Acura NSX concept, ILX sedan, 2013 RDX coming to Detroit

The rumors have been swirling for the better part of six years and now Acura has confirmed that the next generation NSX is finally on its way.

The Detroit Auto Show will play host to three new Acura models, with the center ring occupied by a concept version of Acura's next-gen supercar. Playing second and third fiddle will be the automaker's interpretation of a compact luxury sedan, dubbed the ILX and competing in the same class as the BMW 1 Series, new Mercedes A-Class and Lexus CT200h. Power will be sent to the front wheels by either a 2.0-liter inline four or an optional hybrid drivetrain, with pricing somewhere south of $30k thanks to its Civic roots. Finally, Acura will show off a prototype version of the 2013 Acura RDX that gives current owners more of what their after, including fuel efficiency.

There aren't much in the way of hints or details in the release after the break, but we do know that the NSX will take aim at the Audi R8 with a V6 hybrid powerplant mounted amidships and sending power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The exterior will most certainly be inspired by the concept playing beside actor Robert Downey Jr. in the third Ironman installment and pricing won't be anywhere near that of the Lexus LFA - Honda wants this to be obtainable, and if C/D is to be believed, it's already been approved for 2013 production.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/12/a...ng-to-detroit/

 

So is this "Civic based acura" the same as the CSX?

 

New Acura NSX, Entry-Level Sedan Concepts Heading to Detroit Show - Motor Trend

1st things 1st: Acura would not allow us to take any photographs of the cars it's bringing to the 2012 Detroit auto show, so no, you will not know what the Acura NSX concept looks like -- yet. This article's associated images ARE NOT actual representations of what's described below. With that out of the way, here's what we learned about the upcoming Acura NSX concept, ILX compact car concept, and refresh of the RDX crossover for the Detroit show. Acura also shared some intel on the next-generation version of its Acura RL sedan, which is due to be revealed at next year's New York auto show.

Acura NSX Concept

Let's face it: You're here for any scrap of news we have on the Acura NSX concept, and we completely understand why.

Ever since Honda's now legendary halo sports car was mothballed after 2005, the stream of rumors, spy photos, design illustrations, media reports, and concept cars purportedly related to the NSX's eventual revival flowed like a stuck tap. In the end, we like to think each step we encountered over the past six years will have contributed in some measurable or immeasurable way to the inevitable product.

The gushing continues today. A new Acura NSX concept is scheduled to appear at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January and there's an anticipated 2014 on-sale date. The Japanese carmaker revealed what was in store for the future NSX during its recent dealer conference in Las Vegas. We're told the attending dealers and a small band of press/media representatives were the only ones who have seen the concept up close in an official capacity. We were also told it was the 1st time in a long time dealers stood up and delivered a rousing ovation upon seeing what will without a doubt be the brand's halo car. Of course, it certainly helps that Acura calls the concept "NSX."

Car lovers will soon be tantalized by NSX concept's striking sheetmetal. Back in September, an Acura-branded mystery roadster was spotted and photographed on the set of the upcoming superhero movie "The Avengers," leading to widespread speculation it would form the basis for the new NSX's design direction. Initially, Acura responded that "The Avengers" car was a fictional 1-off produced just for the film. That may not be an untrue statement, but the NSX concept indeed takes several cues from Tony Stark's new ride, only it has a roof.

The NSX concept wears thin A-pillars, a small greenhouse, and a serious-looking rear diffuser. Its bodywork was shaped with design input from Honda and Acura teams around the globe. There is room in the back for a small trunk. The concept's tires measure 255/35-19 up front and 275/30-20 out back, and the wheels shield huge fixed calipers and brake rotors at all corners. The entire car is bodied in the toned-down yet distinctive Keen Edge design, with a cab-forward arrangement and a mid-engine layout (a la the last NSX). Acura fully acknowledges it might have reached too far with its current, provocative styling direction, but there's no doubt you'd expect to see the big A badge when looking at the front end beak -- perfect for Acura since this car is intended to dramatically boost the brand's appeal.

For a period of time, a front-mounted V-10 engine was pegged for the new NSX, until the unpleasant economic conditions of late 2008 got the better of Honda's product plans. When the V-10 sports car project was shelved (although a version of that car has been subsequently campaigned by Honda in motorsports events), it's said Honda wasn't exactly shedding tears, considering the sentiment that exerting brute force and an overreliance on performance-adding technologies was not the Honda way. Instead, Acura calls the NSX concept the "ultimate expression of man-machine synergy," where the driver and car work together in unison for an enjoyable driving experience, rather than having overly egregious machinery take the driver for a ride. In Acura's vision, an NSX is the definitive interpretation of a modern sports car, a performance halo that can be "drive[n] like a pro every day."

The belief in smart luxury without excess waste is Acura's way of differentiating itself from other luxury marques. Which explains the NSX concept's powertrain: a hybrid getup with a mid-mounted, direct-injected V-6 (likely displacing 3.5-to-3.7 liters) matched to a 7-speed twin-clutch automatic with a newly developed integrated motor. The car's hybrid system -- tentatively dubbed Sports Hybrid AWD -- uses a pair of electric motors (1 for each of the front wheels) for torque vectoring and independent wheel control.

On paper, this type of engineering and integration should ensure a seamless driving experience where the car is not handicapped by the driver, and vice versa. From a sustainability standpoint, Acura expects V-8 performance with better-than-4-cylinder fuel economy. So hypothetically, it should be faster and more fuel-efficient than the original NSX. Motor Trend Technical director Frank Markus got firsthand experience with an early version of this next-generation SH-AWD in Japan, proclaiming his limited time with a prototype Accord "was enough to suggest the V-8-performance claims have merit and that the electrified rear axle does indeed enhance handling over a much wider set of driving circumstances." The future AWD system is being optimized for larger vehicles at the moment and is said to be very modular in its nature.

According to Markus' notations, the DCT will be a wet-clutch design. Since the IMA motor isn't hard-coupled to the engine but is affixed to an output shaft, the integrated motor enjoys a wider range of freedom than the current IMA setup. It's the increased IMA "hybridness" that should provide the NSX concept with even greener credentials.

The original NSX shocked the world and had little trouble establishing precedence in the sports car world when it debuted a little over 2 decades ago. It put the rest of the world on alert, and the new car should as well.

Acura ILX

In addition to the NSX concept, Acura presented its entry-level sedan concept, the ILX.

Visualize the Canadian-market CSX, but with more thought put into the car's execution. Rather than simply grafting the familial front end onto a Honda Civic sedan, the ILX concept we saw has a unique presence. The front beak isn't as pronounced as we've come to expect from the Keen Edge design; in fact, Acura calls the ILX's styling Arrow Fuse dynamics. Although the ILX is Civic based, its lines are more distinct and rounded than the current crop of Acuras, retaining a premium appearance absent on the Civic.

1 of Acura's presentation slides showed a projection of 17.3% growth through 2016 for the entry luxury 4-door segment (1of only a few segments that showed a double-digit increase), and the ILX is the car Acura has designated to get in on that action. Generation Y buyers - the first generation in history on course to earn less than the preceding generation - are the target, and Acura expects to pair their diminished earning power with an entry price point well below $30,000. For comparison, the 2012 Buick Verano starts at $23,470 and the 2012 TSX at $30,695. Acura foresees moving about 40,000 units per year, and is striving to retain these younger customers who may opt to move up within the Acura family several years later. Categorically, it may poach some TSX sales, too.

To satisfy the Gen Y crowd, ILX features and options include all the technological bits and pieces like a hard drive to store music files, Pandora Internet radio connectivity, and text-to-voice SMS capability. A rearview camera and keyless entry are sure to be offered. Based on speculation, we'd bet the interior won't be anything like a CSX but be mocked up similarly to the rest of the Acura lineup.

There will be 3 powertrains. The volume 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and accompanying automatic transmission will be new, while the familiar 1.5-liter IMA system will make the ILX the brand's 1st hybrid offering. The 2.4-liter inline-4with the 6-speed manual out of the Civic Si is in place to satiate enthusiast driving.

The ILX concept will also be at the Detroit show next month and hit showrooms a few months later.

Acura RDX

The brand's entry luxury SUV will also be on the NAIAS floor next month, attired in subtly refreshed sheetmetal to update its circa-2007 looks (albeit with a circa-2010 Keen Edge beak). The RDX will be fitted with a lightened SH-AWD system and Acura expects best-in-class fuel economy (not that the RDX was handicapped enormously in the 1st place). The current RDX is rated 19/24 and 17/22 mpg city/highway with front- and all-wheel drive, respectively.

A V-6 will finagle its way into the engine bay, contributing more power than the current 2.3-liter turbo four's 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. At this point, it's hard to imagine the turbo four-cylinder is long for this world, at least in its current guise.

The 3rd Acura to bow in Detroit next month, the RDX, will go on sale a few months later. An 11.1-percent projected growth through 2016 for the small luxury SUV segment makes the RDX more important than ever before.

Acura RL successor

It's billed as a "true Acura flagship," but we can't ascertain much, as we've only seen a handful of conceptual photos of the upcoming full-size sedan. Based on the photos alone, don't expect a dramatic departure from the current, stagnating model in terms of sheetmetal. BMW is apparently the benchmark -- specifically, Acura is pitching the next RL as having 7 Series room with 5 Series dynamics. We'll see about that, but aim high, right?

The improved packaging proposal that pushes the RL successor's backseat legroom to best-in-class is a sound one, as the relatively invisible flagship needs any and all the help it can get (1046 sold through November, down 45% year-to-date). We should see the fruits of Acura's labor on this project at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

 

It will be interesting to see how and what the NSX delivers. With a hybrid V6 and AWD, I don't know that I expect it to be necessarily fast or particularly light. Perhaps Honda's idea is to pitch this as the first true hybrid sports car? Realistically thinking, GT-R will probably crush it from the $70-90K price range and from there-up, cars only get faster and more powerful. None the less, I'm excited to see what they come up with but If it costs $75K, has 400hp, does 0-60 in 5 seconds and delivers 30mpg, I think that's going to be a hard sell.

Minor detail, but Acura's nomenclature could make more sense: RL & TL, TSX & ILX? Seems like using a consistent derivative of (_)L or (_)SX for all sedans would have made a little more sense for consumers. Then again, I'd really prefer Legend, Vigor, Integra, etc

 

ANOTHER CONCEPT!!!

 

I've got tickets to the show again this year. I'll have my camera ready and be on the lookout.

 

Don't forget Honda is also unveiling the 2013 Honda Accord coupe concept too. Let's see if they are moving in the right directions, or false promises again.

 

So when you go through the fluff.

Acura admits they failed at Tier 1 and will settle to be an under luxury brand below Benz/BMW/Lexus.

NSX will share same engine as RL and other Hondas become hybrid with AWD
ILX (what a ridiculous name) is Civic based, first hybrid, likely replaces TSX which had a decent following
RL becomes their version of the GS 450h but adds AWD
RDX becomes CR-V based, loses SH-AWD and loses the turbo

 

NSX? Yawn...
ILX - USA finally gets as version of the 1.6 EL? LOL
RL - Really Lame
RDX - As the acronym implies...Ridiculous :X Why even bother?

 

The vehicle pictured above is a stock photo from the car they were working on a few years ago (HSV?). This is the current:

 

Aside from the cyclops front end, that is SICK

 

That's one sweet rendering! Too bad the real car won't look like anything close to that, judging from the spy photo.

 

The one TX69 posted looks nice!

I should change my sig to this...told those clowns this 12 years ago

 

V6 will get better MPG and deliver more power than that turbo4, so IMO, that's a no-brainer.

 

That top pic on this thread is a disguised version of the front engined rwd/awd V10 HSV they were working on but dropped the production model but raced a V8 version, not what they are coming out with.

The NSX concept that will be shown and what they are supposed to be building from what I have read will surprisingly be MID ENGINED and not use the abandoned front engined platform from the v10 HSV pictured above.

It is rumored to look similar to the Tony Stark concept but have LED headlamps, a hard top, and will be a little larger with a longer more finished rear end. People who seen it says it does have a immediately recognizable NSX look but with R8 similarities. It may not be as low as the original NSX. I did read that people at Honda said it will not use the same exact engine/powerplant going in the RL which will make around 400hp when combined with the electric motors as it was not deemed potent enough.

A mid engined true NSX successor with over 400hp can't be a bad thing though I am not yet sold on the idea of a complicated hybrid powertrain with 3 electric motors. That sounds very heavy and may affect the purity and handling. I am shocked it will be mid engined if it is true.