- Acura teased an electric SUV concept that will debut in Monterey next week
- The production version of the electric SUV concept will ride on Acura and Honda's own BEV platform
- Acura will build the electric SUV in its Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio
Acura is due to debut an electric SUV concept at this month's 2024 Monterey Car Week, and Friday it teased the upcoming EV in a photo.
Although the teaser photo doesn't reveal much, Acura has confirmed that the depicted vehicle is based on an in-house-developed dedicated EV platform, and destined to spawn a production model to be built in Ohio.
Acura and its Honda parent have been slow to bring credible electric vehicles to the market, at least in the U.S., but they plan to accelerate things this decade.
The new EV push has already started with the 2024 Acura ZDX and 2024 Honda Prologue, though both SUVs ride on General Motors' Ultium EV platform and battery technology set and are built at GM plants.
For their next generation of EVs, Acura and Honda plan their own platform, and in the U.S. production will take place at a revamped Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio. The batteries will also be sourced from an Ohio plant Honda is establishing with LG.
The platform will feature an electric and electronic (E&E) architecture that will utilize Honda’s own vehicle operating system and in-vehicle software, including a new generation of user interface and digital services. The platform is flexible enough to support vehicles in various segments, though the first vehicles will be in the “mid-to-large” segments, Honda has confirmed. The targeted range will be 300 miles or more.
The first Honda vehicle to ride on the platform is expected to be a member of the recently announced 0 (Zero) Series family of EVs. The first 0 Series EV will be a U.S.-built model starting sales in 2026, and that's likely when the Acura SUV previewed by the concept will also arrive at showrooms.
Monterey Car Week runs Aug. 9-18 and includes multiple car-enthusiast events like The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Acura hasn't said at which event the concept will be presented, but these showcases of luxury and performance auto enthusiasm are a great place to usher in a formative EV.