Acura unveils electric SUV coupé concept
The electric SUV coupé is based on a new Honda platform, but no technical data has yet been published. This is Honda’s first foray of its own after the electric car partnership with General Motors came to nothing last year. The Performance EV Concept is now intended to demonstrate the design language that will be used in future electric cars from Honda. The design of the concept was developed at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles. We still have to wait for the technical specifications of the vehicle and the platform.
Pictures show that the concept has short overhangs and a coupé-like roofline. The front is tapered and appears jagged: the ventilated bonnet is set back and flanked by further air vents. Honda itself speaks of an “aggressive front end” inspired by hydrofoils. Massive wheel arches and 23-inch wheels with 295/35R23 tread tyres also contrast with the inwardly curved side surfaces, resulting in a muscular appearance. At the rear, “an upswept decklid, full-width taillight and large diffuser pay homage to the second generation NSX.” The Honda NSX was a sports car produced between 1990 and 2005.
“The Acura Performance EV Concept is the archetype of Acura Performance in the electrified era, taking full advantage of the extreme design freedom of stance and proportion offered by our next-generation EV platform to push the boundaries of Acura design even further,” said Dave Marek, Acura Design Executive. “As with our previous Acura concept vehicles, the Acura Performance EV Concept introduces a number of design themes that will be seen on future Acura vehicles.” The new EV concept makes its public debut today at The Quail motorsports gathering in California, followed by an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Honda is currently in the process of converting several plants in the US state of Ohio for the production of electric cars. Specifically, the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) and the Anna Engine Plant (AEP). According to official information from the spring, the work is apparently progressing somewhat faster than originally planned, so that Honda is now aiming to start production of electric cars at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) by the end of 2025 instead of 2026 as previously communicated.
“We began production of Acura vehicles in America almost 30 years ago, so we are excited to make an Acura SUV the first EV we build at the Honda EV Hub,” commented Mike Fischer, Senior Chief Engineer and Head of the Honda North American BEV Project. “The establishment of the Honda EV Hub represents not only the start of EV production but the complete reimagining of our approach to manufacturing that will establish our global standard for EV production.”
As reported, the joint battery cell factory of Honda and LG Energy Solution in Ohio with an annual production capacity of around 40 GWh is also scheduled to go online at the end of 2025.
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