The second Acura EV is on its approach, giving the ZDX a smaller, cheaper sibling. The brand new crossover revives the long-dormant RSX nameplate (although on an edgy crossover fairly than a two-door coupe). The automaker teased the RSX Prototype right now, and it seems an entire lot just like the Efficiency EV idea from final yr’s Monterey {Car} Week. It is applicable, then, that the RSX Prototype will take its first public bow on the identical occasion subsequent week.
Alterations from the 2024 idea appear minor, with the nostril nonetheless sporting the identical beak-like prominence on the forefront of the hood – it is nearly an homage to the polarizing “Energy Plenum” Acura design scheme from the late-2000s and early-2010s. The high-mounted LED daytime working lights are barely slimmer, and the entrance bumper corners now incorporate headlight openings and air curtain turbines. A lightened model of the teaser picture, seen beneath, appears to indicate that the Efficiency EV idea’s aggressive hood vents have been smoothed out, nevertheless.
Acura’s First In-Home Electrical {Car}
The RSX Prototype, which can doubtless be a really shut preview of the manufacturing model given Acura’s previous expertise with that nomenclature, goes to be the primary Acura constructed on mother or father firm Honda’s new, proprietary electrical car platform. Whereas the aforementioned ZDX rides on a model of GM’s Ultium platform, the RSX shall be an in-house affair, hopefully providing improved effectivity and diminished value in comparison with present luxurious EVs.
Previewed by Honda’s 0 Saloon and 0 SUV ideas from CES 2025, the brand new platform will streamline a number of electrical and digital methods right into a single ECU, which shall be extra environment friendly and faster to function. The platform (and by extension, the RSX) will even characteristic Honda’s new ASIMO working system, which can combine management over the superior driver help methods, infotainment, and different car capabilities for a extra seamless consumer expertise.
The RSX Will Be Constructed In America
Acura has promised {that a} manufacturing model of the RSX Prototype will arrive someday in mid-2026 – previously regarded as later this yr — and just like the Honda 0 Collection electrical automobiles, will probably be in-built Ohio on the firm’s EV Hub in Marysville. However the EV Hub will not merely carry out last meeting of the Japanese-branded automobiles, it’s going to additionally put collectively a number of completely different parts, together with battery packs, physique constructions, and extra. The RSX would be the first car to roll off the EV Hub’s meeting line, which by the way shall be shared with Honda’s different Marysville merchandise just like the internal-combustion Acura Integra.
The 2024 Acura Efficiency EV Idea
The Acura RSX prototype shall be revealed in full subsequent Thursday or Friday, nearly definitely making an look at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. Acura has used Monterey {Car} Week to preview all of its electrical automobiles, beginning the pattern with 2023’s Precision EV idea. That thinly veiled ZDX design research went into manufacturing about six months later; it appears the RDX could have a barely longer lead time.
Supply: Acura