2.4-Liter 8-Speed DCT with P-AWS
The first powertrain option comes with a smaller but more efficient four-cylinder engine that displaces 2.4 liters. This engine offers 206 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 182 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. That’s a good amount of power from a normally aspirated engine, but that’s just the start. It also comes with an eight-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The high gear count gives the TLX a smooth, efficient acceleration whether you’re going fast or slow, and the dual clutch cuts down on the time spent moving between gears.
The last aspect of this drivetrain is Precision All-Wheel Steering (P-AWS), a technology that’s practically unique to Acura: P-AWS lets all four tires turn with the steering wheel instead of just the front pair. They even change the direction they turn based on the car’s speed. When moving slowly, P-AWS turns the back wheels the other way so the TLX can make tighter turns. At high speeds, the rear tires move with the front ones to make the car more stable on high-speed turns.
3.5-Liter 9-Speed AT with P-AWS
The first powertrain option switches out the inline-four engine with a more powerful V6 that can get 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. That’s a significant power boost, although the larger engine with more cylinders lowers the TLX’s fuel efficiency. With it comes a nine-speed automatic transmission, and although it doesn’t have the shifting speed of a dual clutch, it delivers a smooth acceleration. It also comes with a special electronic gear selector that lets you choose between drive, reverse, park, and neutral just by pressing the right button.
3.5-Liter 9-Speed AT with SH-AWD
The last powertrain option for the 2017 TLX comes with the same engine and gearbox, but it switches out the P-AWS system with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Not only does this AWD system improve traction on wet, slippery, and snowy roads, it can also deliver as much torque to the road as possible when accelerating on a dry track.
Under normal driving conditions, 90 percent of the engine’s power goes to the front wheels to keep things efficient, but it will send up to 45 percent of the torque to the rear wheels during a sharp acceleration thanks to the moving center of gravity. That number can go up to 70 percent to keep the wheels planted when you’re navigating a sharp curve.
All three powertrains for the 2017 Acura TLX can deliver a great performance, although you have to balance how much of a performance you can afford to buy. Still, even those who stick with the four-cylinder engine get to have fun with P-AWS.
Image via Acura.com
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