Tony Stark Appears in New Acura Roadster Concept during NYC Shoot for The Avengers Film

The next Hollywood superhero blockbuster to hit the silver screen is The Avengers, which is due for a 2012 release.

The movie brings together Marvel Studio's greatest superheroes like Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and more.

And what does the movie have to do with an automotive site like Carscoop, we hear you ask? Well, we're getting there. You see, following recent filming in Cleveland, Ohio, the movie set moved to New York City and Central Park this week.



Acura Presents 2012 TSX Special Edition with Modest Sporty Touches





Acura continues the celebration of its 25th anniversary with the launch of a new version of the 2012 TSX sedan named Special Edition that is available exclusively with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

The Japanese company says the new model was "designed to evoke the fun-to-drive 4-cylinder Acuras of the past" (so does that mean it's current portfolio isn't "fun-to-drive"?), which in reality translates to a subtle aero package, added standard equipment and the availability of a manual gearbox.



Mercedes-Benz Bodied Acura Integra Convertible




If you’re still with us and haven’t gone out looking for a bug swatter, there’s more of this lime-green creation to be seen in the video after the jump.

Judging from the cuts on the front fenders and the shape of the bonnet, we reckon it’s a mid-1990s Acura Integra Coupe.

The proud owner of the vehicle chopped off the roof to turn the Japanese coupe into a convertible model and then proceeded with the styling transformation that includes a custom body kit imitating the looks of many Mercedes-Benz roadsters and the customary trick doors.



Honda Canada Hacked: 250,000+ Customers Affected By Security Breach




Less than a month after Sony’s Playstation Network was compromised by hackers seeking personal information, a similar mishap has struck the Canadian arm of Honda / Acura. In a notice to its customers, the Japanese automaker revealed:

“The incident involved the unauthorized access of information as held in our records in 2009, specifically name, address, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and in a small number of cases, Honda Financial Services account numbers.”

It is believed that as many as 283,321 have been affected by the security breach. Honda Canada Executive VP Jerry Chenkin released a statement saying: “The information was limited and is not typically used for the purposes of identity theft or fraud. We would like to sincerely apologize to our Canadian customers for this incident. Honda and Acura are working diligently to protect our customers' personal information and improve our data security procedures on an ongoing basis.”



Honda President Says NSX Successor Back on Track, May Use a Hybrid Drivetrain




The Shanghai Auto Show brought some exciting news for Honda fans as the Japanese automaker revealed plans for the development of a new sports car that will be the spiritual successor to the iconic Honda NSX (Acura NSX in North America).

Speaking on the sidelines of the show, Honda Motor Company president, Takanobu Ito, said the new car won't feature the V10 engine that had been planned for the next NSX, as the company scrapped this project back in 2008, during the global financial crisis. Ito told reporters that the future NSX would be exhilarating to drive but also environmentally friendly. “That's the kind of sports car we want to make. We are working very hard on it,” Ito was quoted as saying by Autonews.



Mazda, Honda Suspend U.S. Orders for Japan-Made Models




Mazda has suspended all US orders for cars built in Japan as the carmaker is preparing to shut down its plants once again after a short reopening period. According to the automaker’s American spokesman Jay Amestoy, the decision will affect shipments of cars that were due to arrive in the U.S. in May. The Mazda official added that it was uncertain when normal activity will resume.

Mazda USA imports almost all its range from the Japan, except the U.S.-built Mazda6 and Tribute. The models produced in Japan are the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5 / Miata, RX-8, CX7 and CX9. Mazda halted production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants from March 14 through March 21, but three days ago, it resumed temporary production using parts it had in its inventory.



Acura Release Massive Photo Gallery and Prices on 2012 TL Sedan




With the 2012MY Acura TL’s market launch set for March 18, the Japanese automaker decided to drop pricing details along with a slew of new photos of its facelifted mid-size sedan. The most significant changes for the 2012 TL concern the new front and rear styling, while Acura also added a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission and made the cabin quieter.

The base front-wheel drive 2012 TL, which comes with a 280HP V6 hooked up to a Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic, starts at $35,605, while the available Technology Package that includes a navigation system and a 440-watt premium audio System, increases the price to $39,335. Opt for the Advance Package that incorporates ventilated front seats, larger wheels and a new blind spot information (BSI) system, and the price goes up to $41,535.