Acura: Development and Technology News
08-11-2015, 06:29 PM
#3921
Team Owner
what happened to the heavily discounted for mankind?
08-11-2015, 06:38 PM
#3922
I feel the need...
08-11-2015, 06:42 PM
#3923
Team Owner
Deeply discounted power plenum comes with a price 
08-11-2015, 06:47 PM
#3924
I feel the need...
09-30-2015, 01:51 PM
#3925
Safety Car
Iihs
Sep 30, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif.
2016 ILX and RDX are the latest Acura vehicles to earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the IIHS
Acura is the 1st luxury brand to earn the top designation across its entire model line
AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies available across the entire Acura lineup
Acura has become the 1st luxury brand to earn a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating for its entire model line from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS announced today that the significantly refreshed 2016 ILX and 2016 RDX have each received a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, when equipped with AcuraWatch™, resulting in the entire Acura lineup of luxury sedans and SUVs earning the safety distinction.Acura is the 1st luxury brand to earn the top designation across its entire model line
AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies available across the entire Acura lineup
"As the 1st luxury brand to earn the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating across its entire model line, Acura continues to champion safety performance as a key luxury attribute," said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager for the Acura Division. "Acura has made the commitment to offer advanced safety performance technologies across our entire lineup, helping all Acura luxury sedans and SUVs earn the top safety rating from IIHS."
The TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings for the 2016 Acura ILX and RDX include a top rating of GOOD in all IIHS crash test modes, including a top score of GOOD in the Insurance Institute's new small overlap front crash test and a top score of SUPERIOR in its front crash protection test.
"We commend Acura for receiving the highest IIHS award designation for all of its vehicles," said David Zuby, executive vice president and senior research officer for IIHS. "With qualifying crashworthiness ratings, including in the rigorous front small overlap crash test, and an effective front crash prevention system available across the lineup, Acura is 1 of the leaders in the luxury segment."
With both models receiving significant enhancements for 2016, the Acura ILX and RDX boast more advanced safety technology than ever before. The AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies is now available on all Acura models and is standard on the 2016 RDX Advance package and 2016 ILX Tech Plus package. AcuraWatch™ can help improve the driver's situational awareness and, in certain circumstances, intervene to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity.
AcuraWatch™ includes features like Collision Mitigation Braking System™ with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). These systems benefit from the adoption of a sensor fusion technology integrating the capabilities of a windshield-mounted monocular camera and front grille-mounted millimeter wave radar system to provide enhanced sensing with the ability to identify and anticipate multiple collision scenarios, including those involving a pedestrian. When the system anticipates a collision or road departure, it can initiate warnings and, in certain instances, initiate emergency braking and steering.
To further improve frontal collision performance, the 2016 Acura ILX and RDX offer enhanced crash safety design with numerous changes to its next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. The next-generation ACE™ design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to help distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, enhancing occupant protection and crash compatibility in front collisions.
09-30-2015, 02:54 PM
#3926
Moderator
^^^Well, at least they're doing something right.
10-01-2015, 06:04 AM
#3927
You'll Never Walk Alone
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Kudos for achieving top safety ratings across the line up. However, I can't help but to think it's easier for Acura to do this since their line up is quite a bit smaller than other luxury brands. While Acura has 5 models, Audi already has 5 sedans in their line up (A3, A4, A6, A7, A8).
Audi: 12 (A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, TT, R8, Q3, Q5, Q7, All Road)
BMW: 15 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, i3, i8, Z4)
MB: 18 (B, C, E, S, CLA, C coupe, CLS, S coupe, AMG GT-S, Maybach, SLK, SL, GLA, GLC, GLE, GLE coupe, GL, G)
Lexus: 12 (IS, ES, GS, LS, NX, RX, GX, LX, RC, IS-C, CT, LFA)
Infiniti: 7 (Q50, Q60, Q70, QX50, QX60, QX70, QX80)
Cadillac: 9 (ATS coupe, ELR, ATS, CTS, XTS, SRX, Escalate, XT5, CT6)
Audi: 12 (A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, TT, R8, Q3, Q5, Q7, All Road)
BMW: 15 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, i3, i8, Z4)
MB: 18 (B, C, E, S, CLA, C coupe, CLS, S coupe, AMG GT-S, Maybach, SLK, SL, GLA, GLC, GLE, GLE coupe, GL, G)
Lexus: 12 (IS, ES, GS, LS, NX, RX, GX, LX, RC, IS-C, CT, LFA)
Infiniti: 7 (Q50, Q60, Q70, QX50, QX60, QX70, QX80)
Cadillac: 9 (ATS coupe, ELR, ATS, CTS, XTS, SRX, Escalate, XT5, CT6)
11-03-2015, 05:36 PM
#3929
Well, at least Luda got his car back.
https://www.facebook.com/Acura/video...type=2&theater
On the other hand Jerry feels a little #thinkivebeenripped (tag from his facebook page).
https://www.facebook.com/Acura/video...type=2&theater
On the other hand Jerry feels a little #thinkivebeenripped (tag from his facebook page).
12-18-2015, 12:00 PM
#3930
Senior Moderator
Acura To Preview New Design Direction
From here: Acura To Preview New Design Direction With Precision Concept At 2016 Detroit Auto Show
Acura today provided a glimpse of what it will unveil at 2016 Detroit Auto Show on January 12. It's called the Precision concept, and it's a peek into the future of Acura design, especially that of the brand’s next-generation sedans.
Created by Acura's California design studio, the automaker claims the concept will have bold lines and plenty of attitude. So far, we can only see some seemingly attractive angled lines on a long red sedan with a coupe-like profile.
New Acura boss Jon Ikeda said the company needs to improve its sedan lineup, and this show car could be the first step toward realizing that goal. Of course, the brand would also do well to create a new rear-wheel-drive-based platform and offer its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 from the NSX supercar in any car aimed at the established European luxury automakers.
Acura design boss Dave Marek calls the company's core DNA "precision crafted performance," and says that the goal is to more strongly express performance through design.
We will have much more information about Acura's newest concept when it is revealed to the public at the Detroit Auto Show.
Created by Acura's California design studio, the automaker claims the concept will have bold lines and plenty of attitude. So far, we can only see some seemingly attractive angled lines on a long red sedan with a coupe-like profile.
New Acura boss Jon Ikeda said the company needs to improve its sedan lineup, and this show car could be the first step toward realizing that goal. Of course, the brand would also do well to create a new rear-wheel-drive-based platform and offer its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 from the NSX supercar in any car aimed at the established European luxury automakers.
Acura design boss Dave Marek calls the company's core DNA "precision crafted performance," and says that the goal is to more strongly express performance through design.
We will have much more information about Acura's newest concept when it is revealed to the public at the Detroit Auto Show.
12-18-2015, 12:01 PM
#3931
Senior Moderator
12-18-2015, 12:01 PM
#3932
Senior Moderator
Dunno, from that sneak preview, it looks like an Infiniti Q50...? 
Or maybe I need new glasses.
Or maybe I need new glasses.
12-18-2015, 12:03 PM
#3933
Team Owner
Looks like a coupe. CLX, anyone?
Or is it another iteration of a sedan? I can see that image going either way... where would they put it in the lineup though?
Or is it another iteration of a sedan? I can see that image going either way... where would they put it in the lineup though?
Last edited by TacoBello; 12-18-2015 at 12:05 PM.
12-18-2015, 12:32 PM
#3935
Acura design boss Dave Marek calls the company's core DNA "precision crafted performance," and says that the goal is to more strongly express performance through design.
12-18-2015, 01:09 PM
#3937
Lola
12-18-2015, 01:12 PM
#3938
Team Owner
Of course, the brand would also do well to create a new rear-wheel-drive-based platform and offer its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 from the NSX supercar in any car aimed at the established European luxury automakers.
Acura design boss Dave Marek calls the company's core DNA "precision crafted performance," and says that the goal is to more strongly express performance through design.
Acura design boss Dave Marek calls the company's core DNA "precision crafted performance," and says that the goal is to more strongly express performance through design.
Express performance through design by hiding exhaust tips to make it look like a hybrid...
12-18-2015, 04:01 PM
#3940
Team Owner
12-18-2015, 06:17 PM
#3941
You'll Never Walk Alone
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At least this time it's focusing on design by showing us an actual design.....hard to tell what it looks like but so far I like that shape!
12-18-2015, 09:51 PM
#3942
12-19-2015, 07:33 AM
#3943
Safety Car
C&d
Determined to once again prove that the Germans don’t have a lock on deeming their creations “precise,” Acura calls back to its caliper-waving origin with the new Precision Concept for the Detroit auto show.
Teased here before its official reveal next month, Acura claims the new car will “help set the direction for future Acura design; in particular, the next generation of performance-luxury sedans.” The supplied rendering includes no door shutlines, but given the above sentence, we’re inclined to believe the concept will be a 4-door coupe of some sort. Can we all finally just concede that the Germans won and a 4-door coupe is now no longer a thing that needs to be placed in quotes? Yeah, we know. We hate it, too. Hats off to you, Deutschland, your persistence has paid finally paid its dubious dividend. Introducing the sketch to media assembled in Detroit, Acura general manager Jon Ikeda called attention to the “unmistakable proportions” of the long hood. Speaking to C/D later in the evening, Ikeda told us that it was important to the brand that these classic luxury-sedan proportions aren’t just an illusion. That means the engine likely runs longitudinally, although we’re left guessing where the power is routed. Recall that the 2nd-generation Acura Legend’s longitudinally mounted engine still powered the front wheels.
What might be most interesting about the new concept is that it actually has a name, last seen on a production Acura product in the form of the late, beloved Integra. We asked Ikeda if the name Precision suggests that the brand might exhume the badges of its founding fathers, Integra and Legend. He neither affirmed nor denied our suspicions that future Acuras will include more vowels as standard equipment. Instead, he offered something far more important. Ikeda told us that if those iconic names do make a comeback, they can’t be applied to cars like today’s ILX and TLX. It would seem, then, that Acura’s top executive is teeing up the same sweeping overhaul that the brand’s chief designer Dave Marek hinted at when we asked about the Integra back in 2014. Beyond all that joyous news and conjecture, we have but one request for you, dear Acura. Please revive the Vigor nameplate. For only then, with Vigor in our hands and at our feet, will we be able to call our decade, this glorious, fêted decade, 100 percent complete.
12-19-2015, 12:24 PM
#3944
Team Owner
So is Acura finally listening to what we want, or is it still telling us what we should want?
As much as I wish that concept was RWD, I think that at best it will be AWD. Not that AWD is a bad thing, but knowing Acura, it will be a FWD biased AWD system.
The only shitty thing is that it takes years to implement changes to a car lineup (understandably so). It's nice they're talking the talk, I just hope they put to practice what they preach. Actual car names again, performance oriented vehicles, etc, etc, etc...
As much as I wish that concept was RWD, I think that at best it will be AWD. Not that AWD is a bad thing, but knowing Acura, it will be a FWD biased AWD system.
The only shitty thing is that it takes years to implement changes to a car lineup (understandably so). It's nice they're talking the talk, I just hope they put to practice what they preach. Actual car names again, performance oriented vehicles, etc, etc, etc...
12-20-2015, 09:36 AM
#3945
Senior Moderator
Acura design boss Dave Marek calls the company's core DNA "precision crafted performance," and says that the goal is to more strongly express performance through design.
Yep, Pretty much says it all. They want it to look sporty and fast, claim it is both but not actually be. They will come out with a nice looking concept car but dumb it down so much its vanilla all the wile sticking with their new slogan "Precision Crafted Performance" only fooling themselves while trying to convince us that this is what we want.
12-20-2015, 01:04 PM
#3946
Team Owner
I hate you for bringing me back to reality 
12-21-2015, 08:58 PM
#3948
Senior Moderator
But Someone had to be the bearer of bad news.
12-21-2015, 08:59 PM
#3949
Senior Moderator
The following users liked this post:
TacoBello (12-22-2015)
12-22-2015, 12:49 AM
#3950
Team Owner
01-09-2016, 07:45 AM
#3952
Safety Car
Yahoo
BEIJING (Reuters) - As part of a broader makeover, and even the survival, of its stalled luxury Acura brand, Japan's Honda Motor Co will launch a new small crossover sport utility vehicle this year in China to compete with BMW (BMWG.DE) and Audi (NSUG.DE) in the world's biggest car market, two individuals closely involved in the effort said.
Reviving Acura is one of the biggest challenges facing Takahiro Hachigo, who took over as Honda CEO last year. The brand has struggled to carve out a clear identity as a sporty, high-performance luxury label.
Since entering China a decade ago, Acura has struggled, selling just over 4,000 cars last year compared with BMW's 460,000 and Audi's 554,000. And in the United States, where Acura debuted 3 decades ago, sales have failed to top the 201,000 cars it sold as far back as 2006, according to industry consultant IHS. Sales last year were 179,000, around half the number of cars sold by both BMW and Toyota Motor's Lexus luxury marquee.
That revival effort will kick off with production mid this year of a China-only sub-compact crossover SUV at a jointly-run plant with Guangzhou Automobile Group . The new model will have a "crisp, more expressive" style - the result of 4 years of effort by Honda product planners and engineers - said the 2 individuals, who asked not to be named as they are not authorized to speak to the media.
"We don't have a strong brand with Acura in China. Our next move could be make or break," 1 of the individuals said.
A Beijing-based Honda spokeswoman said the new Acura crossover SUV is being developed specially for China and demonstrates the company's commitment to that market. 1 of the knowledgeable individuals said Acura's China sales unit reckons it could eventually sell about 30,000 of the new crossover SUVs a year.
But the new model's significance goes beyond China, with the styling of the China-only car highlighting the signature feature of a broader Acura makeover.
While the under-wraps China model is unlikely to be unveiled before the Beijing autoshow in April, hints of the new Acura styling should be on show in Detroit on Tuesday.
In an e-mailed response to queries, California-based Honda spokeswoman Jessica Fini declined to comment on Acura's product plans, but noted a new concept model to be unveiled at the Detroit autoshow "previews the (brand's) future design direction," and "expresses performance through design".
"NO MORE SMILEY FACE"
Honda's leadership, already battling a crisis over potentially lethal air bags made by supplier Takata Corp (7312.T), is aware that a failed makeover could render Acura a "Mercury of Honda," one of the individuals said, referring to the entry-level luxury brand Ford Motor Co (F.N) killed off in 2010 after years of dwindling sales.
Part of the Acura identity issue is that there is little to differentiate between the upscale brand and mainstream Honda cars, with a quiet recognition inside Honda that Acura cars are in many cases merely "re-badged" Honda cars, the 2 individuals said.
"Styling cues in Honda and Acura cars have become more and more common," said 1 of the knowledgeable individuals. Some Honda cars' strong character lines, he said, are often quickly borrowed by Acura, or the other way around, giving both brands a "family resemblance".
"Where's our discipline in that?" he said.
The new styling direction under Acura's global design chief Dave Marek will allow Acura to have a new, more sporty look, the people said, making it stand out from Honda models.
"No more smiley face," 1 of the 2 people said, referring to a common perception of the Acura look. "If you want to be a performance oriented brand, you should not come across as a clown. You should be serious, even mean," he added.
CLOSING DOORS
Beyond styling, the new Acura model for China is likely to pack more luxury technologies and features, boasting a turbo-charged, 4-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, giving it a "more lively character and a spirited and engaged driver feel," said one of the individuals, adding it was aimed at taking on rival BMW X1 and Audi Q3 models.
Honda wants Acura to compete better in China's growing market for small, premium crossover SUVs market, but acknowledges its cars need more "upscale quality" - through seemingly small improvements such as the sound the doors make when they are closed, the people said.
The new sub-compact crossover will be loosely based on Honda's existing Vezel and HR-V SUVs that are sold around the world. Acura is sold in only 2 major markets, China and the United States, with limited availability also in Canada and a few other countries.
Industry experts are puzzled at Honda's failure to make Acura a stand-out performance car - especially given its relative success as a Formula 1 engine supplier.
"It's strange it has taken this long for Honda," said Bumsuk Lim, a Shanghai-based consultant who worked at Honda's Tokyo design studio during the 1990s.
"It's not as if Acura doesn't have a design heritage. They had this great 2nd-generation Acura Legend coupe, which was seen at the time as a Japanese BMW."
(Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)
Last edited by TSX69; 01-09-2016 at 07:51 AM.
01-12-2016, 08:29 AM
#3953
Azine Jabroni
Acura's Precision Concept looks nothing like an Acura
Few automakers need a breath of fresh, creative air as much Acura does. Sure, the upcoming NSX helps — but the rest of the lineup (read: the part that normal people can afford), peppered with boring blocks of angular metal, just doesn't inspire much emotion.
That's where the Precision Concept comes into play, introduced at NAIAS in Detroit today. It looks almost nothing like an Acura, and there are very, very few design elements that evoke any Acuras that are currently on the road. As the name implies, this isn't a real car — rather, it's a design study that gestures toward "a bolder, more distinctive future" for the brand's upcoming models. Basically, it's a near guarantee that you're going to see bits and pieces of the Precision Concept in the next several cars that Acura introduces.
In addition to the strong, squared-off lines of the exterior, the Precision Concept features an updated version of Acura's infotainment system with a curved screen (not the only automaker to go that route — Audi is demonstrating a curved display concept, too). The car "scans each occupant and selects personalized features and functions," though it's not clear how that works; it could be anything from a fingerprint scan to facial recognition. As with the exterior design language, it's easy to guess that elements of this new user interface will make it into Acura's coming production models.
There are many ways that this could go wrong in the inevitable translation of concept to production, but for Acura's middle-of-the-road portfolio, it's a strong — and desperately needed — start.
That's where the Precision Concept comes into play, introduced at NAIAS in Detroit today. It looks almost nothing like an Acura, and there are very, very few design elements that evoke any Acuras that are currently on the road. As the name implies, this isn't a real car — rather, it's a design study that gestures toward "a bolder, more distinctive future" for the brand's upcoming models. Basically, it's a near guarantee that you're going to see bits and pieces of the Precision Concept in the next several cars that Acura introduces.
In addition to the strong, squared-off lines of the exterior, the Precision Concept features an updated version of Acura's infotainment system with a curved screen (not the only automaker to go that route — Audi is demonstrating a curved display concept, too). The car "scans each occupant and selects personalized features and functions," though it's not clear how that works; it could be anything from a fingerprint scan to facial recognition. As with the exterior design language, it's easy to guess that elements of this new user interface will make it into Acura's coming production models.
There are many ways that this could go wrong in the inevitable translation of concept to production, but for Acura's middle-of-the-road portfolio, it's a strong — and desperately needed — start.
01-12-2016, 08:34 AM
#3954
Azine Jabroni
01-12-2016, 08:35 AM
#3955
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
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No more beak!
01-12-2016, 08:37 AM
#3956
Azine Jabroni
I'll admit, I don't hate it. The issue will be when they try to make rebadged Accords look like this. Under the hood, they're still boring, FWD snore machines.
01-12-2016, 08:38 AM
#3957
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
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In all seriousness though I like the overall lines of it. Of course we know they will screw it up though.
01-12-2016, 08:39 AM
#3958
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
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01-12-2016, 10:07 AM
#3959
Safety Car
Remarks
Jan 12, 2016
Jon Ikeda – Vice President and General Manager, Acura Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.:
Good morning and welcome!
It's early I know, but we're going to kick things off this morning with a bang with some new and challenging ideas for the future of our Acura brand. So thanks for joining us!
As some of you may recall, in my former role leading the Acura Design Studio, I appeared on this stage several times as part of the team that created new Acura models here in North America. Today, I'm honored to be here in my new responsibility as the head of Acura Sales in the U.S.
We're on the cusp of a major milestone in the history of Acura. In March, we'll celebrate our 30th anniversary as a brand, the 1st ever luxury marque from a Japanese automaker, a brand that has really changed the landscape of our business in some pretty important ways.
Now, 3 decades go by pretty quickly, and I can personally attest to that. Because when I joined this company 26 years ago, 1 of the main attractions was the Acura brand and its commitment to precision crafted automobiles. Products like the Legend and Integra, and of course, the NSX.
Now, my job, and that of our entire Acura team, is to accelerate our progress, and continue the positive momentum, by sharpening our focus on our core brand DNA.
We've done a lot of soul searching, thinking deeply, as a team, about our core values, and what they mean for the future of this brand. In the process, we reaffirmed, that for the customer, there is no more clear promise for the Acura brand than Precision Crafted Performance.
We're committed to infusing this core Acura promise into every facet of our relationship with the customer. This is something you will see coming to life through our products, our brand communications, like the new TV spot that opened the press conference, and throughout our entire client experience.
From the beginning, Acura has always been about performance. Not only speed or power, but elegantly designed and engineered products that stir the soul, harness innovative technology on a foundation of industry-leading quality and reliability.
This is the essence of Acura, our purpose and authentic nature, past, present and future. And as a team we're recommitting ourselves to Precision Crafted Performance as the north star of the brand. And you can see this coming to life now.
We're on the eve of launching the all-new 2017 Acura NSX, and last month, we were excited to announce pricing and the customer's path to ordering our new supercar.
But NSX is more than just an iconic new product. It is a pinnacle expression of our Acura DNA. Because NSX will deliver Precision Crafted Performance, with incredible speed, fidelity, quality and zero delay, together with dynamic styling, amazing innovative technology, and challenging new methods of manufacturing for world-class quality and craftsmanship.
These are essential elements of what we mean by Precision Crafted Performance, and this new NSX will be held up as the gold standard by which we judge every new product and every facet of our Acura customer experience.
If you're thinking that sounds like a tall order, well, you would be right. Thanks in part to the high bar that we helped establish some 30 years ago, the luxury marketplace is a very different competitive environment today.
So, to set a new standard again, we have some big, bold and challenging dreams for Acura, and today is about the next big step in that plan. Achieving all of our dreams for Acura will require courage, conviction and an unwavering commitment to our Precision Crafted Performance DNA.
And we're fortunate to have with us today our global leader Mr. Hachigo, who brings all 3 of these attributes to our business.
I have known him for many years from his work inside Honda R&D, this includes his 2 years in a leadership role at our Los Angeles R&D Center. In fact, he was with us in LA when we made the decision to build the Acura Design Studio in California. Which makes it appropriate and an incredible honor to have him with us today for the global debut of our new Acura concept model.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the President and CEO of Honda Motor Company, Mr. Takahiro Hachigo.
Takahiro Hachigo – President and CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd:
Thank you, Jon.
I joined Honda in 1982, as the idea for our new premium brand was coming to life.
Our concept was not traditional luxury, but a new idea, born out of our commitment to Precision Crafted Performance.
With Acura, we became the 1st Japanese automaker to take on the challenge of the luxury automotive marketplace. Now, I want to use the 30th anniversary of Acura to set the direction of the Acura brand for the next 30 years.
The mission of Acura has not changed. We will challenge to create products that demonstrate Acura DNA to compete with the best luxury competition.
The NSX is an example of this direction. When it comes to market this spring, it will not follow conventional thinking about supercars. It will offer advanced technology, advanced design and timeless NSX values. Our commitment to Acura doesn't end there.
The Acura brand is 1 of our highest priority goals for global Honda. And we are investing tremendous resources in the Acura brand.
This includes the next generation NSX and the new plant in Ohio that will build it. It includes the next generation of Acura SUVs, which already are among the market leaders, and we will continue to make them even stronger. And we will challenge to create the next generation of Acura sedans with our performance DNA.
But this is not only about powertrains. We must show performance through design. And that is what we plan for you today.
I'm proud to have been part of the team that established the Acura Design Studio in California. Today, I'm pleased to introduce a new concept model that was created by the design team at this Acura studio.
This is the start to the next 30 years of Acura. We will reshape the brand around Precision Crafted Performance, every product and the entire customer experience. That`s why we call this concept model the Acura Precision Concept.
Ladies and gentlemen, a model that will set the direction for the future of Acura design.
Please welcome, the global debut of the Acura Precision Concept.
Dave Marek – Global Creative Director, Acura Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.:
Good morning everyone. And welcome to the future of Acura design.
With an emphasis on high contrast details, and the intersection of modern, sheer surfaces and muscular, organic sculpting, the Acura Precision Concept is more than simply a concept vehicle. This is a design study model that literally will shape the direction of all future Acura products.
It continues in the Acura styling direction we call "alluring modern edge", that's alluring proportion, modern surfacing and edgy detail. It's a direction that demonstrates our commitment to strengthen Acura design around proportion, prestige and performance.
The Proportion of this Acura Precision Concept is, well, almost supercar low and wide with a longer dash-to-axle ratio to communicate power.
We emphasize Prestige through crafted surfacing on the outside, matched by the use of real materials and cantilevered surfaces on the inside.
And Performance. We exude performance with deeply sculpted surfaces pouring over the rear haunches, wider wheels and tires, these Jewel Constellation headlights, which take our signature lighting toward an even bolder and brighter future and a more open grille that feeds air to the powertrain.
Around back you see the floating taillights, with the entire surface behind the light scalloped out to create a look that is both lightweight and strong.
And whether you are looking at details from far away, or up close, you can feel precision crafted performance, by the way the design elements keep drawing you in emotionally.
The front fascia of a vehicle is critical, it's an essential opportunity to dramatically draw attention to what a brand stands for.
This new, open grille projects a dynamic, performance image. We call this the "Diamond Pentagon", the biggest and boldest expression of the Acura marque we've ever had. It's a sign of our confidence in the brand, and is creating a road map for where Acura design is heading. In fact, you won't need to look too far into the future to see this new grille treatment on a production vehicle.
1 of the more unique aspects of this Acura Precision Concept is what we call Quantum Continuum design that seamlessly transitions structure and materials from exterior to interior, expressing precision craftsmanship throughout.
When you open the doors, you see the big rocker section flowing into the side sill, which then transitions into a cantilever for the floating rear seats.
In a similar way, the CHMSL becomes a sculptural element, piercing the rear glass then flowing down to help form the structure of the rear headrests.
And we're looking to carry this inside-outside approach into our production lineup, a challenging design element that will speak to Acura precision craftsmanship.
Now, as important as the exterior styling is for communicating performance, the interior is where we were intent on delivering a new premium experience.
The seating plays an important role in creating 2 unique environments inside the cabin.
The front row expresses the performance aspect of the brand, with a darker tone that plays on the negative space. This is the driver's area. The instrument panel sports a double-layered structure covered in stitched leather surfaces, providing a lightweight and high contrast image.
The 2nd row is the premium area, with seating designed like fine, modern lounge furniture, thin, shapely and surprisingly ergonomic.
Lighter colors create a premium environment and a nice visual contrast between the front and rear of the cabin. There are small details throughout like the hidden speaker grilles made of wood on the front and rear doors.
This concept also introduces the next generation HMI that helps create a dramatic new interior image. The dual personal surface of the instrument panel houses a thin, wide and curved center screen that creates a more immersive experience, bridging the gap between home theatre and car. The retractable screen displays information depending on the task, while the navi map remains constantly visible in the center of the screen.
This is all part of a new HMI experience that becomes your own personal assistant. The system uses artificial intelligence to provide a more intuitive and instinctive connection between the car and the user. For instance, it uses facial recognition to identify the driver and then pull information from its own memory, the user's device and the cloud, to customize the driver's experience. Including audio and vehicle performance settings and navi guidance based on your calendar appointments.
The large upper screen is operated through a touch pad that is suspended on a cantilevered bridge, literally a floating center stack. Conceptually, we wanted to maintain the sculptural and emotional gestures in the metal. And this center panel showcases the form language that enhances the cabin's lightweight feeling.
The micrometer above the steering column has been stripped of it's housing and designed for performance.
In sport mode, the speedometer will operate like a tachometer, while the wide screen will populate vehicle info and turn-by-turn guidance, with a head-up display serving as the primary driver's display.
Both the micro meter and HUD are designed to integrate seamlessly with the center screen and provide the driver with curated content and data, when they need it and where they need it.
The compact steering wheel provides a strong performance grip that enhances the sporty look and feel that ties into the rectangular shape of the NSX steering wheel.
The paddle shifters, typically mounted behind the wheel, are mounted out front, along with an IDS button controlling 5 driving modes, to present an even stronger performance image.
This renewed focus on our roots of "Precision Crafted Performance", is the right direction for the Acura brand, embracing our heritage, and taking it aggressively into the future. That's why this is my favorite concept we have ever done.
The importance of this Acura Precision Concept is not only in what it is, but what it says about the future of Acura design. For luxury buyers, styling is not just about fitting their lifestyle, it's about changing their lifestyle.
And the Acura Precision Concept is the leading edge of a renewed commitment to changing the discussion, to delivering Precision Crafted Performance in every facet of the product experience.
Look, at the end of the day, the essence of design is, you see this car, you see us.
Thank you for your attention.
01-12-2016, 01:05 PM
#3960
Azine Jabroni
Thank God Mike Accavitti and his awful mug aren't involved in Acura anymore.