When Acura unveiled its newly redesigned 2021 TLX earlier in the year, the Japanese premium brand left out one crucial detail: the output of the new Type S model's turbocharged V6 engine. We knew it was going to be great; Acura made a point to advertise that the engineers responsible for developing the capable new engine in the Type S were the very same people responsible for the NSX's high-output V6. But Acura maintained secrecy when it came to the exact figures.

Finally, though, Acura has come forth and announced the horsepower and torque ratings for the Acura TLX Type S V6, and it was worth the wait.

The 2021 Acura TLX Type S is rated at 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, enough to put it well ahead of the Lexus IS 350 with its 311 horsepower and 277 lb-ft, and into premium German car territory. In fact, it bests the Audi S4's 349 peak horsepower by six, albeit with significantly less torque than that car's 369 lb-ft.

The Audi comparison is apt; like the S4, the TLX Type S will only be available with all-wheel drive - and specifically, Acura's Super Handling AWD system, which can send up to 70 percent of available torque to the rear axle and vector torque between the left and right rear wheel. Also like that car, the TLX Type S is automatic transmission-only, although its unit contains ten forward ratios to Audi's eight.

Perhaps more important, the new Type S is sufficiently ahead of the regular 2021 Acura TLX with its 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, so that TLX buyers won't have to second guess whether stepping up to the Type S is worth the money. On the standard TLX, that 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque can be had with either FWD or AWD, with the same ten-speed automatic performing shifting duty.

The Acura TLX Type S is expected to land next spring, months after the standard TLX has started arriving at dealerships, with pricing likely starting around the $45k mark. Thereafter, there will be more Type S models coming from Acura. We do indeed live in exciting times.