When Acura revealed the 2021 TLX luxury sports sedan, we came right out and said that BMW and Mercedes should worry about it. In fact, you could even argue that Cadillac and Audi should worry too, despite the fact that the former is abandoning fuel-driven performance for a new naming structure and all-electric future. Well, Acura has added even more evidence that certain brands should worry with news that the 2021 Acura TLX Type-S will feature a pure-driven V-6 heart that’s good for 355 horsepower. Even better yet, we’ll see a near-production prototype in special livery serve as a pace car at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on August 30, 2020!

Acura Isn’t Playing Around, and the 2021 Acura TLX Type-S Is Clear Cut Proof

We’ve been itching to see Acura’s S performance brand make a comeback, and nearly a year ago, the Acura Type S Concept strengthened that desire. Now, Acura has confirmed that a TLX Type-S prototype will serve as a pace car at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, but we learned a lot more, too. These figures also put it on track to compete with the Cadillac CT5-V, which has 360 horsepower, and the 349-horsepower Audi S4. It also puts it within arms reach of the 382-horsepower BMW M340i and the 385-horsepower Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan.

Now, the TLX Type-S might be a little underpowered compared to the M340i or the AMG C43 Sedan, but I have something for you to think about. The 2021 Acura TLX sits on a new, stiffer platform that also includes a double-wishbone front suspension. This platform may also be lighter and will ultimately make for a more dynamic driving experience. If Acura plays its cards right, those extra 30 or so horsepower that BMW and Mercedes boast over the Type-S won’t mean much if anything at all. Of course, we’ll have to wait and see how things pan out. However, Acura has been pretty adamant that it’s looking to its roots and aims to be a performance brand first, so you can bet it’s not going to drop the ball when it comes to bringing back the Type-S name. } In a time where sports cars are coming in second to SUVs, this is very good news indeed.

As for what we can expect at Pikes Peak, Acura will be exhibiting two TLX race cars alongside the Type-S prototype pace car. Both will feature the brand’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That engine makes 272 horsepower from the factory, but you can bet Acura has given it a thorough workover to bring it up to par for the event. One of the race cars will be front-wheel drive while the other will rock out Acura’s SH-AWD system – the same system that will come standard on the TLX Type-S. We know that the all-wheel-drive race car will be the more powerful of the two with a larger turbo and intercooler, while the FWD car will be a little more toned down to give it a better advantage.