Acura RSX: Honda's new luxurious EV could possibly be made in RHD, so might it come to Australia?
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Honda’s CEO says the upcoming Acura RSX luxurious electrical automobile (EV) could possibly be made in right-hand drive for Japan, probably opening the door for markets like Australia.
Talking on the Japanese model’s press convention on the 2025 Japan Mobility Present in Tokyo, Toshihiro Mibe – Honda Motor Co’s director, president and consultant – mentioned the RSX Prototype’s presence on the firm’s stand is intentional to gauge curiosity within the home market.
Additional, Mibe-san mentioned that if there’s sufficient demand from potential Japanese clients, Honda would take into account bringing the manufacturing model of the RSX to the home market in right-hand drive. Such a transfer might additionally open up the posh EV for different RHD markets like Australia and the UK.
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In a follow-up interview with the RSX’s product specialist in addition to its designer, the corporate representatives reiterated Mibe-san’s feedback across the RSX’s potential for Japan, hinting the automobile could possibly be badged as a Honda, not an Acura, ought to it’s launched within the model’s residence market.
“Identical to Mibe-san talked about yesterday, we’re seeing the demand for the Acura mannequin in Japan,” the Acura product specialist advised Australian media, through interpreter, “if everyone seems to be wanting it, possibly there shall be a chance that we launch it in Japan.”
“Initially in fact we have been extra centered on the North American marketplace for the Acura model, however we even have a historical past of promoting [Acuras] within the Center East and China as properly… We aren’t specializing in the branding – whether or not it’s an Acura or not – however we’re extra centered on the product itself.”
When requested concerning the Australian prospects, the product specialist cheekily replied that “we haven’t fastened the aspect of the place we’re going to be dealt with”, joking that right-hand drive hasn’t been confirmed for manufacturing as but.
Revealed in August for the Pebble Seaside Concours d’Class, the Acura RSX is a high-riding five-door SUV with an “expressive coupe-like silhouette” that may launch within the North American market through the second half of 2026.
Acura mentioned on the RSX’s debut that the manufacturing mannequin could be the “first mannequin engineered in-house on Honda’s international EV platform”, and spearhead the model’s transfer “into the Software program Outlined Automobile period” with ASIMO OS, Honda’s new automobile working system that controls automated driving and driver help methods, in-car infotainment and “different automobile methods.
Honda has additionally confirmed ASIMO OS for its upcoming 0 Sequence electrical automobile vary, which can begin rolling out in Japan from 2027.
The electrical crossover revives the RSX nameplate, which was final worn by the American-market Honda Integra below the Acura model. It is going to be the primary EV to be produced on the new Honda EV Hub in Ohio, USA, on the identical manufacturing line because the American-market Acura Integra – which is a premium, rebodied model of the present Civic primarily aimed on the US.
Whereas Acura hasn’t had a presence in Australia, Honda has offered a few Acura merchandise below the Honda title previously. The NSX supercar was offered in Australia as just lately as 2020, with the second-generation mannequin specifically being an Acura-developed mannequin offered as a Honda all through different components of the world.
Honda additionally offered the first-generation Acura MDX in Australia between 2003 and 2006, a premium three-row SUV designed to compete with the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML (now GLE) of the time, and has additionally provided autos that have been offered as Acuras elsewhere together with the Legend.
For now, the primary Honda electrical automobile confirmed for Australia is the Tremendous-One, a teeny-weeny EV based mostly on the N-One e: electrical kei automobile. The brand new mannequin will land Down Underneath through the second half of 2026.
The Tremendous-One – to be often known as the Tremendous-N in some markets – has been widened and lengthened barely in comparison with the JDM kei automobile, and is pitched as a eager driver’s automobile for cities, indicating a extra highly effective electrical motor than the N-One EV’s measly 47kW/165Nm, and bolstered by the widened footprint.
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MORE: 2026 Honda Tremendous-One – Kei-class EV confirmed for Australia
