Launched in 1986, Acura was the first Japanese luxury car to hit the North American market. Just over 30 years later, the brand has become a household name. As one of the most trusted brands in the automotive business, Acura excels where others fail; by providing a quality product at a price that’s attractive to entry-level and veteran luxury car buyers. However, even some of the most avid fans may not know everything about this iconic brand. Here are just a few interesting facts about Acura.
2017 Acura NSX: A Hybrid of Firsts
After a 12-year hiatus from the market, the Acura NSX returned in 2017, earning universal acclaim from just about anyone who sees this beauty. The exotic looks of the first generation transformed it into a modern marvel, turning heads at every auto show and dealership that was lucky enough to get one.
But it’s what lies under the hood that made the Acura NSX a game changer. A 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 coupled with three electric motors produces 573 horsepower and gives the NSX the distinction of being the first supercar to combine these elements.
Paired with a nine-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission, the hybrid for hybrid haters goes from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds and tops out at 191 mph, effectively shedding any misconception that a hybrid can’t double as a speed phenom.
Created by Honda
In the 1980s, the luxury car market was controlled by just a handful of European and American companies. The problem is that these companies were slow to revolutionize their models and designs, opting for a reactive approach to their competitors in the marketplace. Several years before Acura’s founding, Honda found this inviting gap in the marketplace and took the initiative, creating Acura in 1986.
Although Acura started with just two models, it redefined the luxury brand while also bringing about fierce competition between the big players in the industry. The result is a standalone Acura brand that’s just as well known as its parent company.
The Legend and the Integra
Acura’s 2018 lineup consists of six vehicles, but when the company debuted in 1986 it came with just two models: the Legend and the Integra. The full-size, executive-class Legend was an upscale sedan that was in production from 1986 to 1995, selling over 477,000 units.
That said, the Integra is still held in high regard and is widely heralded as Acura’s best offering ever. Built from 1986 to 2001, this sporty compact was a high-performance machine, offering stunning aesthetics and an interior to match. With sales totaling nearly 800,000, the Integra remains the best-selling Acura of all time. That’s why it comes as no surprise that many enthusiasts are hoping for a relaunch of this fan favorite.
Despite the naysayers and critics, Acura has proven that Japanese automotive design is a hit across North America and other Western markets. While these facts shed some light on Acura’s success story, perhaps the best of Acura is still yet to come. Rest assured, many fans will be waiting.
Image via Greg Gjerdingen | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
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