Slides from an Acura dealer webinar have leaked onto the Internet, and Acura fans, take note.
While almost anything on Reddit needs to be approached with a reasonably skeptical eye – do you really think all those posts on r/relationships are real? – there are a few news nuggets to mine here.
First of all, almost all the models in the lineup, save the RDX and NSX, appear to be getting a spicier Type-S trim. That’s no shock with the NSX, since that supercar is already hot enough, but it’s mildly surprising in terms of the RDX, given the relative sportiness of Acura’s crossovers. Especially since the other crossover, the MDX, will get the Type-S treatment.
So that means the TLX and MDX will get Type-S trims, along with the “New Compact Sedan”. The MDX and New Compact Sedan will follow the TLX in the launch order. The RDX and NSX aren’t listed before 2022.
Wait, what? No ILX?
Well, we don’t know. The lack of ILX nomenclature could mean a change in name, and speculation is rampant that the Integra name could return. That could revive interest in the brand – not everyone loves alphanumeric nomenclature. Then again, whatever problems Acura may or may not have probably run deeper than just the brand’s naming convention. Too many sedans and not enough crossovers, for one thing, could be an issue. Even with the RLX now pining for the fjords.
There’s still no crossover smaller than RDX or larger than MDX on offer, you’ll notice. The webinar can be seen here.
The ILX has been mostly an afterthought over its lifetime, even though the car once offered a base powertrain that including a manual. That particular car was a blast to drive, but not luxurious enough for the brand and not as dedicated to performance as the Integra and later, the RSX.
Either name could come back, or perhaps the ILX moniker will return after all. All we know is that there will be some sort of compact sedan bearing Acura badging with a Type-S option box to check.
As for the Type-S hi-po trims, here’s the background. The Type-S concept previewed the just-shown 2021 TLX, and the Type-S version is slated to have a 3.0-liter V6 that likely makes north of 300 horsepower, along with all-wheel drive.
This lineup overall will be complete by 2022. We’ve already seen the 2021 TLX, so we know that as Jerry Seinfeld once told an unfortunate immigrant restauranteur, wheels are in motion.
We don’t have specs or other details yet. We’ve reached out to Acura for comment but have not heard back by press time.
Stay tuned. With the Detroit and New York auto shows binned for this year and L.A. an uncertainty, it’s hard to predict when the covers may lift. Virtual reveals could happen, too, thanks to COVID-19.
Either way, the Acura lineup just got a lot spicier, at least on paper. And every Integra fanboy/fangirl just fainted.
Not to deepen the vapors, but what if the new compact, or at least a version of it, ends up being an Acura version of the beloved Honda Civic Type R?
Take a breath to collect yourself.
A lineup full of Type-S trims and a strong entry in the compact class could be just the booster shot the doctor ordered.
H/t to contributor Chris Tonn
[Image: Acura]
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