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{{List Of Acura Models}}
{{List Of Acura Models}}
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'''Acura''' is a brand name used by the Japanese car maker [[Honda]] in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and China since March 1986 to market luxury automobiles and near-luxury vehicles. The brand will be expanded to the Japanese domestic market in 2008. With the Acura brand, [[Honda]] is credited with being the first to tap into a market for luxury Japanese cars outside Japan. Before Acura, automobiles from Japan were primarily economical and were seen as reliable above all else.
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'''Acura''' is a brand name used by the Japanese car maker [[Honda]] in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and China since March 1986 to market luxury automobiles and near-luxury vehicles. The brand will be expanded to the Japanese domestic market in 2008. With the Acura brand, [[Honda]] is credited with being the first to tap into a market for luxury Japanese cars outside Japan. Before Acura, automobiles from Japan were primarily economical and were seen as reliable above all else.
Other Japanese luxury brands ([[Toyota]]'s [[Lexus]] and [[Nissan]]'s [[Infiniti]]) sprang up in North America shortly after Acura's introduction of the [[Acura Legend|Legend]], a [[V6]]-powered coupe and sedan, and the [[Acura Integra|Integra]], which was offered with a 4-cylinder engine only. Automotive journalists were impressed particularly by the Acura Legend.
Other Japanese luxury brands ([[Toyota]]'s [[Lexus]] and [[Nissan]]'s [[Infiniti]]) sprang up in North America shortly after Acura's introduction of the [[Acura Legend|Legend]], a [[V6]]-powered coupe and sedan, and the [[Acura Integra|Integra]], which was offered with a 4-cylinder engine only. Automotive journalists were impressed particularly by the Acura Legend.
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In 1989, Acura introduced the [[Honda NSX|NSX]], a swoopy 276-[[HP|hp]] two-door sports car. The NSX, an acronym for "New Sports eXperimental", was hailed as the first (and perhaps, to date, the only) Japanese car capable of taking on [[Ferrari]] and [[Porsche]]. Some would even call it the only true supercar to hail from Japan. The car's meticulously engineered quality and sterling reliability were icing on the cake.
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In 1989, Acura introduced the [[Honda NSX|NSX]], a swoopy 276-[[HP|hp]] two-door sports car. The NSX, an acronym for "New Sports eXperimental", was hailed as the first (and perhaps, to date, the only) Japanese car capable of taking on [[Ferrari]] and [[Porsche]]. Some would even call it the only true supercar to hail from Japan. The car's meticulously engineered quality and sterling reliability were icing on the cake.
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Unfortunately, after this strong start, the mid- to late 1990s, Acura's model line-up became less and less inspiring and consequently, sales suffered. During this time, Acura switched to an alphanumeric formula for nomenclature. The 1996 [[Acura RL|3.5RL]], which replaced the well-loved [[Acura Legend|Legend]], was seen by many as the epitome of Acura's new-found blandness. Its sluggish 210-[[HP|horsepower]] [[V6]] (later bumped to 225 [[HP|hp]]) and front-wheel drive, together with anonymous styling that cautiously aped the larger, more powerful and more engaging [[Lexus LS|Lexus LS 400]], did little against more prestigious, attractive and faster offerings from [[BMW]], [[Audi]], and [[Lexus]], among others. Even the swoopy [[Honda NSX|NSX]] lost sales as Acura barely changed the car from its original 1989 trim.
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Unfortunately, after this strong start, the mid- to late 1990s, Acura's model line-up became less and less inspiring and consequently, sales suffered. During this time, Acura switched to an alphanumeric formula for nomenclature. The 1996 [[Acura RL|3.5RL]], which replaced the well-loved [[Acura Legend|Legend]], was seen by many as the epitome of Acura's new-found blandness. Its sluggish 210-[[HP|horsepower]] [[V6]] (later bumped to 225 [[HP|hp]]) and front-wheel drive, together with anonymous styling that cautiously aped the larger, more powerful and more engaging [[Lexus LS|Lexus LS 400]], did little against more prestigious, attractive and faster offerings from [[BMW]], [[Audi]], and [[Lexus]], among others. Even the swoopy [[Honda NSX|NSX]] lost sales as Acura barely changed the car from its original 1989 trim.
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Despite these letdowns, Acura did gain prominence in the 1990s with a younger group of people; the import tuner set. Parent company Honda's reputation as a maker of easy to tune and rev-happy engines with this demographic rubbed off onto Acura, and the Integra became a popular tuner car. This reputation has continued to this day, especially with the new [[Acura RSX|RSX]] and [[Acura TSX|TSX]].
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Despite these letdowns, Acura did gain prominence in the 1990s with a younger group of people; the import tuner set. Parent company Honda's reputation as a maker of easy to tune and rev-happy engines with this demographic rubbed off onto Acura, and the Integra became a popular tuner car. This reputation has continued to this day, especially with the new [[Acura RSX|RSX]] and [[Acura TSX|TSX]].
Beginning around the year 2000, Acura experienced a rebirth which was catalyzed by the introduction of several revitalized models. The first of these models was the redesigned Acura 3.2 TL, an upscale sedan competing with the likes of the [[Lexus ES|Lexus ES300]], [[Infiniti I30]], and [[BMW 3 Series]]. Although the 3.2 [[Acura TL|TL]] did not outdo its competition in any one area, it offered a well-rounded blend of sportiness and luxury that, combined with its relatively low asking price, proved very popular with consumers. Subsequent Acura models have followed a similar philosophy of offering a good luxury car at a good price, with lots of standard equipment and very few options.
Beginning around the year 2000, Acura experienced a rebirth which was catalyzed by the introduction of several revitalized models. The first of these models was the redesigned Acura 3.2 TL, an upscale sedan competing with the likes of the [[Lexus ES|Lexus ES300]], [[Infiniti I30]], and [[BMW 3 Series]]. Although the 3.2 [[Acura TL|TL]] did not outdo its competition in any one area, it offered a well-rounded blend of sportiness and luxury that, combined with its relatively low asking price, proved very popular with consumers. Subsequent Acura models have followed a similar philosophy of offering a good luxury car at a good price, with lots of standard equipment and very few options.
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Another refreshed Acura introduced in the early 2000s was the [[Acura MDX|MDX]], a popular three-row crossover SUV based on the [[Honda Odyssey]] minivan. The [[Acura MDX|MDX]] replaced the slow-selling [[Acura SLX|SLX]], which was little more than a rebadged [[Isuzu Trooper]]. The [[Acura MDX|MDX]] was a car-like and fun-to-drive crossover SUV with little off-road capability that catered smartly to the demands of the luxury SUV market. It was given top honors by Car and Driver in its first comparison test against seven other SUVs. Other cars in Acura's line-up during this time included the [[Acura TL|3.2 TL]], [[Acura CL|3.2 CL]], [[Acura RSX|RSX]] (formerly the Integra), and the supercar, the [[Honda NSX|NSX]].
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Another refreshed Acura introduced in the early 2000s was the [[Acura MDX|MDX]], a popular three-row crossover SUV based on the [[Honda Odyssey]] minivan. The [[Acura MDX|MDX]] replaced the slow-selling [[Acura SLX|SLX]], which was little more than a rebadged [[Isuzu Trooper]]. The [[Acura MDX|MDX]] was a car-like and fun-to-drive crossover SUV with little off-road capability that catered smartly to the demands of the luxury SUV market. It was given top honors by Car and Driver in its first comparison test against seven other SUVs. Other cars in Acura's line-up during this time included the [[Acura TL|3.2 TL]], [[Acura CL|3.2 CL]], [[Acura RSX|RSX]] (formerly the Integra), and the supercar, the [[Honda NSX|NSX]].
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A new [[Acura TL|TL]] debuted in 2004, equipped with sharp, Italianate styling and a 270-[[HP|hp]] [[V6]], and available with a 6-speed manual transmission led to a dramatic increase in sales for Acura. The same year, Acura introduced the [[Acura TSX|TSX]], a European-market [[Honda Accord]] loaded with features, as a cheaper alternative to the [[BMW 3 Series]]. This model became the only 4-cylinder sedan in Acura's line-up, replacing the [[Acura Integra|Integra]] sedan. A new [[Acura RL|RL]] debuted in 2005, this time with a 300-[[HP|hp]] [[V6]], more exciting styling, and innovative Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-[[Four Wheel Drive|AWD]]), a system capable of sending almost all of the [[Acura RL|RL]]'s power to just one wheel in a turn.
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A new [[Acura TL|TL]] debuted in 2004, equipped with sharp, Italianate styling and a 270-[[HP|hp]] [[V6]], and available with a 6-speed manual transmission led to a dramatic increase in sales for Acura. The same year, Acura introduced the [[Acura TSX|TSX]], a European-market [[Honda Accord]] loaded with features, as a cheaper alternative to the [[BMW 3 Series]]. This model became the only 4-cylinder sedan in Acura's line-up, replacing the [[Acura Integra|Integra]] sedan. A new [[Acura RL|RL]] debuted in 2005, this time with a 300-[[HP|hp]] [[V6]], more exciting styling, and innovative Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-[[Four Wheel Drive|AWD]]), a system capable of sending almost all of the [[Acura RL|RL]]'s power to just one wheel in a turn.
Acura's new models, particularly the [[Acura RL|RL]] and [[Acura TSX|TSX]] have been well received by the motoring press. However, with the US Big Three recently (re)introducing sport sedans with rear wheel drive and V8 engines, some predict that Acura (who is the only Luxury manufacturer not to offer V8s and along with Saab is the only one to use FWD exclusively) may need to rethink its design philosophy once again.
Acura's new models, particularly the [[Acura RL|RL]] and [[Acura TSX|TSX]] have been well received by the motoring press. However, with the US Big Three recently (re)introducing sport sedans with rear wheel drive and V8 engines, some predict that Acura (who is the only Luxury manufacturer not to offer V8s and along with Saab is the only one to use FWD exclusively) may need to rethink its design philosophy once again.
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** The [[Acura Integra|Integra Type-R]] is introduced.
** The [[Acura Integra|Integra Type-R]] is introduced.
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* '''2001'''
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* '''2001'''
** The [[Acura MDX|MDX]] wins the prestigious '''Motor Trend''' ''2001 Sport/Utility of the Year'' award.
** The [[Acura MDX|MDX]] wins the prestigious '''Motor Trend''' ''2001 Sport/Utility of the Year'' award.
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* '''2004'''
* '''2004'''
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** Acura is introduced in Mexico by [[Honda]] de Mexico.
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** Acura is introduced in Mexico by [[Honda]] de Mexico.
** 3rd generation [[Acura TL]] is introduced and immediately becomes the best selling luxury car in America.
** 3rd generation [[Acura TL]] is introduced and immediately becomes the best selling luxury car in America.
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==Future models==
==Future models==
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*[[Acura Advanced Sport Car Concept|Advanced Sports Car Concpt]] <br>
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*[[Acura Advanced Sport Car Concept|Advanced Sports Car Concpt]]<br />
*[[Acura Advanced Sedan Concept|Advanced Sedan Concept]]
*[[Acura Advanced Sedan Concept|Advanced Sedan Concept]]
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*[http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/detroit-grand-prix-08-acura-racing-with-the-big-boys-enters-lm/ Detroit Grand Prix 08: Acura racing with the big boys, enters LMP1 for 09]
*[http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/detroit-grand-prix-08-acura-racing-with-the-big-boys-enters-lm/ Detroit Grand Prix 08: Acura racing with the big boys, enters LMP1 for 09]
*[http://www.acuraclub.com/ Online Honda/Acura Owners Community]
*[http://www.acuraclub.com/ Online Honda/Acura Owners Community]
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*[http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Acura Acura VIN decoder]
*[http://www.acurapartsdiscounts.com/ Acura Parts and Acura Accessories]
*[http://www.acurapartsdiscounts.com/ Acura Parts and Acura Accessories]
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[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Automobile manufacturers of Japan]]
[[Category:Automobile manufacturers of Japan]]
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[[Category:Compact SUVs]]
[[Category:Compact SUVs]]
[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]
[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]
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[[Category:Race Cars]]
[[Category:Concept automobiles]]
[[Category:Concept automobiles]]
[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Current Models]]