Acura TLX

The Acura TLX was first shown as the "TLX Prototype", a sedan designed in Acura's Los Angeles Design Studio, as a replacement of the TL and TSX sedans.[4][5][6] The production version was unveiled in April at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. Sales began in August, the TLX entered production during July at Marysville, Ohio, United States.[1][7]

First generation (UB1/2)
Overview
Also called	Acura TLX-L (China)
Production	July 2014–2020
Model years	2015–2020
Assembly	Marysville, Ohio (Marysville Auto Plant) Guangzhou, China (Guangqi Honda)[8]
Designer	Jared Hall (2011)[9]
Body and chassis
Related	Honda Accord
Powertrain
Engine	2.4-liter K24W7 I4 3.5-liter J35Y6 V6
Transmission	8-speed dual clutch (I4) 9-speed ZF 9HP automatic (V6)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,776 mm (109.3 in) 2,900 mm (114.2 in) (LWB)[8]
Length	4,844 mm (190.7 in) 4,931 mm (194.1 in) (LWB)[8]
Width	1,854 mm (73.0 in)
Height	1,447 mm (57.0 in)
Curb weight	3,483–3,492 lb (1,580–1,584 kg) (I4, P-AWS) 3,585–3,620 lb (1,626–1,642 kg) (V6, P-AWS) 3,748–3,774 lb (1,700–1,712 kg) (V6, SH-AWD) 3,582–3,693 lb (1,625–1,675 kg) (China)[8]

Two powertrain options are available. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine is available with direct injection mated to a dual-clutch transmission, Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS). The Honda designed dual clutch transmission is the first to use a torque converter, which absorbs transmission gear shift shock, thus reducing NVH. The engine is rated at 206 hp (154 kW) with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24/35/28 mpg (city/highway/combined) compared to 22/31/26 from the previous TSX. Honda estimates that the six-cylinder model is 1.5 seconds faster from 0 to 60 mph.

2015 Acura TLX 2.4 P-AWS

A 3.5-liter direct injected SOHC VTEC V-6 with cylinder deactivation (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 (SH-AWD).[10][11] 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 290 hp (216 kW) and front-wheel drive models deliver 21/34/25 mpg while all-wheel drive models are rated at 21/31/25 mpg. SH-AWD models come standard with the "Technology Package". TLX models configured with the V6 engine lose nearly 150 lb (68 kg) compared to the FWD TL, and over 225 lb (102 kg) compared to the SH-AWD TL. The SH-AWD model is no longer offered with high-performance summer tires, which offered greater traction than currently standard all-season tires.

Like the RLX and MDX, the TLX comes standard with LED headlamps, with amber LED turn signal indicators incorporated into the side mirrors and rear LED brake lamps. Overall length compared to the previous TL was reduced by 3.8 inches (97 mm) while the wheelbase maintains the same length. As with the 9th generation Accord, the TLX loses the front double wishbone suspension of the TSX and TL in favor of a MacPherson strut 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.[12][13][14]

Facelift (2017)

2018 Acura TLX PMC Edition

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 and Android Auto 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.[15] The TLX-L is only offered with the 2.4-liter four, producing 153 kW (208 PS).

Safety

TLX safety features include Lane Keeping Assist System with Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control 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.

IIHS scores[16]

Moderate overlap frontal offset	Good
Small overlap frontal offset	Acceptable1
Side impact	Good
Roof strength	Good2

¹ vehicle structure also rated "Acceptable"

² strength-to-weight ratio: 5.67

2015 TLX NHTSA scores[17][18]

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover:	/ 9.8%

Second generation
Overview
Production	Aug 2020–present
Model years	2021–present
Assembly	Marysville, Ohio, U.S. (Marysville Auto Plant)
Designer	Ben Davidson (2018)
Powertrain
Engine	2.0-liter K20C6 I4 (turbo) 3.0-liter J30AT V6 (turbo; Type S)
Power output	272 hp, 280 lb-ft (2.0T I4) 355 hp, 354 lb-ft (3.0T V6)
Transmission	10-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,845 mm (112.0 in)
Length	4,943 mm (194.6 in)
Width	1,911 mm (75.2 in)
Height	1,433 mm (56.4 in)
Curb weight	3709-3814 lb (I4, FWD) 3927-4028 lb (I4, SH-AWD)

Based on the Type-S concept introduced in 2019, the second generation TLX launched digitally on May 28, 2020. A Type S model with a new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine marks the return of the variant after a decade-long hiatus.[19] Without a direct replacement for the discontinued RLX, the TLX will serve as the flagship Acura sedan, slotting above the ILX. Production began on August 28, with sales following on September 28.

Built on its own new platform,[19] the TLX uses a front double wishbone suspension with forged 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 damper tower to the cowl in a triangular arrangement. Included on higher trims is a front subframe lower tie bar. To reduce weight, the front fenders and subframe are aluminum, with the AGM battery moved to rear to improve weight distribution.

As with the previous TLX, a one-piece outer front door ring stiffener made from 1500-MPa hot stamped steel is used; in addition, the lower dash area is made from 1500-MPa grade steel. In total, 64% of the body structure's mass is comprised from high-strength steel (HSS) and aluminum, with 1500-MPa grade steel making up 10.1%. To further increase body rigidity, a larger center tunnel, reinforced lengthwise with 980-MPa grade steel and 114 feet of structural adhesives, is used. A single-piece rear bulkhead steel stamping is used to increase body rigidity without necessitating a rear seat brace found on previous TL models, allowing for a folding rear seat trunk pass-through. Au underbody triangular brace is added to stiffen the rear suspension on AWD models.

An electric-servo brake-by-wire system similar to the 2nd-gen Acura NSX replaces the hydraulic brake with Type-S models adopting 4-piston Brembo front brake calipers.

New options include a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD), adaptive dampers, open-pore wood, 17-speaker audio system with four ceiling mounted speakers, and, as introduced on the 3rd-gen RDX, 16-way power full grain leather front seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment.

'21 Acura TLX A-Spec rear

Interior of the 2021 TLX A-Spec

To improve passenger safety in frontal oblique collisions, a front passenger 3-chamber airbag, developed with Autoliv, is standard, and the ACE structure has been upgraded. The new airbag is described as a "catcher's mitt" as it 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 two inflated chambers acting as a "catcher's mitt." [20] 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 assist in directing crash loads away from the lower foot compartment.

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.[21][22]

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.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Acura TLX.

• Acura TLX - Official Site
• Acura TLX News - Official Site