2021 Acura TLX

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These patent designs pictures are the worst way to discover a new car design. Really… Everything looks bad in these shades of grey.
Still, you can see the production version of the all-new Acura sedan will stay really close to the good looking Type S concept from last year.
Which is good news.
Although the grille looks like it will be more similar to what Acura has been doing, maybe a bit smaller.
The one on the concept (without chrome) looked much more modern. Maybe Acura will keep it on the sportier version.
It is really too bad about the tiny “90’s style” sunroof.
Especially since the RDX has a really nice panoramic sunroof. And these days, almost every mid-size or luxury sedan does offer a glass roof option. This looks ridiculous…
The trunk opening also looks pretty small.
The new sedan will be the first car to get Honda’s all-new 3.0 Liter Turbo V6. Which should also be available in the redesigned MDX and Honda Pilot.
But the base engine will be the same 2.0 Liter as in the RDX/Accord.
And AWD will be an option as well. 
As nice as it may be, I am not sure this is enough to turn around sales of the Acura sedan.
I really think they needed something more drastic. Or different…

Conversation 16 comments

  1. Looks really out of proportion in comparison to the Concept.I just hope it looks far better in person.

  2. I think this will be a disappointment in the transition from the reasonably good looking concept to production. You really need to stand out with your sedan designs in a SUV crazed world and this to me is clearly not enough.

    Two things I noticed, why is the fuel filler door so high it looks really out of place. Second, I hope they have a pano sunroof at least as an option as the one in the drawings looks tiny.

  3. Looks like it's about 75% of the prototype which is not good. Losing some nice styling details. I'm an acura fan and not optimistic this will turn the tide.

  4. Honda and Acura REALLY need to snap out of the'90s. With this dorky design, I guarantee this will be DOA.

  5. I agree with FFEMT6. The patent renderings look pretty off. The profile is still great, but it looks so narrow and tall compared to the concept in other pictures. And the simpler front overhangs really, unfortunately, emphasize how long they are. Is this FWD?

  6. This could’ve been the current TLX. Nothing about this suggests it is new compared to the current generation. Sad.

  7. I was a sedan guy until I just felt that I need to go with the trend and purchase myself a RRS SUV! I would not buy a sedan ever again.
    SUV are cool in that you have lots of room inside compare to a sedan, drives high so you see road better and other sedan are scare of you! It turns just fine and the is a little rough but I gotten use to the rough manner. Supercharger is fabulous, with instantaneous power!

  8. Many of you blind bats forget, this is a BASIC representation of the design and the concept was based on the incoming PERFORMANCE Type S version! Thus no panoramic roofs in a patent! LOL

    Acura designed the body of the new TLX back in 2015-2017 and finished at the end of 2017.

    These design patent CADs are based on what final styling was internally approved in 2017, therefore the concept didn't "transition/translate" into anything. It's too late for that!

    Again, Acura started out designing this car and approved the production body FIRST, then decided in 2018 to show it off in fancier skin in 2019 at Monterey, before releasing it in 2021.

    Do you think Acura created a concept car and then designed the production model afterward? Nope, not at all.

    Folks continue to be obtuse of how car development necessitates that a final production body design MUST be completed 2 to 3 YEARS BEFORE market release and that most concept cars are EXAGGERATED teasers, developed AFTERWARD as previews.

    Nor are concept cars, "prototypes". It is not an interchangeable term. Prototypes are running test builds based on a serial production design, not undrivable styling mock-ups or show cars. Feels like one has to teach Automotive Development 101 with what I read here…

  9. Many of you blind bats forget, this is a BASIC representation of the design and the concept was based on the incoming PERFORMANCE Type S version! Thus no panoramic roofs in a patent! LOL

    Acura designed the body of the new TLX back in 2015-2017 and finished at the end of 2017.

    These design patent CADs are based on what final styling was internally approved in 2017, therefore the concept didn't "transition/translate" into anything. It's too late for that!

    Again, Acura started out designing this car and approved the production body FIRST, then decided in 2018 to show it off in fancier skin in 2019 at Monterey, before releasing it in 2021.

    Do you think Acura created a concept car and then designed the production model afterward? Not true at all.

    Folks continue to be obtuse of how car development necessitates that a final production body design MUST be completed 2 to 3 YEARS BEFORE market release and that most concept cars are EXAGGERATED teasers, developed AFTERWARD as previews.

    Nor are concept cars, "prototypes". It is not an interchangeable term. Prototypes are running test builds based on a serial design, not undrivable styling mock-ups or show cars. Feels like one has to teach Automotive Development 101 with what I read here…

  10. Well, the 90's arguably were Acura's best years, maybe they're trying to relive their glory days. Lol

  11. That is exactly what I was thinking. Nothing ruins a design like large overhangs. Larger rear overhangs are more understandable in a sedan, due to the needed cargo space, but front, no excuse for it in 2020. For some reason I was also under the impression that the new TLX was going to be rwd. Perhaps I am mistaken though. This makes me really look foward to the new rwd Mazda 6.

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