2015 Acura TLX taking the fight to Infiniti and Lexus – offers world’s first DCT with torque converter

2015 Acura TLX Unveiled at NYIAS

Unveiled at the New York International Auto Show is the production version of the 2015 Acura TLX. The new sports sedan from Honda’s North American luxury arm – which replaces both the smaller TSX (a rebadged Euro-market Honda Accord) and the larger TL – was previewed by a concept car in Detroit earlier in the year.

It seems that the car revealed in Detroit was a “concept” in name only, the styling of the production car staying faithful down to the distinctive standard-fit “Jewel Eye” LED headlights. Only the wing mirrors, the rear valance design and some of the fancier chrome trim appear not to have made the cut.

The TLX is 97 mm shorter in length than the TL, sitting at 4,831 mm, while maintaining the same wheelbase (2,775 mm) and distance between the front and rear seats.

2015 Acura TLX

Those who step inside will be able to treat themselves to optional Milano leather upholstery as well as alloy and wood-grain trim pieces. A push-button gear selector array, as seen on the NSX concept, replaces the traditional gear lever, while an electronic parking brake with Automatic Brake Hold further simplifies the central tunnel.

Kit available on the TLX include a seven-inch touchscreen with AcuraLink (a version of the HondaLink cloud-based infotainment system with Siri Eyes Free voice activation), Bluetooth hands free, USB connectivity, navigation with 3D view and traffic rerouting, powered front seats with heating and ventilation, keyless entry and push-button start, a GPS-linked climate control system and a 455 watt, ten-speaker Acura/ELS Studio Premium Sound System.

Under the bonnet, the TLX comes with two powertrain options. The first is a 2.4 litre DOHC i-VTEC inline-four producing 206 hp and 247 Nm, mated to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the world’s first with a torque converter for smoother start-stop driving and “off-the-line torque multiplication” which Acura claims offers superior acceleration over a conventional DCT.

2015 Acura TLX V6

Stepping up to the 3.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC V6 nets you 290 hp and 362 Nm, an increase of 10 hp and 18 Nm over the previous 3.5 litre engine in the TL. The mill features Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which shuts down a bank of cylinders when not needed in order to save fuel, as well as stop/start. The new nine-speed automatic gearbox, which is significantly lighter than the six-speed unit in the TL, is the sole transmission option for the 3.5.

Both models get Acura’s Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS), but only the 3.5 gets the option of the next generation torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which is now 25% lighter. Lightweight construction makes the TLX lighter than before – the two-wheel drive 3.5 litre model with the Technology Package, for example, swings just under the 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) mark, about 145 lbs (66 kg) lighter than the equivalent TL.

Apart from the usual barrage of safety equipment, the TLX is also the first Acura to feature Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), which scans painted lane lines and cat’s eyes to determine if the driver is straying out of their lane, adding corrective steering input and braking force if necessary.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Jaybond on Apr 18, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    If not for the outdated and less than perfect interior quality, this car could have challenged the German Trio (E-Class,5 Series & A6) plus the Lexus GS/ES. And also, Honda should have badged this car as the Honda Legend for the rest of the world including the Asian market..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
    • frenzyaustin on Apr 18, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      It’s a better car than a VW CC but inferior compare to A6. The interior looks like a nice Honda than a Audi competitor. The only Japanese luxury can fight the Germans left only Lexus.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • AutoFrenz (the original) on Apr 18, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    This car competes with new american camry issit…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8
  • Will this ever come to Malaysia ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  • ramli on Apr 18, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Rear end design look like hyundai, same goes to interior dashboard design, is Peter Schreyer working for Honda now ???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 8
  • nabill (Member) on Apr 18, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Ive definatly seen that rear somewer

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Looks like I40 rear and dashboard. Honestly, this is totally out of Infiniti and Lexus league.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Apr 18, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    acura….ini x boleh lah….looks like i have to buy lexus

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • Joker on Apr 18, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Looks wise it loses out to both Infiniti & Lexus…
    but DCT with torque converter.. hmmm i wonder how it drives….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Horrendous front lights, too many bulbs spoil the look.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • danedz on Apr 18, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    wokeh..this will be our perdana model..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • guan eng jr on Apr 18, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Honda is the real gem of japanese auto, a level higher than others. Ppl who dun like honda cars considered retarded and do not understand the exceptional values instilled in a honda. So sad, heard this is their final attempt to continue the survival of acura brand.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • TYPE R on Apr 19, 2014 at 5:18 am

    I think Honda should stop this retarded Acura segment brand and should focus on the Honda Type R line up match up with this wonderful engine and transmission technology that been wasted for these Acura-shit!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • plank on Apr 19, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Look at the gear knob

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol on Apr 19, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Its a great looking car inside – simple yet functional. Outside is handsome, though a bit conservative (but much better than the RLX & ILX). But the real downer is they still want to offer the car in FWD (the highest trim, though AWD, is still FWD in normal drive). Come on lah Acura, please come up with your own RWD plank. FWD just does not differentiate Acuras from normal Hondas. Acura needs to be special. Plus, the base model only makes a pathetic 204 hp. Needs more power. Not everybody’s gonna pony up for the 3.5 litre model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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