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New and Improved: 2019 Acura RDX

November 12, 2018 by admin 12 Comments

Acura releases the third-generation RDX.

2019 Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is one of two crossovers from Honda’s luxury brand.

Acura doesn’t have the model depth and breadth of Audi, BMW, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz, but Honda’s luxury line does quite well with the six models it does offer. Further, while some of its competitors are losing market share, Acura is still gaining.

Some of the credit should be laid in front of the RDX, a compact utility vehicle that’s all new for 2019. No, the model name isn’t new, but the generation is. Indeed, the 2019 model kicks off the third generation of Acura’s compact crossover utility vehicle.

2019 Acura RDX Overview

Acura classifieds the 2019 RDX as a compact luxury SUV and it is. This model competes against the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, Cadillac XT5, Lexus NX, and the Volvo XC40, among others. In other words, this Acura is the entry-level utility vehicle for the marque.

As is typical for Acura, the 2019 RDX is offered in one trim, with a starting price of $38,295. From there, you’ll opt for various upgrades and packages, including Super Handling All-Wheel Drive ($2,000). You also have a choice of a Technology Package ($3,200, 19-inch pewter gray metallic machine-finished wheels, perforated Milano leather-trimmed sport seats, GPS-linked climate control, rear doors smart entry key, a 12-speaker audio system, navigation, blind spot information system, rear cross traffic monitor and front and rear parking sensors).

My test model included the A-Spec Package ($3,000, special bumpers, LED fog lights, a black diamond grille, and a gloss black rear spoiler. It comes with heated and ventilated front seats, an ultra suede interior, aluminum trim, accent lighting, sport pedals, and a 16-speaker audio system.)

Or, you can choose the Advance Package ($4,900) which builds on the Technology Package. This package adds LED fog lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a remote-operated tailgate, head-up display, heated and ventilated 16-way power front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The A-Spec and Advance packages are an either/or proposition.

2019 Acura RDX

Exterior Highlights

The all-new RDX sits lower and wider this year and is slightly longer overall. Its big diamond-shaped grille is an eye pleaser and a strong improvement over the previous layout. Its silhouette suggests a vehicle always in motion and that’s not something easy to pull off in a crossover.

Front to back, the Acura RDX has pleasing sheet metal with strong shoulders, a gently rising beltline, big wheels and a falling roofline evident. Creases, body indentations and carefully placed trim (on some models) enhances this model’s sporty look. It marks a strong improvement over the previous model and makes the RDX a better performer in a highly competitive segment.

Standard features include LED lights, 19-inch painted aluminum-alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, and dual exhaust tips. Upgrades include LED fog lights, 20-inch wheels, a rear camera washer, large-diameter exhaust finishers, and special exterior garnishment.

2019 Acura RDX

Interior Highlights

With room for five, the RDX envelops its passengers in an elegant and modern interior. The front seats are quite comfortable and offer ample support. The rear bench seat is ideal for two, but manageable for three in a pinch. If your family is growing, youngsters will find ample space available. Growing teens might complain about the legroom, however. Kudos to Acura for supplying a generous 31.1 cubic feet of storage space, which expands to a whopping 79.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

Lots of high-end materials and excellent fit and finish mark the cabin. The center stack is clean and orderly, but take note of the transmission shifter in the stack — it is an assembly of switches and buttons that take some getting used to.

2019 Acura RDX

Indeed, to go in reverse you must pull the marked switch toward you. If you want to go forward, press the D/S button. To park the vehicle, press the P switch. Yes, more than once I pushed or pulled the wrong button or switch, but without an incident. There were also a few times when I pressed the D/S button instead of the start/stop button in an attempt to activate the ignition. Personally, I don’t like this arrangement — it is fancier and more confusing than it needs to be.

Standard features include keyless entry with push-button start, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, dual-zone climate control, imitation leather seats, and heated and power-controlled front seats. The options list includes full leather seats, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and brushed aluminum or real wood trim.

Technology and Safety

Acura has a strong reputation for technology and the RDX does not disappoint. We already drilled down on the package details, which reveal that Acura matches or exceeds what the competition offers.

2019 Acura RDXThe standard audio package includes nine speakers, but you’ll also find 12- and 16-speaker options. All three audio systems include satellite radio, HD Radio, cloud-based services, and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

If you’re looking for Android Auto compatibility, Acura says that it will be released later, pending Google compliance. Check with your dealer about having it added to your vehicle after purchase.

AcuraWatch represents a suite of driver-assist technologies, including front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic monitoring, a blind spot information system and a multi-angle rearview camera. The latter provides an even wider view of what’s happening behind the vehicle, a feature we like.

The list of available features includes a head-up display and a surround view camera.

Performance Matters

Last year, the Acura RDX was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Beginning in 2019, the RDX has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

As before, Acura offers just one powertrain combination. Buyers still have a choice of standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive, the latter called “Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.”

The new engine’s footprint is obviously much smaller than the second-generation model’s engine, but the power output is similar. Where the previous engine made 279 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, the new engine delivers 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Further, peak torque is reached across a wide band ranging from 1,600 to 4,500 RPM.

Acura utilizes direct injection, a low-inertia turbo, an electronic wastegate and valvetrain technology to deliver an engine that excels in power density and performance. Further, turbo lag is kept to a minimum and is nearly imperceptible under most driving conditions.

You’d be forgiven if you thought the RDX had the previous engine as the amount of power at the ready is robust. The 2019 RDX’s engine is willing and capable — under hard acceleration, the turbo quickly spools to deliver copious amounts of power. The drive mode selector knob (located above the transmission shifter in the center stack) is worth examining closer. Besides normal and snow modes, you’ll find sport and sport+ modes, the latter bringing this crossover’s performance prowess to its zenith.

The “super handling” part of the all-wheel-drive system immediately becomes apparent, especially on twisty roads where up to 70 percent of the power shifts to the rear wheels (or 100 percent to one rear wheel for added stability).

2019 Acura RDX

Along with weighted steering and engaged handling, the RDX drives like a car under most circumstances. Even those twisty roads revealed just how well planted this crossover is despite its high profile. Body lean simply is not a significant issue.

I’ll also give a shout out to the new transmission. It fires off gears without complaint and never makes is presence known in a bad way. You can control the transmission through the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters if you prefer.

Parting Thoughts: 2019 Acura RDX

Acura’s RDX is better than ever and keeps this model strongly relevant in its segment. Its sporty look, especially in A-Spec guise, robust powertrain and available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system are among its strongest attributes. We like the interior, although the transmission shifter layout earns it a demerit.

A quiet and elegant cabin, lots of tech choices and ample storage capacity are other strong points. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this crossover pulls up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

I doubt few people will choose an RDX without at least one of the package offerings. My A-Spec tester cost $45,000, which is in line with other well-equipped models in the compact luxury SUV segment.


2019 Acura RDX


2019 Acura RDX Specifications


  • Base price from $38,295 (including $995 destination)
  • With A-Spec Package and All-Wheel Drive: $46,495
  • Seats 5 passengers
  • Turbocharged 2.0-liter 16-valve inline-four gasoline engine
  • 272 horsepower @ 6,500 RPM
  • 280 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,600 to 4,500 RPM
  • 3.39.inches bore by 3.41 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 9:8-to-1
  • 10-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
  • Length: 186.8 inches
  • Width: 74.8 inches
  • Height: 65.7 inches
  • Passenger volume: 104.0
  • Storage volume: 31.1/79.8 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
  • EPA: 22/28 mpg city/highway (FWD) 21/27 (AWD)
  • Premium grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 17.1 gallons
  • Curb weight: 3,783 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+ (2018)
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 6 years/70,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Seat belts: 15 years/150,000 miles
  • Vehicle assembly: East Liberty, Ohio

2019 Acura RDX


See Also — The Premium Compact 2016 Acura ILX


2019 Acura RDX photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 10-speed transmission, ACURA, Acura RDX, all-wheel drive, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, crossover, luxury, RDX, super handling, SUV, turbo

Auto Reliability: Consumer Reports Slaps Acura, Cadillac and, Yes, the Tesla Model S

October 20, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Lexus Pulls a Clean Sweep.

All good things must come to an end. One of those “things” is the ongoing loveliest Consumer Reports has had with Tesla Motors, especially the Model S.

The nonprofit consumer organization released the results of its 2015 Annual Auto Reliability Survey on Tuesday, noting that Lexus, Toyota, Audi, Mazda and Subaru are the most reliable brands. At the same time, CR found that Acura and Cadillac had slipped the most, while Buick’s seventh-place finish accounted for the lone domestic brand ranked in the Top 10.

Tesla Model SPerhaps most surprising were the results for the Tesla Model S. CR received approximately 1,400 survey responses from Model S owners and that feedback outlined a pattern of problems with the sedan’s drivetrain, center console, charging equipment, power accessories, along with an assortment of squeaks, rattles and leaks.

As a result of the accumulated data, CR bestowed the Tesla Model S with a worse-than-average predicted reliability score.

The consumer feedback is in stark contrast to CR’s own rating for the Tesla electric sedan. Earlier this year CR noted that the “all-wheel drive Tesla Model S P85D sedan performed better in our tests than any other car ever has, breaking the Consumer Reports Ratings system.”

CR lauded the sedan’s instant acceleration, calling it “brutally quick,” its thrust “forceful and immediate.” The organization also said that the P85D has “better braking and handling” than the standard Model S and pointed out its efficiency, achieving a fuel mileage equivalent of 87 mpg.

CR’s 2015 Annual Auto Reliability Survey weighed information supplied by subscribers covering more than 740,000 vehicles. Both Acura and Cadillac experienced the largest year-over-year drops, with each brand falling by seven places.

Acura was faulted for its in-car electronics and transmissions found in its newest sedans, the RLX and TLX. Similar problems have plagued other manufacturers in recent years including Fiat Chrysler, Nissan, and Ford.

Lexus RC F

Pictured: Lexus RC 350F Sport

Cadillac continued to fall with CR noting complaints about its Cadillac User Experience or CUE infotainment system.

One of the more persistent problems with today’s cars are new transmissions. Complaints about rough shifting and slipping CVT belts have dragged down the scores for several brands. Some of those transmissions involve new systems with eight or nine gears. At the same time, CR praised Audi and BMW for delivering reliable dual-clutch transmissions, while recognizing Toyota and Honda with delivering hybrid models with strong CVTs.

In the CR survey, the organization tracks seven vehicle lines. All seven were led by Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand. CR noted the continued ascendancy of Audi, a brand that once had its share of demons to exorcise. Today, only Lexus and Toyota are ranked higher than the Volkswagen Group’s premium brand.

Hyundai Sonata Turbo

Pictured: Hyundai Sonata Turbo

Kia and Hyundai, Korean manufacturers joined at the hip, placed sixth and ninth respectively in the latest survey. Both brands are enjoying a steady ascendancy with Kia now ranked ahead of Honda.

Most US brands, with Buick the exception continue to perform below average. Chevrolet and GMC are in the bottom third of the rankings and Cadillac has fallen near the bottom. As for Ford, respondents seem pleased with the F-150 and Expedition, but shared complaints about the Mustang, including its body hardware, drive shaft and vehicle stability control systems.

As for Fiat Chrysler, the lone bright spots are its minivans as both the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan achieved average reliability. As for the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat brands, they bring up the rear in the annual survey once again.

2016 Fiat 500X

Pictured: Fiat 500X

The annual CR survey will receive its due inspection and dissection, and perhaps more attention than it deserves. Nevertheless, the independent nature of this consumer organization means that the results are objectively dispensed and will be given careful review by car manufacturer executives over the coming days.

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: ACURA, AUDI, BUICK, CADILLAC, CONSUMER REPORTS, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, MAZDA, RELIABILITY, Subaru, SURVEY, TESLA MODEL S, Toyota

Honda Beats Nissan With a CR-V Stick

December 16, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

Battling it out for US sales positioning.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance makes for one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, but when it comes to selling new cars in the US, Honda continues to trump Nissan. No Renault models are sold stateside, leaving Japan’s No. 2 manufacturer to battle that country’s third-largest manufacturer for US sales positioning.

Nissan easily outsells Honda globally, but in two markets — Thailand and the United States — Honda is still ahead. Though beating Honda in Thailand may be important, shedding its mostly four-decade deficit to Honda in the US seems like a never-ending quest.

2015 Honda CR-V.
2015 Honda CR-V.

Refreshed Honda CR-V

Unfortunately for Nissan, its attempt to move past Honda and to stand behind Toyota will have to wait another year. The Accord and Civic certainly are having something to do with that, but Honda’s CR-V crossover utility vehicle is what continues to keep Honda positioned just ahead of Nissan.

The Honda CR-V may not be the most spectacular compact crossover utility vehicle, but it is the segment leader, easily outselling the Toyota RAV4, Ford’s Escape and the Nissan Rogue. The CR-V is everything and more than what 300,000 annual buyers want — a highly dependable, five-passenger front- or all-wheel drive model with good fuel economy, competitive utility and strong resale values.

Earlier this year, it appeared that Nissan would finally overtake Honda on the strength of its excellent first quarter sales. However, an updated CR-V arrived later in the year and with it came a strong boost in Honda sales.

The 2015 edition represents a mid product cycle refresh, one that updates the front and rear fascia, brings in a revised engine with 11 percent more torque, and adds several new interior and safety features.

Of the CR-V, Honda called it the “…most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history.” Essentially, it gave the CR-V a much needed tweaking, buying Honda some time as it readies a new model.

2015 Nissan Rogue
2015 Nissan Rogue.

Surging November Sales

The refresh has stoked interest in Honda’s “cute ute” with November sales surging by 37.7 compared with Nov. 2013. Honda sold 32,378 CR-Vs and has already sold 302,650 units through the first 11 months of the year for a 10 percent year-to-date gain over last year.

The comparable Nissan Rogue is seeing even greater sales increases than the Honda CR-V, but at 184,320 units sold through November 2014, it can’t make up the overall brand sales difference alone.

Through November, Honda has sold 1,253,557 units to Nissan’s 1,164,254. Honda not only reversed its 36,000-unit first quarter deficit, but it is now ahead of its Japanese rival by more than 89,000 units during this final sales month of the year.

Temporary Victory, Elusive Rebound

Nissan’s second place to Honda market position hasn’t always been an exercise in futility. In 1995, Nissan outsold Honda for the year, but quickly lost its footing the following year.

This year, Nissan’s sales are up by 12 percent through Nov. to Honda’s 1 percent increase, but it will need both new product and perhaps a Honda slump to enable it to move up once again. That battle is also going on in the premium segment where Honda’s Acura continues to outsell Nissan’s Infiniti division.

2016 Honda HR-V.
This upcoming 2016 HR-V may help Honda keep its distance from Nissan.

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Photos courtesy of Honda North America and Nissan North America.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: ACURA, crossover, Honda CR-V, HONDA HR-V, INFINITI, Nissan Rogue, RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE, US SALES

The Highly Unlikely Acura Minivan

November 13, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

No boxy people mover for Acura.

Acura NSX.
Forget a minivan. Acura fans want this NSX.

An Acura minivan? Really?! It seems that prior to any major auto show — the Los Angeles Auto Show begins next week — various model rumors surface. On occasion, they are “supported” by pictures of camouflaged models rolling on back roads, easy pickings for the observant spy photographer, but sometimes designed to deceive them as well.

We are not saying that Acura doesn’t have a new model planned. That it would arrive in the form of a minivan as speculated by Autoblog (review spy photo) and others has us shaking our heads. There are a number of reasons why Acura will not get a minivan now or ever:

1. Honda Has the Odyssey

Acura, a Honda division, is not about to siphon sales from an in-house model. The Honda Odyssey, along with the Toyota Sienna, are the top models in the segment and are facing strong competition from the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan.

The Nissan Quest and Kia Sedona also compete in the segment, thus six models are battling for sales. Bringing an Acura model to the market would only diminish Honda’s presence.

2. The Segment Continues to Dwindle

Not for anything, but the minivan market continues to dry up. At one time it was “the” segment for family vehicles, but no more: crossover utility vehicles have taken over as they are more versatile, offer available all-wheel drive and are the types of vehicles most customers really want.

If Acura brought a minivan to the market 10 years ago, that might have made sense. But the segment has dwindled to where just over 530,000 units were sold in 2013 according to GoodCarBadCar. That isn’t a bad number, but when carved up among multiple makes, the figures are small. Acura can hardly justify bringing a minivan to the market this late in the game.

3. Acura is Stepping Up its Crossover Involvement

Acura currently sells RDX (compact) and MDX (midsize) crossovers. What it does not have is a large crossover, a vehicle to slot against the long-rumored Audi A9 and other top-end models.

Certainly, crossovers do not bring to the luxury line the same kind of excitement that a model such as the NSX will bring to Acura, but it does bring the profits. If Honda is ever to make Acura a truly worthy competitor to the European luxury brands and Lexus, it needs to match them model to model or at least to the better selling vehicles.

4. Honda Isn’t Chrysler

Quite frankly, it is doubtful that Honda would pull a Chrysler and sell more than one minivan at a time. Badge engineering is dead and even Chrysler now recognizes that and will dump the Dodge Grand Caravan when the all-new Chrysler Town & Country debuts for the 2017 model year.

The new Town & Country will have to cover more of the market to make up where the Grand Caravan left off as well as appeal to people who want a higher-end model. This may be where some think Acura will jump in, but based on the previously mentioned reasons, you shouldn’t count on it.

Acura 2016

Come 2016, Acura should be neatly divided between sedans and crossovers with the NSX sports car serving as the halo model to burnish the brand’s image. All-wheel drive-only has been mulled and if the brand ever improves its design language, then its best days may still be in front of it.

See Also — Acura Mulls a Full All-Wheel Drive Strategy

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: ACURA, CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, HONDA ODYSSEY, LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW, luxury, minivan, utility vehicle

Auto Reliability: Audi, Volvo & GMC Move Up Says Consumer Reports

October 29, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

The Japanese automotive brands have long held the attention of Consumer Reports (CR), the independent magazine owned by the non-profit Consumers Union of Yonkers, NY. In its latest annual auto reliability rankings Toyota, Lexus and Acura garnered the top three spots. But, this year Audi, Volvo and GMC moved into its top-10 brand listings, loosening the chokehold on the top rankings that the Japanese makes have had over the past decade.

Acura RLX auto reliability is above average.

Annual Auto Reliability Report

CR released its 2013 Annual Auto Reliability report at a press conference on Monday before the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. Audi moved up four spots as three of its models — the A6 sedan, Allroad wagon and Q7 sport utility vehicle — scored “much better than average” reliability. The all-new 2014 Subaru Forester SUV received the top reliability score among all models while the Ford C-Max Energi received its worst score. The full report appears in CR’s December issue that goes on sale on Nov. 5, 2013.

The Volvo brand moved up six spots since the last survey to finish in the No. 7 position. GMC finished in the No. 9 position, up three spots. Mazda took fifth place, one of seven Japanese brands to crack the top 10. All Mazda models received an average or better reliability score; the same could be said for Toyota and Infiniti. Only Lexus and Acura fielded above-average reliability scores across their entire model lines.

Infotainment System Problems

CR continues to find fault with touch-screen infotainments systems, however. It found that many systems are buggy and are prone to screen freezing and response lag. Some systems do not recognize voice commands or may reject a cell phone or an MP3 player. Such systems were the top compliant consumers mentioned among the 17 problem areas it surveys.

Auto reliability survey: 2013.

Infotainment systems continue to perform poorly in CR surveys.

Both hybrids and pure electric vehicles have been performing well in recent auto reliability surveys. This year CR found that the Honda CR-Z, Toyota’s Prius and Prius C, and the Lexus ES 300h were the top hybrid models. Among electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S did very well. Two hybrids from Ford, the C-Max and Fusion, finished below average.

Only one Ford model, the F-150, received CR’s “recommendation” rating. Seven models finished average while two-thirds of the 34 tested Ford and Lincoln models received below average rankings. CR cited both the MyFord Touch infotainment system and EcoBoost V-6 engine as reliability issues that pulled down the scores of multiple Ford Motor Company models.

Chrysler, Kia and Hyundai

Chrysler’s star model is the 300C, scoring above average in the latest survey. In 2012, CR called the Chrysler 300C its most troublesome vehicle. Two Jeep models, the Compass and Patriot, didn’t score as well as they had in recent years, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee also “has fallen well below average reliability.”

Chrysler 300C auto reliability.

The Chrysler 300C may be one the most improved models.

 

In recent years, the Korean car manufacturers have been making great strides and appeared ready to challenge the Japanese leaders in reliability. Kia is ranked ahead of Hyundai, but still finished in the middle of all brands surveyed. Hyundai, however, fell to 21st place. Cracking the top 10 may take some time especially as other non-Japanese brands continue to improve.

German Manufacturers Scored

Mercedes-Benz and BMW, unlike Audi, are outside of the top 10, but both German brands have models that offer average or better than average reliability. A few problems remain, however, with CR citing the diesel-powered M-Class and the 335i and turbocharged X6 six cylinder as “problem children.” CR also called Volkswagen’s Beetle GTI and Touareg “trouble prone” and said that all three Mini models surveyed made a “very poor showing.”

Consumer Reports’ surveys have influenced the buying decisions of consumers for generations. Its findings and tests have caused manufacturers to recalibrate substandard products and find ways to improved technologies that are difficult to use or what are perceived as buggy.


See Also — Infotainment Systems Take a Beating in Latest Consumer Reports Survey

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: ACURA, auto reliability, CONSUMER REPORTS, CONSUMERS UNION, INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS, Lexus, Toyota

Countdown to the Acura NSX Reveal

July 29, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

Not too many Honda and Acura products spark widespread anticipation, but the return of the Acura NSX super car has certainly sent tongues wagging. American Honda has played no small part in all this by announcing that the Acura NSX will be revealed at an Ohio race track in early August. Production won’t begin until early 2015, but we’ll soon see a running version of this super car, something that will take everyone’s anticipation up another notch. Well played, Honda.

2016 Acura NSX.

First Look: 2016 Acura NSX Prototype.

 

2016 Acura NSX

Last week, Acura teased us with a prototype picture of the NSX and announced that a “running prototype” of the Acura NSX would take to the track just prior to the start of the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The super car, replete with custom graphics, will lap the track on August 4, 2013 (this Sunday). For those enthusiasts that cannot be there in person, the race will be broadcast live by NBC Sports Network beginning at 3 p.m. EDT. Let’s hope that NBC provides us with more than the requisite photo of the new model.

The all-new model will be built exclusively in Marysville, Ohio, at a former seat plant that is located adjacent to Honda’a Marysville Automobile Plant. In March 2013, American Honda announced that it would invest $70 million in the facility and tap 100 of its best workers to build the 2016 Acura NSX. Yes, imagine being called out to build this car — it certainly beats working on a Honda Accord, does it not?

Development of the next generation Acura NSX is being led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Raymond, Ohio. The original model was sold from 1991 to 2005, a limited production super car built in Japan. The car’s return had been rumored for years, but the recession of 2008 to 2009 may have delayed that announcement.

Acura NSX Prototype

The pictured prototype appears to be slightly different from the earlier model American Honda showed us last spring. That model feature a set of pronounced LED headlamps — five pairs to be exact — while the new model has a more subdued face. However, the earlier sketches emphasized the NSX’s profile, while the latest picture hones in on its fascia. We can speculate all that we want about the differences, but the August 2013 prototype will mirror the production model. One thing that you can say about Honda is that its prototype models seem to always ascribe closely to the production version.

The Acura NSX will be powered by a mid-mounted V-6 engine mated to Honda’s sport hybrid system with three electric motors. One electric motor will be located between the rear wheels, with the other two up front. Yes, it is an electrified model, but it is expected to deliver top performance when operating in gasoline mode. This vehicle will also feature Acura’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive system.

Ohio Players

Entrusting its Ohio workforce to build the Acura NSX demonstrates that Honda is confident that no better team of workers will assemble this super car. Honda has been building cars in the United States for 30 years, learning that American workers can produce high quality products. It was a risky move back them, but Honda’s confidence in its North American workforce is strong.

Said Ted Klaus, Honda R&D Americas chief engineer, “We have a very clear understanding of the high customer expectations luxury buyers around the world have for a supercar, and our challenge is to exceed them and create new value for the customer. This new Performance Manufacturing Center will be key to this challenge.”

And that challenge will deliver to the world a hand-crafted supercar, a halo model for the Acura brand.


See Also — Can You Dig It? Faraday Future Plots Course in Nevada

Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: ACURA, ACURA NSX, American Honda, MID-OHIO, OHIO, UNITED STATES

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