Precision Concept Hints at Future Acura Design Language

(Michelle Christensen, principal exterior designer, and John Norman, principal interior designer of the Precision concept, also worked on the NSX.) At 84 inches wide, it’s almost eight inches wider than the NSX and, more critically, almost 10 inches wider than the RLX, the current top dog of Acura production sedans.

At the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, Acura debuted an all-new vehicle dubbed the Precision Concept.

The Acura Precision Concept was created to explore new and challenging ideas for future Acura design, particularly Acura sedans. “We’re committed to infusing this core Acura promise into every facet of our products and every aspect of our relationship with the customer”.

In Acura lingo, the dramatic concept expresses “precision crafted performance” with its wide stance, deeply sculpted surfaces, pronounced rear wheel arches, new diamond pentagon grille design, and massive 22-inch wheels. The concept’s face also features “Jewel Constellation” LED headlights, while the rear gets floating LED taillights.

The wide, low sedan features faceted surfaces, with the exterior bodywork carrying over to the interior – a design theme Acura calls “quantum continuum”. Buttons are kept to a minimum and the speedo and rev counter are shown on a display located behind the steering wheel, while at the back, the rear seats appear to be floating above the floor. This is highlighted by the absence of a b-pillar, the door rocker panel that flows into the interior side sill, and the rear center high-mounted stoplight that pierces the rear glass and flows down to form the structure for the metal airfoil shape of the rear headrests. The new digital human-machine interface (HMI) is controlled through a floating touchpad that has replaced most of the physical buttons you will find in today’s production cars. When passengers enter the cabin, the system can scan each person and select personalized settings to pull up preferred infotainment and vehicle performance settings.

Matthew DeBord/Business InsiderWith the installation of veteran vehicle designer Jon Ikeda as the company’s new boss last July, look for Acura to put an even greater emphasis on design and aesthetics in the coming years. The concept was created by Acura’s California Design Studio under the direction of Acura global creative director, Dave Marek. Some of these design elements come from the Acura NSX, the next generation of the supercar that is being built in Marysville and will go on sale in a few months.