ACURA DEBUTS THREE NEW VEHICLES
AT 2012 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

 

New ILX compact sports sedan to feature Acura's first hybrid powertrain;

All-new RDX sport utility vehicle features new engine and all-wheel-drive system;

NSX Concept to be developed and built in North America with performance hybrid system

 

 

DETROIT (January 9, 2012) ? Representing the leading edge of a wave of new products and technologies, Acura today unveiled three new vehicles at the North American International Auto Show, including a concept version of the all-new gateway to the Acura brand, the ILX luxury compact sedan; a prototype of the 2013 RDX crossover sport utility vehicle; and the NSX Concept, which shows the direction for Acura's next-generation supercar.

 

Acura also announced that the next-generation NSX will feature Acura's innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD^® technology and that the vehicle will be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio.

 

"Over the next three years, the Acura brand will launch a series of new models that will remake our product lineup and shake up the luxury market," said Alexandre Roger, assistant vice president of Acura in Canada. 

 

"Acura will once again defy conventional wisdom to become one of the top luxury brands by developing luxury vehicles based on our own unique values to be a leader in the Canadian market."

 

Debuting three new models in Detroit comes on the eve of Acura's 25^th anniversary in Canada as a premium luxury-performance automobile brand.

 

 

 

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Acura ILX Concept

The Acura ILX Concept is the precursor to an all-new Acura luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in Spring 2012. To be positioned as the gateway to the Acura brand, the ILX will feature three different powertrains, including Acura's first-ever gas-electric hybrid. 

 

"First time luxury buyers place the highest value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues and that's a virtual definition of what we have created with the new Acura ILX," said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. "The strategy behind this new model is to position ILX as the first opportunity for many young buyers to enter the luxury market."

 

Sleek, sporty and aerodynamically efficient, the exterior of the all-new Acura ILX combines luxury, performance and efficiency. A beautifully styled luxury sedan, the ILX Concept has a compact, yet formal proportion, targeting a professional image. With a greenhouse that provides excellent visibility and with an aerodynamic low and wide stance, the ILX is immediately recognizable as an Acura.

 

The lineup of ILX models will include an entry-level model powered by a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder engine; a high-performance model with a 2.4-litre inline 4-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission; and a 1.5-litre gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, Acura's first-ever hybrid offering.

 

The ILX will feature a high?quality, well-appointed interior that is smart, spacious and sporty.  It will offer a number of new, high-value features, including a smart entry keyless access system and pushbutton start, along with SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world.

 

As with all Acura models, the ILX will have a long list of standard features, different trim levels (that will include a Technology Package) and excellent standard safety features, including Acura's acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering^™ body structure, front, side and side-curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist^™ (VSA^™). Acura anticipates that the ILX will achieve top ratings in both U.S.-based NHTSA and IIHS crash safety testing.

 

The new ILX will be manufactured exclusively by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC, in its Greensburg, Ind. plant- one of only three plants in the world to receive J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Platinum Award for outstanding quality.

 

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Acura RDX

Shown as a prototype version of the 2013 RDX, the second generation of Acura's five-passenger crossover SUV will up the ante with a new approach to achieving both advanced performance and fuel efficiency via a new engine, transmission and all-wheel drive system.

 

The 2013 RDX, scheduled to launch this spring, will have as standard equipment a 3.5-litre V-6 engine that produces 273 horsepower? 33 more than the outgoing model. For even higher performance and efficiency, the RDX makes use of a 6-speed automatic transmission with a new lock-up torque converter. The RDX also gets a new, lighter all-wheel-drive system that provides the required performance and safety with increased efficiency.  Front-wheel-drive models of the 2013 RDX will deliver top-of-class fuel economy.

 

The RDX exterior incorporates a sleek, more aerodynamically efficient body, evolving RDX from a sporty, compact SUV to a more formal look with a longer, sculpted hood and styling that is more elegant and sophisticated to match the Acura philosophy of timeless, beautiful design. Chassis updates include a longer wheelbase and wider track, all-new Amplitude Reactive Dampers, and a new motion adaptive electronic power steering system.

 

Inside the 2013 RDX, new sweeping shapes, matte surface trim, and generous use of leather combine to give the RDX interior an upscale look and luxury feel that Acura customers have come to expect. Abundant use of sound deadening materials and Active Sound Control team to provide an exceptionally quiet cabin. Additional interior features, such as larger door openings, more passenger room, increased cargo volume and a power rear tailgate make the RDX interior even more accommodating and flexible.

 

As with the ILX, the 2013 RDX will receive a host of new technologies, including SMS text message feature, a smart entry keyless access system, pushbutton start, and a three view rear camera. An available Technology Package will provide a full complement of relevant technologies, including Acura Navigation System with Bi-Lingual Voice Recognition^™. New for 2013, the even more advanced navigation system utilizes a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity, including 15 gigabytes that can be allocated for music storage.

 

Acura anticipates that the RDX will achieve top ratings in both U.S.-based NHTSA and IIHS crash safety testing.

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Production of the new RDX will move to the East Liberty, Ohio, plant of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. that is home to one of the four top assembly lines in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS). The first generation RDX has been built at the Marysville, Ohio, auto plant, an IQS award winner for both of its assembly lines.

 

Acura NSX Concept

The dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great performance vehicle from the Acura brand. Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept employs several new technologies for Acura, including application of Acura's innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD^® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive^™) hybrid system.

 

Utilizing a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a Bilateral Torque Adjustable Control System, the all-new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Acura anticipates the new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD^® will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems. In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD^® system, a powerful next-generation VTEC^® V-6 engine with direct-injection works in concert with a dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

 

"This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make NSX the ultimate expression of Acura's idea to create synergy between man and machine," said Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.  "The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way."

 

While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept champions the true racing philosophy of an extremely favorable power-to-weight ratio.

 

"Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency," added Ito, who led the development of Acura's first NSX supercar. "In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities."

 

 

 

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The new Acura supercar, expected to debut in the next three years, will be developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., and manufactured in Ohio, at a yet to be named facility.

 

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the Canadian-built MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and ZDX four-door sports coupe.

 

DIMENSIONS
	RDX Prototype	ILX Concept	NSX Concept
Length, mm	4,660	4,555	4,330
Width, mm	1,872	1,890	1,895
Height, mm	1,630	1,425	1,160
Wheelbase, mm	2,685	2,670	2,575
Wheel size, in	19x7.5	19x8	19x9 (front) 20x10 (rear)
Tire size	235/55R19	235/35R19	255/35R19 (front) 275/30R20 (rear)

 

For immediate release
For more information:
Maki Inoue (416) 271-2479
Laura Heasman (905) 888-4586

Acura RLX Concept Makes World Debut in New York

Acura flagship features first application of Acura Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®,
more than 370-horsepower and class-leading fuel economy,
with top-class seating comfort and next-generation Acura connectivity
(New York, NY) April 4, 2012 ? Acura today held the world debut of the Acura RLX Concept at the New York
International Auto Show, providing luxury buyers with a first look at the design and engineering direction for
its all-new Acura RLX flagship sedan, slated for launch in Canada in the spring of 2013.

The RLX Concept employs an extraordinary array of new Acura technologies, including the Sport Hybrid SHAWD
® system, in combination with sophisticated styling and smart packaging to deliver an entirely new level of
performance, sophistication and comfort.

Utilizing highly efficient packaging, the RLX Concept delivers the interior space of a large luxury sedan with the
footprint and agility of a midsize luxury sedan. The RLX Concept's all-new 3.5L direct-injected VTEC® V-6
engine and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system combine to generate more than 370-horsepower, and are paired with
a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) and lightweight body to deliver exhilarating acceleration with classleading
four-cylinder fuel economy.

?Based on consumer preferences and our Acura DNA, we have created a true luxury sedan,? said Jerry Chenkin,
executive vice president, Honda Canada. ?This means creating a unique Man Machine Synergy between the
vehicle and its driver to achieve advanced performance through engineering efficiency. Today's luxury buyers
demand a high level of connectivity, comfort and advanced performance which the sophisticated and elegant
Acura RLX will offer to Canadians.?
Acura also announced that the production RLX will be offered in a 310-horsepower, front-wheel-drive version,
which will also deliver superior handling performance through the application of another new Acura
technology? Precision All Wheel Steer™.

Styling-Design

The RLX Concept styling builds on Acura's ?timeless and beautiful' design motif with its taut and aerodynamic
shape, carefully tailored proportions, and sophisticated and distinctive detailing. Its athletic stance is accented
by 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and 255/35 R20 high-performance tires. Dimensionally, the RLX Concept is
approximately the same length as the current RL, but with a 50 mm (2.0?) longer wheelbase and 50 mm (2.0?)
shorter front overhang. Both the track and vehicle width increase by approximately 50 mm (2.0?).
Acura's exclusive new Jewel Eye™ LED headlamps debut on the RLX Concept. The Acura signature Jewel Eye™
headlamps use a dual-stacked array with a total of eight separate high-intensity LED lamps, with ultra-reflective
optical lenses and high-gloss trim, to provide powerful down-the-road illumination while simultaneously giving
the RLX a highly distinctive and bright-eyed look in both daytime and nighttime conditions.
Body and Chassis

Through engineering efficiency, including substantial use of high-strength steel and aluminum, the RLX Concept
achieves an ultra-rigid and light body design, with the front wheel drive version to weigh in at well under 1814 kg
(4000 lbs). An all-new double wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, Amplitude Reactive
Dampers and electronic power steering with a variable gear ratio team to provide the foundation for the RLX's
precise and intuitive handling control ? termed by Acura as ?Inomama? or ?at the will of the driver.?
Front-wheel-drive versions of RLX will utilize Acura's all-new Precision All Wheel Steer™ system. This system
provides for independent control of the steering (toe) angle of the right and left rear wheels by utilizing
electrically controlled actuators. Precision All Wheel Steer™ works in tandem with Vehicle Stability Assist™
(VSA®) and Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering to deliver an extraordinary level of cornering control and
steering precision.

All-wheel-drive RLX models add even more handling performance with Acura's highly advanced Sport Hybrid
SH-AWD® (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive), recently introduced at the 2012 Toronto International Auto Show
on the NSX Concept. The performance hybrid system utilizes a unique dual electric motor drive unit with a
bilateral torque adjustable control system to instantly generate negative or positive torque to the rear wheels
during cornering. This provides a new level of agility and confidence to create an ?on-the-rails-cornering?
experience.

Safety

The Acura RLX will offer an extensive array of passive and active safety features. These include a Collision
Mitigation Braking System™ and the first application of Acura's Lane Keep Assist System. In addition, Forward
Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning will be offered as standard equipment on the RLX.
Passive safety features will include front, side and side-curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger, and a
driver's knee airbag. The RLX also incorporates the second generation of Acura's Advanced Compatibility
Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, with reinforced front frame members for further enhanced frontal crash
energy management. The RLX is expected to achieve a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the U.S. NHTSA and
TOP SAFETY PICK status from IIHS.
Advanced Telematics
In keeping with the ?Man Machine Synergy' focus of Acura, the RLX will feature state-of-the-art communications,
navigation and infotainment technologies with intuitive and easy-to-operate controls. Dual LCD screens (8-inch
display and 7-inch touch screen) will provide easy and direct one-touch access to key functions ? including
audio, heating and cooling, navigation and voice-to-text SMS text message function.
The RLX will also feature the first application of AcuraLink® Communication System, which incorporates built-in
two-way cellular communication to deliver an array of new convenience features, including airbag deployment
notification, stolen vehicle tracking, remote locking and unlocking, security alarm notification and concierge
service.

An all-new, 14-speaker ultra premium audio system will be offered in addition to Acura's award winning ELS
Surround® sound system. Both audio systems provide MP3 connectivity via USB integration with Aha Radio®.
Using Aha Radio®, RLX drivers can create personalized web-based radio stations and receive audio updates from
Facebook and Twitter. In addition, a new Acura-exclusive smart phone application integrates smart phone
functions (such as email, text messaging and contacts) into the RLX's on-demand touch screen functions.
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® calling and pre-loaded text message replies provide for easy two-way
communication.
The RLX also will be available with Acura Navigation System with Bilingual Voice Recognition™. This innovative
system offers the driver a wide range of search options including Bing™ search functionality and the option for an
AcuraLink® concierge to send a destination to the vehicle's navigation system.

Acura Brand

With a focus on ?man and machine synergy' Acura is embarking on its next 25 years as a pioneering and
innovative performance-luxury nameplate and is undertaking an aggressive revitalization of its Acura product
and technology portfolio.

The RLX Concept is Acura's fourth new model debut since January 2012, when Acura took the wraps of its
redesigned RDX Prototype crossover SUV at the Montreal International Auto Show, all-new Acura ILX Concept
sedan, and next-generation Acura NSX Concept supercar, at the Toronto International Auto Show
Following the introduction of the production versions of the more powerful and fuel-efficient 2013 RDX in April,
and the all-new 2013 Acura ILX and ILX Hybrid sedans in May, the production RLX will launch in Canada in the
spring of 2013. The next-generation Acura NSX, being developed by Honda R&D Americas in the U.S., will be
produced in Ohio using domestically and globally sourced parts and launched within the next three years.
For additional information on the Acura lineup, including photos and video, please visit Acuranews.ca.

 

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