| Formed in 1986 as Honda’s luxury- and sports-car division, Acura was the first attempt by a Japanese manufacturer to provide world-class premium automobiles. The division quickly became Honda’s technological showcase. The NSX mid-engined supercar offered Ferrari performance with Civic reliability, and the slick Integra helped to launch the sports-compact craze. To keep its fuel efficiency reasonable, Acura has stuck to high-powered, lightweight four- and six-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive layouts, while many of its competitors have stepped up to rear-drive V8s. These days Acura is the go-to brand for bleeding-edge technology and drama-free performance. |
