Acura Plans Civic-based RSX, More Hybrids in the Works

Setting Lexus aside, who is holding onto its market share by the teach, the rest of Japan’s luxury and premium divisions really don’t have an answer for the Germans. This is especially true for Honda’s Acura, whose only really fresh offering is the TL, but that’s all about to change.

According to Automotive News, the first really big move made by the company will be an entry to the luxury market. Fashionably late, but at least it will show up. Other such brands see big, powerful engines as the way to attract customers, but Acura will focus on the economy side of things, which should be good in the fleet car market.

Acura vice president Jeff Conrad stated that the company was considering adding a smaller car positioned below the TSX to take on the BMW 1-Series, Audi A3 and Lexus CT 200h. Reports suggest this will bring back the RSX name, but this time the model will come in both sedan and coupe forms.

The next-gen RSX will obviously be based on the new, and controversial, 2012 Honda Civic’s front-wheel drive platform and should arrive on the market in the spring of 2013. Power will come from the new 2.4-liter four-cylinder from the Civic Si.

The other big news is that the TL sedan and MDX crossover will receive hybrid versions as well, based on Honda tech once again, and making use of a V6 block.

Acura’s rebadged Honda Accord, the TSX, will reportedly be withdrawn from production after the current model reaches the end of its product cycle. The TL will fill in the gap by shrinking a bit in late 2013, differentiating it from the RL.