The Acura Division was created to bring intelligent luxury, stimulating performance and state-of-the-art engineering to the luxury import automobile market.
Now in its seventh year, that venture is showing extraordinary results - Acura is an acknowledged leader in the luxury performance import field. From a start-up with two automobile lines, three models and 60 dealers, Acura now offers four automobile lines, sold through a nationwide network of-approximately 300 dealers. There are now over 750,000 Acura automobiles on the road.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
While selling many more cars than its competition, Acura has also succeeded in another important measure of success:making the ownership experience as satisfying as possible. Acura ranked number one in the J.D. Power and Associates® Customer Satisfaction Index(SM) (CSI) survey in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 - the first four years the company was eligible.
Acura has also ranked number one in the last two J.D. Power and Associates® Vehicle Performance Studies(SM) (VPI). This study measures the operating performance and overall comfort at three years of ownership.
In 1991, Acura ranked number one in the J.D. Power and Associates® Vehicle Dependability Survey (SM) (VDI). This survey measures the overall dependability of products at five years of ownership.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The success of Acura automobiles can be attributed largely to the research and development that goes into every car. Acura automobiles are designed and built using leading-edge technology. At the same time, they are well known for extremely high levels of ergonomic design, quality and durability.
To give the designers and engineers the kind of creative freedom and positive working environment they need to function at their best, Honda Research and Development Co., Ltd., was formed in 1960 as a separate entity from its parent, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. This separation allows the engineers of Honda R&D to go their own way, investigating new ideas and innovations without the budgetary and bureaucratic constraints encountered by engineers at many other automobile manufacturers.
After an automobile is designed and developed, it is exhaustively tested at facilities in Japan and the United States, and it undergoes environmental testing in harsh climates and conditions all over the world. The main Honda R&D testing facility in Japan is the Tochigi Proving Grounds, with its broad range of demanding driving situations. Acura automobiles are also tested at two major Honda-owned test facilities in the United States. The Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio, includes many of the same capabilities as the Tochigi Proving Grounds. And further illustrating the Acura and Honda commitment to the U.S. market, Honda R&D has recently opened an all-new testing facility in the desert north of Los Angeles. Honda Proving Center California (HPCC) allows thorough development and product testing close to Acura Division and Honda R&D North American headquarters in Torrance, California. HPCC incorporates a 7.5-mile high-speed oval track and will soon offer a full range of other challenging surfaces and test facilities.
RACING
The deep-seated commitment of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Acura Division to racing started at the very beginning. Soichiro Honda, who founded Honda in 1948, was a racing enthusiast at heart. Throughout his life he maintained an active interest in his company's racing exploits and in the world-leading technology that made them possible.
Nobuhiko Kawamoto, president of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has his roots in racing as well. Kawamoto was a key engineer on the early Honda Formula One racing effort in the 1960s. And later, as president of Honda Research and Development Co., Ltd., his influence and engineering expertise led to the Honda return to Formula One racing in 1983.
Formula One racing is the world's most demanding arena of motorsport competition; the participation of Honda in Formula One serves as an indispensable training ground for engineers, and a unique source of inspiration for the designers of Acura production automobiles.
Racing also provides a priceless body of knowledge, at the leading edge of technology, that would be impossible to acquire in any other way.
Honda-powered cars have won five consecutive Formula One Constructors' World Championships, and four consecutive Formula One Drivers' World Championships. But the ultimate payoff of this racing experience is built into each Acura, in the satisfying way it functions and feels.
For the 1992 Grand Prix season, Honda is supplying 3.5-liter V-12engines to the Honda Marlboro McLaren Formula One team.
The Comptech Racing BFGoodrich/Acura Camel Lights race car, powered by a modified Acura NSX engine, carried veteran driver Parker Johnstone to the Drivers' Championship in the 1991 IMSA Camel Lights series and allowed him to dominate the 1992 series.
1993 ACURA AUTOMOBILES
Two initial model lines went on sale in March 1986. The Integra sports sedans, in both 3-door and 5-door versions, were introduced, along with the Legend 4-door performance luxury touring sedan. The Legend Coupe was introduced one year later, in March 1987.
Since the unveiling of the two original Acura model lines, two models have been added: the mid-engine NSX exotic sports car and the Vigor sports sedan. And both original model lines, the Integra and the Legend, have been superseded with all-new, totally redesigned and re-engineered successors:the Integra in the 1990 model year and the Legend Sedan and Legend Coupe in the 1991 model year.
Acura enters the 1993 model year with a full line of Precision Crafted Performance automobiles, each carefully tailored to bring the best in engineering, ergonomics and driving satisfaction to its owners.
The 1993 NSX, called "the world's best sports car," has been refined with the addition of a passenger's side air bag Supplemental Restraint System(SRS)and - automatic seat belt tensioners.
The entire 1993 Legend line now has a driver's and passenger's side air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with automatic seat belt tensioners. Also new for 1993 is an Acura/Bose® Premium Music System in LS models and an Acura/Bose® Music System in L models. For 1993, the entire line receives additional refinements which create a quieter interior and reduce vibration even further.
The Vigor personal performance sports sedan was introduced in the spring of 1991 as a 1992 model, and has been continually refined. The Vigor is powered by a 2.5-liter, SOHC, 20-valve,all-aluminum, inline 5-cylinder engine. It features 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and a wood-accented interior. All Vigors feature a driver's side air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), while the Vigor as features a driver's and passenger's side air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The second-generation 3-door and 4-door Integra sports sedans, introduced as 1990 models, have undergone substantial improvements and refinements since then. The 140-hp, 1.8-liter, DOHC engine is standard in 3-door and 4-door RS, LS and OS while a more powerful 160-hp, 1.7-liter VTEC engine is standard in the 3-door OS-R model. All Integra models feature a double-wishbone suspension system and 4-wheel disc brakes. OS and OS-R models feature a standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). New for 1993 is an Integra 3-door LS Special which features leather-trimmed interior, alloy wheels, Michelin V-rated performance tires and a rear spoiler.
Features, illustrations and equipments shown in this press kit are based upon the latest available information at the time of publication.