A new batch of 2015 Acura TLX spy shots have emerged today from KGP Photography:

“We caught a couple of undisguised, fresh-from-the-factory 2015 Acura TLX test cars, giving us the first look at at the truly production-spec replacement for the TL and TSX.

The TLX Concept that debuted at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit wasn’t exactly a complete look at a showroom-ready TLX. The black and white test cars caught on their post-build shakedown runs reveal toned-down front- and rear-fascias. The concept showcased a deeper front air-dam and more aggressive rear bumper, with flared sculpting and bold chrome accents. Those aggressive details are not found on the final production models, making for a more tame TLX that will enter Acura’s lineup after its New York Auto Show debut.”

UPDATE: Sources at TOV now say that this is not a North American model.

Head over to Temple of VTEC – vtec.net for the full gallery.

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Official release from Acura Media Newsroom:

American Honda Strengthens Auto Sales Division to Accelerate Sales Growth of Honda and Acura Brands

03/10/2014 – TORRANCE, CA

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will strategically realign its automobile sales and marketing operations into separate divisions organized by brand, as the Honda Division and Acura Division. The moves, effective April 1, are intended to create greater clarity and more cohesive sales and marketing plans that are right for the products and customers of each brand.

In conjunction with the strategy, the following executive changes were announced:

Michael Accavitti will become senior vice president and general manager of the Acura Division. In his new role, Accavitti will be responsible for all sales, marketing and parts and service business for the Acura brand. Accavitti joined Honda in 2011, and is currently the senior vice president of Auto Operations, which includes responsibility for national marketing for the Honda and Acura brands.

Jeff Conrad will become senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. Conrad will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities for the Honda brand. Conrad joined American Honda in 1982, and is currently the vice president and general manager of Acura Sales.

American Honda automotive operations have long been separated by function rather than by brand. These moves will result in exclusive divisions, with dedicated sales and marketing teams for Honda and for Acura.  Both brands will be housed under a single “American Honda Auto Division” to be headed by John Mendel, executive vice president of what is now called the Automobile Sales Division.

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Recently posted on AcuraZine were these photos of a camo-tattered 2015 Acura TLX. Originating from a Chinese website this TLX is likely a China spec model, but usually there are minimal exterior differences from North American models. It looks like the “gap” in the lower front bumper has been closed, reminding me a bit of the third generation TL. We also get a first peek inside the TLX, and it appears to have the dual screen centre console set up found in the RLX and MDX.

[Source: auto.sohu.com]

This past weekend Suzuka Circuit’s Motorsports Fan Appreciation Day brought an epic collection of cars to the event, and NSX fans would not be denied. Honda of course brought its newest racing machine the NSX CONCEPT-GT, and put it alongside two iconic NSXs: the Team Kunimitsu NSX – winner of the 1995 Le Mans GT2 class, and the Castrol MUGEN NSX – winner of the 2000 JGTC GT500 class. The trio of NSXs lapping the circuit created some pretty good photo ops seen in the gallery above.

Also included are photos of the NSX CONCEPT-GT with its Super GT Japanese rivals, Lexus’ RC F and Nissan’s GT-R.

[Source: Suzuka Circuit via Facebook]

Official release from Acura Media Newsroom:

Acura Gains Drive American Honda Sales Results in February 2014

03/03/2014 – TORRANCE, Calif.

• Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey continue sales momentum
• Acura light trucks rise 29.8 percent to set fifth consecutive monthly sales record

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported February 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 100,405 units. Acura light trucks bucked the February trend, gaining 29.8 percent for the month on sales of 7,482 units. The Honda Division recorded sales of 88,860.

Acura

Acura light truck sales topped even last year’s torrid pace with a fifth straight monthly record, rising 29.8 percent.

• Acura Division sales bucked market trends with an increase of 1.6 percent overall on sales of 11,545 units
• MDX sales continue to soar with a 54.9 percent increase on sales of 4,563 units last month
• RDX posted its 22^nd consecutive monthly sales record with sales up 4.2 percent with 2,911 units sold

“Offering the comfort, connectivity and performance every luxury customer wants at a price no other luxury brand can match is clearly a winning formula for Acura light trucks,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura Sales. “With Acura trucks setting records month after month, we are creating great momentum for the introductions this year of the RLX Sport Hybrid and all-new TLX luxury performance sedan.”

[Source: Acura]

Honda has released a new 2:15-minute video featuring Team Kunimitsu as they fine tune the RAYBRIG NSX CONCEPT-GT in preparation for the upcoming 2014 Super GT season.

Click here to view the video

Hear from RealTime Racing’s Peter Cunningham as he gets set to campaign the #42 Acura TLX GT in the upcoming Pirelli World Challenge season. The Realtime Racing team has a long history with Acura cars, previously entering the World Challenge with an Acura Integra Type-R, an Acura NSX and most recently an Acura TSX V6. Peter mentions the challenging task of not only stepping up to the faster GT Class, but doing so in a brand new vehicle.

Check out Peter’s first entry from his new monthly column on Racer.com: Running in RealTime – the Peter Cunningham column.

The 2014 Pirelli World Challenge season kicks off next month with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Friday, March 28 – Sunday, March 30.

[Source: RACER Magazine]

Consumer Reports has ranked Acura second out of 23 makes in their 2014 Brand Report Card. Acura moved up 3 spots from its 2013 ranking with a score of 75, just 4 points shy of this year’s top ranked brand.

The report card aims to recognize the brands which make the best all-around vehicles based on data from Consumer Reports’ comprehensive road tests as well as from subscriber reliability experiences.

“We calculate each brand’s overall score using an equally weighted composite of our road-test and reliability scores for each of its models that we’ve tested and for which our subscribers have provided reliability data in our Annual Auto Survey. To be included, each brand needs at least three models for which we have test and reliability data.” – Consumer Reports

Visit consumerreports.org for the full article: Consumer Reports - Who makes the best cars?

[Source: Consumer Reports]