2007 Acura Advanced Coupe Concept

2007 Acura Advanced Coupe Concept
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SLIDESHOW:

On Acura’s stand, Honda Motor Co. president and CEO Takeo Fukui introduced the Advanced Coupe Concept, a new sports car design that previews a potential successor to the now-discontinued NSX.

One of the brand’s priorities in a concept, especially a sports-car concept, according to Fukui , is to “set the tone for emotional design.” Chief designer John Ikeda elaborated later in the conference that auto designs have faced a challenge to use the technology available but not lose the emotional feel. Getting the right mix of technology and emotion from the start is important, explained Ikeda.

In trying for this duality, the Concept has a “feeling of technical exactness” combined with an emotional side, according to Ikeda, as sharp edges contrast with unexpected, flowing surface transitions, especially as viewed from the side of the vehicle. The new styling philosophy is called “Keen-Edge Dynamic,” representing precision, technology, and emotion.

The wheels designed for the concept — 19-inch in front and 20-inch in back — also follow the philosophy and have a mix of chromed and matte finishes, sharp creases and soft curves.

Fukui said that one of the strong identifiers of the Acura brand is a “burning desire for performance,” and a passion for motorsports. “I spent much of my career in racing and I continue to follow it closely,” said the CEO.

The Advanced Coupe Concept is has a front-engine layout and is primarily rear-wheel-drive, though it will have the first rear-wheel-drive biased application of the company’s SH-AWD (Super Handling, All-Wheel Drive ) system. A V-10 engine will be underhood, and while Fukui did not disclose specs he said it would be the brand’s most powerful engine ever.

The Concept was designed fully in the U.S. And with the recent opening of a shared Honda and Acura Advanced Design Studio in Pasadena , California , both brands are setting the stage for many more domestically designed products.

In other news about the brand, Fukui announced that Acura topped 200,000 U.S. sales for the second consecutive year. The brand is already exporting the U.S.-made TL sedan to China and plans to also begin exporting the MDX there. The brand is also this year coordinating a launch in Japan.

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