Might Acura be planning a new CUV smaller than its current RDX model for a Shanghai debut?
It wasn’t that many years ago when Chinese auto shows were relatively lame events, manufacturers rolling out production cars and prototypes we’d already seen at other global events, such as Detroit, Geneva or even Tokyo. Not anymore. This year’s Shanghai Motor Show promises to be a major event with dozens of new offerings from global makers including Honda and its luxury franchise Acura.
In fact, their stands look likely to be crowded with an assortment of new offerings of both the concept and production type. That includes a pair of show cars of which the maker is saying little which makes it unclear whether they will be more CUV or minivan in character.
The Honda concept looks more minivan-like.
But the sketch we’ve received of the Acura version hints that it might be on the smaller size and slot somewhere below the marque’s current RDX model. Considering the compact luxury crossover segment is one of the fastest-growing automotive niches worldwide that would seem a strong possibility.
The new Honda concept, meanwhile, visually reads to be a fair bit larger and just might be a spin-off of the Odyssey minivan that the maker just launched at the New York International Auto Show. Might the Chinese also be teased with a version of the new HondaVAC?
We’ll likely have to wait until the Shanghai show’s press day, on April 20 to find out.
The Honda Concept C.
But the maker has more in store for its Shanghai spotlight event.
Also on tap are “mass-production version(s)” of the Honda Concept C and Concept S show cars first unveiled during the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. Honda suggests they are “substantially identical” to the prototypes revealed a year ago.
The Accord—like Concept C is touted as a “middle-class sedan developed exclusively for the Chinese market.”
As for the Concept S, think of it as “a new-value mover developed primarily for Chinese market.” We’ll have to wait a few weeks, apparently, for the translations from Japanese to Chinese to English.
The Honda Concept S.
The two new products will be aimed at the various distribution networks Honda has established in China, including one with its partner Guangqi, the other with Dongfeng. Meanwhile, expect to see an expanded line-up from Honda’s new local brand, Ciimo. It’s one of a growing number of special domestic marques the government has been pushing foreign makers to set up.
That includes the new Zhi Nuo brand – The Promise, in Chinese – just being launched by BMW. We should see its first offering in Shanghai, as well.
(For more on BMW’s new Chinese brands, Click Here.)