So in addition to providing a mid-cycle refresh for the TL with such differences as a larger satin chrome grille, separate fog lights, mirrors with LED turn signals, a three-spoke steering wheel, new headrests, blue ambient lighting for the footwell and the console, new
aluminum door trim, and even a new engine cover, they decided to bring back the Type-S after a three-year absence.
"Three millimeters is about the limit if you want repeatable, effective welds with no material burn-back," says Mees, "while 8 mm is the thickest section we use." Side crash forces are fed through the rocker panels into the main structure, with support from the extruded
aluminum door beam that ties into the main structure through the hinge and lock plates.