Generally, a concept car is a distant precursor to the production model, but Acura didn’t take that tack with the TLX.
You see, the production model, which debuted today at the 2014 New York Auto Show, looks and sounds almost identical to the concept that we saw at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The Acura ‘Beak’ design is still present, along with the jewel-eye headlights which have become a staple for the brand.
Acura has discontinued the TL and TSX, so the TLX will replace both cars. Despite being 3.8-inches shorter than the 2014 TL, the car maintains the same wheelbase and front to rear passenger seating distance. All in, the TLX two-wheel drive with the V6 engine is expected to weigh in just under 3,600 pounds.
SEE ALSO: 2014 NY Auto Show Coverage
Two engines are available with the TLX, either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 206 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Each engine is matched exclusively to its own transmission, with the four-banger hooked up to an eight-speed dual clutch with a torque converter while the V6 is mated to a nine-speed automatic.
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Fuel economy ratings for the 2.4-liter two-wheel drive model is anticipated to be 24 mpg city, 35 highway and 28 mpg combined. For the two-wheel drive six-cylinder model, Acura expects 21 mpg city, 34 highway and 25 combined. At the top of the line, the all-wheel drive TLX model, which is the only model with stop/start, is rated at 21 mpg city, 31 highway and 25 mpg combined.
Two-wheel drive TLX models come equipped with Acura’s precision all-wheel drive steer (PAWS) which allows the rear wheels to steer in conjunction with the fronts. When equipped with the V6, buyers can choose to buy Acura’s super-handling all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) which uses torque vectoring to help the car handling. At the limit handling for both PAWS and SH-AWD equipped models is helped by Acura’s agile handling assist, which uses vehicles stability assist and brake modulation to help keep the car on the road.
All of the luxury appointments you would expect are present inside this car, including soft-touch materials, alloy and wood-grain accents and available Milano leather. A seven-inch touchscreen is fitted in the center stack, running the latest in ‘AcuraLink’ infotainment, which includes such features as Siri eyes free compatibility, GPS-linked climate control, internet radio and bluetooth. For those who love big sound systems, Acura has you covered with an available 455-watt, 10-speaker ELS Studio premium stereo.
The TLX will go on sale sometime later this year, and pricing will be announced closer to launch.
GALLERY: 2015 Acura TLX Live Photos
GALLERY: 2015 Acura TLX
