2019 Acura TLX expands A Spec trim across the range

Acura’s A-Spec package will finally be made available to more buyers, according to the automaker. In particular, the 2019 Acura TLX sedan will now offer the appearance treatment for models powered by the base 2.4 liter inline-four engine. Up until now, it had only been the TLX with the V6 engine that could be dressed up in A Spec garb. Due to high customer demand for this, Acura decided to expand its availability.

In other words, it will be more affordable to get your hands on an A-Spec car, now that it is being offered with the TLX’s four cylinder engine. Pricing starts at $39,400 before destination costs for the four cylinder A spec, versus $43,765 for the V6 version.

What’s included in the 2019 Acura TLX with the A-Spec trim, will be a set of special 19-inch wheels, a unique front fascia with larger intakes, a matte black grille, tinted taillights, a gloss black trunk spoiler, and a couple of visual add ons. Inside the cabin are now sports seats, red LED ambient lighting, red trimmed instruments, brushed aluminum trim, and a steering wheel with a thicker rim.

Under the hood of the TLX is a 2.4 liter engine that carries out 206 horsepower and 182 pound feet of torque. This is then paired with an eight speed dual clutch transmission, and is only available as a front wheel drive with rear wheel steering.

There’s is also a 3.5 liter V6 that offers 290 horsepower and 267 pound feet. This, on the other hand, is paired to a nine speed automatic, and can be had in either a front wheel or an all wheel drive. The AWD gets Acura’s Super Handling torque vectoring system, known as SH-AWD. Unlike most A-Spec variants, the said model will be getting a quicker steering ratio, stiffer springs, and a new rear anti-roll bar. Overall, the purpose of this is to give it a sportier handling.

When comparing the 2019 TLX to the outgoing model, it basically is like a redesigned version of the 2018 model year. The V6 Technology and Advance trim levels will be getting a new 19 inch wheel design, and customers can now opt for a new Platinum White Pearl option in the paint palette. As far as we know, pricing has not been changed as well. The TLX 2.4L still has a price tag of $33,000, while the V6 SH-AWD with Advance Package is still pegged at $45,950, before destination charges and options.

Acura’s long term goal is to develop A-spec versions of all its models. In fact, we saw A-Spec versions of the 2019 RDX and MDX three row crossover at the recent 2018 New York Auto Show.

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Engineered to Engage: The 2019 Acura TLX Hits Showrooms

New 2.4-liter A-Spec sport appearance variant added to lineup

New Platinum White Pearl added to color palette

New 19" wheel for V6-powered Technology & Advance models

Fresh off last year's comprehensive redesign, the 2019 Acura TLX will begin landing in Acura dealerships nationwide starting April 4. Given the resounding sales success of the V6-powered TLX A-Spec, Acura has expanded its increasingly popular sport appearance package to include 2.4-liter TLX models. What's more, with TLX sales currently up 15 percent year-over-year, the new 2.4-liter A-Spec is poised to continue to grow TLX's market share in the midsize sedan category.

What is A-Spec?

A-Spec amps-up the sporty character of TLX by way of exclusive design elements inside and out, starting with a matte-black diamond pentagon grille surrounded by a dark chrome border, an aggressive lower front fascia with a broad center air opening flanked by round LED fog lights, and a dark appearance for the signature Jewel Eye LED headlights. A-Spec exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels finished in Shark Gray paint are wrapped with 245-series tires. A-Spec exterior upgrades continue at the rear with a gloss-black decklid spoiler, "smoked" LED taillights, and an exclusive fascia featuring a lower diffuser accented by 4-inch round dual exhaust finishers. A matte-black side window surround and A-Spec badging on the front fenders and rear decklid completes the look.

Inside, the TLX A-Spec features more aggressively bolstered front seats with high-contrast stitching and piping, red LED ambient light piping, red driver's meter highlights, a black headliner and pillar treatment, brushed aluminum-look instrument panel garnish, and an exclusive, thick-rimmed steering wheel with A-Spec badging.

A-Spec V6 models equipped with SH-AWD also get a quicker steering ratio for increased response along with a stiffer spring rate and rear stabilizer bar for improved body control.

The TLX A-Spec is available in five exterior colors, including a trim-exclusive Still Night Blue Pearl, and one of two unique interior color schemes, Black with Alcantara™ seat and door inserts or Full Red which features a bold red leather throughout. A-Spec models incorporate the same feature set as TLX models fitted with the Technology Package with the addition of ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad, and the aforementioned ambient interior lighting.

2019 TLX Highlights

Key standard equipment consists of LED headlights, a 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, Smart Entry with push button start, and a dual-screen user interface (ODMD 2.0) featuring user-friendly menus, speedy response times, as well as Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration. Other available options include a 360-degree Surround View Camera system, a heated steering wheel, next-generation AcuraLink® connected services, and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS Studio® Premium Audio System.

Two advanced powertrains are on offer – a 206-horsepower 2.4-liter i-VTEC® engine mated to quick-shifting 8-speed dual clutch transmission, and a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 paired with a 9-speed automatic.

2.4-liter TLX models come equipped with Acura Precision All-Wheel SteerTM (P-AWSTM), featuring independent left- and right-rear-wheel toe angle control to enhance overall handling precision, low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability.

V6 models are offered in both two- and all-wheel drive configurations. Front-drive models feature P-AWS with independent left- and right-rear-wheel toe angle control that sharpens low- and high-speed maneuverability. All-wheel-drive models feature Acura's renowned Super-Handling All Wheel DriveTM (SH-AWD®).

Every 2019 TLX includes the AcuraWatch™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, leading all luxury midsize sedans in the application of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. AcuraWatch™ comprises Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

What's new for 2019?

A-Spec expanded to 2.4-liter models

New 19" wheel for V6-powered Technology & Advance models

Black Copper Pearl exterior color discontinued

New Platinum White Pearl exterior color replaces Bellanova White Peal