Acura PMC: Special Editions with NSX Heritage

The source of pride for Marysville, Ohio, is Honda's assembly facility, where theAccord, Acura Integra, and TLXare created. Nearby is the Performance Manufacturing Center, where theNSXwas brought back for a new generation between 2016 and 2022. Several other unique vehicles have also emerged from this source. In the early 2020s,Acura meticulously crafted a limited quantity of PMC editions of theMDX and RDXSUVs and the TLX sedan.

PMC: Simply a Collection of Letters?

The NSX made a comeback for the 2017 model year during a period when the brand had few new offerings. The full-sizeRLXwasn't doing well, and the small-sizedILXwas excessively aCivicin the worst possible ways. Adding a mid-engine supercar would definitely shake things up, wouldn't it? It could help, but it won't fix all of the brand's issues.

Acura required an element to revive the enthusiasm that attracted customers from various regions. The brand kept offering the sporty A-Spec package on vehicles but did not have the high-end Type S designation, which signaled that one of its models was at its peak performance.

In 2019, it came to light that PMC Editions of the TLX A-Spec were being built together with the NSX in Ohio. These letters signified that the vehicle featured an upscale paint scheme, unique exterior trim components, and received the distinguished privilege of being handcrafted. The attention then turned to how Honda's skilled technicians would construct and paint the car in colors reserved exclusively for the NSX.

How It's Made: Acura TLX PMC Edition

The TLX PMC Edition originally began at the main production facility in Marysville, located down the street. A chassis was removed from the assembly line and transported to the Performance Manufacturing Center, where the remainder of the vehicle was assembled by the same technicians responsible for building the NSX.

The standout feature of the PMC Edition was the unique paint scheme available exclusively to vehicles manufactured by the same team. In 2020, every PMC Edition came in Valencia Red Pearl. These models also included 19-inch PMC wheels, black door handles and roof, dark chrome exhaust tips, and red contrasting stitching inside.

The TLX did not come in specific trims, but certain packages had to be selected in order to access others. For instance, the Technology package needed to be chosen first in order to get the A-Spec or Advance packages. A-Spec and Advance were two distinct options on the standard TLX, but the PMC Edition combined both, resulting in a package that included all features from both. Only 360 PMC models were produced for the 2020 model year.

The PMC Editions of the TLX Type S would return for 2023, marking the conclusion of handcrafted Acura vehicles. The company produced a total of 300 units in three NSX colors, with an additional 50 cars completed in a fourth color before the program concluded, resulting in a final count of 350 vehicles.

Acura PMC Edition Guide

Lacking That Special Something

The main reason to purchase a PMC Edition version of any model was the attractive colors and limited availability. The hand-built label was something to be proud of, but it didn't have any real significance for what were supposed to be the top-performing versions of each car. No PMC Edition vehicle was more powerful than its mass-produced counterpart.

We don't dispute that the PMC Editions were impressive and worthy of recognition for their accomplishments, but if you choose to label something with the word "performance" in its name, you should ensure it lives up to the expectations that title implies. Nevertheless, the NSX was a pleasant companion, particularly because it introduced technology once exclusive to high-end models into a vehicle priced at a relatively more approachable $156,000.

The PMC Edition label began to lose some of its shine when Acura revealed that the MDX and RDX would also be hand-assembled and painted in NSX colors. Nevertheless, manufactured scarcity remains effective in the automotive sector. If Acura had the capability to create a vehicle that demonstrated how to build an everyday supercar, it would likely employ similar strategies.Ferrari and Lamborghinito boost sales; we just hadn't anticipated the reasoning being used for family vehicles as well.

Where Are They Now?

The PMC Editions were available from 2020 to 2023, with the TLX being the sole model to feature two hand-crafted versions. The TLX and MDX debuted in 2020, followed by the RDX in 2021-2022. The TLX made a return in 2023, resulting in a combined total of 1,400 vehicles across all three models for the North American region. The MDX had the lowest overall production volume.

Today, PMC Edition vehicles are not commonly found for sale. Be cautious of listings that claim to be PMC Editions without clear proof, but there are simple methods to distinguish genuine PMC cars from incorrect listings. Because of the limited availability of PMC Editions, prices typically range from $30,000 to $40,000 for the TLX, MDX, and RDX models from 2020 to 2022. The 2023 TLX models can cost between $40,000 and $50,000 due to their newer model year and increased performance.

We don't anticipate PMC editions selling for extremely high prices anytime soon, but who's to say that those stored away for a few decades might not end up being valuable, similar to how some untouched Hondas and Acuras from years past have appreciated? The limited availability is enough to add some extra worth compared to standard models. Fortunately, the difference isn't huge, so if you're looking for a daily driver that's rarer than the supercar it was developed alongside, you won't need to pay an exorbitant amount.

What's Next?

If Acura decides to give the NSX another chance, it would likely be powered by an electric drivetrain. Thearrival of the RSX EVsignals Honda's dedication to pushing forward its own electric vehicle strategy, particularly now that there is no longer aproject in partnership with General Motors.

The brand also canceled the TLX and is phasing out the RDX, leaving just the Integra,ADX, and MDX as the combustion engine alternatives. We don't anticipate a gasoline-powered sedan making a comeback to fill the void left by the TLX.