The Acura RSX Is Back—But It’s No Sports Car

Nearly 25 years ago, the Acura RSX debuted as a successor to the Integra, and it very much continued in that car’s vein—a fancier version of the Honda Civic. Now, the RSX is back as something completely different, an electric crossover with a fastback roof. Acura is debuting the new RSX Prototype during Monterey Car Week, and it previews a soon-arriving EV.

Unlike the ZDX, which uses GM’s Ultium electric-car architecture, the RSX is a homegrown effort. This will be the first production car on Honda’s new EV platform—which debuted with the Honda 0 Series concepts—and Acura plans to build it on the same Marysville, Ohio, line as the gas-powered Integra. (Side note: Imagine telling someone 20 years ago that the RSX and Integra would exist alongside each other, and that one would be an SUV.)

Acura calls this a “prototype,” but typically, Honda’s prototypes are very close to the eventual production models. So, this is pretty much what the new RSX will look like, though we’re not sure if the yellow paint will be an option.

Mechanically, the RSX will have dual-motor all-wheel drive, double wishbone front suspension, and Brembo-branded brakes. The prototype sits on 21-inch wheels, and Acura says the wide rear-end is inspired by the second-generation NSX.

Photo by: Acura

The RSX will also be the first Honda product to run the automaker’s new infotainment system, ASIMO OS, named for its beloved humanoid robot. Acura considers this a “software-defined” vehicle, with an OS that learns user preferences, and a system that can handle over-the-air software updates.

The RSX will also get a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port, and it has vehicle-to-load capabilities, so you can essentially use it as a generator of sorts.

Acura was pretty mum on details, though. We don’t know what sort of performance the RSX will have, battery size, range, or anything, really. We also don’t know what it will cost, but since it’s smaller than the ZDX, we have to assume it’ll be cheaper.

Thankfully, we shouldn’t have to wait long, as is typically the case with Honda concepts.

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Source: Acura