Acura previews new design language with upcoming concept car

Acura, Honda's luxury marque for the North American market, is set to reveal a new concept car at the upcoming Monterey Car Week. This concept will offer a glimpse into the brand's future design direction, with the redesigned RDX, slated for a 2028 launch, expected to be the first production vehicle to feature this new aesthetic.

The brand has released a teaser video showcasing the concept's rear design, highlighting distinctive "L"-shaped LED taillights. These lights share a resemblance with those seen on the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, which is widely considered a preview of the next-generation RDX. The concept also features vertically oriented third brake lights and rear fog lights positioned above and below the main taillights.

This new design language is closely linked to Honda's recent Hybrid SUV Prototype, which is believed to be the design basis for the upcoming RDX. The concept car is essentially an upgraded version of this prototype, offering a clearer vision of the RDX's potential look.

Furthermore, the next-generation RDX is confirmed to feature a dual-motor hybrid powertrain. This setup likely utilizes the 2.0-liter e:HEV hybrid system found in the current CR-V hybrid, combining a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine with dual electric motors. This system currently produces a combined output of 204 horsepower and achieves an impressive average fuel economy of 19.6 km/L under its "electric-first, gasoline-assisted" configuration. Acura also aims to improve fuel efficiency by over 10% compared to the current model with its next-generation e:HEV technology.