A few days after unveiling a sneak peek at a new concept, Acura unveiled the “Performance EV” in a world premiere at Monterey Car Week. The SUV concept design offers a glimpse of what consumers will see in a true production style that will be built in the United States through Honda and powered through the new EV architecture developed through Acura’s parent company.
As an unwavering reader of the site, you’re familiar with Acura, Honda’s sublogo of luxury and functionality. We haven’t talked much about the logo going forward because, well, it didn’t produce any BEVs. However, it replaced it with the launch of its first all-electric model, the ZDX.
We had a chance to test drive the electric SUV and thought it was a welcome first attempt from the Japanese automaker. However, we see the ZDX more as an entry-level BEV than the advertised “performance model. “
Still, Acura and its parent company, Honda, are finally taking an interest in electric cars and are looking to grab their own share of the market with new models led by new platform technology.
While we don’t know what Acura’s next production electric vehicle will look like, the company has given us a sneak peek at some of the proposed design elements in a new Performance EV concept that will make its world debut in Monterey this week. .
At an event at Monterey Car Week, Acura will officially unveil the Performance EV Concept, an SUV described by its manufacturers as “the evolution of Acura’s performance-oriented design direction and the brand’s next all-electric model. “
Acura’s design studio created the SUV concept to preview the Japanese brand’s upcoming all-electric production model, whose name has not yet been shared.
Per Acura, we do know that the new model is scheduled to begin production in late 2025 and will be the first BEV engineered on a new EV platform developed in-house by Honda. It will also be the first EV built at the Honda EV Hub in Marysville, Ohio (using domestic and globally sourced parts, per Acura).
Acura says it was inspired by hydrofoil superyachts for the Performance EV concept, especially the SUV’s sleek front façade. Other design elements come with a “coupe-like silhouette” and a teardrop-shaped cabin. The photographs seen above have a semi-matte finish. It finishes the “Moonlit White Pearl” paint, which is also provided on the SUV’s four-piston calipers.
The exterior is accented through 23-inch wheels and functional tires and “Acura” displayed on the tailgate with a new font. According to Acura design manager Dave Marek:
The Acura Performance EV Concept is the archetype of Acura Performance in the electrified era, taking full credit for the excessive freedom of design, position and proportion presented through our next-generation EV platform to further push the boundaries of Acura design,” said Dave Marek, Acura Chief Design Officer. “As with our previous Acura Concept vehicles, the Acura Performance EV Concept features a number of design themes that will be noticeable in long-lasting Acura vehicles.
The Acura Performance EV Concept will make its world debut this Friday, Aug. 16 at The Quail at a press conference scheduled for 10:36 a. m. PT.