New Acura TLX features a new airbag design designed to increase passenger protection in angled collisions
Acura hoping to get highest safety rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS for the new TLX
2021 TLX will include eight airbags
The 2021 Acura TLX will feature an innovative airbag design that wraps around the head of the front passenger for increase protection in the event of an angled front collision.
In such a situation, the head can “roll” off the airbag or impact the bag at an angle where there’s less protection. The new TLX’ airbag will wrap around the head like a catcher’s mitt according to Acura, providing protection in any form of impact.
The bag deploys with side chambers designed to guide the head back to the centre of the airbag. The design was introduced by Honda last year. The airbag is developed in partnership with Autoliv.
The redesigned Acura TLX is aiming for a perfect safety score from both the IIHS and the NHTSA. It will feature a total of eight airbags including a knee airbag for the first time in a TLX. It will also come with standard AcuraWatch safety technologies.
“This new Acura TLX is the latest example of our safety engineering team in Ohio pursuing important innovations to advance toward our goal of a safer and, ultimately, collision-free society,” said Jim Keller, President of Honda R&D Americas, LLC. “I’m very proud of how our engineers analyzed new brain injury research and then took action to achieve one of the most substantial advances in airbag design in decades.”
The 2021 Acura TLX is expected to go on sale this fall with an upgraded 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 272 horsepower. A sporty Type S version is coming in 2021 with a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 sending 350 horsepower to all four wheels. The new TLX sits on an brand-new platform and is more spacious inside as well.
