Alongside its four-cylinder models, Honda and Acura’s six-cylinder cars are also now available with more power than ever. In particular, the J30AC V6 present in the Acura TLX Type S and MDX Type S has seen a power bump over its predecessor, with 355 horses on tap. It was first developed for use in the sportiest TLX and provided plenty of poke when hustling the car around Laguna Seca during our test drive.
Much like the K-Series engine found in the Integra Type S, this is first and foremost an engine developed for enthusiasts, so Honda expects it to be pushed hard. As such, it packs a number of upgrades designed to withstand the pressures of repeated high-speed use, with everything from the pistons to the connecting rods redesigned.
To increase efficiency when it’s not being pushed to its limits, the J30AC also features a cylinder deactivation system and Honda’s famous VTEC variable valve timing system. With suitably careful driving, it’s good for up to 25 mpg, according to the EPA. Not bad for a sports sedan that’s just as much at home on the circuit as it is doing the grocery run.
