New Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Is Finally Coming

Better late than never.

Last year, Porsche introduced the all new, third-generation Cayenne in various guises, including V6-powered base and S versions, and a range-topping Turbo model packing a larger V8 engine. Noticeably absent from the lineup, however, was a hybrid version, despite the fact a hybrid powertrain was on the options list for the previous-gen model. That void will soon be filled, however, as Porsche will be revealing a new Cayenne E-Hybrid to replace the outgoing model later this year.

The new hybrid Cayenne is expected to inherit the same powertrain as the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. In the meantime, Porsche has started the teaser campaign for the Cayenne E-Hybrid by detailing the extensive tests that are being carried out. A handful of hybrid Cayennes were sent to South Africa to be put through their paces in a final round of grueling tests before the final production model debuts. As part of the evaluation, the Cayenne E-Hybrid was driven in challenging conditions to test the components, from congested city roads in Johannesburg to high-altitude mountain pass more than 3,000 meters high.

“We are on the cusp of the market launch and are bringing the vehicles up to speed in terms of functionality. We are testing them here once again in a customer-focused way”, said Oliver Laqua, Director Complete Vehicle Product Line SUV. To further test the hybrid SUV’s comfort, efficiency, and performance, the Cayenne E-Hybrid was also put through its paces in northern Canada at minus 40-degree temperature and the deserts of Dubai at plus 40 degrees. Like the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, the new Cayenne E-Hybrid is expected to combine a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine with an electric motor. In the Panamera, this setup produces 462 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

A 14-kWh lithium-ion battery provides an electric range of 31 miles. A more potent Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is also in the pipeline, packing 680 hp and 626 lb-ft courtesy of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 and an electric motor. We strongly suspect Porsche will use the range-topping Cayenne to reclaim the Nurburgring SUV record crowd from the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which beat the previous Cayenne’s record with a time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds.

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Acura Gives The RLX A Refresh In Hopes You’ll Finally Want To Buy One

The RLX gains tech and an attractive new nose ahead of a Pebble Beach reveal.

Okay, let's set the record straight. We’ve had our negative sentiments about the Acura RLX for some time. We haven't exactly been shy about it either, having sent it to the crusher not once, but twice—the second instance coming after Acura loaned us one in order to see if that’s really how we felt. It’s not that the RLX is a bad car, it’s just that as a flagship, it outlines a character for Acura that we don’t think resonates well with customers. Unfortunately, sales numbers back us up.

The reason it’s unfortunate is because you can tell how much work Acura put into the RLX, making the hardware as bulletproof as you'd expect out of a Honda Accord that'll last past the 250,000-mile mark and keep going despite the RLX having luxury toys that end up being weak points for reliability in other like cars. However, Acura realizes that being the nice guy or girl doesn't always attract the significant other, and to avoid finishing last, it has just refreshed the RLX and will send a copy to Monterey Auto Week to aggressively market to the high-end crowd. The newfound boldness embodied in the diamond pentagon grille is part of Acura’s new push for more a modern and radical design that it hopes will attract customers.

Previously, Infiniti and Lexus built subdued-looking cars and it wasn’t until designers got wild with their lines that the pace at the factory had to be picked up. Acura would love that problem and its new nose is an attempt at that. Aside from the front end, not much else changes on the aesthetic side of things aside from the sculpted hood, new wheels, LED taillights, dual exhaust finishers, and a gloss black rear diffuser. Three new exterior colors are also available for order and the interior gets upgraded touchpoints as well as redesigned seats. Mostly, we’re interested in the hardware because the RLX packs an NSX punch if the owner spec's it the right way.

Buyers not satisfied with the 3.5-liter V6 pushing 310 horsepower to the front wheels via a 10-speed auto can opt to keep that engine but supplement it with a three-motor hybrid system that turns the RLX into an all-wheel drive machine. Two of the motors are responsible for propelling the back wheels while a third sends power to the front by pumping torque through the transmission. That increases total system output to 377 horsepower and, together with the standard four-wheel steering system, makes the RLX a joy to drive for the long haul. Everything else you can think to need is probably bundled under the AcuraWatch suite of drive aids.

That umbrella covers everything including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist (extends cruise control so that it works in stop and go traffic), and automatic emergency braking. Buyers who spring for the hybrid model are treated to a premium Krell sound system, parking sensors, for lights, remote start, heated and cooled front seats with heated rears, and a surround view camera to go with the additional horsepower. Prices haven't been announced yet and will be as the car's November release date approaches. It seems Acura may have pulled together the RLX right this time, or so we hope. All we needed was evidence that our $60k+ was going towards something other than the drivetrain and quality.

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Acura TLX Finally Does Something Worthwhile

Still no BMW 3 Series fighter, but it's a start.

We’ll outright admit we weren’t the biggest fans of the Acura TLX during our review. It’s not a bad car by any means, but it doesn’t do anything better than, say, the BMW 3 Series, one of its main competitors. However, Acura has just found an even better use for it along with its impressive Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system. The Acura TLX GT (we didn’t know there was one until now) has taken first place in the Open Class and Exhibition Class at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Heck, it even captured third place in the Time Attack 1 Class. The TLX GT managed to race up the 14,115-foot summit in just 9:33.797, finishing second overall. Acura also brought along the 500 hp TLX A-Spec, which made its racing debut. It won the Exhibition Class with a time of 11:03.433, and took third overall in the Time Attack 1 Class. Long-time Acura racing driver Peter Cunningham piloted the TLX GT and he also won “Rookie of the Year” for the event. In the past, Acura has entered a modified NSX in the hillclimb, and it did so again for 2017 with the production-based NSX with GT3-inspired modifications. It ended the day with a podium finish, taking third place in the Time Attack 1 Class, finishing in 10:03.433.

While this is great motorsport news for Acura, the fact remains that the production-spec TLX is in major need of a serious makeover, fueled more by driving and performance passion instead of being a bland mid-size luxury sedan.

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Acura NSX Could Finally Get The Type R Treatment Next Year

Latest report suggests the hardcore Acura NSX Type R will have 641 horsepower on tap.

The second-generation NSX should has been on sale for a couple of years now, but its sales haven’t been very encouraging. To keep the Japanese supercar relevant, rumors have suggested that Acura is plotting a lighter, more powerful Type R version of the NSX. In fact, there’s been talk about the Acura NSX Type R since the 2015 Detroit Auto Show before the standard car even went on sale. Earlier this year, rumors of the NSX getting the Type R treatment were reignited by Acura’s vice president and general US manager Jon Ikeda.

“I’m a car guy, so always faster performance vehicles … yeah we like that, we talk about it,” he said during an interview with Australia’s Motoring. Nothing was confirmed, however. “We’ll see … anything can happen," he teased. "There’s always proposals,” before revealing there are currently no plans for an Acura NSX Type R. However, a new report by Japanese site Spyder7 claims the hotter NSX has been given the green light for production. According to the publication, the new Acura NSX Type R will be revealed in 2019 before going on sale in 2020. While the standard NSX packs 573 horsepower, the Type R version is rumored to increase that output to 641 hp.

Power will be sent through the same dual-clutch, nine-speed automatic transmission. The biturbo 3.5-liter V6 will also borrow components from the race-spec engine that powers the rear-wheel drive NSX GT3 race car. Like its racecar sibling, the NSX Type R is expected to feature a more aggressive body with copious amounts of carbon fiber and a large wing adding more downforce to keep the car planted. Nothing is official at this point, but a couple of mysterious NSX prototypes were spotted at the Nurburgring last year with sensors tracking their lap times. This could back up claims that Acura is working on an NSX Type R.

Allegedly, an NSX Roadster is also going to be revealed this year, but we’ll have to wait for Acura to officially confirm both models. Are you excited about the prospect of the Acura NSX getting the hardcore Type R treatment?

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The Refreshed 2018 Acura TLX Has Finally Ditched Its Chrome Moustache

But is the styling any better?

The mid-life refresh for the 2018 Acura TLX may not be quite good enough to make it a true BMW 3 Series fighter, but it’s still a better sedan than it was previously. Acura has revealed the facelifted TLX sedan here at the 2017 New York Auto Show and immediately we think it looks better, entirely because of its new front end styling. Gone is that chrome moustache look. In its place is the stretched pentagon grille that already debuted on the MDX crossover.

Although the front-wheel-drive platform is the same, Acura claims the TLX has a "more aggressive and sporty look" inspired by last year’s Acura Precision Concept. Power comes from either a 2.4-liter VTEC four-cylinder with 206 hp or the optional 3.5-liter V6 with 290 hp. We previously recommended opting for the V6 because it comes with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Now it’s being offered on all V6 TLX models, instead of only those equipped with the Technology or Advance Packages. Also new for 2018 is the TLX A-Spec trim, available in FWD or AWD, featuring an exclusive front fascia, round LED fog lights, aggressive side sills, rear diffuser with integrated dual-exhaust finishers, and a gloss black decklid spoiler.

A set of dark finish 19-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, stiffer spring rate and a rear stabilizer bar help to add a sportier feel to the car, but we can’t imagine the TLX suddenly becoming a proper luxury sport sedan overnight. The interior is also improved somewhat, and the A-Spec, specifically, offers sport-oriented refinements and premium features such as leather seats with increased bolstering, red driver’s meter highlights, brushed aluminum-look trim, and a thicker steering wheel. For what it’s worth, there’s red or black leather with Alcantara seat and door inserts. There’s also the standard AcuraWatch suite of safety technologies.

More importantly, the 2018 TLX offers a refreshed dual-screen, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We were never big fans of this dual-screen design, so here’s hoping this one is easier to figure out. Official pricing and on-sale date will be released in due course.

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