Acura introduced the Performance EV Concept at Monterey Car Week, a premier event for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. The concept previews Acura’s next all-electric model, which is set to be the first vehicle built on Honda’s new EV platform.
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Developed by Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, the concept shows a new design language for the brand’s future electric vehicles.
Key design elements include a vented hood extending from the A-pillars, aggressive front fascia inspired by hydrofoil superyachts and prominent side vents.
The concept features a coupe-like silhouette with a Moonlit White Pearl semi-matte finish, an upswept decklid and a distinctive full-width taillight reminiscent of the second-generation NSX. The logo is displayed across the tailgate in a new font.
The Performance EV Concept is equipped with 23-inch rims featuring a spoke pattern designed to suggest motion, even when the vehicle is at rest.
The SUV has a long wheelbase, beefy wheel arches and short front and rear overhangs, which together create a powerful, athletic stance.
Its front profile includes aggressive hood and side vents along with narrow, squinting headlights that contribute to its angry look. The overall design is sleek and coupe-like with hidden rear door handles that enhance its two-door appearance.
This concept previews the first vehicle to be built on Honda’s newly developed EV platform, which will be central to Honda’s future EV models.
The new platform is part of Honda’s extensive investment in EV manufacturing including a $700 million retrofit of its Marysville, Ohio facility, which will become the company’s new EV hub.
The Marysville plant will produce the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU), which integrates the EV battery pack into the vehicle platform.
Although specific details about the powertrain are still under wraps, the Performance in the concept’s name suggests that it will feature a high-output dual-motor setup.
It’s likely that the production version will deliver over 500 horsepower aligning with the current ZDX Type S, which already hits the 500 hp mark.
The concept is expected to include an evolution of Acura’s SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system.
Although Acura has not yet revealed the interior of the Performance EV Concept, expectations are high given the brand’s focus on luxury and advanced technology.
The concept’s large glass roof suggests a spacious and airy cabin likely featuring premium materials and infotainment systems.
Acura’s design ethos typically prioritizes driver engagement, so we can expect a cockpit that blends functionality with aesthetics.
The concept boasts a powerful stance with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and muscular wheel arches.
Massive 23-inch wheels with wide 295/35R23 performance tires and sculptural wheel designs add to the vehicle’s dynamic appearance.
High-performance brakes with Moonlit White four-piston calipers and neon green Acura scripting address its sporty character.
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The concept made its public debut at The Quail with a scheduled press event. It was also featured on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The new Acura model is based on the Performance EV Concept and it will be the first vehicle engineered on Honda’s new EV platform.
The new EV will be the first model produced at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, where Honda is retooling its existing manufacturing facilities.
The Marysville Auto Plant along with the East Liberty Auto Plant and Anna Engine Plant are undergoing transformations to support EV production.
Honda has committed over $700 million to these upgrades, positioning Ohio as a key center for the company’s electric future.
A key component of the Honda EV Hub is the construction of a new joint venture EV battery facility with LG Energy Solution.
The facility was located near Jeffersonville, Ohio and it will cover over 2 million square feet and represents an investment of approximately $4.4 billion.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, the plant will have an annual capacity of around 40GWh, supporting the production of Honda’s next-generation EVs.
The first EV built at the Honda EV Hub is expected to roll off the production line in late 2025. This model will follow the 2024 Acura ZDX, which was developed in partnership with General Motors and shares its platform with the Cadillac Lyriq.
The production version of the Acura Performance EV Concept is slated to hit the market in late 2025. This vehicle will be the first to roll off the assembly line at Honda’s newly revamped EV hub in Ohio.
The new plant will also support Honda’s EV strategy in North America, which includes a partnership with LG Energy Solution to build a new battery plant in Jeffersonville, Ohio.
The Acura Performance EV Concept is the fifth concept vehicle that Acura has showcased at Monterey Car Week in the past 11 years.
Previous concepts include the NSX Concept (2013), Precision Concept (2016), Type S Concept (2019) and Precision EV Concept (2022).
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