Acura bringing back RSX – but not as a sporty coupe

The electric SUV will be the first EV produced at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.

Acura RSX prototype in camouflage — *The Acura RSX prototype is seen here in camouflage. – Honda Canada photo*

The Acura RSX is coming back, but just in name. This time around the RSX will be an electric SUV, not a sporty coupe.

The automaker announced the RSX is based on the Acura Performance EV Concept and will be the first model engineered on Honda’s newly developed EV platform.

The model will also launch Honda’s new Asimo operating system.

“The return of the iconic Acura RSX nameplate is a tribute to its past, reminiscent of the original’s sleek coupe-like design but now with electric power that keeps our commitment to precision crafted performance intact,” said James Marchand, assistant vice president, Acura Canada, in a news release. “The RSX follows the ZDX as our second battery-electric SUV as we continue to entice new enthusiasts to our brand, joining their already proven and popular performance-based, ICE stablemates the all-new ADX, RDX, MDX, Integra and TLX.”

The company said testing in the real world begins this week.

Honda EV Hub

The Honda EV Hub, which utilizes the retooled Marysville and East Liberty auto plants and the Anna engine plant, will produce gas-powered, hybrid and battery-electric vehicles on the same manufacturing line. The hub will be producing EVs in less than a year, the company said.

“We began production of Acura vehicles in America 30 years ago, so we are excited to make the Acura RSX the first EV we build at the Honda EV Hub,” said Mike Fischer, executive chief engineer and leader of the Honda North American BEV Project, in the release. “The establishment of the Honda EV Hub represents not only the start of EV production but the complete reimagining of our approach to manufacturing that will establish our global standard for EV production.”