}} The second-generation TLX was previewed as the
Type S concept car shown at the 2019
Monterey Car Week. The final version was launched digitally on May 28, 2020, and production began on August 28, with sales following on September 28, 2020 for the 2021 model year. Without a direct replacement for the discontinued
RLX, the TLX serves as the flagship Acura sedan, slotting above the
ILX/
Integra. The four-cylinder TLX's model code is
UB5 for front-wheel drives and
UB6 for the SH-AWD model, while the model code of the Type S is
UB7. The Type S model was powered by a new turbocharged 3.0-liter DOHC V6 gasoline engine that makes and . of torque; up from the base and A-Spec's and of torque. This marks the return of the Type S trim after a decade-long hiatus, which was scheduled to go on sale June 23, 2021 for the 2021 model year. Built on its own new platform, 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 tower to the cowl in a triangular arrangement. Included on higher trims is a front subframe
lower tie bar. To further reduce weight, the front
fenders are aluminum, with the
AGM battery moved to the rear to improve
weight distribution. It features an all-new
DOHC 3.0-liter
V6 engine with a single
twin-scroll turbocharger and
direct injection, producing and of torque. The engine also features a high-strength forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods. All Type S models have Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which can send 70% of torque to the rear axle and as much as 100% of that torque to either rear wheel. Body structure is 13-percent stiffer than the standard TLX, while front spring rate as well as front and rear
anti-roll bars are also stiffer compared to the standard model. The 10-speed automatic transmission is also upgraded over the regular TLX, with 40 percent quicker downshifts and 30 percent quicker upshifts. Top speed is increased to compared to on the standard TLX. Braking performance is improved with four-piston
Brembo front brake calipers in a Type-S exclusive red color with 14.3-inch brake rotors. The car also contains an active exhaust system, which can alter the sound of the exhaust note depending on the selected drive mode. The suspension features adaptive dampers which change dampening at different drive settings. It has 40-percent stiffer front springs, a thicker front stabilizer bar that is 9-percent stiffer, and a thicker rear stabilizer bar that adds 31-percent additional roll stiffness by increasing from 20.5 mm to 22.5 mm thickness. Distinctive features include a fully open diamond pentagon grille for engine cooling, quad exhaust outlets, front splitter, and rear diffuser. The exterior features gloss black grille, matte black window surrounds, and headlights with a blackout treatment. The interior has a flat bottom steering wheel with the Type S logo, 16-way adjustable Milano leather seats with adjustable bolsters, and Type S-embossed headrests. In
Car and Driver magazine's Lightning Lap test at the
Virginia International Raceway's Grand West Course, the TLX Type S set a lap time of 3:06.7, which, for reference, was six tenths of a second faster than the
Genesis G70 3.3T and five tenths off the time of the
Cadillac CT4-V. The magazine commented that getting on the throttle as early as possible during cornering resulted in the best performance, as the SH-AWD system helps rotate the car; they felt that on-throttle "the car pivots productively but doesn't aggressively oversteer".
Facelift (2024) The TLX facelift was revealed on November 2, 2023 for the 2024 model year. Changes include updated exterior styling with a new frameless Diamond Pentagon grille, the A-Spec model has an updated rear fascia with a dual exhaust system from the Type S, new exterior colors, and new wheel designs, Inside, the interior features a new 10.5-inch
head-up display, new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a new larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, increased interior insulation in response to customers feedback, and additional standard features such as ELS STUDIO Premium Audio and Iconic Drive™ LED ambient cabin lighting. For safety, the AcuraWatch
driver-assistance system has been improved with a new front millimeter-wave radar of 120-degree, Blind Spot Information (BSI) function, and a new HD Surround View Camera system. The TLX range was restructured to three models: the front-drive Technology, all-wheel-drive A-Spec, and high-performance Type S.
Safety To improve passenger safety in frontal oblique collisions, a front passenger three-chamber airbag, co-developed with
Autoliv, is standard, and the
ACE structure has been upgraded. The new airbag marketed as a "catcher's mitt" 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 inflated chambers acting as a "catcher's mitt." 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 direct crash loads away from the lower foot compartment. The 2021 TLX was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, scoring good ratings in all six of the Institute's crashworthiness tests also earning a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 TLX comes standard with safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist. Also include on the 2021 TLX is Traffic Jam Assist, which helps keep the car moving in stop-and-go traffic without the need for accelerator or brake inputs from the driver. : ==Motorsports==