[Acura Style] Driven By Design

This article is taken from Acura's Fall/Winter 2012 Style magazine, page 49.

Jon Ikeda, chief designer and senior manager of the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, California, is a busy man - in charge of everything from new Acura production models to such advanced visions as the NSX Concept, Acura Style caught up with him at the Design Studio to discuss the RLX Concept on display just a few feet away.

What was the overall design philosophy for the RLX Concept?

A little more serious, a little more formal. We really wanted to establish that it's a flagship. You'll see striking, undulating lines. A good stance. A more spacious interior. And on certain versions, you're going to see hardware directly tied in the NSX supercar. So you know the performance is there.

What exterior and interior features are you most excited about?

In proportion from the outside, it's grown up a little bit. And the interior is downright gorgeous. Even more luxury than we've had before. We also really love the new Jewel Eye headlight technology ... a little thinner, simpler, but very high tech.

What is the most difficult aspect of designing the RLX?

We really wanted to create something that does justice to all the RLX's new technology. But just when you've drawn that nugget of gold, some new regulation will come in that requires us to change the shape by 10 millimeters - 10 millimeters, are you kidding me!? That's a lot! So we're always trying to find that right balance.

It's been a big year for Acura. What's next?

The brand itself is maturing. Don't think for a second that just because we're coming out with all these cars that we're done. We're continuing to push. It's exciting. By the time the RLX comes out, we'll already be well ahead on the next new models. There are things behind this door right now that take Acura on to the next level. But of course, I can't show you!

The Refreshed 2012 Acura TL

The 4th generation Acura TL got a new look. I think it looks better than the refresh, but not as good as the 3rd gen Acura TL.

he 2012 TL's refined new look includes a redesigned front bumper with improved aerodynamics, a revised grille, updated headlights and turn signals, a new fog light design and a shorter front overhang. At the rear, a new rear bumper incorporates a significantly repositioned license plate opening and smaller rear reflectors, while updated taillights and a thinner rear trunk edge trim add to a sophisticated new look.

Below is a video from VTEC.net, interviewing 2012 Acura TL Lead Designer Damon Schell. Schell explains how the look of the TL was refined. Jon Ikeda (who penned the 3rd generation 2004 TL) also weighs in briefly with a few of his comments on the TL refresh

Acura Design Center Opens

The new $15 million Acura Design Studio officially opened its doors today, assuming a key role in the development of new concepts and designs that will lead directly to future Acura products. With state-of-the-art design technologies and a work layout focused on improving collaboration, the new design studio represents the next step in the advance of the Acura brand.



Designed to achieve a high level of energy efficiency, the studio also is expected to be certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). A number of measures were adopted in the design and construction of the studio, with the goal of achieving LEED gold certification.



"This Acura Design Studio will help conceive and design the future of Acura," said Toshihiko Nonaka, president of Honda R&D Americas (HRA). "Our goal here is to create emotional designs that create a strong and distinct image for Acura products."



A number of Acura models, including the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and Acura TL luxury performance sedan, have been designed, developed and engineered by HRA. Moving Acura design activities into a state-of-the-art independent studio provides a more clear focus to advance the unique character of the Acura brand.

"The Acura Design Studio will be critical in our efforts to deliver products at the right times and ahead of the competition."

"Acura is no longer a large moon circling the Honda planet," said Jon Ikeda, manager of the new studio. "We now have established our own orbit as an independent Acura planet."

Key technologies in the Acura Design Studio include a computer-generated virtual simulator that enables design stylists to display virtual vehicles in a one-to-one ratio. Other features in the facility design include the parallel arrangement of the interior and exterior design areas on the styling floor to better enable collaboration of designers involved in a new vehicle.



A celebratory groundbreaking for the Acura Design Studio was conducted March 27, 2006, marking the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Acura brand. Acura was the world's first Japanese luxury nameplate and the first Japanese luxury automaker to design, develop and manufacturer its vehicles in North America. Today, nearly two-thirds of all Acura vehicles sold in America are researched, designed, developed and assembled exclusively in North America.



In the effort to achieve a Gold rating by the USGBC, the Acura Design Studio includes many energy-saving attributes such as an Energy Star reflective roof to reduce heat gain and lower air conditioning requirements; reclaimed water used for landscaping; and an intelligent lighting system that makes greater use of natural light. Honda has other LEED gold certified facilities in Gresham, Oregon and Raymond, Ohio.



With the addition of the Acura Design Studio, the company operates 13 major R&D facilities in North America with more than 1,200 designers, engineers and support personnel engaged in the development of automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment products for North America and global markets. HRA's major centers include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, CA) responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, OH) responsible for complete product development, testing and support of North American supplier development; and two dynamic test facilities in California and Ohio; and the North Carolina Center (Swepsonville, NC) responsible for power equipment R&D.


[Source] AcuraNews

Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) Press Release Video

This is it guys and gals! Video of Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) debut in Detroit. You can listen to both Takeo Fukui, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co, and Jon Ikeda, principal designer representing Acura Design Center entire speeches. Mr. Fukui talks a lot about the Acura brand and where it is heading, while Mr. Ikeda talks more about the ASCC's design and where the Acura design is headed.

I must say, the CEO of Honda speaks English very well.

Give ToV some props!



If the video is not working, try this.

Advanced Sports Car Concept photos from NAIAS

Photos of Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) photos from the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.


Advance.


Takeo Fukui, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co, with hand on Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept.


Designed to have Acura's most powerful engine, a new high-performance V-10, and rear-wheel drive based version of Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.


Jon Ikeda, principal designer representing Acura Design Center, in front of the ASCC.


The ASCC is the successor to the Acura NSX.

[NEW NSX] Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) Debut

Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) debuts today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The ASCC is a design preview of the successor to the NSX. Acura's design concept uses a front-mounted V-10 engine and a rear wheel drive version of Acura's SH-AWD.

The ASCC has a 108.8 inch wheelbase with 19 inch front and 20 inch rear tires. The brakes are ventilated carbon ceramic and the eight-piston calipers accent the wheels. The ASCC's cabin is made all of tinted glass. Underneath the car features a carbon fiber underbody. The modern wraparound rear taillights compliment the car's quad exhaust pipes. The front of the car show off LED headlights that "mimic the pop-up headlights found on the first generation NSX."


The design was created by Acura's Los Angeles-based team. In a few months, this team will move into the Acura Design Center.


This will include an all-new V10 engine that is Acura's most powerful ever.


"Our direction is clear. We plan to Advance, in technology, in design, and in overall performance. This fall, at the Tokyo Motor Show, we will showcase the next stage in our advancement." - Takeo Fukui (President and CEO of Honda Motor Co.)


"In the exterior styling, you'll see definitive design elements that communicate that fine balance of technical precision and emotion... laser-sharp edges throughout the vehicle represent a powerful sense of engineering precision. The side of the car and the dramatic hood surfaces feature what we call sheer, machined, surfacing, again, to convey a feeling of technical exactness." - Jon Ikeda (American Honda Designer)


Keen-Edge Dynamic - represents the Precision, Technology, and Emotion inherent in Acura's styling.


The "Advance" design direction can be seen in the latest generation MDX, which has sharper, more precise lines than the previous generation.


This is what the concept drawing looked like.


Acura plans to "push the envelope in developing highly advanced automobiles that appeal both to the intellect and to the soul."


Source: AcuraNews

I think Acura is dropping the ball with the NSX's replacement. What ever happened to the Honda Sports Concept (HSC) or even the rumored new NSX? I thought those looked a lot better than this. This looks almost like a Japanese Corvette. I prefer Japanese Auston Martin or Japanese Ferrari better!