Photo: Acura Connected
We know what you’re going to say: “Sure, the TLX is on its way. I believe you.”
Seriously, though, our team and the world received confirmation this week that the all-new, high-performance Euro-killer sports sedan, the 2015 Acura TLX, will reach showroom floors next month. It has been a long wait, but the anticipation will culminate in the brand’s most critically acclaimed model since the MDX.
Acura confirmed that production of the U.S.-built sedan is underway at the plant in Marysville, Ohio. The first of the vehicles started their journey down the production line on Monday, so we can officially begin to celebrate the arrival of the brand’s strongest competitor for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.
The base-trim TLX has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 206 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque. If you’re a thrill seeker who wants greater performance, the next level of TLX boasts a 3.5-liter V6 that cranks out 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque mated to a 9-speed DCT and the Acura all-wheel drive system. In other words, it’s a beast that can masterfully dominate the corners.
Acura’s sales chief in the United States, Mike Accavitti, feels very confident that the TLX will become the best-selling sedan in its class due to size and performance. In a press conference, Accavitti stated that this new car “produces an adrenaline rush like no other.”
“TLX is going to do for us in the sedan segment what MDX and RDX did for us in the SUV business,” he explained. “It’s going to be a sweet spot of size.”
Acura unveiled the TLX at the 2014 New York International Auto Show and received stellar reviews. Critics felt that a production version of the concept would invigorate sales for the brand’s sedan lineup; however, they expressed concern that changes to make the vehicle road-ready would compromise the aesthetics of it. Though the vehicle did undergo minor changes, it remains largely the same as previewed just a few months ago.
Even TorqueNews still expresses enthusiasm for the TLX: “We expect Acura’s patented advanced drive and handling systems to smoke the metric competition in the S turns.” You can read more about their thoughts here.
Our team will be sure to keep you updated with information regarding the release and sale of the Acura TLX. It’s time to relive the excitement back in April during the unveiling – and prepare to get behind the wheel of the best performing sports sedan of the year.