Acura will reveal a production-ready concept at Pebble Beach this summer that previews a slinky four-door flagship inspired by the Precision concept.

Next-gen versions of the TLX sedan and MDX crossover are both coming soon.

A second-generation ZDX crossover "coupe" could be in the pipeline, too.

Three years after tantalizing us with the Precision concept, Acura has yet to apply its sinewy design to its entire sextet of sedans, crossovers, and a supercar. The 2019 RDX crossover is the first full realization of the brand's Precision Crafted Performance design language, and aside from the NSX supercar, right now it's easily the best-looking new Acura. But that's about to change this summer.

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Acura will reveal a production-ready concept at Pebble Beach that will strongly echo the Precision concept as a tribute to the best of Acura's past, Car and Driver has learned. Staring into the Precision's deep pool of red paint, we must wonder—as Acura is but a 34-year-old car company mostly constrained to our market—might one of its legendary nameplates return as the Legend reincarnate? It's not a ludicrous idea, although we won't hold our breath over the exact name. Signs, however, do point to a new production Acura sedan in the Precision concept's gorgeous "four-door coupe" form. This time, unlike what it did with the car that debuted at the 2016 Detroit auto show, Acura will be ready to build something like it.

All-New TLX and MDX, but What Else Is Coming?

The next-gen TLX sedan and MDX crossover are on schedule, both likely for a late 2019 or early 2020 debut. During a small preview at the Acura Design Studio on Honda's Torrance, California, campus, we saw several mockups under cover with hook-shaped, extruded taillights poking out as on the Precision concept. Up front, vertical air intakes stretched to the corners, as on the RDX, will make their way onto both of these cars. Acura is still serious about a performance-oriented TLX Type S, which by our eyes will employ a ducktail spoiler like the new Toyota Supra, only whittled down enough to fit the profile of a refined luxury sedan.



Clifford Atiyeh Car and Driver

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We're uncertain where that leaves the RLX, Acura's supposed flagship that sold less than 2000 units last year, but our feelers suggest one of two things: The Pebble car could be an RLX replacement with a new name, or Acura will spread its ashes into the Pacific. What is clear is that sedans aren't dead at Acura.

The crossover craze hasn't escaped Acura designers, and to that end, a next-gen ZDX could make a return to the SUV coupe segment it helped define, albeit a few years too early, when it launched in 2009. Executives are looking at mockups and, as far as we can tell, liking what they see. With BMW and Mercedes-Benz in 4x4 coupe mode—and Infiniti and Lexus largely silent in this arena—the stage could reopen for a new ZDX since Acura discontinued it in 2013.

What's not up for debate is that Acura is becoming relevant again, particularly within its own company. Execs admit frustration over Acura's second-class treatment by Honda, which lately has reserved the newest innovations (like the Accord's 10-speed automatic transmission and infotainment, or the Civic Type R's turbo four) when the luxury division, by all logic, should be leading. But its cars are starting to look really good again. For Acura, Pebble Beach can't come soon enough.