Motor Authority Catches Acura's Next Sporty SUV being Tested

The new Acura is expected to be a sporty crossover to rival the likes of the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX 35
Acura confirmed recently a number of plans to expand its lineup with several all-new models in an attempt to compete with more established tier 1 luxury brands such as its German rivals, which currently offer full range lineups. The upmarket Honda label is limited to a handful of sedans and a pair of SUVs but the next couple of years will be very busy as the company prepares for the launch of a new coupe, a supercar, and according to these spy shots a new crossover as well.

The prototype for the upcoming sporty crossover was first spotted testing at night in California’s Death Valley back in August. The latest shots show the car during the day and reveal an extremely low roofline that starts to descend after the B-pillar. This gives it a coupe-like profile similar to BMW's X6, which will be one of its main rivals.

Acura is yet to reveal any specific details about a new crossover model, however the company’s vice president for corporate planning and logistics, Dan Bonawitz, confirmed recently that Acura’s first all-new model would be launched in 2010 and that it would be followed by the NSX-replacement later that same year.

This means the crossover could feature a V8 engine, which Acura plans to introduce within the next 18 months. The other engine option would likely include the current 3.7L V6. Honda’s Super-Handling AWD system would also likely come as standard.

Source with more pic's;
http://www.motorauthority.com/spy-shots-acura-working-on-bmw-x6-rival.html

New Acura? Crossover Spied

"We caught engineers from Honda or Acura night-testing a brand new prototype for what appears to be a sport-crossover model aimed at the likes of the Infiniti FX35 and BMW's X6. The new prototype was tested under cover of darkness in the California desert to thwart spy photographers, but we managed to get a series of revealing shots of the fairly low-slung crossover—as engineers fired back at us with lights of their own.
Through the camouflage, the prototype appears to show some styling cues that appear more upscale Acura than Honda—especially the chunky exhaust tips molded into the rear bumper. The windshield is steeply raked, and the roofline appears to slope downward in the manner of today's "four-door coupes." The camouflage goes to some lengths to try to hide the roof's true shape, but the squared-off backlight is certainly a fake, and there also appears to be ample camouflage inside the rear seat area to further obscure the prototype's sihouette. The headlights glowing through the front camouflage appear to be very angular and slit-like, mimicking the face of the latest Acura models.
The prototype's dimensions look quite tidy, which should bode well for the new crossover's efficiency, as well as its sport-minded driving dynamics. The aggressive wheel-and-tire package on this test vehicle looks more appropriate for canyon carving than for off-road pursuits.
The timing of this model is unknown, but Acura TL prototypes that were first night-tested this time last year are just now going public. If that schedule holds true for this model, BMW and Infiniti might have another competitor in the performance utility sector on the horizon in about 12 months."

Source:
http://jalopnik.com/399850/new-acura-crossover-caught-night-testing

Snapshot of the new Acura TL Interior

Next Gen Honda/Acura NSX Spied

Honda was hardly going to leave Nissan and Toyota to steal all the thunder in the supercar market as they look to provide some serious competition with its new NSX. Previously we had only seen prototypes of the new model sporting the body of the S2000, but now for the first time the model has come out showing its new body styling albeit with the annoying black and white camoflage.

Unlike the previous mid-engined NSX this prototype is running a front-mid engine, with its powerplant placed well behind the front wheels to ensure excellent weight distribution. This should also allow the new NSX to offer 2+2 cabin accommodation, broadening its appeal against the Nissan GT-R and Lexus LF-A - particularly in the USA.

What that engine is remains very much a mystery. There’s talk of a high-revving naturally aspirated V10, which would fit in very comfortably with Honda’s Type R philosophy. Honda’s not as obsessed as many by big horsepower outputs, but even so an output of 450 hp seems likely. Should such an engine be fitted to the sort of lightweight body as the previous NSX, the performance would be exceptional. Four-wheel-drive, with rearward bias, is also rumoured, the handling expected to be controlled by a version of Honda’s electronic Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

The Honda NSX is not expected until 2009 and on top of its Japanese rivals it must also compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

Source; http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080617.009/new-honda-nsx-prototype-comes-out-to-play