Acura to Release Hybrids in 2011
Just recently at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, there was an announcement made that hybrid models for the Acura nameplate are going to be built. Honda’s CEO Takanobu Ito said that the cars were in the works but did not give details as to what the models could be. With the recent popularity of the Lexus RX400h, Acura hopes to tap into the luxury hybrid market.
Acura will most likely include hybrid versions of the TSX and TL Sedans with the first appearing for the 2011 model year. It was stated that Honda’s focus is on being the first in the area of environmentally and energy efficient technologies. They have taken the challenge to reduce CO2 emissions though technology and research and that the most important approach right now to cut the emissions is by expanding usage of hybrid vehicles.
At the moment, Honda has three hybrid vehicles, the Civic, the Insight, and the CR-Z; and it is unknown whether or not Acura’s models will use power trains like Honda’s three hybrid cars, but in the interest of costs, this seems very likely. Honda also said that they were working on new hybrid systems for the larger vehicles but we don’t know if the systems will be full hybrid, like the one in the Insight, or if it will be a mild hybrid system, like the one in the Civic.
Source: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100118/OEM04/301189931