Acura Mulling Honda Vezel-Based Small Crossover for North America

At last year's Shanghai auto show, Acura presented a concept for a sub-compact crossover named the SUV-X, which it said, previewed an upcoming production model primarily targeted for China. Now we're learning that Acura is looking to offer the vehicle in North America as well.

Speaking to Autonews earlier this week, Naohisa Morishita, chief engineer for the Honda Vezel's drivetrain, told the publication that the Japanese company is studying a similar vehicle for the Acura brand in North America and pointed to the SUV-X.

"There is a market for it worldwide, not just in China," he said. "Personally, I think Acura needs it."

Honda spokeswoman Yuka Abe told the news agency that it hasn't decided yet which markets outside of China would get the production SUV-X, which will be built around the Vezel, itself loosely based on the latest generation Honda Fit / Jazz sub-compact.

The Vezel will go on sale in the Unites States later this year, though, it may be marketed under a different name.

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New 2015 Acura TLX Prototype Mid-Size Sedan in Detail [w/Video]

Acura just released full information on the pre-production TLX concept following its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show. The study affords us a very close idea of what the 2015 TLX will look like when it arrives in dealerships this summer replacing both the TSX and TL. 

When the TSX ends production later this year, the TLX will sit neatly in the middle of Acura's new three-sedan lineup comprising the ILX compact on the bottom end and the RLX on top.

The prototype is 3.8 inches (96.5mm) shorter in overall length (190.2 inches or 4,831mm) than the current TL, but it rides on the same 109.3 inch (2,776mm) wheelbase, so interior space for passengers should be kept to the same levels.

Thanks to the slightly more compact length and specifically, the shortened front and rear overhangs, together with the lower and wider stance, the TLX looks more dynamic than the frumpier TL. As mentioned in our previous post on the concept, the lines of the new mid-size model resemble those of the ILX, and that's a good thing in our book.

Notable styling elements include Acura's Jewel Eye LED headlights that were first seen on the RLX, with the concept riding on custom-designed five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels and 265/35ZR20 low-profile tires.

Acura said the production car will be offered with a choice of two engines, a new and lighter 2.4-liter inline-four connected to a new 8-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) with torque converter driving the front wheels, and a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission feeding either the front or all-four wheels.

Acura's SH-AWD system, which is available exclusively with the 3.5-liter V6, employs a new generation of the brand's Super-Handling All Wheel Drive technology with a different torque-vectoring control logic. It's also lighter than the previous version. 

Designed and developed in the United States at Acura's LA Los Angeles design studio and Raymond, Ohio new-vehicle development center, the TLX will be produced at the brand's Marysville, Ohio auto plant, which currently builds the 2014 TL. The production model should debut at the Chicago motor show in February, or more likely, at the New York Auto Show in April.

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VIDEO

First Photos of New Acura TLX Prototype, Doesn’t Look Half Bad

While we count the minutes for Acura to begin its press conference in Detroit to tell us all about the new TLX Prototype, we thought we'd share the first official shots of the mid-size sedan.

What we know up until now is that the TLX was conceived as a common replacement for the soon-to-be discontinued TSX and the existing TL.

At least in pre-production trim, the TLX managed to capture our attention with its sleek lines (perhaps minus the grille) that build on the design and styling of the smaller ILX, but work better on a car of this size.

Do take a look at the first photos below and tell us what you think about it.

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