justingerard

Acura just dropped this release today. No new information from what I can tell, but we have less than a month until we see what the production version is going to look like. Cheers

2015 Acura TLX to Debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show
- 3/19/2014


The production Acura TLX performance-luxury sedan will make its world debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. Designed to compete in the midsize luxury segment, the 2015 Acura TLX will deliver higher levels of luxury refinement and sports-sedan athleticism with exhilarating performance enhanced by next-generation Acura powertrain and dynamic-handling technologies.

The 2015 TLX will offer two advanced new powertrains – a 2.4-liter 16-valve, direct-injected i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine mated to an all-new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with torque converter; and a 3.5-liter 24-valve direct-injected i-VTEC V-6 mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission.

Two-wheel-drive models, available with either the 2.4- or 3.5-liter powerplants, will utilize the next-generation of Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS™) technology with independent left and right rear-wheel toe angle control. The TLX SH-AWD™, available exclusively with the 3.5-liter powerplant, will employ a next-generation Super-Handling All Wheel Drive™ system that is 25-percent lighter and incorporates new torque-vectoring control logic.

The TLX was designed to deliver vault-like quietness in all driving conditions, with major improvements in noise reduction through enhancements to body stiffness, body sealing and sound insulation, and the application of electronic Active Noise Control. The TLX will be available with Acura's most advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies including Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Blind Spot Indicator (BSI).

The Acura press conference is scheduled for 1:50 p.m. (EST) on April 16, 2014 inside the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The conference can also be viewed live on www.youtube.com/acura. For members of the media, press materials and photography will be posted at www.acuranews.com immediately following the press conference.

BEAR-AvHistory

Again no HP. I like the wording on "higher levels of" Higher than what? Also the wording on the 2WD cars is slick as they go right into talking about paws on the rear wheels & never say its a FWD car.

012TL-GLM

What's the base RLX, 310hp? I'm sure that's what the TLX v6 will be. On paper it should be quicker than the current generation if it's lost weight

BEAR-AvHistory

Yeah might be. Just find it odd that there is no info on it. In the 4G release they were over the top with the "most powerful Acura ever".

Now they are talking "higher" this & "higher" that without a mention of how much power the smaller engine actually has.

justingerard

Long winded explanation ahead

I feel like the PAWS implies FWD just because it exists solely to compensate for understeer (and make it turn better) on FWD, and if it was SH-AWD on the 2.4 there would be no need to put in PAWS because of the increased agility through torque vectoring. Also it probably adds a lot of mechanical complexity to put PAWS and AWD in the same system, and manage the interactions between them in real time.

I'm thinking they'll keep the same HP as the outgoing TL's AWD engine (305) but with the new V6 (the one in the RLX/MDS, the J35, with all that cool EarthDreams stuff) it should get low 30's MPG given the weight loss, and what we can tell from what the heavy RLX gets. I get the feeling they wouldn't want the top TLX to be faster than the base RLX (same HP with less weight) since the last thing the RLX needs is cannibalization, even though nobody is buying the base RLX, but I digress.

As far as 2.4 power goes, I'm willing to bet it's going to be the EarthDreams version of the K24, which debuted in the current Accord Sport. While getting a very nice 36 highway MPG, that one makes 190hp, but I'd expect horsepower between that of the current TSX (201 HP) and the outgoing TL's base 3.5 (280 HP).

If I had to put a number on it, I'd say 240. That's 20 HP more than the Audi A4 or A3 and even with the BMW 328i. They'd also want to ensure that the Base 2.4 doesn't come close to outrunning its AWD big brother due to the lost weight from lack of AWD.

All in all I think if the production version doesn't look too sedate, and they nail the price/HP/fuel economy trio, they could lure some drivers away from the 328i, especially with the 2.4 version. The AWD version was designed/engineered probably to compete with the A4, 335i and the C class as a whole, and I think they could do that.

justingerard

also missed this from the press release:

"The TLX SH-AWD™, available exclusively with the 3.5-liter power plant..."

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

240hp from the 2.4 unit IMO is a very optimistic figure. I think the 2.4L model will compete with 320i, IS250, ATS 2.5L, etc. As such, ~200-220hp would make it quite competitive.

We might see a 240hp version in the future when the 2.0T engine is ready.

Edward'TLS

Unless Acura deliberately detunes the 3.5L-V6 on the FWD TLX, otherwise if both the V6 FWD and the V6 AWD are using the exact same V6 motor, then the "cheaper, lighter, and no-AWD-gearing-loss" V6 FWD will be a much faster car than the V6 AWD one.

justingerard

You're probably right about that, come to think of it.

And as far as Edward'TLS comment, that's also something I was puzzling over, but I think they're going to use differently tuned versions of the engine. It's possible, and probably fairly easy to implement, because just looking at Wikipedia, it lists 4 different J35Y (EarthDreams V6 in the MDX/RLX) engine configurations, which look to be the same except for compression. The low end is 280 from the Accord V6, 290 for the MDX, and 310 for the RLX.

Considering that they're all built at Marysville, it wouldn't be hard for them to put the 280 into the non AWD.

Edward'TLS

The current 280hp Accord V6 does not have DI, only the Acura 3.5L-V6 does.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

From all those acronyms in the Tech package I see "BSI" but no LaneWatch option like the new Accord. I'm sure if it was coming they would have bragged about it at least half as much as they did with the Accord. Yet this is the "premium" version of the car. Nothing new here. Disappointing.

weather

I haven't seen heated steering wheel either....I wonder if that will be in our Canadian model as with the MDX.

Edward'TLS

No folding side mirrors ?
No surround view camera system ?

jshaw

None of the Japanese companies put power folding mirrors in any sedan short of their flagships (US market).


No clue why they cheap out on this when even a 1 series has them.

Then again, Mercedes and Audi removed the option off of their US market C class/A4 in the recent few years (Mercedes' were practically useless, though).

On the other hand, even a Kia Rio has these.

seaeyes

honda 2.0T has 280hp as equipped in Civic-R. I remember in some occasions honda engineer said it can output as much as 300hp.

But I agree that TLX 2.4 has 240hp is too optimistic.

dearaliciaa

I can't wait to see how it drives.

BEAR-AvHistory

If the 2.4 is not a turbo that might be a big number to make. The 328 IIRC is running about 20PSI boost to make its numbers. It also generates 100% of it available torque under 2000rpm because of the turbo.

You can increase the whp of the n/a engine by increasing its rev range but as you move the range up you are also pulling torque out of the lower rpm's.

Agree with seaeyes, you can get a lot of power out of the 4 cylinders but it takes boost. The JB4 piggy back has the 328 up to 303whp (345 crank) & 348wftlbs which runs quicker than a stock 335i to 60mph & in the 1/4 mile. The Honda tuner community is very big & well established so I would think a factory turbo would be a winner for Acura.

Best wish thing for the TLX I have seen so far would be the prototype body with a factory turbo 2.4 + an aftermarket tune. I could see that combo putting sales numbers up like the 3G did.

Oswald Vater

I'm wondering if they would detune the V6 just enough to run on regular fuel (at least on the base model)? Where I live the cost of 91 octane is 50 cents per gallon more than 87. Lexus did this with their ES V6 a couple of years ago and it certainly makes that car a little more enticing to me. It still puts out close to 270 HP. Just a thought.

KeithL

Other that the 3.7 V6 I thought all the recent Acura engines were Premium "recommended". I know the gf's RDX is that way and she puts mid-grade in.

kurtatx

I'm almost certain you are correct. ILX, TSX I4, RDX are recommended for sure. MDX answers make it sound like "You really shouldn't use regular for very long".

SmokeTL

Lex GS 350 has power folding mirrors.

Edward'TLS

The BWM 3-series has power folding mirrors.

Let alone US-market Japanese flagship models, even the current US-market entry-level-Lexus IS has power folding mirrors.

BEAR-AvHistory

Its called the 3.5 Accord V-6 & runs on 87 @ 278HP

komplexZ

my sound comparo, I think it might be a screamer. 240 is plausible, rsx 2.0 made 210, s2000 2.2 made 240, surely a new performance oriented DI 2.4 can do at least 240. Maybe I'm just too hopeful...=)

BEAR-AvHistory

Problem is the engine will lose drivability in a heavy car without enough torque to pull the skin off a grape. That or it will take an interesting gear set to cover it up.

Rocket_man

The new Kia Optima does also. It also has ventilated seats and 60/40 folding rear seats. It actually has every square checked for me, except it is a Kia and I'm just not sure about them as a brand. I sure am seeing a lot of them though. I suspect the new Sonta that debuts very soon will also be available with these features.

KES

I don't really understand the need for power folding mirrors. I guess if you parked in a city on a regular basis it would matter. My view is side mirrors keep pedestrians further away from your car protecting it from them bumping into it. If I had them I think it would be a neat feature but not really necessary.

weather

^^ I agree. There are several features that I don't really want/need other than to say "Cool".

KeithL

And that is why Kia has all the boxes checked. They need to do something to attract buyers and build the brand. Hyundai and Kia had crappy reliability and built low end cars when they came to the states. They have made big improvements in reliability and now have to attract people with value. I like what they both offer for features at the price points they are at, but I think Kia has over-reached with the K900, basically a $60K Genesis!! I like where the Genesis is headed, HTRAC full time AWD with some sort of either torque vectoring of simulated with ESC/ABS, lots of great features, HUD, all the goodies the RLX has and I have read they have made great improvements in their ride quality (always considered a weakness in the original Genesis).

The big problem for Kia/Hyundai as they get in the $50K+-$65K range is the dealerships, most do not present themselves well and I am no snob, but on reason I buy a more upscale car is also the dealership/service experience which is usually better then main stream volume brands.

KeithL

Agreed, I think they are more for people in metro areas of that park on the street when a passerby or bicyclist may brush against the mirror. Personally my A6 has them and are disabled, and if I am parking somewhere where folding the mirrors makes a difference then I am parked someone I really don't want to leave my car anyway.

Oswald Vater

And the Accord V6 Touring is on my "possibility" list but I believe some like myself would still want the option to upgrade to the "extras" Acura brings to the table and use regular as well. Of course, if I like the TLX enough it won't be a deal-breaker.

For other related posts, If the manufacturer says premium is "recommended" it might just as well say "required". Even my daughter's TSX needs it to run properly.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

HMmm...2.4DI is probably capable of 200lbft of torque. That should be enough for a 3500lb car. Besides, the 8-DCT should do a good job of using every last bit of that amount of torque.

BEAR-AvHistory

Its not the gross torque number its where it in in the power band & how peaky it is.

There are 2 liter 4's doing 500hp but they are very high RPM engines with narrow power bands.

Be nice to see how Honda works it out for the TLX.

Edward'TLS

Just like genuine leather seating (cold in the winter and sweaty hot in the summer) and genuine wood trims, power folding mirrors have become one of the standard features associated with premium luxury automobiles, more than necessity.

Especially important for the Acura cars, which are striving for a premium image and to go upmarket.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The execution on the RLX is actually pretty good. You can just set it so that if you lock the car using the door handle, the mirrors fold automatically. As soon as you return and open the door, they fold back out. I have found them to be a good way to confirm that I locked the car.

Still not a must have, but definitely a nice to have.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

If the new DI motor in the RLX is any indication, the overall area under the torque curve is much larger because more power is available down low. I suspect this character will carry over to the new 2.4L I4 when it gets DI as well. As we already saw with the DI motor in its application in the Accord, the greater torque produced on the low-end means that despite the lower horsepower rating, it is as quick as the existing 2.4L K-series motor in the TSX or the Civic Si but has significant improvements in fuel economy as well.

I think that given the the dyno charts on the Accord Sport, the TLX 2.4L will likely get a lower VTEC changeover point and another few hundred RPMs to wind out along with perhaps a bit higher compression since 11:1 is pretty conservative for a DI setup.

Colin

Automotive News has a blurb that gets some details wrong.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...york-auto-show

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

And CR said that the 4-cylinder was going to be a turbo. Autoblog said that the 4-cylinder was the same as the Civic Si and the V6 would be same as the Accord.

Apparently fact checking is a lost art these days...

Colin

Yeah, it's a blogger mentality where being first has more importance than being accurate. Regarding CR, Acura has clearly said it's going to be a 2.4 engine, the new Turbos are 1.5 and 2.0 liters.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I'm not too worried about that. The last peaky Honda engine was the F20C in the S2000. Most Honda engines these days, including the K20, have very flat torque curves. With the addition of DI, the whole curve would basically shift up.