As the 2012 North American International Auto Show came to a close last week, I think it’s fair to say Acura succeeded with their intentions to “shock and awe” the masses in Detroit. I’d like to share great article from Kelly Taylor of The Chronicle Hearld which pretty much sums up the effect Acura had at the event. I particularly like this excerpt:
“in a crowd of automotive cynics, where journalists rarely applause anything, the hoots and hollers weren’t coming from the Acura staff, they were coming from the journalists. Lamborghini would be lucky to design a car like this. Yes, that’s how good it is. Indeed, a conspiracy theorist might propose the reason Lambo and Ferrari were not at this year’s show was that they had seen the NSX and did not want to be upstaged.”
The claim about the “hoots and hollers” were indeed true. It’s something that rarely happens at these unveilings, and it surprised many that were there, myself included. The overwhelming response was both welcomed and encouraging for Acura, which hopes to revitalize and reestablish itself in the luxury market for 2012.
Acura Chief Designer Jon Ikeda shares his insight on the Acura concepts shown at NAIAS 2012 in a series of videos produced by the Temple of VTEC team. Find out which design features are staying, and which are still a work in progress. View the three clips on vtec.net.
Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some of the models Acura presented at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
NY Acura Dealers sent in the Tier10 team along with award-winning photographer Douglas Sonders to capture both the new and current models of the Acura booth. For those who attended the show, you were probably too busy wiping the drool from your chin to really take in the details of the new concepts. Have another look, you’ll likely find you missed some really cool design features that Jon Ikeda and the Acura Design team incorporated.
You won’t have any trouble finding photos of Acura’s gorgeous new NSX Concept. A Google image search using the “past week” button will compile an endless amount of pages with images covering every angle and inch of the silver NSX.
While silver is usually best to bring out the lines and curves of a vehicle, seeing the same car in a darker color can give off a totally different aura. I went ahead with a photoshop job on the silver NSX Concept and painted on a new dark metallic gray color. Needless to say, I ended up with one fierce looking Acura.
Tony Stark might be getting his in red, but I think Bruce Wayne will be looking to get this one as his newest toy.
After an exciting few days at the 2012 North America International Auto Show, the Acura team has put together a few videos from the big event. A wrap up video showcases some of the highlights of the press conference, with additional comments from Acura executives on what the three new vehicles have to offer.
Also available are individual videos with panning shots and different views of each model. Believe me, these vehicles look even better in person, so if you can’t make it to the show you’ll want to see the clips below.
See Acura’s NSX Concept in motion through this Gran Turismo 5 video introduction. The clip was played briefly at the 2012 NAIAS debut and previews the new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD and its regenerative capabilities. Check it out below:
COBO Center was still buzzing after Acura’s three car debut at the 2012 NAIAS yesterday. Well into day 2 there was a steady crowd on the Acura floor with photographers and video crews still trying to get a piece of the NSX. You would be lucky to get some time alone with the vehicle without some sort of special privileges from Acura.
I even caught what appears to be Rutledge Wood and the Top Gear USA crew checking out the NSX Concept this afternoon. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but you can bet they will want to get their hands on a production model to feature on a future episode of Top Gear.
We’ll have to wait a few more years until that happens, but for now you can look forward to the new season of Top Gear premiering February 14, 2012 on History.
The automotive media roared in applause today at COBO Center as Honda CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled the new Acura NSX concept. The rebirth of the NSX brings a type of excitement that hasn’t been felt in recent years by Honda and Acura enthusiasts.
Automotive journalists, reporters and photographers crammed the Acura booth to get the first glimpse of a trio of new Acura models. After an introduction by Vice President and General Manager Jeff Conrad, taking turns on stage to present the three vehicles were Assistant Vice President of Product Planning Vicki Poponi, Head of the Acura Design Studio Jon Ikeda, and finally Honda CEO Takanobu. Full press conference remarks are available for viewing at www.acuranews.com
Covered up for most of the day, the NSX sat centre stage with its sharp edges creasing the sheets. The full mid-engine concept was later revealed with aggressive futuristic styling and sharp angles. While Acura’s hybrid halo car was the definite show stopper and received most of the attention, we can’t ignore the debut of the next generation RDX prototype and the all-new ILX Concept. The upcoming RDX gains a 6-speed automatic transmission, V6 engine, and looks “grown up” with bold new exterior styling. The ILX Concept was revealed as a luxury compact sedan, with nice proportions and a sleek, “jet-like” front end. It will be offered with a 2.0-liter I4 engine, a 2.4-liter I4 engine, and a 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid power train. More details should be coming in the next few months.
The RDX and ILX are scheduled to be released this year, but NSX fans will have to wait another 2-3 years to see a production model. Acura is not done with concepts quite yet though, watch for a new flagship possibly at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.
