Acura, the luxury and performance arm of Japanese automaker Honda, was established on March 27, 1986, with a focus on crafting high-end automobiles. Initially, Acura targeted markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and Kuwait. It was a groundbreaking venture as the first luxury division by a Japanese automaker. This move coincided with the launch of a JDM Honda dealership channel named Honda Clio, specializing in luxury vehicles.

In its early years, Acura quickly gained traction, outselling well-established brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. luxury market. The flagship Legend and the compact Integra were its first offerings, with the Legend being a result of a joint venture with the UK’s Austin Rover Group.

The success of these models prompted other Japanese automakers like Toyota and Nissan to introduce their luxury brands, Lexus and Infiniti. Acura’s NSX, launched in 1990, was a standout, offering a reliable and practical alternative to European sports cars and showcasing Honda’s innovative VTEC technology.

In the late ’90s, Acura introduced a Type R version of its compact Integra, featuring enhanced performance elements. The early 2000s witnessed a surge of new models, including the MDX, Acura’s first original SUV, along with the RSX and TSX, which succeeded the Integra coupe and sedan.

Acura’s 2005 flagship, the RL, debuted the innovative SH-AWD system. The 2007 RDX was a crossover SUV featuring North America’s first turbocharged Honda engine. A second-generation NSX was launched in 2016, featuring a twin-turbocharged mid-engine and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD.

The brand’s name, Acura, is derived from the Latin word acu, signifying precision. The logo, resembling a caliper, symbolizes the meticulous attention to detail in every car.

Throughout the ’90s, Acura faced a downturn in sales, attributed in part to less inspiring designs and the shift to alphanumeric model names. The economic challenges of the Japanese asset bubble in the ’90s impacted both Acura and its parent company, Honda.

In the early 2000s, Acura underwent a renaissance, introducing redesigned models like the 3.2 TL, which found favor among consumers for its blend of sportiness and luxury. The MDX, a three-row crossover SUV, replaced the underperforming SLX. The RSX was introduced in 2001 as a successor to the Integra, earning popularity in the tuner market.

Acura’s involvement in motorsports, starting from the early ’90s, brought success in various racing series. The brand returned to competitive racing in 2017 with the NSX GT3.

Acura’s marketing slogan, Precision Crafted Performance, reflects its commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles. Recent models offer various trim levels like Technology, Advance, Type-S, SH-AWD, and A-Spec, each catering to specific preferences.

In association with Marvel Entertainment, Acura gained exposure through appearances in popular films like Iron Man 2 and The Avengers. Additionally, Acura was the official vehicle of the Sundance Film Festival in 2012.

Today, Acura continues to produce a range of models, each designed to deliver a blend of performance, luxury, and advanced technology.

Main image via: Photo by Nikhil Mistry on Unsplash

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