New Type S Concept is the best-looking Acura in years
Acura has released more information prior to the impending reveal of its new Type S Concept at Monterey Car Week. The Type S is generally regarded as a pre-production version of the next generation Acura TLX sedan and it is a harbinger for return of performance-oriented Type S models to Acura’s lineup. From 2001 to 2008, Acura sold high-performance Type S variants of the TL, CL, and RSX.
The new Type S Concept will get its debut at a private reception tomorrow, August 15th, with the public reveal at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering on Friday, August 16th, followed by its display on the Concept Lawn at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday.
While you’re waiting for the public reveal, you can see what the Type S Concept looks like in the video that Acura released prior to the debut.
Acura says that it has given the Type S Concept a powerful and expressive silhouette, meant to symbolize the marque’s return to what it is branding as Precision Crafted Performance, with a wide track, low stance, and a long hood that belies the car’s front-wheel drive underpinnings.
“The return of Type S is instrumental in our mission to return Acura to its performance roots,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and Acura brand officer.
Dave Marek, who is in charge of styling for Acura, said, “We’ve been dreaming about a new performance-focused Acura concept car since the Precision Concept debuted.” Acura turned heads with 2016’s Precision Concept, which, along with the second-generation NSX supercar, has set Acura’s design language for the near future.
As expressed on the Type S Concept, that language includes four-lamp Jewel Eye LED headlights, an open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille, and “Chicane” daytime running lights and taillights, said to be inspired by the Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype race car. Large center and side air intakes dominate the front fascia, providing intake air to the engine and cooling to the high-performance brakes. The running lights underlining the headlamps also function as front turn signals.
The sharp lines on the car’s flanks draw the eye rearward to muscular haunches over the back wheels, highlighting the vehicle’s wide track. A forged carbon-fiber spoiler is integrated into the upswept rear end, which also features LED taillights, quad exhaust tips, and a large rear underbody diffuser for better aerodynamics.
Using a styling motif that dates back to classic Bugattis and Buicks, the Type S Concept also features a sharply creased centerline that runs from the front hood to the rear decklid.
Forged carbon fiber, which is stronger than conventional woven CFRP, is also used for the front splitter, side sills, and 21-inch wheels.
The Type S Concept’s custom Double Apex Blue Pearl finish, made with nano pigments and a tinted clear coat, is said to be an homage to heritage Type S models that were painted blue, particularly the 2007–08 TL Type S.
Curiously, for a concept that is supposed to be inspired by high-performance Acuras of the past, Acura hasn’t mentioned any performance bits save for the Brembo high-performance brakes fitted at all four wheels, with the four-piston calipers gripping cross-drilled, vented rotors. We’ll have to wait until the reveal, it seems, before we get any power, torque, and performance ratings.
After the Type S Concept arrives in production form as the second-generation TLX Type S, it will be followed, Acura promises, by a second Type S variant of another Acura model.
