Acura, Honda’s premium North American brand, has unveiled the Performance EV Concept at Monterey Car Week. The electric SUV coupé previews a production model coming in 2025, built on Honda’s own EV platform and produced in Ohio at the Japanese manufacturer’s new EV Hub.
It’s no secret that Honda has some catching up to do in the EV space. In Europe, the innovative but range-limited Honda e failed to capture a large audience, while the only electric model on offer now is the e:Ny1, based on the HR-V’s combustion platform. In North America, Acura just launched the ZDX, which is based on a GM platform.
New assembly and battery plants in Ohio
But Honda is working to make up for lost time. The Japanese manufacturer is currently retooling its Marysville Auto Plant to turn it into the Honda EV Hub.
This hub will start producing electric vehicles in late 2025, with batteries coming from the L-H Battery Company, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution in the same state of Ohio. The retooling and construction of both factories required an investment of $700 million and $3.5 billion, respectively.
Electric performance SUV-coupé
The first model to benefit from this new assembly facility will be the production version of this Acura Performance EV Concept, which was first unveiled at Monterey Car Week 2024 in California. It will be the first model on Honda’s dedicated EV platform.
Other than that, not much is known about what’s going on under the hood of the Performance EV Concept. It features a sporty SUV-like design, with a coupé shape, large 23-inch wheels, a contrasting roof, and a full-width taillight with a large diffusor underneath, referencing the most recent Honda/Acura NSX.
“The Acura Performance EV Concept kicks off the exciting next step in our electrification strategy, showcasing the styling direction of our next all-new, all-electric Acura model that will debut next year,” said Mike Langel, assistant vice president of Acura National Sales.
“Building on the just-launched all-electric 2024 Acura ZDX, our next all-electric Acura SUV will continue our focus on delivering Acura clients an exhilarating driving experience in the electrified future.”
More Honda EVs coming in 2026
Other models on Honda’s EV platform will follow in 2026, taking inspiration from the 0-Series concept cars that were shown at CES 2024 in Las Vegas last January.
On the Japanese side, meanwhile, Honda has joined forces with Nissan and Mitsubishi to develop EV technology, including software, in order to stand strong against the onslaught of cheap, often state-funded Chinese electric models. It’s not yet clear when the first fruits of this collaboration will be launched.
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