By Steve Laser
New RSX Prototype
Acura plans to expand its lineup of electrified vehicles with a new model called RSX. While the name brings back memories from the past, the new RSX will be an SUV with sporty styling. Honda’s luxury brand provided a preview of an RSX prototype wearing camouflage (below), and announced that it will start testing the EV in real-word conditions.
With styling based on the Acura Performance EV Concept, the RSX is expected to go into production in late 2025, and will be the first model to ride on a new EV platform shared with the upcoming Honda O Series. The RSX will also become the first all-electric vehicle to be produced at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, and the first to employ Honda’s new ASIMO OS technology.
Performance EV Concept
When Acura introduced the Performance EV Concept at last year’s Monterey Car Week in Calif. (below), it was said to offer a preview of the next-generation all-electric vehicle for the luxury brand.
And now that Acura has revealed a photo of a development prototype, and announced the RSX model name, it’s time to take a look back and see how it compares to the Performance EV Concept.
The rear side view of the RSX (at the top of this story) looks similar to the Performance EV Concept shown above. Both share a sporty coupe-like silhouette, full-width rear LEDs, and wear an Acura script logo.
Since a front view of the RSX is not yet available, it will be interesting to see if the production model is influenced by the concept shown above. Developed by the Acura Design Studio in the Los Angeles area, the Performance EV Concept features front styling said to be inspired by “hydrofoil superyachts.”
ASIMO OS
The RSX is planned to become the first model to launch the new ASIMO OS vehicle operating system. Honda announced the creation of ASIMO OS at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas during the premiere of the new Honda O Saloon (below) and O SUV prototypes. These new EVs are expected to go on sale in 2026.
ASIMO OS pays homage to Honda’s friendly humanoid walking robot, ASIMO, that first appeared more than 20 years ago. For the O Series, Honda said that as a software platform, “ASIMO OS will apply integrated control of electronic control units (ECUs) for vehicle systems such as automated driving/advanced driver assistance systems (AD/ADAS) and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system.”
Note: The Acura RSX shown in this story is a prototype. Launch timing for future U.S. models is subject to change without notice.
News sources and photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and the Acura Division
Story (commentary) © 2025 CarNichiWa.com