Acura is bringing back their Type S line of performance vehicles, starting with the Type S Concept at Monterey Car Week.
You might remember Acura’s Type S best from the RSX Type S, the high-performance version of the RSX built between 2002 and 2006. With 200 horsepower, a sport-tuned suspension, larger sway bars, and a 6-speed manual transmission, the RSX Type S was meant to capture the enthusiast market.
But then the import tuner scene collapsed and took the sport compact with it.
Flash forward to today where we still don’t have much in terms of a sport compact segment, but Acura seems to think they can revitalize the market all by themselves just by making a brand new concept car. Called the Type S Concept, Acura says it will set their design direction for years to come as well as usher in a new era of performance vehicles for the brand.
To prove it, we’re given a single snapshot of the concept’s back end as well as an 8-second teaser video that shows little more than a half-second of the grille, hood, exhaust, and side profile. What we see seems to be a 4-door sedan, which is an interesting choice to base your line of performance vehicles on. One assumes that Acura is aiming for the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70, and Dodge Charger markets.
The image at least shows what seems like a snappy rear end with a likely quad-exhaust and an angular tail light. The Type S badge looks snazzy, but we don’t know much of what else could be in store.
"The return of Type S is a pivotal moment for Acura, sending a powerful message that we are committed to fulfilling the Precision Crafted Performance brand promise across our lineup," said Acura head Jon Ikeda. "Building on the return of NSX, our renewed commitment to Acura Motorsports, the introduction of the third-generation RDX and new Acura design direction, the Type S Concept represents another significant step in creating a new era for the Acura brand."
We’ll find out more when the Type S arrives at Monterey Car Week, first at a private reception on Thursday, August 15th, then a public unveiling on Friday, August 16th at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. We’ll see the Type S Concept again at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Concept Lawn on Sunday, August 18th.