Rumor: Acura to Bring Back the "Type-S" Moniker in 2018

Photo: Acura Connected

Remember Acura's golden days? When they weren't afraid to step outside the comfort zone and make cars that were as fun to look at as they were to drive?

Of course, I'm referring to models such as the first generation NSX, the Integra, and the late RSX (and the CL for those of you that liked that model). On their own, these were all great cars. The Integra / Integra-R became a staple on the streets for young pimple faced children that wanted something that was relatively easy to modify but wasn't a civic, and the RSX followed in the Integra's footsteps, though the Integra is still preferred because of its weight and power. But then we were given what I believed was gods gift to the common man: the Type-S line.

My favorite model that wore Acura's performance badge was the TL, simply because who wouldn't enjoy the combination of a 4 door sedan that boasted a powerful V6 mated to a 6 speed manual transmission along with the legendary reliability of the Honda name?

It was a sad day when Acura abandoned the 'Type-S' moniker in 2008, during which point, acura entered what I like to call the 'dark age'. 

The replacemet TL that launched for 2009 was, to me at least, one of the ugliest sedans I ever laid my eyes on. It was bulky, and lacked the flowing lines that the previous generation TL executed so well. This generation of Acura cars also saw the introduction of the much criticized "Duck Bill Grille". Regarded as one of the ugliest grille designs in the industry, the duck bill was unfortunately bestowed upon the likes of the TL, the RDX, and the hideous ZDX  (even the most apt of Acura enthusiasts could agree that the ZDX in it of itself was nothing more than a Crosstour wearing a horrid tuxedo). For 4 long years, Acura's fan base dwindled and it's designs went from bold to bland, and ultimately left the Acura name as nothing more than an afterthought to enthusiasts and former loyalists alike. 

But then came the Second-Gen NSX concept, and for 4 more long years, we wondered if Acura would ever make that dream a reality; a question which we finally had answered in 2015. It seems then that with the launch of the new NSX, that Acura is slowly but surely coming back out of its shell, albeit with a limited-production sports car that costs upwards of 200 grand. But recently, I've heard some more good news from some semi-reliable sources within the industry, and rejoice, because rumor has it, the Type-S moniker will soon be returning in the form of the TLX. Oh happy day.

From what I understand, it's possible that we will see a Type-S variant of the TLX sometime in 2018, which also might suggest that we'll be seeing a preliminary concept sometime in 2017 on the Auto Show circuit aside from the lovely concept that Galpin Auto Sports produced for SEMA recently. 

As far as power goes, the source I talked to told me that the TLX Type-S will most likely sport a modified and turbo'd version of its 3.7 liter V-6, presumably mated to the 9 speed tranny in the current V6 model. Grip will come from Acura's Advance SH-4WD system, and we can expect horsepower to be somewhere in the mid to upper 300s.

These are all just run-of-the-mill, through-the-grapevine words, though, and we have alot of questions that have yet to be answered. But for now, let's sit back and dream of the day that we see the gone-but-not-forgotten "Type-S" name on Acura's cars again.