Acura RSX EV: First on Honda's new Asimo OS & Zero Platform
Acura is set to revive its iconic RSX sedan, reimagining it as a premium, visually striking, all-wheel-drive electric crossover. This isn’t merely a nostalgic reintroduction; the RSX is poised to become the inaugural model built entirely on Honda’s new global EV Platform, an architecture destined to underpin the automaker’s forthcoming Zero series. With both the RSX and the Zero line expected to enter production next year, the resurrected RSX marks a pivotal moment for Acura and its parent company, Honda.
The RSX Prototype made its global debut this week at two prestigious Monterey Car Week events: The Quail Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Production of the electric RSX is slated to begin in the second half of 2026 at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, sharing a production line with the Acura Integra.
Upon its arrival, the all-electric SUV will usher in what Honda envisions as a new era of “software-defined vehicles.” This transformation is enabled by the RSX’s debut of the proprietary, in-house-developed Asimo operating system, first announced at CES earlier this year. Asimo is designed to control the vehicle’s core functions and will receive over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing its capabilities to theoretically improve and evolve over time. This sophisticated operating system will also serve as the foundation for Honda’s new Zero vehicles, beginning with the Honda 0 SUV. This represents a significant strategic shift for Acura, whose only current electric vehicle, the ZDX, much like Honda’s Prologue, relies on GM’s Ultium EV platform.
The RSX Prototype draws heavily from the Performance EV concept unveiled at last year’s Monterey Car Week. It retains many of the concept’s sharp angles, which lent it a distinctive, almost boat-like aesthetic. While slightly less radical than its conceptual predecessor, the Prototype’s front end is assertively styled, featuring narrow, slit-like daytime running lights that frame the central Acura logo. At the rear, a full-width taillight design pays homage to the second-generation NSX, complemented by a new “ACURA” logo prominently displayed across the tailgate. In related news, Honda has indicated plans for a new “NSX-type” electric sports car, expected to arrive between 2027 and 2028.
As this is still a prototype, Acura has not yet released key specifications such as range, battery size, acceleration figures, or pricing. However, certain design elements hint at its performance potential, including multi-spoke 21-inch rims that reveal the bright red calipers of large front Brembo brakes. A coupe-like silhouette and a fastback roofline further suggest impressive dynamic capabilities.
In another first for both Acura and Honda, the RSX Prototype showcases bidirectional charging, a feature that allows the vehicle to serve as a mobile energy unit capable of powering external appliances, and even an entire house. This increasingly sought-after capability positions Acura at the forefront of a growing trend in electric vehicle functionality.
The RSX Prototype is more than just a preview of a new model; it’s a clear statement of Acura and Honda’s commitment to an electrified future, built on proprietary technology and designed to offer capabilities far beyond conventional transportation.