Why The 2016 Chicago Auto Show Will Be Symbolically Important For Acura

Acura announced that they’re bringing their all-new Precision Concept as well as their entire lineup to the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. 

Acura and the Chicago Auto Show have a long history that stretches more than a quarter of a century and this year’s show might be more important for Acura then ever before. According to Honda on their latest press release earlier Monday, they announced that they’re bringing not only their Acura Precision Concept in its iconic bright metallic red to the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, but the 2017 NSX in a new shade of white along with the entire Acura lineup. Going back all the way to 1989, here’s why the 2016 Chicago Auto Show will be symbolically important for Acura setting the tone for the next couple of years.

The year was 1989 and Acura brought another bright red prototype to the Chicago Auto Show dubbed the New Sport eXperimental. Honda channeled and tapped into its best and brightest in its engineering department to come up with a trailblazer of a supercar that would put European competitors to shame. When the 1990 Acura NSX debuted the following year, it was widely agreed that Acura had set the bar for the rest of the automotive motoring community .Everyone took notice to this 270 HP supercar for the everyday man.

Fast forward 27 years and here we are on the cusp of another Chicago Auto Show. Again, Acura has brought along another prototype, although the Precision Concept has an entirely different mission. Honda plumbed the depths of its design department to come up with a bold expression for the company that would lead Acura’s philosophy towards becoming more sports focused while leaning away from its luxury connotations of the brand.

Just like in 1989, not a lot of people are expecting much from Acura’s lineup. But Acura wants to upset people’s misconceptions of the brand just like they did back then. When the Precision Concept was unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, those from Acura that were interviewed marked the Precision Concept as a fundamental turning point for the company. Led by the NSX (which now has a new acronym New Sports eXperience) and guided by the Precision Concept, the work for Acura must now, for the lack of a better term, trickle down to the rest of its lineup.

Acura will be accepting orders for the new NSX later this summer with deliveries being made a few months after. In addition, if rumors are to be believed, Acura is making taking no time in rolling out its Precision Concept to the rest of its lineup (an updated MDX spotted in L.A.)

Next: First 2017 Acura NSX Sells For $1.2 Million At Barrett-Jackson

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It’s cliche to say, but 2016 is make it or break it for Acura from here on out. We have a feeling Acura is ready to shock the world once again.