Acura teases the return of the Type S
Later this month at Monterey Car Week in California, Acura will set the stage for the return of the Type S performance sub-brand, with the planned reveal of the Type S Concept at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, followed by the concept’s public display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Type S Concept will also likely preview the next TLX sedan.
It’s been more than a decade since Honda’s premium Acura brand offered a Type S performance variant of one of its cars. From 2001 to 2008, the Type S versions of the TL, CL, and RSX came with more power, upgraded brakes, more aggressive suspension tuning, and styling enhancements over the more mainstream versions of those vehicles.
To pique our interest prior to the reveal, Acura has released teaser images and video of the concept, highlighting its muscular rear haunches, quad exhaust tips, and Type S badging. Said by Acura to have a powerful stance and “expressive” silhouette, the Type S Concept foreshadows the design direction that future Type S “variants” will have. That’s variants with an S, so we can expect Type S versions of more than one Acura model.
The Type S Concept isn’t just previewing the Type S trim line, it appears to closely resemble images of the next TLX that have leaked. Honda registered a trademark for “TLX Type S” in 2016.
“The return of Type S is a pivotal moment for Acura, sending a powerful message that we are committed to fulfilling the Precision Crafted Performance brand promise across our lineup,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president and brand officer. “Building on the return of NSX, our renewed commitment to Acura Motorsports, the introduction of the third-generation RDX, and new Acura design direction, the Type S Concept represents another significant step in creating a new era for the Acura brand.”
