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Acura to debut RLX sedan and ARX-05 racecar at Monterey

It's Monterey Car Week, culminating in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and Acura plans to stay busy throughout, with debuts of its redesigned RLX flagship sedan and ARX-5 prototype racecar at several venues. In advance of those two reveals, Acura released two teaser videos (shown above and below), for those of us who can't make it to Pebble Beach. We told you quite a lot about the RLX last week and about the ARX-5 just before that. Sales of the previous generation have been slow, but this redesign, from its new diamond pentagon grille on back, could rectify that. Acura kicks off the week Tuesday as exclusive automotive sponsor of the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue, in Carmel's Devendorf Park. That's where it will debut the 377-horsepower 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid. The NSX, NXS GT3 racecar, MDX Sport Hybrid and redesigned 2018 TLX A-Spec sedan will also be on display. On Friday at The Quail, Acura will unveil the ARX-05 prototype and will again show off the rest of the lineup. On Saturday, the ARX-05 will join a display of historic Acura racecars at this year's Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. And on Sunday, the ARX-05 will be featured on the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Dave Marek, Acura's global creative director, will serve as a Pebble Beach guest judge. Related Video: Related Gallery 2018 Acura RLX View 11 Photos Image Credit: Acura Design/Style Motorsports Acura Coupe Luxury Racing Vehicles Sedan

Acura Integra Prototype will be revealed next Thursday, Nov. 11

The Acura Integra Prototype’s world reveal is officially set for next week on Thursday, Nov. 11. Those who are impatiently waiting to see the car can finally mark a time on their calendars, as itÂ’s coming to you via a livestream event at 8:35 p.m. ET (5:35 p.m. PT) that day. The reveal is taking place in Los Angeles, the week before the L.A. Auto Show begins. Do note that Acura specified that this is the reveal for the Integra “Prototype,” not the final production car. If history is any indication, though, this Integra Prototype will closely resemble the production car in both exterior and interior design. Plus, thereÂ’s a chance Acura reveals a number of vital specs in addition to the design. Ever since Acura announced the return of the Integra name at this yearÂ’s Monterey Car Week, itÂ’s been teasing us with small bits of info. The first hint came that same day with a photo of the carÂ’s headlight and “Integra” stamped into the bumper. Then came a photo from the rear three-quarter, revealing that it would be a four-door hatchback. Finally, Acura emphatically announced (with a sweet shift-banging video) that the Integra would offer a six-speed manual transmission. Hurrah! Next Thursday will see the reveal of much, much more, so make sure you tune in to see everything Acura has to show. WeÂ’ll be on the ground in L.A., and will also have the livestream waiting for you to watch when itÂ’s reveal time. Related video:

Acura organizes new business division to confront falling sedan sales

Honda and Acura North America have announced a major restructuring of operations in hopes of turning around Acura's flagging business. For 2013, sales for Acura's sedans dropped 10.4 percent, while its CUV sales grew by 21 percent. The newly formed Acura Business Planning Office will attempt to right the ship.
As part of the restructuring, Acura is promoting Erik Berkman from President of Honda R&D Americas to lead a new division called the Acura Business Planning Office. Berkman has been with Honda since 1982 and led development of the 2006 Accord. He was also the first US engineer to head North American research and development and has been head of Honda Performance Development since 2008. "Erik's appointment to the new Acura Business Planning Office is a clear indication of the high priority we place on Acura," said Honda spokesperson Jeffrey Smith to Automotive News.
American Honda Motor President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura is also going to be working to improve the business. He has been elected chairman of American Honda's board, and has simultaneously taken the new position of Corporate Brand Officer to improve the management of the company's brands.