Sister companies Honda->ke34 and Acura->ke10 promised to present to distinctly different concept vehicles at the Shanghai Auto Show->ke2470.

For its part, Honda delivered on that promise with the angry-looking 2013 Concept M MPV. Meanwhile, Acura unveiled its own concept, the SUV-X, and just like Honda's Concept M, this one should have a future production model.

And by future, we mean “right now.”

The concept itself was designed to highlight the Japanese automaker's emotional and sharp styling with driving performance, all while adhering to an environmental approach. The result is the SUV-X Concept, which combines all of that and wraps them all up in a body that looks downright stunning.

Acura has never had a reputation for building cars with cutting edge designs. But its recent offerings like the new 2013 NSX Concept and this one does paint a clear picture that the Japanese automaker is entering a new phase in its design philosophy.

Hopefully, the SUV-X Concept is one of the first in a long line of future models that adheres to this new edginess.

Click past the jump to read more about the Acura SUV-X Concept

2013 Acura Concept SUV-X

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Acura Concept SUV-X
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 270
  • Torque: 300
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

While no information was given about the SUV-X Concept, it's worth noting that the concept looks pretty incredible, relative to what the automaker has produced in the past. The SUV-X even has design touches of Acura's other concept, the NSX, particularly the horizontally arranged, slit-like LED headlight configuration. It's also positioned a little higher than usual, almost too high, really. A swooping contoured design just below the lights does its job of creating a visual illusion of making the headlights look bigger so it all falls into place. The front bumper also houses what looks to be enormous air intakes with fog lights and wrapped in chrome details.

The rear end of the SUV-X Concept isn't as ostentatious looking as the front, but you can tell that its design is also wide right (or left) of what Acura has become accustomed to.

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Interior

The interior of the SUV-X Concept wasn't shown nor did it have any information on what we can expect. Having said that, the concept's overall characterization as an SUV probably has a lot to do with what the interior of the concept is going to look like.

Expect at least a five-seat configuration with plenty of leather and maybe even some touches of Alcantara. An infotainment system is also likely to be part of the package.

Performance

Acura didn't release any details about the SUV-X, including the kind of powertrain it will carry. We can speculate that something along the lines of a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces a shade below 300 horsepower is well suited for the concept model. If Acura goes the route of giving the SUV-X this engine, you can also expect it to be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and be capable of hitting 60 mph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

Pricing

No word on pricing and until Acura gives us the production model of the SUV-X, our guess on a price is as good as yours.

Competition

2013 Honda Urban SUV Concept

If the Acura SUV-X does have a production future as a Chinese market model, we expect it to be a competitive option in what is becoming a highly competitive market, one that could include the likes of the Honda Urban SUV Concept in the coming future.

Conclusion

It would've been really nice if Acura revealed more details about the SUV-X Concept. But given what we saw, we love the look of this prototype model so much we're bummed out that any future model will only be sold in China.