Electric vehicles are speeding up their evolution, with significant announcements coming from Acura and Cadillac, marking exciting new directions for these brands. Acura's global executive VP, Shinji Aoyama, confirmed during the recent Monterey Car Week at the annual auto show, the production of their NSX-like electric sportscar expected to hit the market between 2027 and 2028.
Known previously for its sports cars, Acura has big plans to re-establish its presence with this upcoming electric model. Though Aoyama hinted it may not bear the NSX title, he emphasized the design would echo its predecessor's aesthetic.
The original NSX, launched back in the '90s, gained popularity for its innovative technology and sleek design. Its 2016 revival introduced hybrid elements but fell short of meeting the rising demand for all-electric performance vehicles, as seen with rivals like Tesla.
Acura previously teased their “Electric Vision” concept, showcasing what the sportscar might resemble, but details about capabilities remain under wraps. Aoyama highlighted the use of Honda’s new “0 series” architecture, aimed at maximizing the sports car's performance and comfort by minimizing battery height.
Currently, Honda has one fully electric model available— the Prologue/ZDX, built on General Motors' Ultium platform. While it reflects the shift toward electrification, it does not carry any of Honda's proprietary platforms.
Cadillac is also making waves with its new all-electric concept car, “Opulent Velocity,” which promises to blend luxury with high-performance typical of the V-Series. Revealed on the same weekend as Acura’s announcement, this concept underscores Cadillac's ambition to appeal to the high-end electric market, positioning itself against rivals like Lamborghini.
Cadillac's design director, Bryan Nesbitt, articulated the challenge of evoking excitement with electric vehicles—especially when the roar of traditional engines is absent. He stated, "+What we're really looking to do is achieve kind of the best of both worlds; the ultimate hyper-performance machine married with ultimate luxury.[-1]"
The Opulent Velocity concept, meant primarily as an exploration of future direction rather than for consumer sale, features futuristic scissor doors and aims to keep Cadillac's brand prestige intact. It’s evident Cadillac is trying to push forward from its traditional boundaries to carve out its identity among the growing luxury EV segment.
Albeit Cadillac’s sales showed a small decline of 1.7% through the first half of the year, its EV, the Cadillac Lyriq, performed better than other models, highlighting shifting consumer preferences. The narrative of performance EVs continues to evolve, with both Acura and Cadillac contributing unique takes on what luxury electric driving could deliver.
Meanwhile, Fastned, the electric vehicle charging infrastructure company, announced substantial growth, tallying revenues of €37.8 million, marking a 45% increase compared to the previous half-year. With the continued expansion of electric vehicle fleets across its European markets, Fastned captured increasing demand by securing new fast charging locations.
Fastned constructed 79 new charging locations within the first half of 2024, reaching its goal of 1,000 stations by 2030. This ambitious project coincides with plans to introduce Françoise Poggi as their new Chief Operating Officer, who previously shaped Tesla's supply chain operations across Europe.
Cadillac aims to not just compete but thrive within the high-performance EV market, alongside other luxury brands. The new Opulent Velocity concept illustrates this sentiment, pushing luxury boundaries for electric performance vehicles.
The architecture developed for Acura’s upcoming EV is promising keeping the vehicle light and sporty. Acura's return to performance sports cars can rekindle enthusiasm for those seeking electrifying speed combined with elegant design.
Both Acura and Cadillac’s entries align with growing global trends prioritizing sustainability, performance, and luxury. EV enthusiasts eagerly await the transformations coming forth from these iconic brands, as the automotive industry looks toward greener and faster horizons.
Thus, as the traditional automotive giants redefine themselves within the EV arena, consumers are bound to witness extraordinary developments. The race to capture the hearts of electric vehicle aficionados is on with Acura and Cadillac leading the charge, setting the stage for what may come next.
