Kind of related: One of the easiest ways to sell a movie idea to a Hollywood executive nowadays? Attach a franchise to it–essentially, "something familiar, but different."
Photography Courtesy Acura
Alright, so maybe this isn’t the next-gen RSX some had hoped for, but let’s push that aside–at least for a moment–and see what Acura has in store.
Based on the Acura Performance EV Concept displayed back in August during Monterey Car Week, the new RSX represents three firsts for the brand: The first model to be developed on Honda’s new EV platform, the first to use the new proprietary ASIMO OS operating system (which was recently introduced at CES 2025) and the first EV to be produced at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio.
The Acura Performance EV Concept, as debuted during Monterey Car Week
Real-world testing of the new EV starts this week, with prototype models sporting a camouflage wrap designed by the global Acura Design team that, as Acura explains, “emphasizes the sleek, coupe-like silhouette with sophisticated patterns that emulate light emerging through the camouflage to convey calmness, strength and inner power.”
So why re-use the RSX nameplate instead of crafting something new?
"The nameplate pays homage to the Acura RSX with its coupe-like silhouette, but it truly represents a forward-looking approach to fun-to-drive performance," said Mike Langel, assistant vice president, Acura National Sales. "Our second all-electric SUV will solidify our EV credentials even as its ICE stablemates, the all-new ADX, RDX, MDX, TLX and Integra continue to attract new buyers to the Acura brand.”
Our reasoning? Acura picked the RSX nameplate for the same reason Mitsubishi reused the Eclipse name and Ford affixed a Mustang badge to the Mach-E: To attract potential buyers to a familiar name that offers a (potentially) new and exciting experience.
Only time will tell if the plan works, however.
Kind of related: One of the easiest ways to sell a movie idea to a Hollywood executive nowadays? Attach a franchise to it–essentially, "something familiar, but different."
as long as they make the rear suspension completely useless and terrible it'll be accurate to its lineage.
Kinda weird, never felt anything for the RSX name other than "USDM Integra."
And how is it using "ASIMO OS" if it doesn't transform into an android?
Does this mean that the RSX has joined the ranks of 4,000+ pound "sport" compact cars?
If we're talking about it, then their plan worked--we'd have never cared if they'd called it the ABCDX or whatever their naming convention is these days.
Does it matter? Probably not.
Does it hurt me somewhere deep in my high-school brain that lusted after an RSX? Yep.
Wahhhhh.
kb58 said:Does this mean that the RSX has joined the ranks of 4,000+ pound "sport" compact cars?
I think the term is "pork" compact.
Hey Honda is possibly merging with Mitsubishi. A company who called a crossover an Eclipse from the sports coupe, so it totally makes sense. Mitsubishi is already having an impact!
In reply to CyberEric :
My first thought. That's really the last company they should be taking inspiration from. What does Mitsubishi even make? I know they make nice VRF AC systems, but cars? Nah
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