2020 Acura Type S Concept First Look

[YaKoMoS]

Over the last four years Acura has been on a mission to reassert the brand’s performance image. The process started with an all-new, second-generation NSX debuting in 2015, continued with the striking Precision Concept luxury sedan in 2016, then culminated in a commitment to two IMSA racing classes, GTD in 2017 and Prototype in 2018. That’s a lot of brand building in a short time, but Acura isn’t done yet.

Type S Concept = More Performance
The luxury brand just revealed its latest performance intentions with the all-new Type S Concept, debuting during Monterey Car Week. Meant to express the essence of “Precision Crafted Performance”, the Type S Concept uses a wide stance, contoured flanks, long hood and low roof to convey power and nimble dynamics. 
Subtle Styling Cues Effectively Integrated
Looking past the Type S Concept’s proportions reveals a flurry of details seamlessly weaved together. The 4-lamp LED headlights, open-surface Diamond Pentagram grille and large air intakes below the headlights all impart a sense of performance. Acura deserves kudos on its concept car feature naming strategy, which gives us “Chicane” LEDs below the headlights and taillights, along with a silky exterior color dubbed “Double Apex Blue”. That silk effect comes from Nano pigments and a color-infused clear coat that impart of sense of motion while enhancing luster.

The Type S Concept’s rear styling incorporates an upswept decklid and integrated “forged carbon” spoiler. This same forged carbon finish is seen on the concept’s front and rear splitters, side sills and multi-spoke 21-inch wheels wearing 285 series summer tires. Slotted and drilled Brembo high-performance brake rotors and four-piston calipers are also visible at each wheel. 
Those calipers are painted “Indy Yellow Pearl” and offer an effective contrast against the Type S Concept’s gray wheels and blue body. Acura representatives told this is the same new color offered on the 2020 Acura NSX as an homage to the original NSX’s Spa Yellow.
What Does Type S Mean?
Acura has used the Type S nomenclature on past models, including the CL, TL and RSX. In every case, Type S meant increased performance in terms of horsepower, handling and braking. This will hold true on future Type S models, including the next-gen TLX and another Type S model yet to be named. Unlike Acura’s “A-Spec” trim, which consists of appearance upgrades, Type S will once again indicate a genuine performance upgrade over mainstream models.
The Performance Journey Continues
Acura’s push toward Precision Crafted Performance has already produced a high-end sports car and two highly-capable race cars (the brand is in contention to win two IMSA championships this year). With the Type S Concept, Acura has committed to extending its performance pedigree across multiple vehicles in the coming years. These Type S variants will go beyond aesthetic upgrades, transforming Acura’s core models into certified performance cars. And if they look anything like this Type S Concept they’ll offer exceptional styling, too.