Acura Opens Dedicated Studio

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s Acura brand officially opens a new $15 million dedicated design studio today in Torrance, CA.

“This Acura Design Studio will help conceive and design the future of Acura,” Toshihiko Nonaka, president-Honda R&D Americas (HRA), says in a statement. “Our goal here is to create emotional designs that create a strong and distinct image for Acura products.”

A variety of Acura models, including the MDX cross/utility vehicle and TL sedan, were designed by HRA, which also has a studio in Torrance. Acura operates an Advanced Design Studio in Pasadena, CA.

Honda says nearly two-thirds of all Acura models sold in the U.S. are researched, designed, developed and built in North America.

Features of the new studio include a computer-generated virtual simulator that will allow Acura designers to display vehicles in a one-to-one ratio, while interior and exterior designers will be near one another on the styling floor to increase collaboration, Honda says.

The building is designed with environmental friendliness in mind, and has an Energy Star reflective roof to lessen the need for air conditioning. It also has a lighting system that emphasizes natural sunlight, the auto maker says. It expects the facility to receive a “Gold” rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.