Acura just revealed the all-new TLX Type S sports sedan, now equipped with a 3-liter turbocharged powerhouse. And while the model won't be on sale until next year, we've caught wind that two other Type S models are on their way.
That's right, even though Acura once said it was going to stop making the performance models, it's now chasing down Audi's S models and the softcore AMG kinsfolk.
The information was leaked via a 52-minute video that was posted briefly on the manufacturer's website forum. Though it was intended to be seen only by the Acura dealer network, it was public for a short while and got scooped by Acurazine.
If you don't believe us, there's also a little screenshot from the presentation that clearly states that by 2022, three Type S models will contribute to a sales growth of about 40,000 cars annually.
The first one to arrive is the TLX sedan, which will be followed by the MDX Type S. This one is kind of a no-brainer. The MDX is already seven years old and as a mid-sized SUV, it's available exclusively with V6 engines. The 3.5-liter currently offered is basically the same as that in the old TLX Type S, so expect a 3-liter turbo to take its place.
But the other model is really playing with our imagination. Even though the ILX is very clearly written down in the first part of the chart, the other Type S model coming is described as "a new compact sedan." So not the new ILX?
We think this indirectly confirms all the rumors about an Integra revival. As Cadillac or Infiniti will attest, it's difficult to name cars for a young luxury brand. The ILX has a bad market imagine, but the Integra is a literal god, a legend. We've seen examples selling online for $100,000.
Honda launched the Acura luxury brand in the United States back in 1986, just before its rivals Nissan and Toyota launched theirs. And their first two models had real names - Legend for the big car and Integra for the compact one.
We believe the 2022 Integra Type S will be made in North America. All the Type R hot hatchbacks come from the UK right now, but that factory will close down at the end of the year. It looks like Canada will pick up the slack and maybe get an Acura alongside it.
As for the powertrain, it's obvious they can use the 2-liter turbo again. However, the Integra rumors talked about a 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors at the back. That's enough to worry the Audi RS3.
The information was leaked via a 52-minute video that was posted briefly on the manufacturer's website forum. Though it was intended to be seen only by the Acura dealer network, it was public for a short while and got scooped by Acurazine.
If you don't believe us, there's also a little screenshot from the presentation that clearly states that by 2022, three Type S models will contribute to a sales growth of about 40,000 cars annually.
The first one to arrive is the TLX sedan, which will be followed by the MDX Type S. This one is kind of a no-brainer. The MDX is already seven years old and as a mid-sized SUV, it's available exclusively with V6 engines. The 3.5-liter currently offered is basically the same as that in the old TLX Type S, so expect a 3-liter turbo to take its place.
But the other model is really playing with our imagination. Even though the ILX is very clearly written down in the first part of the chart, the other Type S model coming is described as "a new compact sedan." So not the new ILX?
We think this indirectly confirms all the rumors about an Integra revival. As Cadillac or Infiniti will attest, it's difficult to name cars for a young luxury brand. The ILX has a bad market imagine, but the Integra is a literal god, a legend. We've seen examples selling online for $100,000.
Honda launched the Acura luxury brand in the United States back in 1986, just before its rivals Nissan and Toyota launched theirs. And their first two models had real names - Legend for the big car and Integra for the compact one.
We believe the 2022 Integra Type S will be made in North America. All the Type R hot hatchbacks come from the UK right now, but that factory will close down at the end of the year. It looks like Canada will pick up the slack and maybe get an Acura alongside it.
As for the powertrain, it's obvious they can use the 2-liter turbo again. However, the Integra rumors talked about a 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors at the back. That's enough to worry the Audi RS3.