When Acura pulled the sheets off the new TLX sedan earlier this year, it revealed key specs for the regular-grade model—but left out a few details about the zestier Type S trim, namely, how much horsepower and torque its turbocharged V-6 kicks out. Well, Acura has finally come out with those numbers, and they’re much more competitive than anything put forth by the old TLX.
The 2021 Acura TLX Type S’s 3.0-liter V-6 will make 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. That horsepower figure edges the Audi S4’s 349, but falls shy of the BMW M340i’s 382 horsepower. Other sport-focused six-cylinder stalwarts in the entry-luxury segment are more powerful, too, including Infiniti’s Q50 Red Sport 400 and Mercedes-AMG’s C43. However, the TLX has taken a big step forward with the Type S’s output—consider that the most powerful previous-generation TLX coughed out a mere 290 horsepower, a figure well off the pace of six-cylinder competitors. So, while it’s not the burliest in its class, the Acura TLX no longer is woefully behind, either.
Acura routes the TLX Type S’s 355 ponies and 354 lb-ft of torque through a ten-speed automatic transmission to the brand’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. (The base 272-hp four-cylinder TLX is available with front-wheel drive or SH-AWD.) The rest of the TLX Type S formula includes a subtle body kit, special wheels, and sportier tuning of the chassis and driveline.
Eager to show off the TLX Type S’s stuff, Acura is using a development prototype as the official pace car for this year’s Pikes Peak Hillclimb event. The automaker is also running two race-prepped TLXs in the actual timed event. In either case, those TLXs are going to need all of their newly finalized horsepower to shove their way up Pikes Peak’s grueling mountainside climb—and maybe into sport sedan shoppers’ conversations.
