It’s been 10 years since Acura released a full-fledged Type S model for the masses. We haven’t seen a performance brand from the automaker since, but that’s about to change because Acura’s bringing back the Type S brand with the expectations of new performance models in the near future.
“The TL Type S is the last Type S model to hit the market before getting discontinued in 2008 in favor of the TL SH-AWD.”
It’s exciting times for Acura if the Type S brand goes get off the ground and becomes the brand’s performance brand. Acura used the Type S name in the past as a counterpart to Honda’s Type R division. While the former didn’t generate as much buzz as the latter, it still produced a lineup of impressive models, including the 200-horsepower RSX Type S and the TL Type S, the last Type S model to hit the market before getting discontinued in 2008 in favor of the TL SH-AWD.
It’s taken 10 years, but now that Acura has given the thumbs up to bring back the Type S brand, we can expect a new generation of performance-oriented models to elevate Acura’s status in luxury car segment. According to Toshiaki Mikoshiba, president & CEO of American Honda Motor Co, the decision to dust off the Type S name makes sense given Acura’s new business model of introducing cars that follow its new mantra of “Precision Crafted Performance.” Type S models fit that mantra.
“All Type S cars will also get a new turbocharged V-6 engine that will be mated to the brand’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) unit”
Acura hasn’t said which of its models will get the Type S treatment, but it did say that “multiple products” will be launched in the coming years. In addition to getting affixed with the performance name, all Type S cars will also get a new turbocharged V-6 engine that will be mated to the brand’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) unit. The engine will also be exclusive to the luxury brand, something MIkoshiba touched on in a statement. “Acura will pursue a unique powertrain strategy that underscores the brand’s rightful place as the performance division of Honda,” he said.