The 2021 Acura TLX: A Blend of Power and Precision
Acura's all-new 2021 TLX, unveiled recently, marks an intriguing turn for the brand as it delves deeper into sport sedan territory. The car holds several alluring promises, from a muscular design and cutting-edge powertrain to an upgraded chassis, all contributing to the creation of one of the most dynamic Acuras yet. It has been priced to start in the mid-$30,000 range, targeting a fall 2021 launch.
Design Language
The new TLX draws heavily from the Acura Precision Concept and Type S Concept, sporting a wider stance, lower roofline, and elongated wheelbase. The car's dynamic exterior, accentuated by its large hood, broadened tracks, and rear haunches, clearly communicates its performance-oriented nature. Key features such as the diamond pentagon grille and Jewel Eye® LED headlights amplify its bold aesthetic, while the pronounced rear haunches and "Chicane" LED taillights lend a hint of aggression.
Engine Capabilities
With a 2.0-liter Turbo as standard, the 2021 TLX takes power seriously, offering 66 more horsepower and almost 100 lbs.-ft more torque than the outgoing model. The inclusion of the all-new 3.0-liter V6 Turbo engine, expected to debut in the 2021 spring with the TLX Type S model, makes a compelling case for performance enthusiasts. Paired with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®), the first time for a Type S, the new TLX promises to offer a compelling blend of power, precision, and performance.
Structural Upgrade
The new TLX incorporates an ultra-rigid new body structure and advanced chassis, promising sharper reflexes and a more connected driving experience. Significant engineering upgrades include a double-wishbone front suspension, variable-ratio steering system, electro-servo brake-by-wire technology derived from the NSX, and an optional Adaptive Damper System. This translates to a sport sedan that feels more planted, nimble, and confident on the road.
Interior Refined
The interior of the 2021 TLX strikes a balance between sportiness and luxury, drawing inspiration from Acura's Precision Cockpit. It exudes a sense of craftsmanship with available high-grade materials, such as real aluminum, open-pore wood, and full-grain Milano leather. The cabin features a "Dual Personal Cockpit" theme, offering an intuitive, driver-focused environment that enhances the overall driving experience.
Intuitive Technology and Connectivity
The 2021 TLX is packed with an array of Acura's latest technology, designed to enhance driver and passenger comfort, connectivity, and audio entertainment. It features a new implementation of Acura's innovative and driver-oriented True Touchpad Interface™, which includes a high-mounted 10.2-inch HD display. The console-mounted touchpad with "Absolute Position" mapping delivers more intuitive control. The touchpad is accompanied by Power, Volume, and Seek controls that are strategically placed for easy reach. With its latest software, the True Touchpad Interface offers improved accuracy in swipe zones and handwriting recognition, contributing to an enhanced user experience. Furthermore, an ergonomically designed wrist rest offers a comfortable anchor point for the touchpad.
Standard to the 2021 TLX is a 7-inch full-color Multi-Information Display (MID) in the center gauge cluster. Buyers can also opt for a 10.5-inch full-color Head-Up Display (HUD). The car's audio entertainment system is a top-notch Acura ELS STUDIO 3D® premium system, comprising four ultra-slim Highline™ ceiling-mounted speakers and a new Twin Telford™ subwoofer design.
AcuraLink™ is incorporated into the new TLX, delivering in-vehicle 4GLTE Wi-Fi, over-the-air software updates, and an array of cloud-based services. These services include emergency roadside assistance, remote locking/unlocking and engine start, stolen vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, geofencing, speed tracking, and Acura concierge services.
Color and Trims
The 2021 TLX boasts an expanded color palette, offering nine exterior finishes, including five premium colors. Phantom Violet Pearl, a distinguished new color, has been introduced for 2021. The TLX Type S sports an exclusive, bold Tiger Eye Pearl color, and Apex Blue Pearl, previously exclusive to A-Spec models, has been added to the Type S catalog.
There will be seven interior color options available for the 2021 TLX. These include Ebony, Espresso, Graystone, and Parchment for the standard TLX models, depending on the trim level. The TLX A-Spec and TLX Type S models come with either Ebony or Red Leather, both with black Ultrasuede® inserts. Additionally, the TLX Type S offers an exclusive Light Orchid leather interior option.
The new TLX features ambient LED lighting throughout the cabin, offering a unique lighting scheme for each driving mode (Comfort, Normal, Sport) and 24 selectable interior lighting schemes. These schemes are named after iconic performance driving destinations or tracks, such as "Pacific Coast" and "Suzuka".
Customizable Driving Performance
Thanks to Acura's Integrated Dynamics System, the 2021 TLX offers a more versatile and personalized driving experience. The system, which is controlled through a drive mode dial prominently positioned on the center console, integrates various powertrain and chassis systems. Comfort, Normal and Sport modes (and Sport+ on TLX Type S) incrementally enhance the sportiness of the TLX using pre-set programs for the Drive-By-Wire™ throttle, transmission, SH-AWD®, electric power steering, available Adaptive Dampers, and more.
An Acura-first, the 2021 TLX will feature an Individual Mode, which can be activated by pushing the Acura logo at the center of the drive mode dial. This new mode allows for discrete control of all the features, enabling the driver to customize their preferred settings for each system control element.
Advanced Safety and Driver-Assistive Technologies
All 2021 TLX models come standard with the AcuraWatch™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. This includes new features such as Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Driver Awareness Monitor, and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA). In conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Traffic Jam Assist aids in reducing driver stress in heavy traffic situations by helping keep the vehicle in its lane and maintaining a set distance from the vehicle ahead.
The 2021 TLX debuts the company's new front passenger airbag technology. This new airbag uses a three-chamber design that functions similarly to a baseball catcher's mitt, designed to more effectively cradle and protect the front seat occupant's head, thus helping to mitigate potential injury in steeply angled frontal collisions.
Further enhancing its passive safety (collision protection) performance, the new TLX uses Acura's proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. This has been refined to provide additional protection in a wider range of collision scenarios. Additional safety features include ultra-high-strength-steel one-piece door rings and an ultra-stiff center tunnel, optimizing the absorption and direction of collision forces around the cabin.
Design, Development and Manufacturing
The 2021 Acura TLX was primarily designed, engineered, and developed in America. The styling was led by Acura Design in Torrance, Calif., while the full platform development was overseen by engineers in the company's development center in Raymond, Ohio. The engineering development of the new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 was led by the company's R&D center in Tochigi, Japan.
Exclusive manufacturing of the new TLX will take place at the company's Marysville, Ohio, plant using both domestic and globally sourced parts. The 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter turbocharged engines will be exclusively produced at the company's Anna, Ohio, engine plant. The 10-speed automatic transmission will be exclusively manufactured at the company's Tallapoosa, Georgia, plant, and the SH-AWD® system's front power takeoff unit and rear differential will be manufactured at the company's Russells Point, Ohio, plant.
2021 TLX Key Specs and Dimensions
The 2021 TLX marks a significant evolution from its predecessor. While the 2020 model offered a choice between a 2.4-liter Inline-4 and a 3.5-liter V6 engine, the new model has a 2.0-liter Turbo engine standard, with a 3.0-liter Turbo available for the Type S variant. The 2021 model boasts a 10-speed automatic transmission across all variants, compared to the 8-speed and 9-speed versions in the previous model. The 2021 model also shows advancements in horsepower and torque, particularly in the 2.0-liter turbo variant. It has a double wishbone front suspension, replacing the previous model's MacPherson strut front suspension, and an electro servo braking system, replacing the previous hydraulic assist.
Moreover, the dimensions of the 2021 TLX have also been adjusted, with increases in wheelbase, length, and width, leading to a slight decrease in height. However, the adjustments to the car's dimensions have not significantly impacted the passenger volume. Lastly, the maximum cargo volume has been slightly increased.
With all these updates, the 2021 Acura TLX has positioned itself as a technologically advanced, luxurious, and performance-oriented vehicle, capable of offering a customizable driving experience and a heightened level of safety. The meticulous attention to detail in its design, engineering, and manufacturing, as well as the exclusive color and trim options, add a layer of exclusivity to the car, making it a compelling choice for consumers who seek sophistication, performance, and safety in their vehicle.
-Ed
2021 Acura TLX
