Acura Type S Concept: It Feels Like the First Time?

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Acura pulled the digital wraps off its Type S Concept two days ahead of its public debut at Monterey Car Week, heralding the Type S designation’s return to the brand’s model line. The car seen here hints at what to expect of the looming next-generation TLX and its confirmed Type S performance variant.

“Performance.” That implies something more than just a racy appearance package and maybe an upgraded brake and suspension setup, right? Ideally, yes, but in this case Acura does promise more “go” to back up the show.


Looking somewhat rear-drive in profile, the Type S Concept’s proportions may not carry over to the next TLX 100 percent, though it’s hard to imagine much deviation. The concept arrives nearly absent of specs, so we can only assume the TLX will maintain its front-drive configuration while adding a bit of dash-to-axle acreage.

It’s a very handsome and doable concept compared to a lot of the vaporware that gets shuttled around these days. Enormous side vents and lower air opening minimize a svelte interpretation of the brand’s corporate diamond pentagon grille, while creased flanks and a pronounced, flowing bulge over the rear wheel wells adds muscularity. The short rear overhang emphasises the rear-drive-like profile, with the roofline flowing into a short trunklid capped by a lip spoiler. Below, four chrome exhaust tips peek from a perhaps too-aggressive bumper valance.

Too aggressive, you say ⁠— the Toyota Avalon is getting a TRD variant. Let Acura do what it wants below the belt.

When viewed from behind, the Type S Concept temps eyeballs with wide rubber, “Chicane” LED tail lamps (what’s the resemblance here? Supra? Maserati?… Fisker?), and what may or may not be functional air curtain vents.

Replying to comments on Twitter, Acura PR head Matt Sloustcher stated “all Type S models will carry stronger braking, quicker acceleration and nimbler handling than conventional models. Relative to Type S models of the past, the new generation will be a step up.”

A gutsier engine, which would be true to Type S variants of the past, and almost assuredly the addition of Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system will greet buyers looking for excitement in the dwindling midsize sedan segment. While the TLX will be the first new model to carry the Type S badge when it appears later this year, a second Type S variant model will drop within two years.

[Images: Acura]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Raph Raph on Aug 14, 2019

    Sharp looking car. Nice to see a good looking Acura again!

  • Akear Akear on Aug 14, 2019

    This car comes at a good time for Acura since Cadillac has pretty much neutered their high performance lineup. Acura will soon have both the performance and quality advantage over Cadillac. Actually, Acura's quality is much better than Cadillacs. It has always been that way. What a disgrace!

    • See 2 previous
    • Bd2 Bd2 on Aug 14, 2019

      @akear The thought is that the CT6 is being "phased out," not just the CT6-V, but according to GM's plans (granted, they aren't set in stone as plans can change), the CT6 is merely going on hiatus. The CT6 is the only GM/Cadillac model underpinned by the Omega platform, so not exactly conducive to efficiencies and GM wants to shut down the Detroit/Hamtramck plant. However, there are plans for next gen CT6 - which will share its underpinnings (the VSS-R platform) w/ a # of other future Cadillac models - which will all be built at the same plant. The next gen CT6 will be Cadillac's 5 Series/E Class competitor and there should be a CT6 Blackwing forthcoming (as well as a lower performance CT6-V). No doubt Cadillac has been doing so many things wrong, so have my doubts that they will do this proper.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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