Acura Dives Deeper Into Identity Crisis with RSX Prototype Debut
Acura passed the sniff test with the Integra relaunch – barely – but the RSX Prototype might not get the same response.
In a move destined to impress very few enthusiasts, Acura has decided to debut something called the RSX Prototype. Is it a call-back to the little hot hatch we all know and love? Will it have two doors, a spritely little engine and great styling? You’d think so, since it debuted the two most enthusiast-packed events on the US car-show event calendar.
Standing before the whelmed crowds at Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance and The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering is this. The RSX Prototype. It’s electric. It’s a crossover. It’s yellow-ish. And it in no way evokes any of the emotions tied to the car that previously wore that nameplate.
Shiny black accent plastics and bold colors don’t mask the taller-than-it-is-wide look. But hey, people want premium crossover SUV’s and that’s one way to disguise the heft. Acura can also apparently completely redefine words as they see fit. “The Acura RSX has a sporty coupe style that expresses the performance that comes from excellent aerodynamics,” says Acura Creative Director and liar Yasutake Tsuchida.
Here’s the thing, the car itself is so anonymous in the world of EV’s, it’s rather non-offensive. The use of RSX as a name really irks us, though. Acura knows the name means something to folks. And it has decided to use the name and target an entirely different group of buyers all together. So what’s the point? The name isn’t going to add appeal to the folks who are looking to cross shop this and every other anonymous EV orb on the road today.
We don’t know performance figures yet, but Acura claims the RSX made on the same production line as gasoline powered cars. While interesting, that doesn’t give us much hope, considering Honda’s other recent misstep named the Prelude. In an attempt to make this car seem deliberate, it is noted the car has double wishbone suspension, all wheel drive (from two motors), and Brembo brakes as standard. A low center of gravity is claimed, as well, but these are the same folks claiming it is essentially a coupe…
Photos: Acura
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