Acura has finally unveiled its long-awaited EV concept, the Performance EV Concept, at Monterey. While the name may be plain, the car itself promises to be anything but ordinary. Acura’s first in-house EV will be a performance vehicle, which is great news for speed enthusiasts. However, it may disappoint those who were hoping for a different model.
The Performance EV Concept follows in the footsteps of the ZDX, with its pronounced front end and distinctive look. It seems that Acura is intent on keeping this design language, as the company plans to build a production model based on this concept by late 2025. So, if you weren’t a fan of the ZDX’s appearance, you might have to get used to it.
What makes this upcoming Acura EV even more noteworthy is that it will be the first production car to ride on Honda’s new BEV architecture. Honda, the parent company of Acura, plans to put a production model based on its 0 Series “Saloon” concept on the market by 2026. Being the first to utilize Honda’s new platform is quite an achievement for Acura, especially considering its previous focus on the Ultium-based ZDX project in collaboration with General Motors.
While Acura has been tight-lipped about specific details, it has a history of putting concept vehicles into production with minimal changes. Therefore, what we see in the Performance EV Concept is likely close to the final physical form of the upcoming CUV. However, details regarding battery and motor specifications remain vague for now. One can expect a multi-motor setup that aims to replicate the behavior of Acura’s popular SH-AWD system found in its internal combustion engine vehicles.
For those attending Car Week in Northern California, Acura’s concept will be on display at The Quail. The presentation will take place on Friday at 10:36 a.m. local time—an oddly specific time choice for an automotive event.
In conclusion, while Acura’s Performance EV Concept may not be the exact model everyone was hoping for, it still holds promise as Acura’s first in-house EV. By utilizing Honda’s new BEV architecture, Acura is setting itself up for success in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. With minimal changes expected from concept to production, we can likely expect the production version to closely resemble the Performance EV Concept.
