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Acura TLX Type S vs. BMW M340i xDrive | Sport sedan comparison test

Luxury sport sedans are still turning up on the market, and the Acura TLX Type S is one of the freshest cuts of meat in the window. It’s AcuraÂ’s big return to Type S performance models. Benchmarked against the proverbial best performance sedans of the segment, Acura is aiming to not just to compete, but to win dogfights like these. To see if the return of Type S is all itÂ’s cracked up to be, we decided to pin it up against the historical king of sport sedan shootouts: a BMW 3 Series. Specifically, the Type S is taking on the M340i xDrive, which is this AcuraÂ’s most natural competitor from Munich. Should the diehard BMW driver make the switch to Japanese performance? Does Type S do enough to lift this Acura up to best GermanyÂ’s finest? There are a lot of variables at play here, and they all make it complicated to choose a winner. The similarities between these two begin from the top of the spec sheet and go down. Both have 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engines — BMW arranges its cylinders inline, while Acura chooses a V configuration. Quick-shifting automatic transmissions are standard. BMW uses an eight-speed unit, while Acura uses a 10-speed. Both get electronically-controlled dampers, big brakes and sticky summer rubber. They each offer up usable backseat space and reasonably-sized trunks. WeÂ’d feel just as confident showing up to an important business meeting in either one as we would at a track day. ThatÂ’s the beauty of this mid-tier performance segment. After looking at their specs, it shouldn't be surprising that the M340i is the quicker of the two here. Its 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque hit noticeably harder from any speed than AcuraÂ’s 355 horses and 354 pound-feet of torque. The Acura is also carrying an extra 232 pounds of curb weight over the Bimmer, which makes the M340iÂ’s 1-second advantage in the 0-60 mph sprint make perfect sense. For the record, BMW quotes a 4.1-second time, and Acura only offers an approximate time of 5 seconds. Both estimates feel accurate. Beyond sheer acceleration, both engines offer up their own version of tingly feel-goods. BMWÂ’s inline-six is as smooth as ever as it plays its sonorous note all the way to the 7,000 rpm redline. There are few sounds in the automotive universe that surpass the glee we feel when listening to a BMW inline-six at full-chat, and that rule still applies to the M340i.

Acura Type S Concept looks even better in the Monterey sun

A few days ago, Acura showed its Type S Concept in an album of dramatically lit press photos. It is our extreme pleasure to report that the Acura Type S Concept on display at The Quail, with no shadows nor Photoshop to hide in, is even more pleasing to the eye than it was in those photographs. This is the sedan the brand said "sets the stage for re-introducing Type S performance variants to the Acura line-up after a decade hiatus, and will heavily influence the character of the upcoming, second-generation TLX Type S." Our hope is that the phrase "heavily influence the character of" is code for the word "be," and Acura's simply not ready to admit it yet. From the new rectangular "Jewel Eye" LED headlights to the front fascia that could double as an Orc weapon, the flanks with a pentathlete's balance of muscle and leanness, those Halo beam rifle taillights, and the mortar-launcher quad-pipes, this concept is the bee's knees. Acura calls the design language "Chicane," and this expression of it is everything a fan wants to see from the brand. The Double Apex Blue Pearl paint, forged carbon accents, and functional vents only make the sculpture better. We're promised two new Type S offerings in the next two years, an RDX Type S presumed to follow the TLX version. They can't come soon enough. We encourage you to check out the gallery and enjoy every angle of the preview for Acura's coming attractions.

2023 Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition adds NSX colors to the palette

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S is getting a PMC Edition with some extra-pretty color options derived from the Acura NSX.  Per usual with Acura’s PMC Edition cars, the TLX Type S PMC Edition is hand-built at the same Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio as the NSX is. The regular TLX Type S is right down the road in Marysville, Ohio, so while itÂ’s not a massive location change, the environment in which the PMC cars are built in is entirely different from AcuraÂ’s typical assembly lines. As for the new colors, youÂ’ll be able to choose between Long Beach Blue, Curva Red and 130R White — all of those shades were previously offered on the NSX. In addition to the main shade, all PMC Edition cars will get a Berlina Black (also an NSX shade) painted roof, antenna and door handles. The quad exhaust will also be finished in black chrome instead of the bright chrome that comes standard. You get the same Y-spoke 20-inch wheels as the regular Type S has, but these are finished in a copper paint, and they sure do stand out. Other exterior changes include a carbon fiber lip spoiler and rear diffuser alongside glossy black side sill garnish and model badging. On the inside, Acura uses carbon fiber trim and adds illuminated side sills and unique Type S-badged floor mats. Each exterior color is paired with a single interior option. The Curve Red car gets an Ebony black interior with red stitching. All Long Beach Blue cars get an Orchid (cream) interior with blue stitching. And finally, the 130R White cars will get a red interior. All PMC Edition cars get a serialized plaque on the center console, as well. Similar to other Acura PMC cars of the past, this one is put through the same quality control checks as the NSX, including a dyno check, rough road simulation and paint inspection. TheyÂ’re also given special coverings for transport to the dealer and delivered via fully enclosed single-car carriers. Yes, you should expect the paint to be utterly perfect upon first inspection. Pricing for the PMC Edition isnÂ’t out yet, but expect it to be available when Acura releases pricing for the full lineup of 2023 TLX models. Related video: