Acura is refreshing its TLX mid-sized sedan and showing it off at the New York International Auto Show, three years after the car made its debut on the same stage.
The refreshed car is developed from the Acura Precision Concept that was unveiled at this past winter’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It will bear new styling and be significantly enhanced, says Acura, though it won’t be a direct copy of the concept.
It will carry on the design direction put forth by the MDX and the NSX before it, and Acura promises the refreshed TSX will be among the most technologically advanced and well-equipped cars in its segment. That will likely consist of a new infotainment system, something past Acuras have been criticized about.
“The 2018 TLX will receive new styling elements that ratchet up its emotion and reflect Acura’s focus on Precision Crafted Performance,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president and general manager. “Acura customers embraced the MDX when we raised its game with bold, new styling, and we’re pumped to show how we’re elevating the TLX experience.”
A teaser photo of the car’s new nose shows a large shield grille that dips into the front bumper, as did the concept. However, the headlight bezels are considerably larger than those of the concept, whose narrow profiles are more like the accent lights on the production model.
We also anticipate the production 5-passenger sedan (designed by the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, California and built in Marysville, Ohio) will not have the sculpted coupe-like fastback look of the concept, with narrowed rear glass and muscular haunches. It will also likely have a bigger trunk lid and more useful opening than the Precision Concept’s deck-top, drop-through trap-door-like panel.