In recent years Acura has been at work rekindling its design confidence, and with the introduction of the new Acura NEXERA Vision, the luxury marque seems prepared to take that a good deal further.
The NEXERA Vision is no mere exercise in dramatic concept-car making. Hailing from Acura Design California in Los Angeles, it serves as a glimpse of the design language to come. Should future production models carry over some of its more arresting features, one could argue Acura is in for its most compelling chapter in some time.
The timing is apt. The concept comes on the heels of Acura’s 40th anniversary, yet the brand is not inclined to look back. Instead, it is using the occasion to put forward what it terms a “challenger spirit.” We can expect the first production version of this new direction with the fourth-generation RDX Hybrid.
A New Look for Acura
Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura’s Creative Director and VP of Auto Design, has overseen the NEXERA Vision to ensure it stands apart from the current lineup. The proportions do just that: a long dash-to-axle line, broad shoulders and a low roof, with a cabin that seems to be one sculpted piece perched atop the body. It has the air of a grand tourer while still being undeniably athletic.
Then there is the Matte Titanium finish. There is no need for a loud colour when the metallic treatment is this effective; the curves and creases of the body are left to do the talking. It is futuristic in a restrained way.
Concept-Car Drama With a Purpose
Being a concept, there are the occasional theatrical flourishes, but they have their place. The dual-hinged butterfly doors offer the kind of showmanship an auto show demands without feeling out of step with the rest of the vehicle.
Acura has opted for active aerodynamics built into the body as opposed to tacking on excessive wings or spoilers. At the back, an active spoiler is there to aid efficiency and stability, managing the airflow over the decklid. Forged carbon fiber is used for the rear fascia and diffuser, as well as within the door structures and along the rocker panels. It is a highly technical way to approach exterior styling, but the function does not dominate the form.
Even the Wheels Make a Statement
For the first time, an Acura is fitted with 22-inch center-lock wheels of a very dramatic sort. The directional, three-dimensional design is given a matte anodized finish and forged carbon-fiber inserts, and behind them are high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. It is a clear signal that this was not put together just to be eye candy on a stand.
There is much to take in with the NEXERA Vision, but it all coheres. That is the mark of a successful concept. Too often they are a hodgepodge of exaggerated bits vying for notice. This is not subtle, but the parts feel like they belong.
Acura’s Future Could Get Much More Interesting
For a brand of this nature, design is as important as any performance spec. A car is an extension of one’s style as well as something to be driven daily. The NEXERA Vision is intriguing in that it suggests Acura wants its cars to be identifiable, not just pretty. The visual identity here, with its materials and low-slung aesthetic, is a world away from what is in the showroom today.
How well these ideas translate to the road will be the test, beginning with the next Acura RDX Hybrid. Designers are afforded certain liberties with a concept that reality will not permit. But if Acura can bring the same level of detail and assurance from the NEXERA Vision to its production vehicles, the outlook is very good indeed.