The V-Series Blackwing models will be the first GM production vehicles with 3D-printed parts, including a unique medallion on the manual shifter knob. (Cadillac)
Cadillac announced today, Dec. 10, that the introduction of the new 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing will mark the revival of one of the most popular features for driving enthusiasts – the manual transmission.
These manual transmissions were produced using new additive manufacturing applications (3D printing) that will bring 3D-printed parts into the upcoming ultra-high-performance sedans.
The V-Series Blackwing models will be the first GM production vehicles with functional 3D-printed parts, including two HVAC ducts and an electrical harness bracket.
In addition, a unique 3D-printed medallion will sit on the manual shifter knob. By leveraging additive manufacturing, the Cadillac team was able to reduce costs and waste when developing the manual transmission.
“A lot of work went into making the manual possible in both vehicles. It’s something we know V-Series buyers want and it’s something we knew we had to have, so we used innovative processes to make it happen,” said Mirza Grebovic, Cadillac performance variant manager. “There are a few ways to really get that connected feel with the vehicle and the manual transmission is probably the most obvious one.”
The CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission with an option for a 10-speed automatic. The compact-class CT4-V Blackwing will be the only sedan in its segment to offer a manual, Cadillac says.
This six-speed manual transmission is quieter and more durable than the previous generation, Cadillac says.
Manuals by the numbers
In a recent Harris Poll study conducted on behalf of Cadillac about the current knowledge and adoption of the manual transmission found:
66 percent of American adults surveyed know how to drive a manual. Of those who do not know how to drive a manual, roughly 40 percent are either somewhat or very interested in learning.
55 percent of American adults say they have owned or leased a car with a manual transmission.
Interest in driving or learning to drive a manual is higher among those with $75,000 or more in annual household income (64 percent interested) and those between 18-34 in age (62 percent interested).
The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing will be available starting summer 2021. Visit the V-Series Blackwing future vehicles page on Cadillac.com
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 has a starting price of $47,895 for the performance-tuned 302-hp, 2.0-liter. As equipped, the Sun Yellow tester was $61,335. (Mercedes-AMG)
Strategic precision in a compact four-door “coupe”
BY MARK MAYNARD
Highland Valley Road is a tangled black shoelace of two-lane country road in northeastern San Diego County. It’s a favorite for car-club runs and leisure drives to get some fresh air. The meandering road leads past acres of growing land for landscape nurseries and pine-tree farms before ascending to an area of vineyards and wineries. Mature scrub oaks form shaded canopies along stretches amid a background of boulder-strewn mountainscapes.
The road is unforgiving of reckless driving but a strategic 13 miles or so with blind corners, decreasing radius turns and rollercoaster drops and rises. (Midday and midweek will have the lightest traffic.)
In this environment, the compact Mercedes-AMG CLA35 carves the road with surgical precision. The fortified focus of Sport and Sport-plus modes opens the pipes, tightens the shift points and lets the horses run. The 302-horsepower, AMG-enhanced turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pulls with breathy force, digging into its 295 foot-pounds of torque from 3,000-4,000 rpm.
The seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission, a dual-clutch automated manual, clicks off sequential shifts with Formula One intensity. And the variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system provides the push-back of rear-wheel drive and in aggressive cornering lays down a quick and consistent pull to redline. Mercedes-AMG cites 0-60 mph in an estimated 4.6 seconds — it just feels quicker. A hard launch brings a bristling response.
The driver area is centered by a widescreen layout of HD graphic displays. (Mercedes-AMG)
About the CLA
The compact-class CLA is now in its second-generation after a major update in 2019 for the 2020 model year. Launched in 2013, it was the first compact Mercedes sold in the U.S. and its first front-wheel-drive model.
Because of its arching roofline Mercedes refers to the CLA as a four-door coupe — and it feels the part with its frameless door glass and a cockpit driver area.
With seats for five, it was intended to be a segment disruptor with appeal for its sporty lines, which Mercedes-Benz says pulled many younger buyers from competitors. On average, CLA customers in the U.S. are around 10 years younger than the brand’s typical buyer, the company says.
Sizewise, the CLA slots above the subcompact A-Class, the brand’s smallest and less-expensive sedan, and below the midsize C-Class.
The redesigned CLA is 2 inches wider and almost 2 inches longer and a whisker lower on a wheelbase stretched 1.1 inches, now at 107.4 inches.
The styling is more cohesive now and smoother with a GT stance ready to pounce. The revised size is especially notable in the front seats with 38.5 inches of headroom, legroom of almost 42 inches and more shoulder room. Back-seat width is now family-class comfortable with more legroom (33.9 inches). Trunk space is down but still wide and roomy at 11.6 cubic feet. And the trunk opening was made 10.3 inches wider.
With the gear shift lever relocated as a stalk on the steering column, the center console was freed up for functional space to include a charging bin, deep cup holders and a touch pad for cabin or performance controls. (Mercedes-AMG)
Pricing
The CLA is sold as the CLA 250 in front-drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive with high-performance versions in the AMG CLA 35 (today’s tester) and the AMG 45.
All models have versions of a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $36,650 for the 221-hp CLA 250 or $38,650 with 4Matic AWD.
The 302-hp AMG CLA 35 starts at $46,900 and the CLA45 (382-hp and 0-60 mph in 4 seconds) at $54,800. The CLA35 tester was $61,355 with options, including the $995 freight charge from Kecskemet, Hungary.
Recaro sport seats in MB-Tex and microfiber Dinamica are available in black with red contrasting stitching and red seat belts or black and digital gray in MB-Tex leatherette. (Mercedes-AMG)
Cabin features
The cabin is dressed to impress with MB-Tex leatherette and Dinamica microfiber upholstery and contemporary materials and trim. Recaro sport seats in front are power adjustable with lumbar and a manual thigh extension.
The flat-bottom, three-spoke AMG steering wheel also functions as an alternate desktop, with thumb controls for navigation, audio and phone a touch-sensitive button to scroll through various screens of information. (Mercedes-AMG)
Sightlines are open and there is enough cabin width to smartly place all controls. The functional center floor console integrates a forward e-bin for wireless or corded phone charging, a pair of deep cup holders and a touch pad to page through the various vehicle systems. It has a steady haptic touch and its use becomes relatively intuitive after a couple hundred miles into ownership. Gear engagement is by a stalk on the steering column.
The flat-bottom, three-spoke AMG steering wheel ($500) wrapped in Dinamica fits sweetly in the hand and also functions as an alternate desktop. The left arm groups cruise control and autonomous drive features. The right arm gives redundant access to navigation and phone. And both groups have a touch-sensitive thumb button to scroll through various screens of information.
Trunk entry is 10.3 inches wider now and the luggage space is large for a compact car at 11.6 cubic feet. (Mark Maynard)
Digital widescreen
The cabin is highly electrified with a widescreen-cockpit presentation to facilitate the Mercedes-Benz User Experience — MBUX. The driver faces a 10.25-inch-wide digital gauge array with a choice of configurations for a traditional layout, a supersport mode or a muted presentation. Supersport focuses the performance with a central, round rev counter and other information in graph bars to the left and right. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays such as Warm-up, Set-up, G-Force and Engine Data.
Cabin controls are accessed by another 10.25-inch touch-screen display with voice control or even hand gestures. The “Hey Mercedes” keyword for voice control has been refined to focus on the driver and to filter out other conversations in the cabin.
There also is a tier of manual controls for often-used adjustments, such as fan speed, temp and air flow, plus a console controller for audio volume.
Cabin controls are accessed by the 10.25-inch touch-screen display with voice control or hand gestures. (Mercedes-AMG)
Drivability
AMG puts a fistful of secret sauce into that turbocharged 2.0-liter to wring out 302-hp (or the CLA 45’s 382-hp), when the base engine has a capable 221-hp.
I like that the CLA 35 experience is not all ate-up with horsepower, which can blow past the pleasures of feeling the suspension transition through cornering and how the transmission holds gears through the esses and uphills.
The structure of the car feels tight and nimble, which makes it accommodating for throttle-steering with the accelerator pedal. The roll-on of acceleration is visceral but balanced. Downshift into a corner to raise the revs and then push the nose out a bit or pull it back by subtle lifting. The refined control will make you smile.
The AMG-enhanced 2.0-liter four-cylinder has 302 horsepower that will propel the 3,505-pound CLA35 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. (Mercedes-AMG)
Around town, there will be a delay in forward motion as the turbo spools and the dual-clutch engages, but Sport or Sport-plus modes will cut the delay when powering up. The auto stop-start at idle function can be cancelled.
Braking, is immediate but measured for absolute control without grab or lunge. A hard response is flat and composed. The front brakes have four-piston, 13.8-inch vented rotors, backed by single piston, 13-inch vented discs rear.
Even with the bigger brake discs and AMG upgrades, the curb weight is up just 22 pounds compared with a CLA 250 4Matic. Fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg city, 29 highway and 25 mpg combined on the recommended premium fuel.
The tester was optioned with 19-inch matte black AMG wheels ($800) and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (245/35) with a ZR rating. The tires are very sticky with a 300 treadwear rating and resisted squeals of complaint in my backcountry run.
The AMG Ride Control suspension, a worthy $850 upgrade, has three firmness control modes. The Comfort setting can be too firm for the non-enthusiast, but Sport and even Sport-Plus, give impressive turn-in and control.
The tester was optioned with 19-inch matte black AMG wheels ($800) and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (245/35) with a ZR rating. (Mercedes-AMG)
Semi-autonomous driving
New in the redesign is the option for semi-autonomous driving. Using map and navigation data for assistance, elements of the Driver Assistance Package ($2,250) allow the CLA to steer, stop, brake and resume speed, in certain highway configurations — and with the driver’s hands on the wheel. The system functioned with precision to keep the car centered in the lane, while many systems are less precisely calibrated, which will allow the car to wander before a correction is made.
The package adds active brake assist with cross-traffic function, Active Distance Assist Distronic, active steering assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane keeping assist, active lane assist, active speed limit assist, active emergency stop assist, evasive steering assist, Pre-Safe Plus, Route Based Speed Adaptation, and extended restart in stop-and-go traffic.
Active speed limit assist is useful to automatically adapt the car’s speed to an identified speed limit. I discovered this while on the Interstate and was driving through a construction area that was to the far right in merging lanes. When I drove past the reduced speed sign of 55 mph, the cruise control immediately dropped my set speed to 55 mph from 69 mph. And we all know that speeding fines are increased in construction zones.
New in the redesign is the option for semi-autonomous driving using map and navigation data for assistance that allow the CLA to steer, stop, brake and resume speed, in certain highway configurations. (Mercedes-Benz)
Augmented Video/Reality for Navigation is a hand-holder to guide the way, with blue arrows pointing to the destination. (Mercedes-Benz)
The effect of Route Based Speed Adaptation is the eye in the sky of GPS and the adaptive cruise control system. The system uses map data ahead to reduce speed in anticipation of curves, junctions, roundabouts, toll booths, exit roads, etc.
And for the directionally challenged — even when using a navigation system — the Augmented Video/Reality for Navigation feature is a hand-holder to guide the way. When using the navigation system, a camera in front of the rearview mirror captures a video image of the surroundings and displays arrows or house numbers onto the image in the media display screen. The helpful blue arrows point the way to a street or house number, traffic signs or street names.
And when stopped at a traffic signal, the system uses the front camera to display live video of the intersection on the center screen. It helps the driver see if anyone or anything is in the crosswalk.
Standard safety features include eight air bags, hill-start assist and brake-hold function, crosswind assist and attention assist, for driver awareness.
Why CLA35?
The CLA 35 can be as hands-on or as hands-off as the driver desires. Hands-on was my preferred mode — and none of the assist systems got in the way of a good time.
But if $60K as-tested is too rich for the budget, the same powertrain option and engineering are also available in the subcompact AMG A 35 sedan, starting at about $45,000, and it has access to all the options and upgrades of the CLA 35.
Because of its arching roofline Mercedes refers to the CLA as a four-door coupe — and it feels the part with its frameless door glass and a cockpit driver area. (Mercedes-AMG)
2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4Matic Body style: compact, five-seat, four-door coupe with variable torque AWD Engine: 302-hp, AMG-enhanced turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with cancellable auto stop-start at idle; 295 lb.-ft. torque from 3,000-4,000 rpm Transmission: 7 speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch automated manual 0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds, estimated Fuel economy: 23/29/25 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel
SPECIFICATIONS Fuel tank: 13.5 gal. Trunk space: 11.6 cu. ft. Front head/leg room: 38.5/41.8 in. Rear head/leg room: 35.7/33.9 in. Length/wheelbase: 184.8/107.4 in. Curb weight: 3,505 lbs. Turning circle: 37 ft., estimated
FEATURES Standard equipment includes: Keyless Go locking with push-button ignition, panoramic sunroof, M-B Tex leatherette upholstery, electric parking brake, rearview camera, 10.25-inch touch-screen display, 10.25-inch digital gauge array, power front seats with lumbar and memory presets, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto Bluetooth connectivity, 40/20/40 folding back seat, LED headlights and taillights AMG 35 special features, include: Speedshift 7-Speed (dual clutch transmission with performance 4MATIC AWD, sport suspension, sport exhaust, 3-stage electronic stability program, Recaro sport seats with integrated headrests and metal-trimmed pedals
Safety features, include: 8 air bags, active brake assist, adaptive braking with hill-start assist and brake-hold function, crosswind assist, attention assist (for driver awareness)
CLA 35 competitors: Audi S3, BMW M240i xDrive; front-drive CLA models compare to the BMW 2-series and Acura ILX
PRICING Base price: $47,895, including $995 freight charge; price as tested $61,335 Options on test vehicle, included: AMG performance steering wheel in Nappa leather and Dinamica $500; 19-inch AMG matte black alloy wheels $800; Parktronic with advanced parking assist $970; AMG ride control sport suspension $850; satellite radio trial subscription $460; Burmester surround-sound audio $850; wireless charging $200; rear side air bags $420 (with a one-time $250 special order fee);
• Driver assistance package, $2,250, includes active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active distance assist Distronic, active steering assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane keeping assist, active lane assist, active speed limit assist, active emergency stop assist, evasive steering assist, Pre-Safe Plus, route based speed adaptation, extended restart in stop-and-go traffic;
• Multimedia package, $1,150, includes navigation and services, including map updates for 3 years, MBUX augmented reality for navigation and speed-limit assist;
• AMG Night package, $750, includes front splitter, grille trim and louvres in outer air intakes, AMG side panel inserts, beltline and window line trim strips in gloss black, black side mirrors and tailpipe trim;
• Performance seat package, $3,270, includes multicontour, heated Recaro seats
Where assembled: Kecskemet, Hungary Warranty: 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance
Drop the kids at school and take the long way to work in this sophisticated yet sinister 2020 Avalon TRD
New for 2020, the Avalon TRD is a customized sport sedan built on the legendary reputation of Toyota Racing Development. (Photos courtesy of Toyota or as credited)
The new Toyota Avalon TRD is not your granddad’s Avalon. When the fifth-generation Avalon sedan was redesigned for 2019, Toyota steered this flagship from its mooring as an icon of modern maturity to a speed-line cruiser. Authenticity and exhilaration were the mantras of design, Toyota said.
Designed and built in the U.S., the interior and exterior design makeover was done at Calty Design Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. Engineering work was done at Toyota’s R&D center in Saline, Mich., and production is in Georgetown, Ky.
Black sport SofTex-trimmed front seats with embroidered headrests are trimmed with Ultrasuede inserts and red accents.
Sold in gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid models, the front-wheel-drive sedan was re-invented with a range of “Toyota firsts.” Among them are dynamic auxiliary turn signals, Toyota Safety Sense P, adaptive variable suspension and authentic Yamaha (guitar) wood trim.
And 2020 brings another first for Avalon, a performance-tuned TRD model, which also is available for the midsize Camry.
Toyota says it has begun introducing TRD-tuned passenger cars to reflect the motorsports division’s 40-year heritage of tarmac racing. Toyota Racing Development has a trophy case of IMSA GTO and GTP championships, open-wheel racing successes (including the Indy 500) and, today, a formidable presence in NASCAR.
2020 Avalon TRD Pricing
The Avalon TRD, $43,330, slots between the Touring and Limited models and above the entry XLE ($36,830) and step-up XSE. (Pricing includes the $955 freight charge from Georgetown.) Check pricing incentives here, which currently include a $2,500 cash-back offer.
The 8-speed automatic has performance modes of Eco, Normal, and Sport.
The TRD Treatment
Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture, the Avalon foundation has steel-plank rigidity. It is an ideal platform from which to hang a performance suspension to create a track-capable but compliant sedan.
The performance tuning is a “holistic” approach, Toyota says. The engineering teams worked out the details at Toyota’s Arizona proving ground, at the Higashi-Fuji proving ground in Japan, and at the MotorSport Ranch in Texas.
The contemporary design includes metallic trim — and no faux wood.
Toyota gave the car a badass stance, wrapped in an aerodynamic body kit with red pinstriping. The kit includes the front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk lid spoiler, and rear diffuser. Unique coil springs lower the car by a half-inch, trimming the center of gravity and improving high-speed stability.
The TRD treatment builds upon the Avalon’s 301-horsepower, direct-injected, 3.5-liter V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission with sport modes and paddle shifters. With a reasonably trim curb weight of 3,638 pounds, fuel economy ratings are achievable at 22 mpg city, 31 highway and 25 mpg combined, on 87 octane.
The Avalon TRD, $43,330, slots between the Touring and Limited models.
Stiffening the Body
From there, thicker underbody braces increase torsional rigidity. Stiffer springs and stabilizer bars increased body-roll stiffness by 44 percent in the front and 67 percent rear. The TRD model does not get the Avalon’s adaptive variable suspension, but with the TRD shock absorbers, there is almost an air-ride quality to the smoothness of weight transitions. The stiffness does not transfer to the cabin with waggling head-toss when traversing speed bumps or driveways.
The front brakes are larger, with 12.9-inch diameter rotors and dual-piston calipers, compared to 12-inch rotors and single-piston calipers on the Avalon XSE. Brake performance is tuned to provide more direct feedback, Toyota says, and I experienced no grab or dive on initial activation.
The Avalon’s 301-hp, direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6. (Mark Maynard)
The lightweight 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels reduce unsprung mass by 18 pounds compared to the 19-inch wheels on the Avalon XSE.
A TRD-tuned cat-back dual exhaust system announces with deep subtlety the driver’s departure and arrival. The organic-sounding tone is channeled through sport-modified baffles with an electronically enhanced engine note. Hit the start button, and the engine fires with a gutsy “flare” and settles into a throaty idle. The sound is never droning at highway speeds, but the enhanced sound can be switched off, if desired. The cabin is well-soundproofed at highway speeds, even with the sound generators.
Matte-black and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels. (Mark Maynard)
Avalon TRD Interior Features
Inside, there are black sport SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with Ultrasuede inserts and red accents — and red seat belts. Red stitching accents the TRD embroidered headrests, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob with TRD logo and TRD floor and trunk mats.
Standard safety features and technologies include 10 air bags, blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert and Toyota Safety Sense P, which integrates a precollision system with pedestrian detection, emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, full speed-range dynamic radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking and intelligent clearance sonar for parking alerts.
The back seat has a long 40.4 inches of legroom. (Mark Maynard)
Paint colors, with red pinstriping, include Supersonic Red (exclusive to TRD), Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic.
Why Buy the Toyota Avalon TRD?
This is a well-executed performance package with legendary engineering at a modest price premium. Avalon might not be on the short list for drivers seeking a sport sedan, but the TRD customization creates long-term pride of ownership.
Drop the kids at school and take the long way to work.
The TRD aero kit includes lower-side skirts, a trunk lid spoiler, and a rear diffuser.
2020 Toyota Avalon TRD Specifications
Body style: large midsize, 5-passenger, front-drive sedan
Standard equipment includes: smart key entry with push-button ignition, moonroof with sliding sunshade, electric parking brake, wireless phone charging, 9-inch infotainment touch screen, 8-speaker audio system, 4 USB charging ports, rearview camera with guidance lines, 8-way power front seats with 4-way lumbar, heated leather and wood steering wheel
Avalon TRD package equipment: cat-back dual exhaust with chrome tips; 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels with 235/40 tires, piano black grille with mesh insert, black rear spoiler, intake engine sound generator, LED headlights-taillights-running lights, dynamic turn signals
Avalond TRD package interior features: black sport SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with Ultrasuede inserts and red accents; red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests, leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, red seatbelts, a shift knob with an embossed TRD logo and TRD floor and trunk mats
Safety features include: 10 air bags, stability and traction controls, blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert, hill-start assist, brake assist and Toyota Safety Sense P (precollision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, full speed range dynamic radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking, intelligent clearance sonar)
PRICING
AvalonTRDBase price: $43,330, including $955 freight charge; price as tested $46,712
Options on test vehicle: Supersonic red paint $425; 14-speaker JBL audio system with 3.0 Entune infotainment with navigation and app suite $1,760; door edge guard $140; protection package $657 (bodyside moldings); paint protection film $395; wheel locks $80; Preferred Owner’s (manual) Portfolio $80
here assembled: Georgetown, Ky.
Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 2 years free scheduled maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain
Arriving spring 2021, TLX Type S debuts Acura’s new 3.0-liter V-6 Turbo engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive — a first for the Type S. (Acura)
Midsize sedan to go on sale this fall starting in the mid-$30,000 range
Acura revealed today, May 28, what it calls the quickest, best-handling and most well-appointed sedan in the brand’s 35-year history — the 2021 Acura TLX. The midsize sport sedan joins the RDX compact SUV and NSX supercar as the entry-luxury brand revives its mojo as a performance and technology brand.
Acura had announced in mid-May that it will discontinue its large RLX sedan in North America and focus on sporty sedans and crossover. The larger TLX will now become the flagship sedan. With an exclusive body and chassis architecture (not shared with the brand’s Honda division) the new TLX will be the first Acura sedan to fully apply the brand’s Precision Crafted Performance hallmark for engineering and design.
Among the safety enhancements is the first application of the company’s front passenger air bag that uses a three-chamber design, which functions much like a baseball catcher’s mitt. It is designed to more effectively cradle and help protect the front seat occupant’s head in more steeply angled frontal collisions.
With a choice of new turbocharged four-cylinder and V-6 engine choices, the 2021 TLX will arrive at dealerships early this fall with a starting price in the mid-$30,000 range. The current TLX starts at $34,025, including the $1,025 freight charge from Marysville, Ohio, where the 2021 model also will be built. Pricing details, trim levels and complete specifications will be released closer to the on-sale date.
The second-generation TLX also brings back the Type S high-performance variant after a decade-long hiatus. The Type S, arriving next spring, will be powered by a new Acura exclusive turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine and it will be the first TLX Type S with Acura’s torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
“With this new TLX, we’re doubling down on what today’s sport sedan enthusiasts are asking for — a more stylish, personal and performance-focused driving experience,” Jon Ikeda, vice president and Acura brand officer, wrote in a release. “Our designers and engineers really took the gloves off, rethinking what an Acura sport sedan should be, right down to its most essential elements — stance, proportion, platform and powertrain. This is unquestionably our most ambitious redesign of an Acura sedan.”
The 2021 TLX will have a more tech-focused cabin with options high-grade materials including real aluminum, open-pore wood and full-grain Milano leather. (Acura)
Next-generation design
The exterior design emphasizes an athletic appearance heavily influenced by the Acura Precision Concept and from the Type S Concept. The designers worked to create a low and wide stance, long dash-to-axle ratio, expansive hood, tapered greenhouse and pronounced rear haunches, Ikeda said in the release.
Compared to the previous model, the 2021 TLX has a 3.7-inch longer wheelbase, 2.2-inch wider body with wider front and rear tracks (1.2 inches front and 1.6 inches rear, respectively) and a lower roof by a half inch. The more upright diamond pentagon grille is flanked by signature lighting cues including new Jewel Eye LED headlights with four LED elements and bright-white “Chicane” LED daytime running lights (inspired by the Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype race car).
The cabin section is set farther back on the body and features more steeply inward-sloping roof pillars to further emphasize muscle. The roof has a lower-set center section with two inward-curving grooves to convey a sense of movement and lower appearance, Ikeda said.
Front-to-rear weight balance has been improved by using more aluminum in the body, including the front bumper, hood, front fenders and front damper mounts. The 12-volt engine-cranking battery was moved to the trunk.
The gauge array features a 7-inch full-color multi-information display and there is an optional 10.5-inch color head-up windshield display. (Acura)
Type S
Arriving spring 2021, the TLX Type S builds upon the A-Spec styling elements, with its own open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille and larger side air intakes. A-Spec elements add such appearance upgrades as Shark Gray 19-inch wheels, gloss black accents front to rear, darkened headlight and taillight treatment and a rear decklid spoiler.
Type S aerodynamic elements include a rear decklid spoiler, aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser, and large quad exhaust outlets (recalling the 2007-2008 TL Type S). Two exclusive 20-inch wheels designs will be offered, including an NSX-inspired lightweight “Y-Spoke” wheel, both with 255-series performance tires.
With an exclusive body structure not shared with Honda, the new TLX will be the first Acura sedan fully designed around the brand’s Precision Crafted Performance hallmark. (Acura)
Body and chassis
The new chassis brings back a double-wishbone front suspension (also used on the NSX and replacing MacPherson struts) for more precise handling, cornering grip and a more compliant ride. Performance-focused engineering upgrades include a variable-ratio steering system, electro-servo brake-by-wire technology (from the NSX) and an available driver selectable adaptive damper system.
The new chassis was made 50 percent stronger in torsional stiffness by using more advanced, lightweight materials, such as aluminum and press-hardened steel. A new ultra-rigid center tunnel serves as the backbone of the TLX’s higher structural rigidity, complimented by triangulated front shock tower bars, front and rear underfloor braces, a one-piece rear bulkhead stiffener and new cast-aluminum front shock tower mounts.
The optional A-Spec package and Type S models include a thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather with contrast stitching and paddle shifters. (Acura)
Wheels and tires
Entry models will have standard 18-inch wheels or optional 19-inch wheels in various finishes, depending on trim. Performance-tuned 255-series tires will provide 20 percent more lateral grip than the outgoing tires, Acura says.
Type S models will have 20-inch split-10 spoke alloy wheels finished in Shark Gray. An optional lightweight wheel inspired by the NSX “Y-spoke” design will be offered with a high-performance summer tire.
The Type S will have four-piston Brembo braking power with 20-inch split-10 spoke alloy wheels finished in Shark Gray. (Acura)
High-output turbocharging
Replacing the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder, the standard engine is a direct-injected and turbocharged 272-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine with VTEC (variable timing and lift control). The engine has peak torque of 280 foot-pounds from 1,600-4,500 rpm.
The 10-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift replaces the previous eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual and nine-speed automatic transmissions.
The 2.0-liter turbo boasts the highest horsepower in its core competitive set, Acura says. It delivers 66 more horsepower and another 98 foot-pounds of torque at peak rpm and an additional 123 lb.-ft. torque at 1,500 rpm.
Compared to the optional 3.5-liter V-6 in the previous TLX, the new engine has an additional 13 lb.-ft. of peak torque and an additional 48 lb.-ft. at 1,500 rpm.
When it arrives in spring 2021, the TLX Type S will showcase the new 3.0-liter, 24-valve, DOHC direct-injected and turbocharged engine, influenced by the team that developed the twin-turbocharged hybrid V-6 in the NSX.
The new transverse-mounted V-6 will be compact and lightweight. Its dual scroll turbocharger and electronic wastegate will provide immediate, high-torque response, Acura says. Final specifications for the new engine, including power output, will be released closer to launch timing. But the 3.0-liter will deliver dramatic gains in peak horsepower, Acura says, compared to the outgoing, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6.
The V-6 also will be paired with Acura’s 10-speed automatic, with Sequential SportShift and standard paddle shifters. Type S models will have more aggressive and responsive transmission tuning.
TLX A-Spec and TLX Type S models will feature either ebony or red leather, both with black Ultrasuede inserts. (Acura)
Customizable performance
Acura’s Integrated Dynamics System now includes an Individual mode along with the pre-set programs for Comfort, Normal and Sport or Sport-plus (Type S) to adjust the performance or engine and chassis systems. Individual mode allows personalization of such programs as the drive-by-wire throttle, transmission, SH-AWD, electric power steering and adaptive damping.
Acura’s Integrated Dynamics System now includes an Individual mode along with the pre-set performance programs for Comfort, Normal and Sport or Sport-plus (Type S). (Acura)
Torque vectoring SH-AWD
Acura’s fourth generation Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) will be available on all TLX models and standard on the Type S. The rear-biased system has 40 percent more rear torque capacity and 30 percent quicker front-to-rear torque transfer than the third-generation system, Acura says.
The system can transfer up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear axle during normal driving conditions, while continuously moving up to 100 percent of that rear-axle torque between either the left and right rear wheels.
The console touchpad has an upgraded interface for more accurate swipe zones and handwriting recognition. (Acura)
Driver-focused cockpit
The 2021 TLX’s more premium and tech-focused cabin will include optional choices for high-grade materials such as aluminum, open-pore wood and full-grain Milano leather.
The so-called “Dual Personal Cockpit” is intended to create a more personal yet strongly delineated space for front-seat occupants, Acura says. The cockpit’s high and wide center tunnel, wraparound instrument panel and wider body will allow first-class seating, with top-of-class hip and shoulder room (+0.5 inch and +0.7 inch, respectively). The front sport seats have up to 16-way power adjustment.
The optional A-Spec package and Type S models will feature a thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather with contrast stitching and larger metal-plated paddle shifters.
Intuitive technologies
Technologies for connectivity and audio entertainment will have new access through Acura’s driver-oriented True Touchpad Interface. The system features a high-mounted 10.2-inch HD display and a console mounted touchpad with “Absolute Position” mapping for more accurate swipe zones and handwriting recognition. Also added were exterior controls for power, volume and seek next to the touchpad.
The gauge array features a 7-inch full-color multi-information display and there is an optional 10.5-inch color head-up windshield display. The upgrade to the Acura ELS STUDIO 3D audio system features four ultraslim ceiling-mounted speakers and a new Twin Telford subwoofer design.
Connectivity features include AcuraLink with 4GLTE Wi-Fi, over-the-air software updates and available cloud-based services. Among those are remote locking and unlocking, engine start, stolen vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, geofencing and concierge services.
Driver-assistive technologies
All 2021 TLX models will come equipped with the AcuraWatch suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies standard. This includes several new features, such as Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Awareness Monitor and Traffic Jam Assist. All of which are integrated with the adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. Traffic Jam Assist helps reduce driver stress in congested traffic by helping keep the vehicle in its lane and at a set interval behind the vehicle ahead.
Colors
The new TLX will have a choice of nine paint colors, five of which are premium choices. New to the palette is Phantom Violet Pearl. The Type S will be offered in an exclusive, bold Tiger Eye Pearl and Apex Blue Pearl. The interior will have seven color options, with ebony, espresso, graystone and parchment on standard models. A-Spec and Type S models will feature either ebony or red leather, both with black Ultrasuede inserts. The Type S will have an exclusive light orchid leather option.
2021 TLX fulfills the muscular design and proportions previewed in the Type S Concept, Acura says, with a wide stance, low roofline and stretched wheelbase. (Acura)
American made, mostly
Design, engineering and development of the 2021 Acura TLX was conducted primarily in America. Styling was led by Acura Design in Torrance, Calif., while full platform development was led by engineers in the company’s development center in Raymond, Ohio. Engineering development of the new 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 was led by the company’s R&D center in Tochigi, Japan.
The 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter turbocharged engines will be produced at the company’s Anna, Ohio, engine plant, also home to the twin-turbocharged V-6 hybrid engine in the NSX. The 10-speed automatic transmission will be manufactured at the company’s Tallapoosa, Ga., plant. And the SH-AWD system’s front power-takeoff unit and rear differential will be manufactured in the company plant in Russells Point, Ohio.
