Acura TLX Prototype previews all-new 2015 model

The 2015 Acura TLX Prototype

Unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit recently, the Acura TLX Prototype is a thinly-veiled preview of the brand’s new production model that will be launched later this year. Looks wise, it’s as you’d expect from Honda’s luxury arm, but the technology behind it is far more interesting.

The upcoming 2015 Acura TLX is labelled as a performance luxury sedan, and will sit in between the base ILX and flagship RLX models in Acura’s sedan line-up in North America. Effectively it will replace both the current TL and TSX models, streamlining the bloated model range.

Only the motor show-style 20-inch wheels and novel wing mirrors are said to be prototype-specific. There rest of the car, including Acura’s signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, will make it to the production car as is. Underneath the pretty clothes lies the same platform used in the current Honda Accord.

The 2015 Acura TLX Prototype

Two direct-injection engines will be offered: a 2.4 litre i-VTEC motor with a eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a 3.5 litre SOHC VTEC V6 with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder deactivation technology that’s paired to a new nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Standard front-wheel drive models will feature the Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) technology, while the range topping variant offers the Super-Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system as an option. User-programmable Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) will be available too.

Also revealed is the Acura TLX GT Race Car, which will be entered into the Pirelli World Challenge GT Class. Prepared by Honda Performance Development (HPD), it features chassis and aerodynamic tweaks, a production-based twin-turbo V6 engine as well as SH-AWD.

Acura TLX Prototype


Acura TLX GT Race Car

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • wait for new perdana..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
  • nice =) but why four door

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
  • mentari-o-korea on Jan 29, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    KIA designed rims, lol!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
  • Currently amongst the Japanese luxury arm, Acura has been lagging behind significantly. Ahead if the peck ,Lexus has been dishing out controversial but stunning design with quality an powertrain that gives the Luftwaffe a run for their money. Infinity gaining in looks ad tech department with the first if the Q-series cars, the Q50, featuring state of the art DBW tech.

    Acura on the other hand are still offering cars that looks like supped up Hondas and are only ever on sale in the States. With this TLX, if still looks like a supped up Accord but with some noticeable improvement. The Hedious beak and trypophobia inducing headlamps now smaller and less in-yer-face and the side profile more dynamic. All in all looks wise it starting, well this concept at least, to get sporty. The powertrain is also extra promising….the familiar 3.5l V6 can be option with eight(8!!) speed dual clutch gearbox or nine speed conventional auto and power goes through Hondas brilliant torque-vectoring SH-AWD, something I believe can rival ESC for car safety.

    Overall it’s a step forward for the ailing Japanese luxury arm, it’s better looking and more tech focused. It should also be lighter since Acura started using its new aluminum-steel welding system.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • qwerty on Jan 29, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    While some are making lots of noise about “planning” to make a nine-speed gearbox, Honda has quietly made one and is now pushing it to the mass.

    Ironic!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • AutoFrenz on Jan 29, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    The design is still very japanese…nothing much to differentiate it with Honda City…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • I Wonder.. on Jan 29, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    When i see Lexus, it cannot runaway from Toyota. And now it has become contagious as Acura adapt the same thing. Whether these Lexus/Acura want to remain their Toyota/Honda origin or the designer can’t think out of the box. I wonder.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Curious
      So doo you have the same problem when you see a Porsche 911, you can’t help but think Volkswagen Beetle….or you see a Audi, you can’t but link it to Volkswagen.
      Personally….I can’t link Lexus to a Toyota no matter how I tried unless it is a ES. But I agree that Acura and Honda and Infini and Nissan shares to much in common in the design department.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • heybadigol on Jan 29, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Its not too bad looking. Better looking than the bigger RLX (5 series/E Class size) and the smaller ILX (3 series/c class size). The only question is where does this car fit in the grand scheme of things? Its somewhere in between 3 and 5 series in terms of size, but its still a FWD architecture car in a world where premium cars are mostly RWD (save for Volvo & some Audis).

    Admittedly, most people who buy premium cars (in the US anyway) can’t tell if a car is FWD or RWD, hence this is not a major concern. But for car enthusiasts, it means a lot. You can’t be charging premium money for only a FWD car, no matter how luxurious the car is. Its like cutting corners and charging full price. In the end, people will just say its a luxed up Accord or Civic. Acura needs to start making RWD cars to distance themselves from the normal Hondas. If Lexus can do it, why not Acura? Sure it has AWD courtesy of SHAWD to make it handle better than the average Accord, but when you drive sedately, its still an FWD. The rears only start coming alive when you’re pushing it hard.

    If I had to choose between the Japanese luxury cars, id still go for Lexus & Infiniti. Design wise, Acura is improving. The TLX is already good looking. It just needs to sit on the correct platform. Why not just use a stretched & taller version of the new NSX platform? Surely, Acura isnt going to spend millions of Dollars on a new RWD biased AWD platform just for the NSX. Imagine the savings from sharing platforms. It’ll cut down on R&D significantly. Anyway, just my 2 sen.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • I don’t know what is wrong with the Japanese these days. They can’t have a proper design styling character. Look at this, doesn’t it look like the Lexus IS250 from sides to the rear? It’s no wonder they are losing market share to the Koreans.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
  • Well done Honda/Acura !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Albert Lee on Jan 29, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    If proton can copy 100% the exterior of this stylish car but with a campro turbo charged engine and is 10 percent cheaper,would you buy this car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • this should be the new Euro accord…..seems that european get the high end stuff, the current euro accord are also based on acura. the rest of the world got the normal accord

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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