Acura to show three new vehicles in Detroit including the next NSX supercar

(December 12, 2011) Acura has announced it will unveil three all-new vehicles at the Detroit auto show next month including an all-new compact sports sedan called ILX, a redesigned RDX crossover sport utility vehicle, and a concept version of the next generation Acura NSX super car.

The NSX sports car will be small, high-tech and eco-friendly, they say. That would be a change of direction from the Acura Advance Sports Car Concept that appeared at major auto shows four years ago, a V-10-powered beast.

Officials say Honda is putting new emphasis on Acura and will sharpen its identity. They plan to create more models unique to Acura, rather than models adapted as Acuras from Hondas sold in Europe or other markets as in the past.

The Acura ILX Concept is a styling study of an all-new luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in spring 2012. To be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup, the ILX will feature three powertrains including Acura's first-ever gas-electric hybrid. Acura also will unveil a prototype of the 2013 R
DX, the second generation of Acura's five-passenger SUV.

The last NSX was built in 2005

"Acura has a steady cadence of exciting new models coming to market and it will all begin in Detroit," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales and service. "From the all-new Acura ILX at the gateway of the lineup to the pinnacle of performance with the Acura NSX Concept, Acura vehicles are being created for luxury customers who aspire to the highest levels of quality and value, with beautiful styling and the right balance of technology, performance and environmental responsibility."

Also, it has been reported that at the top end of the lineup, Acura is redesigning its aging RL flagship sedan with more space inside, especially in the back seat. Today's modest model is smaller than rival luxury flagships and similar to Acura's midlevel TL.

The new RL will clearly stand out in a way that leaves no question about what Acura considers its top-of-the-line, says John Mendel, Honda's executive vice president in the U.S.

Sources: Honda, USA Today