neuronbob

Live feed:

F23A4

A-Spec package. YAY!

TheAcAvenger

No suspension no brakes on the A-spec?

Bummer. It changed my life on the 2G RL

quantum7

Heading out to pick up my new Kia.....

kurtatx

That was just so meh

neuronbob

So....as predicted, no manual, no more power.

However: The A-Spec trim is somewhat exclusive and is not simply a body kit. The only way to convert a non A-Spec to an A-Spec is to change body panels. That's a plus. It looks good! It's a good start. And FINALLY on the Apple Carplay/Android Auto inclusion.

Acura gets a "B" for this effort. If there'd been powertrain and brake changes on the A-Spec, I'd have given an "A", and if a manual, an "A+" and my money.

carftopher

They did say "sport tuned" suspension, but we'll see about that...

alpha0

During 2014, Acura people were hinting a sportier model down the line. I can't believe they were referring to this A-spec.

neuronbob

PS: Was it too much to ask for a J37 engine in the A-Spec? Not a criticism, just a question.

TheAcAvenger

Don't they always say that though? I guess we'll know when we see the part numbers

a35tl

Maybe 5 or 10 more horsepower will come? The info says hp numbers aren't being released yet. I hope the V6 gets at least 300 hp.

TheAcAvenger

Some people don't believe in checking their oil levels ever... It's a sign that the car is "broken". So.. of course it was too much to ask.

F23A4

As much as I am an apologist when it comes to my 16 V6, this is a 'C' effort at best. They could have easily scrounged up another 25hp just for window dressing but instead they just said f--k it. Aside from SH-AWD, the TLX is an unbelievably hard sell versus the Accord V6 Touring.

pyrodan007

Leave it to Acura to completely destroy any excitement in major reveals. No specific details, no in depth look, just a placement for new marketing. Even the crowd was expecting more with the low clapping.
I really think I'm done with Acura. Nothing that I wanted changed, it's just uglier and sportier looking without the actual mechanics to match the look. How the BLOODY FUCK does the MDX get the sporty hybrid tech and not the TLX!? If they think people will wait 2-3 years for FMC, Acura's management is purely retarded. Too little, too late. All these changes could have been done in yearly updates ...

Tony Pac

It was okay...

At least some decent changes to the A spec model. Also a couple of other useful features.
Apple car play
Standard safety feature

RDX10

Well, last night I said I was going to either be really surprised or dissapointed. So can I say that I am unsurprisingly disappointed? That grille is awful, especially on the white one. Gross.

bgreen83

Just wait until the Accord redesigns this Fall. The Touring will easily put it to shame. Acura was already behind on some features. It would've been good to add 4G LTE, head up display and other performance measures.

kurtatx

Yeah, but unless it comes with a DCT in place of the CVT, the Accord is off my list.

bgreen83

I don't think the Accord uses the CVT in upper trims. The TLX should've been off people's list when it didn't have technology that was already in the Honda Civic.

Honda430

Here's the most comprehensive write up I've found so far. That A-spec reads to spec out at $44-$45,000. I hope it's not that expensive because I plan on buying one.

2018 Acura TLX adds sporty A-Spec to lure tech-savvy younger drivers

Chris Davies - Apr 11, 2017

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Acura promised last year that its Precision Concept would donate its distinctive styling to production models sooner rather than later, and the 2018 Acura TLX is next in line. The company’s luxury sports sedan is targeting younger, more eager drivers with its big revamp for the 2018 model year, complete with the marque’s new signature diamond pentagon grille. Inside, meanwhile, there’s more tech and gadgetry as standard.









Having already shown up once before on the 2017 MDX SUV, the new grille takes pride of place on a massaged TLX body. In fact, there are now three distinct versions of the 2018 TLX, with the 4-cylinder and V6 cars joined by a new TLX A-Spec. That will slot in as the flagship car.

The 2017 TLX 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder gets a new fascia and bumper, more sculpting to the hood, new fenders, and a new Jewel Eye headlamp design. LED turn signals are now included, along with standard 17-inch alloy wheels. As standard it’ll get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, too.





Next up is the 2018 TLX V6. That throws in a new rear fascia with exposed, rectangular dual-exhaust trim, along with a rear diffuser. It also upgrades to 18-inch wheels as standard. The V6 TLX with Technology Package throws on chrome side sill trim on the outside, while inside there are new seats with contrast piping and stitching; the driver’s seat gets a power-operated thigh extension.

As for the V6 TLX with Advance Package, that introduces trapezoidal LED fog lights, a body-color deck lid spoiler, and power-folding side mirrors. Inside, there’s a surround view camera system, white LED ambient light piping in the cabin, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats. You also get a wireless charging pad for your phone.

New for the 2018 model year, Acura will offer its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system across all of the V6 TLX models. Previously only available on those with the Technology or Advance Packages, it combines AWD with torque vectoring.

The big change, however, is an all-new TLX version. The 2018 TLX A-Spec will come with Acura’s V6 engine, in either 2WD or SH-AWD configurations. It differentiates itself visually courtesy of an exclusive front fascia, round LED fog lights, more aggressively-designed side sills, and a rear diffuser through which large, round dual-exhaust finishers are visible. A gloss black decklid spoiler and dark-finish 19-inch wheels with 245-series tires round out the visual changes.

However, there’s also more aggressive damper settings and new tuning to the electric power steering for what Acura claims is more sporty on-road performance and more precise handling. The SH-AWD version gets a stiffer spring rate and rear stabilizer bar. Inside, exclusive A-Spec leather seats add extra bolstering, there’s red added to the instrumentation, brushed aluminum-look trim, and a thick-rimmed sport steering wheel. The seats are offered in red or black leather, with Alcantara seat and door inserts, and there’s the wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats, and ambient lighting from the Advance Package.

Along with Google and Apple’s smartphone interfaces, the 2018 TLX also gets a new On Demand Multi-Use Display infotainment system. Spreading the UI across two displays, there’s a new 7-inch capacitive touchscreen which promise to be swifter in its response; the system as a whole is a claimed 30-percent faster than what was in the old TLX. Crash avoidance is standard, as part of AcuraWatch, with collision mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lan keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and road departure mitigation all available.

Acura says the 2018 TLX will begin showing up at dealerships this June. Pricing will be announced closer to release.

bgreen83

I can't tell if that is an A4 in your pic but I drove the Prestige on Friday. I love the virtual cockpit and the turbo. I thought about leasing one as I would be new to a German car.

kurtatx

It's an A4. I went with the Premium Quattro. It's a lease, but if I like it, I might buy the Prestige in a couple of years

pyrodan007

The A4 is now officially on my shortlist. It really has everything I want, and more. The MMC TLX has all the same problems with just new skin (no turbo, crappy ZF9, no change to sound system, still two screens but faster due to 'software', same HP and torque ... etc). I see ZERO reasons to exchange my 15 TLX and extend the boredom ...

F23A4

Luckily the V6 Accords have a conventional 6AT. I went TLX because it leases much cheaper than the AV6 Touring.

Momyc

Overall disappointing.
Yes, there are some good things that should have been there from the beginning .
I foresee no drastically mechanically changes . The ZF will still be there , therefore bye-bye Acura!
On my heart I was hopping to be impressed , but what I was thinking ? It's Acura !

bgreen83

The A4 was awesome. It has so many features and the interior was top notch with real leather. A good buddy has a 2006 A8L he has head for years with no problems.

ConradValmont

If a Sport Hybrid A-Spec with a 7-speed transmission variant from the RL, with a horsepower bump was available, I would have upgraded. The 19" 245 tires are nice. That G2 TLX better be cooking now.

kevTL888

good thing i didn't wait for this and got my 2017 IS350 F Sport instead, what a let down, the A Spec is NOT a Type S, no brake upgrade and mild hp bump like the last Type S from 2007-2008.

comptr

Well thats It the 2018 Acura TLX does not appeal to me not a huge fan of the overall design but I could live with it if it had a more changes done like a new engine or a better audio system. Well Acura just made my decision even easier, Audi A4 it is for me for my next car. Too bad if Acura really improved the TLX I would have bought one this summer when they came out. O well Audi here I come. IF this is all they did for the TLX I wonder how much they will do for the RLX (MMC) ?

TacoBello

sadly, that's what everyone was saying when the 4G TL was out and we were waiting for the TLX to launch...

ronricks

Agree. They could have squeezed out 25-30 more hp had they put any effort in this. I like the Tech upgrades and the rear styling and 19" rims are better but being so lazy and uninspired to not offer just a tad more hp makes this a 'No' for me.

quantum7

Agreed. All of my Acuras have been white, but on this the white looks horrible! Luckily they kept the ZF9, so I have no interested in this car anyway. I will buy something else and wait to see is 2099 if Acura is still around with "some kinda thrill"

TacoBello

Bummer. I was really hoping there would be a sport hybrid variant secretly being released today. What a damn shame.

To to be honest, Acura did address a bunch of the issues the original TLX had. While it does have the low horsepower issues still, most drivers are happy with the 290hp. It sounds like there might even be a modest bump in power (but who knows).

lets face it. Acura focused on the easiest to fix issues we complained about. We wanted a-spec, we got a-spec. We wanted exhaust pipes, we got exhaust pipes. We wanted faster screens, we got faster screens. Sounds like they even upped the shifting of the zf9 transmission. This is what we wanted fixed.

JM2010 SH-AWD

I've never had a problem with the acceleration/shifting on the V6 loaners I've had. They've seemed plenty quick, actually.

Acura does seem to have addressed some of the things where I saw room for improvement, namely the lack of properly bolstered sports seats, too-soft suspension, too small tires and the infotainment system. I also like the upgraded interior lighting and the return to contrasting stitching for the seats.

I like the looks of the ASpec too, but will reserve judgment until I see an actual example. Overall, not a bad MMC in my opinion.

quantum7

the shifts are fast from a stop, but try punching the pedal while coasting at 40 mph....and wait....and wait....and wait. Good luck trying to merge or do a quick pass. I keep on test driving and i keep being disappointed with the revised/reprogrammed/working as designed ZF9. No thanks

alpha2beta

You're amusing its going to be a 9 speed but we don't know for sure about that.

neuronbob

That's pretty sad, when a current TLX owner feels that way.

I think we all knew there were going to be no powertrain changes, though, we are used to disappointment.

I agree with TacoBello. It would have been supremely cool to have a Sport Hybrid TLX variant with 350-360 system hp and a 7DCT. I'm telling you as a RLX Sport Hybrid lessee that the Sport Hybrid system is on point. It has its issues, but the RLX is definitely something of a sleeper. Maybe for the next TLX......

alpha0

If they limited Aspec to SHAWD model and put 6AT + 310 (or few mor) hp engine of RLX PAWS for Aspec only, it would have been a much better choice.

F23A4

That's the exact word: LAZY. The effort by Acura on this TLX refresh was LAZY!!

Tonyware

Question... is the new TLX look designed to lure in the 4G TL owners? I kinda get the feeling the new more polarizing look serves that purpose.