Vehicle model
Acura Advanced Sedan Concept
The Acura Advanced Sedan Concept was unveiled in 2006 at the Los Angeles Auto Show as a styling study previewing the new aesthetic direction of Honda's luxury division in North America. At the time, Acura sought to establish a bolder, more recognizable visual identity in order to better compete with established premium brands such as Lexus, BMW and Audi. This sedan concept served primarily as a technological and stylistic showcase, with no direct production intent, but with the clear goal of inspiring the future lines of the lineup. The design of the Advanced Sedan Concept marked a clear break. It introduced sleek proportions, a flowing fastback silhouette, taut surfaces and carefully sculpted volumes. The front end foreshadowed the arrival of the so-called shield grille (Power Plenum Grille), an element that would become, in various interpretations, a distinctive and sometimes controversial Acura signature for several years. The slim headlights, large-diameter wheels and angular lines reflected a desire for modernity and dynamism. The cabin, presented as a clean, technological space, emphasized premium materials, digital instrumentation and a futuristic atmosphere. As a concept, the Advanced Sedan had no production-bound powertrain or detailed commercialized specifications. Acura positioned it as a laboratory of ideas illustrating its ambitions in terms of performance, all-wheel drive and electronic integration. Around this period, the manufacturer highlighted its in-house technologies such as the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system and sophisticated V6 engines, which already equipped or would soon equip production models like the RL and TL. The concept's reception was generally attentive from the specialized press, which saw it as an indicator of the brand's stylistic intentions. While some praised the boldness and coherence of the design, others were more reserved about the prominent grille, whose later versions on production models would divide opinion. This study was part of a series of concepts presented by Acura in the mid-2000s to prepare the renewal of its lineup. The legacy of the Advanced Sedan Concept lies mainly in its role as a herald. The aesthetic themes it explored — the signature grille, the taut lines and the technological orientation — reappeared, in softened forms adapted to industrial constraints, on Acura production sedans in the following years. This concept never gave rise to a model bearing the same name, but it helped shape the brand's stylistic language for a decade. It remains today an interesting reference point for understanding the evolution of Acura's visual identity and its efforts to stand out in the North American premium segment, at a pivotal time in its positioning. Its influence can be traced across multiple later models, confirming the strategic importance of such forward-looking design exercises within Acura's broader product planning during this era.
History
History of the Acura Advanced Sedan Concept
The Acura Advanced Sedan Concept was unveiled in 2006 at the Los Angeles Auto Show as a styling study previewing the new aesthetic direction of Honda's luxury division in North America. At the time, Acura sought to establish a bolder, more recognizable visual identity in order to better compete with established premium brands such as Lexus, BMW and Audi. This sedan concept served primarily as a technological and stylistic showcase, with no direct production intent, but with the clear goal of inspiring the future lines of the lineup. The design of the Advanced Sedan Concept marked a clear break. It introduced sleek proportions, a flowing fastback silhouette, taut surfaces and carefully sculpted volumes. The front end foreshadowed the arrival of the so-called shield grille (Power Plenum Grille), an element that would become, in various interpretations, a distinctive and sometimes controversial Acura signature for several years. The slim headlights, large-diameter wheels and angular lines reflected a desire for modernity and dynamism. The cabin, presented as a clean, technological space, emphasized premium materials, digital instrumentation and a futuristic atmosphere. As a concept, the Advanced Sedan had no production-bound powertrain or detailed commercialized specifications. Acura positioned it as a laboratory of ideas illustrating its ambitions in terms of performance, all-wheel drive and electronic integration. Around this period, the manufacturer highlighted its in-house technologies such as the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system and sophisticated V6 engines, which already equipped or would soon equip production models like the RL and TL. The concept's reception was generally attentive from the specialized press, which saw it as an indicator of the brand's stylistic intentions. While some praised the boldness and coherence of the design, others were more reserved about the prominent grille, whose later versions on production models would divide opinion. This study was part of a series of concepts presented by Acura in the mid-2000s to prepare the renewal of its lineup. The legacy of the Advanced Sedan Concept lies mainly in its role as a herald. The aesthetic themes it explored — the signature grille, the taut lines and the technological orientation — reappeared, in softened forms adapted to industrial constraints, on Acura production sedans in the following years. This concept never gave rise to a model bearing the same name, but it helped shape the brand's stylistic language for a decade. It remains today an interesting reference point for understanding the evolution of Acura's visual identity and its efforts to stand out in the North American premium segment, at a pivotal time in its positioning. Its influence can be traced across multiple later models, confirming the strategic importance of such forward-looking design exercises within Acura's broader product planning during this era.
Technology
Technologies, engines and platforms
As a concept, the Advanced Sedan primarily illustrated Acura's technological direction rather than a homologated spec sheet. The manufacturer highlighted its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, able to distribute torque between the wheels to improve traction and cornering agility. Around this period, Acura was developing sophisticated gasoline V6 engines, paired with advanced automatic transmissions, for its RL and TL production sedans. The concept also suggested an approach focused on onboard electronics, digital instrumentation and futuristic ergonomics. The platform, specific to a styling exercise, served as a support for design themes and a demonstration of the brand's dynamic and premium ambitions.
Tires and wheels
Tire and wheel compatibility
As a concept vehicle, no homologated tire or wheel size applies; for an equivalent production Acura, always verify the exact dimension based on the year and trim.
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