Acura’s Nexera Vision concept previews ‘phantom’ headlights coming to the RDX Hybrid

Acura unveiled the Nexera Vision concept during Monterey Car Week in California, a low-slung GT coupe that blends motorsport-inspired hardware with premium materials. While the dramatic bodywork is unlikely to reach production, the lighting signature is set to influence future models, starting with the next-generation RDX Hybrid.

The concept arrives as Acura refocuses on hybridization. The automaker recently canceled the planned RSX SUV as part of Honda's broader retreat from full-electric vehicle development in North America.

The Nexera Vision was designed at the Acura Design California studio in Los Angeles under the direction of Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura's creative director and vice president of automotive design. Tsuchida said the lighting signature was inspired by the Acura "A" emblem. "To reinforce the new Acura styling identity, we developed a unique lighting signature inspired by the Acura 'A' mark," he explained. "The Nexera Vision sets the course for the next generation of Acura design, and we are committed to evolving that direction with clarity, consistency and purpose across future Acura products."

At the front and rear, the concept features what Acura calls "phantom lighting" — ultra-thin angular slashes of headlight and taillight strips that disappear into the bodywork when turned off, only becoming visible when illuminated. This creates uninterrupted sculpted surfaces when the car is parked, but highlights the coupe's aggressive aerodynamic elements when driving. The main A-shaped light signature is expected to become a brand hallmark.

The first production model to adopt this lighting design will be the fourth-generation RDX Hybrid, which Acura has confirmed will receive the Nexera-inspired treatment. The concept itself is a one-off design study, but its lighting technology is a clear signal of Acura's future design direction.