It seems that Acura and Honda are still looking to hold onto its RSX nameplate as the company recently filed trademark applications with Japan’s intellectual property office, according to Chizai Watch, a search engine for Japan’s Patent Office. According to the listing, Honda Motor Co. LTD filed the trademark on September 27, 2024, which was later approved and published on October 7, 2024.
While the Acura RSX hasn’t been with us since 2006, it was spiritually succeeded by the ILX, which was a fancied-up ninth-generation Civic after Honda’s luxury division decided to change up the company’s nomenclature theme in attempts to market the vehicle differently. And after the ILX’s series production ended, Acura revived the Integra nameplate for the entry-level model’s current generation. Despite the different badges and names, the RSX was basically North America’s version of the fourth-generation Honda Integra as it was still called the Integra and badged as a Honda in the Japanese Domestic Market.
The RSX Was Basically America’s Teggy
It’s no mystery that the RSX is still spiritually with us as the RSX was essentially a JDM Honda Integra federalized for North America, and gussied up slightly to match Acura’s near-luxury theme. Although Acura discontinued the RSX nameplate in 2006 at the end of its series production generation, replacing it with the ILX, Acura then replaced the ILX with the fifth-gen model Integra and revived the Integra nameplate for all markets.
Reviving the Integra badge was likely a more ideal situation since it’s a more recognized nameplate over RSX and ILX. Though the RSX name also stuck well with Acura fans in North America. And because of this, it could be the reason why Honda decided to reapply for rights to the RSX’s trademark.
While nothing’s set in stone, and trademarks don’t generally confirm a model’s return, the circumstances suggest that the RSX nameplate could make a return, despite the Integra’s existence. We all know Honda is in the works with reviving the Prelude, which is expected to be based on the next-gen Civic in some form. It’ll arrive with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain and should Acura decide to make a fancier version of the Prelude, there’s the possibility that the RSX name can return, along with a revival of the much-loved RSX Type S nameplate.
Thus, there’s a possibility that Acura could either revive the RSX as a fancier version of the Prelude, a model that’s anticipated to be a sports car for the big H, and this RSX could be sold side-by-side next to the Integra. This would make the most sense as the Integra badge is a household and extremely iconic nameplate for both Honda and Acura, and it would not make any sense for both brands to drop the recognizable and world-famous Integra name for the RSX again. But there’s always the possibility that the RSX could succeed and replace the Integra once again.
However, this is all largely speculation as nothing’s been confirmed or hinted by either brand. But still, that doesn’t stop us from dreaming of all the possibilities of what may come from this trademark filing.
Source: Chizai-Watch.com via AutoGuide
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