Key findings
- Tiger Eye Pearl appears to have been removed from the Acura Type S’s color options for the 2025 model year.
- The history of the Type S badge dates back to 1997 and introduced performance improvements and a more elegant appearance.
- Tiger Eye Pearl was a polarizing color; it is possible that Type S will be represented by a new shade.
Visit Acura’s website and select one of the available Type S trim level vehicles for the 2025 model year. Note that something is missing from the color palette. Tiger Eye Pearl, the bright gold, somewhat coppery shade that glowed brilliantly in direct sunlight but took on a more brownish mustard tone in dim light, is being discontinued for the new model year. This was first noticed by a user on the Acurazin Forum has not yet issued an official communiqué regarding the discontinuation of production of this color.
It’s not uncommon for a car manufacturer to switch to other color options or even remove a color from the existing or upcoming range. But in the case of Tiger Eye Pearl, a rather unusual color code, it is a special color for the Type S models, which are the top model in the brand’s current range of cars. It is strange that this color has been removed from the list of options.
History of the Type S Badge
The Type S designation, Acura’s sportiest trim level, dates back to 1997, when the Japanese market received the NSX Type S variant. By borrowing some parts from the NSX-R, engineers were able to reduce overall weight by 99 pounds while also adding a stiffer suspension for a more robust package, much to the delight of Honda fans. This, in turn, opened the doors for Acura to bring a similar approach to the U.S. market in the form of other Type S models.
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Originally, the 3.2-liter Acura CL was the first North American vehicle to receive the Type-S treatment, but it wasn’t to remain the only option for buyers. Soon after, from 2001 to 2008, Acura also injected the Type-S formula into the TL and the Integra-replacement RSX. The idea was to increase performance and improve the looks of these vehicles without sacrificing ride quality or features. The Type-S program ended with the 2008 models and seemed to be gone forever.
The golden touch
That changed in 2021, when after more than a decade without a Type S trim in the Acura stable, the nameplate was reattached to the TLX. Acura’s press kit at the time even proudly showed the sports sedan in Tiger Eye Pearl, a color exclusive to the Type S model. Just a year later, the MDX became the first Acura SUV to receive a Type S badge and also offered the color code as an option. In 2023, a year after the introduction of a rather tame standard version, the wider, much more powerful Integra Type S followed with this familiar hue for interested buyers.
Admittedly, it’s loud and draws a lot of attention, which some enjoy while others do their best to avoid unwanted glances. A striking color, especially when applied to the muscular lines of the TLX, the widened hips and shoulders of the Integra, and the chunky MDX, all in Type S trim. The color is often found in the showroom of your local Acura dealer, but interestingly, it’s not all that common in the real world. We’ve reached out to Acura for more information and will update this article when we get a response; perhaps Tiger Eye Pearl will be replaced with Indy Yellow Pearl, as seen on Acura’s recent Integra HRC prototype.
Source:
Acurazin
