Some time in the past, Acura announced that it was arriving in Monterey with a concept car that would preview future models, “beginning with the fourth-generation RDX Hybrid,” which is a crossover. Considering the marque’s previous Monterey debuts include the stillborn RSX crossover concept and the TLX-previewing Type S concept, expectations were reasonably low. Especially given the teaser image, which could’ve been the back of a swoopy-roofed crossover. So color me surprised that Acura ended up rolling out a striking sports coupe.
It’s called the Nexera Vision, which sounds like a chain of optometry offices or the brand of some TEMU-sourced night vision goggles. The name doesn’t matter though, because this is the first truly desirable concept car Acura’s shown off in absolute ages.
See, Acura hasn’t sold a dedicated performance car since the hybrid NSX was discontinued back in 2022, and that was a full-on supercar with mildly unfortunate timing. It launched on the same day and at the same show as the second-generation Ford GT, which stole all its thunder. Then, when it arrived, it was immensely competent but not the most exciting offering in the space. People who wanted to show off with a $150,000 supercar usually bought an Audi R8, and as such, the NSX was often glued to the showroom floor. A bit of a shame, considering it was the first mainstream hybrid supercar. It also didn’t really herald anything new with longevity to the lineup. Acura’s other Sport Hybrids disappeared from showrooms years ago, and some of the styling like the jewel-eye headlamps first appeared on other models.
The Nexera Vision is different. Partly because it seems to have zero production intent whatsoever, but also because there are shades of past Acura DNA here without anything looking retro. The nose drops down with the drama of the original NSX, and the Kamm tail has the sort of severity seen on the RSX. The fastback roofline is a little Integra and the front valence detailing has the faintest shade of racing prototype to it, but absolutely nothing here is a direct copy of an existing Acura stying trait.
Perhaps the strangest thing on the Nexera Vision is the canopy, which gives it a touch of Toyota Sera. However, the lighting balances things out, with each headlamp and taillamp being an oversized interpretation of the calipers in the Acura logo. Clever, distinctive, adaptable, and set at a wide enough angle that it doesn’t seem to crib from Genesis.
Of course, the cabin of the Nexera Vision is pure flight of fancy. From the weird yoke-like steering wheel to the floor-hinged pedals to the almost molded-in seat, there’s no consideration here for any of the trappings of a production car. Likewise, what’s it powered by? No clue. Probably nothing, given how many of these practical styling exercises are really just non-functional models.
I’ll admit, I am a bit nervous about how this styling language might translate to production. Bold elements like that lighting signature seem really easy to cock-up on something as large and as upright as a crossover. However, even the presence of a pure show car feels like proof Acura’s trying. This is a brand so renowned for showing off barely-disguised models, almost every concept debut is pretty much a production car debut. Not this, though. Fair play.
Top graphic image: Acura
Those white footwells are going to look real dandy after a week.
If Cybercab was an Acura
Reminds me of a Sterling/Nova kit car, only with less cool doors.
I almost universally like concept cars. They’re usually cool.
This is an exception to that.
Acura was just getting is kit in order… and if this is what they’re thinking of for design language, they’re screwed.
“It’s called the Nexera Vision”
And that name contains the letters NSX.
And you know what that means, eh?
.
.
.
.
It means Half Life 3 is confirmed…
The name also contains eea iio. You know what that means.
NVidia is going to bring back a new Riva TNT?
Old McDonald had a farm?
Sure, no part of this is making production, and the interior isn’t livable, but I actually like the language here. They’re doing more interesting things with the surfacing than usual, and man, if they can get anything close to that kind of visibility out the canopy, I’d be Real happy. I’m not mad at it. I’m mad that what I’m actually gonna get is a blob-shaped crossover, but I’m not mad at this.
Holy hell, I just went to Acura’s website.
Talk about a dead brand walking.
Once the Integra isn’t revived with the next-gen Civic in another 2 or so years, they are down to three vehicles, all crossovers, two of which I’d consider “also rans.”
You click on ‘Future Vehicles’ and aside from this thing which will never again see the light of day – aside from maybe the name of a future silver paint color on some trim of the MDX – they only have the “Next Gen Hybrid SUV Prototype.” Or, you know… the kind of thing that every major brand tries to churn out in enormous volume.
“Next Gen Hybrid SUV Prototype” is like me talking about my future advancements in “pulmonary ventilation.” They’re paying people to describe the basic functions of a car company to keep living, instead of spending that money making vehicles people want.
My only question is if Acura will be forgotten like Buick, or like Infiniti.
Except Buick is quietly killing it. I see a lot of Encores around and a fair number of Envisions.
Great, another car for storage that will never see the light of day again.
I look forward to the next minor revision of the <checks notes> ADX’s cupholders.
Saw an Acura today. I’m pretty sure it was a CRX with a few flourishes that would allow for an xtra 10K on the entry price. I think we may be in the to many chasing to few portion of the ‘upscale’ car buying demographic. I’m going to wait for the Slate convertible 2 door sports car edition of gray plastic compund
What about that stark, bland, depressing interior is appealing to an organic being? It’s about as inspiring as a slab in the morgue, fitting for something that looks like it was designed by AI for AI.
Ha! A white floor. That would look great after a few entrances. /s
Will it make production? Nobody nose.
You’re really reaching with those ties to older Acuras.
But it doesn’t matter anyway, because this car is so incredibly meh. One of the more forgettable concepts in a while.
It’s like the Mazda Iconic SP Rotary, except worse in every way.
Also, this just isn’t what Acura needs right now.
Automakers in the 20th Century:
“Here’s a coupe concept!”
A few months later they introduce a coupe that looks somewhat like the concept.
Automakers in the 21st Century:
“Here’s a coupe/supercar concept!”
Five years later they introduce yet another SUV – but with lights and random-letter/number badge from that concept which you have forgotten all about.
Has this been on the shelf since the 2020 auto show season was cancelled? It’s full of things that were on-trend then but already on their way out in production cars now.
this would make a better Luce than the one Ferrari made.
Clearing the lowest of low bars here. 😉
I like that front end – kinda gives me a C3-Corvette with Cadillac V-series.R hypercar/GTP headlights grafted onto the sides.
I was thinking Opel GT
This thing is dystopian nightmare fuel and previews a bold future where the only color is gray, buttons are finally relegated to the dustbin of history, you have to rent all of your possessions from trillionaires, and everything is a screen. It’s a rolling Black Mirror episode. MAKE IT STOP!
Yes, I’m getting nostalgic for concept cars and even production cars with too many buttons.
Maybe it’s the greyish-silver, maybe it’s the nondescript rearend. But it’s just there. As a “sure, whatever.” kind of there.
Meh. The only elements of this that are ever likely to see production are the light shapes, the dumb “everything on a tablet” interior, and the silly illuminated badge and wordmark. Nothing about this reads as “we’re going to make cool stuff again”. It’s just another “we let our designers draw something pretty to keep them from going insane designing boring-ass crossovers” concept. I mean, at this point, why even have designers if you’re not going to actually use them?
Let alone that they’re allowed to even touch a red, green, blue, yellow, or orange crayon.
“Sorry, Bryce, all you get is this graphite-shade-palette, push harder on the pencil if you want dark”
“But we will lose money if we offer too many colors that no one buys, gray is a proven seller”
Thanks, people waiting until they absolutely have to replace their vehicle and just buy whatever’s on the lot so they have something to drive at all…
I bought a new car in an actual color two years ago. You’re welcome, future second owner of a 10+ year old car.
That interior looks production ready to me
1 big screen – check
no mechanical buttons – check
yoke steering wheel – check
It’s just missing the center console screen, but they can easily glue an iPad there.
This car is fine, I guess. I don’t love it, but I want Acura to do something interesting and this seems like it’s signaling that?
The crazy thing about this article was me reading about the 2nd gen NSX and realizing I couldn’t bring up an image of it in my head. I had to go and actually google it to remember. And this from a guy who likes the 2nd gen NSX and had a great time riding in one being hooned around the Honda R&D proving grounds when I worked there.
I don’t know what it is about it, but it really is just so completely forgettable. I can easily picture the original NSX, or any generation of the Ford GT, or even a Lamborghini Gallardo or Audi R8, or a host of other cool cars that I still don’t see on a regular basis, but the last NSX was truly just that forgettable.
Looks cool, but I don’t see any way to take it through a drive thru.
And there’s not enough luggage space in the back.
Pfft. That’s why you tell the resort concierge to buy you a new vacation wardrobe and then leave it behind for the poors afterwards.
If there are less than 14 cup holders I just can’t see how any American could even consider it.