The all-new 2021 Acura TLX is one of the Japanese luxury brand’s most anticipated vehicles in recent memory, especially because it will spawn a Type S performance variant.

Responsible for this increased interest in Acura’s mid-size sedan is the sensual Acura Type S Concept released in August 2019 at Pebble Beach. The sleek study previews both the regular TLX and the TLX Type S, but the big question is how much of the concept’s looks will find their way on the production TLX?

You’ll be glad to know a lot of the Type S Concept’s appeal will be retained on the 2021 TLX and especially the 2021 TLX Type S. These patent images uncovered by Worldscoop and verified by us with the EUIPO leave little doubt about that.

See Also: 2021 Acura TLX Prototype Takes After Stunning Type S Concept

These official CGIs from last year show the 2021 Acura TLX

What you see in these official CGIs is, most likely, the regular 2021 Acura TLX. We say that because it lacks typical Type S elements such as an overly aggressive front bumper with big air intakes, a rear diffuser flanked by quad exhausts, and a deck lid spoiler.

Despite that, it looks sporty enough for most people while maintaining an elegant appearance and proportions. Actually, this is not our first look at the 2021 Acura TLX. Back in July 2019, CarScoops broke a story on the new Acura MDX and what we then thought was the upcoming flagship Acura sedan.

However, corroborating these fresh patent images with the 2019 photos we can say for sure that we actually gave you the first look at the 2021 Acura TLX almost one year ago.

While there’s not much official information regarding the 2021 TLX and 2021 TLX Type S, we do know both will be underpinned by a new platform specifically designed for them. Expect a Honda Accord-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline unit to be the base engine, matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive will be standard but an AWD variant is also in the cards.

As for the top-dog 2021 Acura TLX Type S, power is expected to come from an all-new twin-turbo V6 engine with significantly more power than the current range-topping TLX’s naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 rated at 290 HP and 267 lb-ft (361 Nm) of torque. AWD is understood to come standard on the Type S.

Acura should debut the all-new TLX this summer, with the TLX Type S to likely follow in early 2021.


Acura TLX Concept Type S pictured above, 2021 Acura TLX production prototype below