The Acura TLX Type S couldn't be more different from the S197-generation Ford Mustang GT. Be that as it may, Roman and Tommy Mica from The Fast Lane decided to find out which one's quicker.
First and foremost, Type S is Acura's way of saying crème de la crème. In this application, Type S stands for a turbocharged V6 with 3.0 liters to its name, a single-turbo sixer connected to a 10-speed automatic tranny. The most performance-oriented TLX on sale today is all-wheel drive by default, which makes it superior to the 'Stang from a dig.
However, at 4,200 pounds or a little over 1.9 tons, the mid-size luxury sedan is a porker compared to the pony car. The Mustang in the video below is a 2014 model that weighs approximately 3,600 pounds (1,633 kilograms). It sports the first-gen Coyote, a double-overhead-cam V8 that belts out 420 horsepower and 390 pound-feet (529 Nm).
Exclusively rear-wheel drive, the fastback pony makes do with a six-speed automatic that – obviously enough – isn't as immediate as the Honda-developed tenner. Speaking of Honda, the Japanese automaker advertises the Acura TLX Type S with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet (480 Nm) on deck. Maximum torque is delivered between 1,400 and 5,500 revolutions per minute as opposed to 4,250 for the 2014 Ford Mustang GT.
Pictured on a Colorado runway at more than a mile above sea level, the Mustang also happens to feature worse tires than the Pirelli Cinturato rubber boots of the Acura. Tommy clocked 14.36 seconds and 99.7 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour) in the quarter-mile, whereas his father ran 14.36 at 105 miles per hour (169 kilometers per hour).
Photo: The Fast Lane on YouTube
Given this result, Tommy and Roman decided to settle things with a 30-mph rolling start race. Not surprising in the least, the turbocharged engine and far more modern transmission made a world of difference at this elevation. The fun stuff didn't end there, though, because Roman Mica brought a Tesla Model 3 Performance to spice things up a bit.
Even with Tommy jumping the start, the Acura simply didn't stand a chance against the dual-motor electric sedan. Even if the race had been three miles longer, the TLX Type S would've lost due to being limited to 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour). According to Tesla, the pre-Highland Tesla Model 3 Performance tops 162 mph (261 kph).
At the moment of reporting, only the rear-wheel-drive Model 3 and all-wheel-drive Model 3 Long Range are listed on Tesla's website for the United States market. Prices kick off at $38,990 and $45,990, respectively. Over at Ford, the 2024 model year Mustang GT can be had at $42,710.
The Acura comes in three flavors, beginning with the 2.0-liter turbo I4 FWD at $45,000. All-wheel drive brings the sticker price to $50,000 from the outset, while the V6-powered Type S is $57,000.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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