“In the next year there will be a huge shift toward tier 1, and the dealer body is excited about that shift,” an Acura dealer said earlier this year. But what is Acura doing besides upgrading its current lineup and working hard on the next-generation Acura NSX? According to executives, Honda’s ‘luxury’ brand is working on a new nameplate that will join the lineup in 2010 and will help Acura reach that ‘tier 1 luxury brand’ segment.

“We will have an all-new vehicle,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president for corporate planning and logistics at American Honda Motor Company.

Bonawitz didn’t give any details on the new model but said the the car will arrive before the new NSX which will debut in 2010.

Sources say that the new model will most-likely be a four-door-coupe that will compete with the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Pricing is expected to be in the $50,000 range and the car may also come in a convertible version.

The last new model for Acura was the RDX back in 2006.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)