORT:Acura TLX TLX Cars introduced in 2014 2020s cars Compact executive cars Sedans Front-wheel-drive vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States