Acura’s New 2022 MDX Type S Is Towing A TLX Racecar From Ohio To Pikes Peak

Acura’s performance-focused MDX Type S has been given its public debut as part of the company’s crew for this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Honda gave us a sneak peak at the first ever Type S-badged SUV late last year when it unveiled the all-new MDX, but most of the attention was given to the regular car.

But now Acura has confirmed that the Type S most definitely comes with a twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 355 hp and 354 ft lbs of torque to the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Related: 2022 Acura MDX Breaks Cover As Brand’s Most Dynamic Flagship SUV, Includes 355HP Type S

The engine is exclusive to the Type S version of the MDX, and is backed up by Brembo brakes and a Sport+ driving mode for the double wishbone-front, multi-link-rear suspension. The wheels measure 21-inches across and are wrapped in 275-section rubber, and Type-S-specific styling tweaks include an open-diamond front grille, quad exhaust tips, and plenty of moody black trim in place of the usual chrome.

Acura isn’t releasing price or performance data until later this summer, but it did reveal that the Type-S has towing rating of 5,000 lbs. That means it’s more than up to the job of dragging one of the firm’s two race-ready TLX Type S sedans across country from Acura’s Ohio HQ to Colorado for the 99th “Race to the Clouds” on June 27th.

Meet The Acura Pikes Peak Squad

The two TLX sedans are competing in the Pikes Peak Open and Exhibition divisions, and neither is exactly what you’d call standard. For a start, both use turbocharged inline fours, instead of the V6 motors fitted to the production cars.

The Exhibition TLX Type S gets active suspension dropped by an inch over stock, lightweight HRE 19 x 9-inch wheels and Pirelli slicks. It also comes equipped with a big rear wing to help keep it planted on those scary curves, and weighs around 300 lbs less because the Acura team left the interior back on the workshop floor in Ohio.

Looking and sounding rather more serious, the second TLX weighs 600 lbs less than stock, partly thanks to the addition of a carbon fibre hood, while the increased speeds possible courtesy of the engine’s larger turbo means the composite front splitter, dive planes and rear wing aren’t just for show.

A 2021 TLX Type S will also pace the event. The man chosen for that job is Ant Anstead, former host of shows like Wheeler Dealers and Master Mechanic, and more recently in the news for setting up reborn coachbuilding company, Radford Motors with Jensen Button.

Acura is also fielding a pair of NSX sports cars in standard and modified trim. James Robinson set the 10:01.913 Hybrid production car record driving an NSX in 2020, and this time is competing in Time Attack. He’ll be driving a stripped-down NSX fitted with some serious aero, larger turbos to help push output to 625 hp, and weighing 200 lbs less than a stock machine.

James Robinson’s brother, Nick, is also no stranger to the mountain, having won on both two- and four wheels. This year he’s gunning for a Time Attack 2 production record behind the wheel of an NSX that’s virtually stock save for safety equipment and DOT-approved Hoosier race rubber.