TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - The all-new 2015 Acura TLX Prototype performance-luxury sedan made its Canadian debut today at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Developed around the theme of a "Red Carpet Athlete", the TLX will deliver a compelling blend of luxury refinement and sports-sedan athleticism, with exhilarating performance enhanced by next-generation Acura powertrain and dynamic handling technologies. Available across Canada this summer, the TLX will join the ILX compact luxury sedan and the RLX luxury performance sedan as the third vehicle in Acura's sedan lineup.
"The Acura TLX Prototype is an exciting new addition to our luxury sedan lineup," said Jerry Chenkin, President and CEO, Honda Canada. "Combining sporty nimbleness with innovative and adaptive technologies, we aimed to create a personal and more connected driving experience for our customers."
The TLX Prototype presents a lithe exterior form, taut body surfaces and sports-sedan proportions. Its sporting character is further highlighted by its low and wide stance, shortened front and rear overhangs, dynamically sculpted fender arches, and purposeful character lines. Acura's signature Jewel Eye™ LED headlights imbue the TLX Prototype with an advanced and bright-eyed appearance while producing superior down-the-road illumination. Another prototype-exclusive feature is the tailor-made side mirrors. Keying off of the Jewel Eye LED headlights, each mirror has a row of LED lights fused into its base. Click on the turn indicator, and the LEDs come to life, spreading a moving glow around the bottom of the mirror for a high-tech, 3D appearance.
Dimensionally, the TLX Prototype is positioned neatly in between the smaller ILX and larger RLX sedans. The 2015 TLX sedan is 97 mm shorter in overall length (4831 mm) than the current TL, yet rides on the same 2775 mm wheelbase as the TL. Despite its more compact exterior footprint, the TLX design targets the most spacious interior in the midsize luxury sedan class with an open and airy greenhouse, commanding sight lines, ample cargo capacity and comfortable seating for five adults.
With its low and wide stance, rigid yet lightweight body, and nimble and responsive chassis, the TLX is designed to deliver confident, precise and refined ride and handling performance in almost any driving situation. It pairs power and efficiency with deft agility and is designed to be an intuitive and confidence-inspiring driving partner; a vehicle that epitomizes Acura's dynamic concept of "performance at the will of the driver."
The 2015 TLX Prototype also communicates the diverse range of advanced technologies and performance options that will be available to Acura TLX customers - including two-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations; two high-revving, highly fuel-efficient new i-VTEC® engines; new 8-speed and 9-speed electronic transmissions; and the next generation of Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) and Precision All Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS™) dynamic performance and handling technologies.
The 2015 TLX will offer advanced new powertrains that will deliver highly responsive, refined and efficient power delivery. An all-new 2.4-litre 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine employs direct-injection and Acura's i-VTEC® valvetrain, and is significantly lighter than previous Acura engines of similar configuration and displacement. The new engine is mated to an all-new 8-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) with torque converter. This new 8-speed DCT takes full advantage of the 2.4-litre engine's broad power band, delivering incredibly quick and smooth gear changes, expertly matching engine revs on down shifts, and putting the power down in a responsive and intuitive way.
For even greater power and performance, there is a 3.5-litre SOHC V-6 that also employs direct injection and i-VTEC variable valve control and cam timing along with fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) cylinder deactivation technology. The 3.5-litre V-6 is mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission with closely spaced gear ratios and a wide overall ratio range to further extend engine performance and fuel efficiency. Both the 2.4-litre and 3.5-litre TLX models will target fuel economy ratings at the top of the midsize luxury sedan class.
Two-wheel-drive models with either the 2.4- or 3.5-litre powerplant will utilize the next generation of Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS) technology with independent left and right rear wheel toe control. As four-wheel steering becomes an increasingly popular technology on high-performance automobiles, Acura continues to evolve and improve the capabilities of its cutting-edge P-AWS system, first launched on the RLX sedan in 2013, to deliver even more responsive handling, precise steering control and high-speed stability.
The TLX SH-AWD™, available exclusively with the 3.5-litre V6 engine and 9-speed transmission, employs a new generation of Acura's signature Super-Handling All Wheel Drive™ technology that is 25 per cent lighter and incorporates new torque-vectoring control logic.
Understanding that customization is a key component of luxury, the TLX will feature an Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) to allow for further personalization and a sportier driving experience. The four driving modes - ECON (Economy), Normal, Sport, and a new Sport+ mode - take full advantage of the TLX's high-performance capabilities. Depending on which mode the driver selects, the Integrated Dynamics System will adjust Electric Power Steering (EPS), throttle response, SH-AWD and P-AWS control logic, transmission shift mapping, Active Noise Control settings and HVAC control in accordance with the preferences of the driver.
Also in keeping with its luxury sedan status, the TLX was designed to deliver vault-like quietness in all driving conditions, with major improvements in noise reduction through enhancements to body stiffness, body sealing and sound insulation, and the application of electronic Active Noise Control.
The TLX utilizes Acura's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and is expected to achieve the highest available safety ratings - a five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The TLX will be available with Acura's most advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies including Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Blind Spot Indicator (BSI).
Further information and photos are available on AcuraNews.ca.
About Acura
Acura is the luxury-performance division of Honda Canada Inc. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RLX luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sedan, the ILX compact luxury sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV and the MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.
Image with caption: "The 2015 Acura TLX prototype makes its Canadian debut at the Canadian International Auto Show (CNW Group/Acura Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140213_C4064_PHOTO_EN_36717.jpg
SOURCE: Acura Canada
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