2015 Acura TLX Prototype Debut

At the 2015 North American International Auto show in Detroit, Acura took the wraps off the much anticipated 2015 Acura TLX.

This could be one of the most important cars that Acura has introduced since the original NSX. In recent years, Acura's sedan lineup has gotten somewhat confusing. The TLX should help restore a clear sedan hierarchy, sliding between the compact ILX and top of the line RLX. It will replace the (primarily) four-cylinder TSX, and current V6 TL. It will offer two Direct Injected engines, a 2.4 L four-cylinder and 3.5 L V6.

The new four-cylinder engine features 16 valves, dual overhead cams and Acura's VTEC system. Direct injection replaces the port fuel injection system for superior fuel metering and improved fuel economy and performance. Replacing the TSXs five-speed automatic will be an all new eight speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Torque Converter. Available in front-wheel-drive, the four-cylinder TLX will include the revolutionary Precision All Wheel Steer (P-AWS) technology that was first seen in the 2013 RLX flagship sedan.

The V6 TLX will be available in either front wheel drive or Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and as with the four-cylinder models, V6 FWD TLXs will benefit from P-AWS technology. The 3.5 L VTEC SOHC V6 will be very similar to the Direct Injected motor from the flagship RLX and will feature Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) for projected "best in class" fuel economy. To further aid feel economy, the V6 TLX will have an all new 9-speed automatic transmission.

For those concerned about size, at 190 inches the new TLX is approximately 3.8 inches shorter than the current TL. However, since it uses the same 109 inch wheelbase, it offers roughly the same interior space as the TL. TSX owners moving up will find a similar 3.8 inch increase in size from the current TSX length and a nice improvement in interior space.

With two new engines, two new transmissions and an all new chassis, the TLX is poised to be the workhorse of the Acura sedan lineup through 2020. While pricing has not been announced yet, I expect it will cover a similar price spread as the current TSX to the top of the TL SH-AWD.
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