New York show: Acura updates TLX luxury sedan

HONDA’S luxury sub-division Acura has uncovered its facelifted TLX premium sedan at this year’s New York motor show overnight, revealing a new sporty variant and an all-wheel-drive option for all V6-equipped versions.

Loosely related to the Accord sedan, Acura’s TLX range now wears a diamond pentagon grille borrowed from the 2017 MDX SUV, and also sports chrome accents along the foglight casings and side window surrounds.

A sculpted bonnet and new headlight designs complete the front end overhaul, while higher-grade variants also gain a rear diffuser and larger diameter wheels as standard.

Power comes from either a 2.4-litre i-VTEC inline four-cylinder or 3.5-litre V6, both mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels or, in the case of the six-cylinder version, the option of all-wheel drive.

New to the 2018 model range however is the TLX A-Spec, a V6-powered version designed as a sporting variant in the mid-size sedan range.

All A-Spec versions net a sports bodykit all round, circular exhaust outlets, 19-inch wheels, sports-tuned suspension with a stiffer damper setting and a retuned electric power steering system, while V6-powered A-Specs also gain stiffer spring rates and a thicker rear stabiliser bar for improved body control.

Inside, A-Spec variants receive more bolstering in the leather seats, red driving meters, a thicker steering wheel and a brushed aluminium-like interior trim.

The rest of the TLX range will receive an updated entertainment and information system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and software which, according to Acura, “improves the system response time and offers more intuitive menus and command structures for a seamless and quicker user experience – approximately 30 per cent faster”.

Also available on the new TLX is AcuraWatch, the brand’s suite of safety technologies which includes autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.