2020 Acura TLX Type S Spotted Testing Against S4, AMG C43, Could Get New V6 Turbo

Acura has come a long way in the past few years and it’s certainly rebuilt its performance reputation with the introduction of the new NSX. The company appears poised to capitalize on the latter as spy photographers have caught a high-performance TLX undergoing testing in Europe.

Spied being benchmarked against an Audi S4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C43, the heavy camouflaged prototype is believed to be the range-topping TLX Type S. This makes sense as Acura announced plans to revive the Type S moniker back in January.

The name was last used on the 2008 TL Type S and Acura confirmed there will be multiple Type S models in the future. Given the name was last used on the TL, it makes sense that it would return on the TLX.

Getting back to the car itself, the model features a new front bumper with a massive air intake in the middle. The camouflage hides additional styling details, but we can see the car has lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system. The biggest change occurs out back as the sedan sports a four-tailpipe exhaust system with massive tips.

Engine options remain unconfirmed, but the TLX currently features a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and 267 lb-ft (361 Nm) of torque. While that’s no match for the engines in the Audi and Mercedes, Acura has already confirmed it is working on a new turbocharged V6 which won’t be shared with Honda.

Acura has been tight-lipped on specifics, but previously described the engine as a “high-performance powerplant” which will be paired with the latest-generation Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The engine seems like an obvious choice for the TLX Type S and Acura has already confirmed it will eventually find its way into “multiple products in the years ahead.”