Now say what you will that we've been beating a dead horse over here but there's no way around it: We've been calling out Honda's -- and Acura's -- design department for a couple of years now. Granted, when they've exceeded expectations, we've also been happy to report that.
Thank you, Acura NSX!
Hell, you know it's getting bad when the mainstream automotive rags even start saying "What's going on here?"
But at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, Honda made sure to debut two all-new concepts that will be coming to market in the next year. These concepts aren't like the clunky looking Accord Crosstour or the Civic, which evoked responses like "Isn't that the same car as last year? And it's a concept?"
Dubbed the Concept C and Concept S, both vehicles have their own unique look that they're bringing to the market.
The C is a midsize sedan that's been designed exclusively for the Chinese market. Said to be inspired by a dragon, it actually looks more interesting and more luxurious than the Acura RL it brought to the 2012 New York Auto Show.
The S is a "global concept model," that is suppose to be an all-new "passenger mover." Suppose to be a sporting hybrid/minivan thing, Honda is saying it will debut next year in China then go global from there.
That being said, we're mostly intrigued about ONE thing: Do these Hondas get YOUR motor running or have they fallen flat?
Honda's press release follows:
Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Two Honda Brand Concept Models at 2012 Beijing Motor Show
BEIJING, China, April 23, 2012 - Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. today exhibited at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show the world premiere of the Concept C and the Concept S, two concept models that show the direction of mass-production models Honda will introduce to the market next year. (The 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, press days: April 23 -24, public days: April 27 - May 2, 2012)
Concept C
Concept C is a concept model for a middle-class sedan Honda is developing specially for the Chinese market. The "C" represents "Cool," "Challenge," and "China." The Concept C features a stately, distinctive and sporty design that was inspired by the image of a dragon. The product planning for this model was led by Honda's Chinese associates and the development was done through cooperation between development teams in China and Japan. Honda is planning to introduce a mass-production model based on this Concept C next year through Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd.
Concept S
Concept S is a global concept model of a new-value passenger mover that was developed primarily for the Chinese market and will go on sale first in China. The "S" stands for "Stylish," "Smart" and "Surprise." Adopting a hybrid powertrain, this concept model realizes both the "fun of driving" and excellent environmental performance at the same time. A spacious cabin was realized by Honda's packaging technologies, which is one of the distinctive strengths of Honda. A mass-production model based on this Concept S is scheduled for introduction to the Chinese market through Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. next year, followed by a global release.
Introducing Acura ILX and RDX this fall
Also at the Beijing Motor Show, the Acura brand introduced the Acura ILX, a small-sized sedan and the RDX, a small-sized SUV for the first time in China. Both models are scheduled to go on sale in China this fall. Also an all-new Acura NSX Concept supercar will be displayed in China for the first time. The new NSX will be launched in China after it is launched in the U.S. within the next three years.
Strengthening China-original development models
Last year, Guangqi Honda launched the mass production model of its original brand named Li Nian. And yesterday, Dongfeng Honda introduced CIIMO, its originally developed middle-class sedan.
Comment of Takanobu Ito, President and CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
"What continues to drive Honda forward is our passion to take on new challenges with our technologies without being limited by what came before, and to create products that make our customers say, 'I wanted this kind of car!' We will concentrate this driving force here in China and build vehicles tailored to the needs of our Chinese customers. Toward this end, Honda and our joint venture companies will work together to further localize our development, production and parts sourcing in China."
Honda Concept C and S Photo Gallery
