Acura sets price of 2010 ZDX at $45,495

Acura’s all-new 4-door sports coupe, the 2010 ZDX, has an official on sale date of Dec. 15 with an MSRP of $45,495, which does not include another $81o for handling and delivery.

Since it debuted at this past April’s New York Auto Show, the American designed and American-manufactured stands out with its styling and performance numbers.

“Acura dealers are seeing strong interest from customers for the ZDX well before its official on-sale date,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales in a press release. “The ZDX is like nothing you have ever seen before from Acura.”

The run down:

ZDX will be sold in 3 trim packages:

a well-equipped ZDX

a ZDX with Technology Package;

a ZDX with Advance Package.

Power for each package is generated from a 3.7-liter, 300 hp, V-6 VTEC(R) with 270 lb-fr of toque while producing EPA numbers of 16/23.

Also standard on each ZDX is Acura’s SH-AWD (R) or Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive that boosts handling and ensures heightened all-weather and all-season road-holding capabilities.

Standard fare includes what Acura bills as the world’s longest panoramic glass roof, concealed rear door handles, and a hand-stithced leather dash, center console and door panels.

The Technology Package adds an Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ with Traffic Rerouting™, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with radar image maps, a full VGA display screen and an innovative new multi-view rear camera. It also includes an upgraded Acura/ELS Surround® 415-watt Premium Audio System with a built-in 15-gig media storage system, which Acura says could hold up to 3,500 songs; a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system and Keyless Access System (with Smart Entry and push button ignition).

The Advance Package adds the following to the Technology Package list, including: a new blind spot information system (BSI), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigating Braking System™ (CMBS™), an Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) active damper system, heated and ventilated front seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather seating surfaces, premium brushed tricot headliner material and a sport steering wheel.

2010 Acura ZDX: Ferocious styling

The ZDX's ultra-rakish coupe profile is limned in a dark-tinted glass canopy that stretches from the hood all the way to the taillamp assembly. The sides of the greenhouse taper inward dramatically to the rear, creating outrageous rear haunches that might as well have been lifted from a Paris-Dakar Porsche.

This is the first Acura designed, engineered and being built in North America (Alliston, Ontario. That's Canada. Can you smell the bacon?).

The ZDX's Yankee designers -- all trained at Art Center in Pasadena -- have managed to transcend the dictates of the marketing weenies to make what I think is a lasting contribution to the designed world. Forget the modernism of the Tokyo skyline. The more you look at this thing the more you expect it to have a license plate from Alpha Centauri.

Based loosely on the mechanicals of the MDX, the ZDX's roofline is 6 inches lower, its ultra-rakish coupe profile limned in a dark-tinted glass canopy that stretches from the hood all the way to the taillamp assembly. The sides of the greenhouse taper inward dramatically to the rear, creating outrageous rear haunches that might as well have been lifted from a Paris-Dakar Porsche. The side window daylight opening (the DLO in industry parlance) is sports-car narrow, slitted and menacing -- the effect you'd get if you spit in Clint Eastwood's eye. To further de-emphasize the four doors, the rear door handles are hidden in the corner of the DLO.

The whole thing is as taut and engaged as a crossbow aimed at your temple. Nifty.

Five years ago, such a car would have remained an auto-show concept, a turnstile queen, virtually un-buildable. The rear quarter panels, with their complex hyper-paraboloid shape and deep "draw" -- which is to say, the depth of the metal-stamping form -- would have been too difficult and expensive to manufacture. Advances in tooling technology have changed that.

The ZDX's glass-to-glass panels around the panoramic roof mean there's hell to pay in fit and finish, wind-noise attenuation and weatherproofing. This is not an easy car to build.

Nor is it cheap to build. Acura lavished a lot of money on the interior, including couture-quality leathers on the dash, seats and doors; a suede-like headliner material; and a fully finished cargo area with plated metal handles and high-quality carpet. Another interesting bit of hardware is the new "monolith" center control panel, a bank of black switches that remain dark until the relevant systems are activated. It kind of reminds me of the "dark panel" feature in Saabs.

Under all its exotic skins and complex surfaces, however, the ZDX is a more-or-less conventional, and less compelling, Acura crossover.

Acura's ZDX Overpriced

Easily one of the most controversial designs for 2010, the Acura ZDX
looks as though it takes a page from the BMW X6's playbook.
With its sloped roofline, it certainly bears some cues.

Although most people will point to its facade as a key point of interest, we won't because something else interests us; its price.

Starting off just under $45,500, it does not seem to be that bad of a deal. You get: 300-horsepower, all-wheel drive, heated and power seats, rearview camera, two-zone climate control and Bluetooth.

Step it up a notch with the Technology Package, you drop another five large and you get the GPS navigation unit, Smart Entry, multi-view rearview camera, an upgraded sound system and more.

If this does not suffice and you expect more from your ZDX, then you can obtain the Advance Package, which includes: blind spot detection, active cruise control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, six-level heated and cooled front seats, and more.

All of this does not come cheap though at a hefty $56,045, not including the $810 destination charge.

2010 Acura MDX priced at $43,040

Priced at $43,040 (including a $810 destination charge), Acura’s 2010 MDX crossover was given a mild facelift and some extra features.
This puts the price of the 2010 MDX about $2100 more than the 2009 model.

The price increase is nothing to fret about since the premium includes some extra goodies. Standard equipment on all MDX trim levels now includes power tailgates, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, a rearview camera integrated into the rearview mirror, and a new hill start function. Some 2010 MDXs continue to use the same 3.7-liter V-6 as last year, but it’s now bolted to a new six-speed automatic transmission, making it to achieve 16/21 mpg (city/highway).

2010 Acura ZDX

We’re tempted to believe that ZDX stands for “zero demand expected.” The new Acura ZDX is one of those genre-less oddballs that occasionally comes along, like the Subaru Baja and the BMW X6. They slip past the guardians of sanity at their home offices and drift into the market like pollen wafting on a breeze of optimism.

They often die quickly and are flushed.

Long ago we described just such a spore, the AMC Gremlin, as a Hornet with the useful space hacked out of it. Behold the 21st-century version: Acura’s MDX luxury people mover with at least some of the useful space hacked—no, that’s old-fashioned, it’s been carefully shaved, planed, and CNC-milled out of it.

This is styling that takes a toll. To make a ZDX, an entire seat row from the MDX goes sayonara, as does about 35 percent of the cargo space with the seats folded. Width and wheelbase remain unchanged from the MDX, and length grows slightly, but the ZDX’s roof is more than five inches lower, pruning just over three inches from the rear-seat headroom.

Getting in back involves a limbo stoop under the low-cut opening. Have first aid at the ready because foreheads will be whacked, and an ungoggled eye or two may be poked by the rear-door glass, which comes to a menacing point at the concealed door handles.

The upside? At least one seven-year-old thought the ZDX was the coolest vehicle he’d ever seen. There are, like, 22-hundred-thousand buttons and a huge sunroof to stand up in and secret compartments in the back for ninja stuff and you can fly to Alaska in three seconds on the navigation screen and you can open the remote-control hatchback from about a mile away. And stuff.

All of which is ironic, as the ZDX will appeal mainly to people who don’t have kids. Acura predicts sales of just 6000 ZDXs per year, knowing full well that in America’s vastness one could find 6000 buyers for cars with square wheels.

Prices should start in the mid-40s, slightly higher than the MDX, but one like our test car, with the extra hundred-thousand buttons of the Technology package (upgraded leather, nav system, premium audio, backup camera, and more) and the Advance package (adaptive cruise control, adjustable suspension, blind-spot warning, precollision warning, etc.), will land in the mid-50s. Feature to feature, it’s less costly than the 300-hp BMW X6 xDrive 35i, which starts at $57,125, but that’s like saying an aardvark makes a better pet than an ostrich.

The ZDX isn’t lazy, hitting 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, rather fleet considering the 4421-pound curb weight (about 175 pounds lighter than an MDX). The 3.7-liter V-6 makes 300 horsepower, as it does in the MDX, and the new six-speed automatic and cylinder-cutoff system are mileage stretchers. We saw 20 mpg.

Nor does the ZDX fear a curve. It’s a confident, stable handler, thanks to some steering-feel improvements Acura made after our initial write-up. Also credit the system named with our favorite Japanese hyperbole, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. When understeer attacks, the system overdrives the outside rear wheel to help turn this big bronco. It works.

Acura TL 2010

Acura TL 2010

New available six-speed manual transmission
- Exterior colour: Polished Metal Metallic discontinued
- Interior colour: Taupe interior discontinued with Royal Blue Pearl, Basque Red Pearl and Borealis Blue Pearl

Completely redesigned for 2009, the Acura TL adds a six-speed manual transmission for 2010, available on the new TL SH-AWD Technology Package. It is the first time Acura has offered its Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with a manual gearbox.

The TL uses a 3.5-litre V6 in the front-wheel version, and a 3.7-litre in the all-wheel; both use a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and paddle shifters, along with the six-speed manual available with the Technology Package.

Features on the TL include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, tire pressure monitoring system, fog lamps, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals and tip-down in reverse, Xenon headlamps, power sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, exterior temperature display, garage door opener, LED footwell lighting, programmable LED interior lighting, power windows with front auto up/down, speed-sensing variable intermittent wipers, tilt and telescopic steering wheel with integrated audio controls, six-CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input and USB connector, XM satellite radio, eight-way driver and passenger power heated leather-trimmed seats, and two-position driver's memory.

The TL SH-AWD adds 18-inch alloy wheels, headlight washers, hill start assist, and sport grip steering wheel.

Acura ZDX(2010)

The 2010 Acura ZDX will join the coupe-like crossover later this year. Staying true to the Acura ZDX prototype model that debuted at the 2009 New York Auto Show in April, the production ZDX will feature the key design highlights of a panoramic glass roof, hidden rear door handles and bold fender flares.

Along with head-turning styling, the ZDX will boast outstanding performance from its 3.7-liter V-6 engine mated to an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. The 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 all-aluminum engine will generate 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque for immediate acceleration response, outstanding low- and mid-range torque and superior high-rpm power. The 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters gives the ZDX excellent acceleration while also enhancing fuel economy.

Acura ZDX Prototype

A prototype of the provocative Acura ZDX luxury four-door sports coupe made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. The production version of the dramatically styled prototype goes on-sale in the fall of 2009. The ZDX is designed to break new ground for Acura in the areas of provocative styling, contemporary luxury and meticulous refinement.

2010 Acura TL details and picture gallery

By adding an available manual transmission to the TL SH-AWD® model, Acura will further up its game for performance minded TL drivers who prefer the winding route over the direct route, Acura announced today. Available next fall for the 2010 model year, will be a TL SH-AWD® with 6-speed manual transmission and numerous modifications to enhance vehicle dynamics.

"The new manual transmission equipped TL SH-AWD® really allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura's SH-AWD® system," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales, "Not only is the new manual transmission model the best performing Acura TL ever, it is the top handling performer among every vehicle in its class."

The availability of a 6-speed manual transmission for the 2010 TL SH-AWD® represents the first time Acura has ever paired its acclaimed Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ system with a manual gearbox. In addition, the new close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission is approximately 110 lbs lighter than the Sequential SportShift automatic transmission to further benefit acceleration, braking and cornering. The 6-speed manual transmission is an all-new design that is substantially stronger than the previous generation TL manual transmission. In addition to using a more rigid aluminum case and heavier-duty internals, the new manual transmission employs precisely selected gear ratios based on the characteristics of the TL's new 3.7L V-6 engine and SH-AWD® drivetrain. New gear synchronizers deliver improved shift accuracy and feel, and a short-throw shifter assembly generates confident shifting combined with low shift effort.

Acura engineers also designed an entirely new clutch system for the new 6-speed manual transmission to withstand the TL's robust power output while also improving modulation for noticeably easier use. The new self-adjusting, dual-mass clutch delivers extremely constant pedal effort throughout the entire stroke of the pedal. By keeping the effort linear, the driver has improved feel that results in better clutch interaction. The TL SH-AWD® 6MT has a specially calibrated Hill Start Assist system that helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake to the accelerator while stopped on a hill. When the road incline exceeds an 8-degree threshold and the vehicle is fully stopped, Hill Start Assist automatically activates. When Hill Start Assist is active, the brakes automatically hold for one second as the driver's foot transitions from the brake to the accelerator pedal. The brakes are automatically released when the vehicle begins to move forward.

The 2010 TL SH-AWD® 6MT has exclusive suspension tuning via special coil spring and shock absorber rates tuned for flatter cornering with reduced pitching motions under acceleration and braking. The front dampers incorporate 5-percent more tension damping during low piston speeds to generate improved turn-in feel. In addition, the front dampers generate 14-percent less high speed compression damping which helps improve ride quality.

The TL SH-AWD® 6MT employs firmer engine and transmission bushings that better resist engine and/or transmission movement during spirited driving. Engine side mount bushing stiffness increases by 80-percent, front mount rate increases by 17-percent, rear hydro mount firmness increases by 50-percent and the transmission upper mount is stiffened by 100-percent.

For 6-speed manual transmission applications, special heavy-duty front driveshafts are used. In addition to being 2-percent larger in diameter, the driveshafts have a larger inboard spline size and team with more heavy-duty CV joints.

The TL SH-AWD® fit with the new 6-speed transmission will also benefit from exclusive Electronic Power Steering (EPS) tuning. Just as with the TL SH-AWD® with Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic, the EPS delivers low steering effort for parking maneuvers that progressively firms up as speed increases.

With the 6-speed manual transmission TL SH-AWD®, the EPS system is further tuned to deliver a slightly heavier feel as speed increases thus generating more confident mid- to high-speed driving dynamics. The addition of a manual transmission, an all-new clutch system and suspension changes yield an 88 lb. reduction in overall vehicle weight. The weight reduction not only delivers improved performance, but also generates a more favorable front/rear weight bias. Compared to an automatic transmission equipped TL SH-AWD®, the 6-speed manual version improves weight distribution by 1-percent thus generating a 58/42 ratio versus the 5AT's 59/41 ratio.

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The 2009 Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.

2010 Acura RDX

2010 Acura ZDX

The 2010 Acura ZDX will join the coupe-like crossover later this year. Staying true to the Acura ZDX prototype model that debuted at the 2009 New York Auto Show in April, the production ZDX will feature the key design highlights of a panoramic glass roof, hidden rear door handles and bold fender flares.

Along with head-turning styling, the ZDX will boast outstanding performance from its 3.7-liter V-6 engine mated to an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. The 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 all-aluminum engine will generate 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque for immediate acceleration response, outstanding low- and mid-range torque and superior high-rpm power. The 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters gives the ZDX excellent acceleration while also enhancing fuel economy.

[Source: Acura

2010 Acura RDX

Acura has released official images of its mildly revised 2010 RDX. Though mostly the same under the skin – with the exception of a new low-cost front-wheel-drive variant – the RDX gains a new more corporate face.

The big news for the 2010 model year is the addition of a front-wheel drive RDX model– up until now the RDX has only been available with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Thanks to a lighter curb weight, the FWD RDX posts better numbers than its AWD counterpart, achieving ratings of 19mpg city, 22mpg highway. The AWD model remains unchanged at 17/20mpg city/highway.

[Source: Acura]

ALMS Petit Le Mans Pictures

2010 Acura TSX

2010 Acura TSX
The 2010 TSX is a 4-door, 5-passenger sports sedan, available in 6 trims, ranging from the 6-Spd MT to the... read more V6 5-Spd AT w/ Technology Package.
price: $29,310 - $37,950

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT

At first glance, East Liberty, Ohio is one of those sleepy, blink-and-you'll-miss-it midwestern towns, the kind you find buried in every county from Columbus to Kankakee. Then, on the outskirts of town, you round a corner and come face-to-face with an eighteen-wheeler cranking across an enormous banked oval. And a dump truck on a skidpad. And a small, diabolical little road course with more off-camber corners than you can shake a Snell sticker at. Welcome to the Transportation Research Center, otherwise known as TRC.

Acura invited us here for a track-only drive of its TL SH-AWD 6MT prototype, a car that by all rights shouldn't exist. The 6MT bit is the interesting part; it stands for six-speed manual transmission, and the SH-AWD acronym represents Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. The combination - the most powerful model Acura offers, paired with electronically controlled all-wheel drive and a clutch pedal - is enticing on paper, but in an age of declining manual-transmission sales, it's also a little perplexing. If you're shooting for greater sales and a broader demographic, why bother building a destined-to-be-low-volume car for a rapidly shrinking market?

Predictably, the (lovably impractical) answer can be found in one word: gearheads. A handful of renegade Acura engineers installed a three-pedal setup into an early production TL (the car is currently available only with an automatic) and begged management to drive it. After a little track time, the suits went nuts. We were asked to come to Ohio on the grounds that a manual gearbox transformed the hottest version of Acura's TL, and that the added wait and development cost (an extra twelve months of R&D; the manual TL won't go on sale until fall of 2009) would be worth it. Frankly, we were more than a little skeptical.

2010 Acura RDX - Photo, Detail, Specs

Never content resting on its laurels, Acura brings to market the 2010 RDX with a fresh new exterior look, a more luxurious interior, and a host of new technology features. For 2010, the RDX is now available with a two-wheel drive option which offers improved fuel economy and a lower price point over its SH-AWD™ counterpart.

“The RDX has always offered a unique mix of great performance, good utility, lots customer relevant technology and sharp looks- but for 2010 these attributes get even better,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “The availability of a new 2WD model with improved fuel economy and a lower price make the 2010 RDX a smart choice.”

The RDX continues to be the compact luxury SUV of choice for drivers with energetic lifestyles who need a responsive and sporty vehicle with plenty of utility and leading edge styling. 2010 marks the first time ever that the RDX is available with a two-wheel-drive option, which is appealing to customers who live in warmer climates and who don’t need the all-weather capability all-wheel drive offers. Due to the decreased weight of the two wheel drive model, the RDX gets improved fuel economy over the SH-AWD model- resulting in an improvement of 2 mpg in the city and on the highway.

Externally, the 2010 RDX receives numerous changes resulting in a more aggressive, sporty appearance. Exterior changes include redesigned 18-inch diameter aluminum-alloy wheels, bold new front and rear bumper fascias, Acura’s signature design front grille, revised headlights and taillights, new exhaust tips and satin trim accents.

While the RDX’s sport-minded chassis remains the same, the 2010 model features revised braking system components that deliver better feel and enhanced durability. Also for 2010, the RDX receives several new standard interior features including a rear view camera system, electronic compass, a pull handle to make closing the rear hatch easier, auto-function headlights, ambient footwell lighting, a center console storage tray, improved cupholders, USB-port connectivity, and Note function for XM® Radio. Additionally, the RDX interior gets subtle changes to the leather, resulting in a richer, more premium look to the interior seating surfaces.

True to Acura’s leadership in the application of advanced technology, the RDX incorporates a class-leading array of features that keep passengers informed, entertained and in control. Every RDX features as standard Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® connectivity with new Bluetooth®audio capabilities, a 7-speaker Acura Premium Sound System and a new USB port that allows the connection of (and charging of) items such as an iPhone® or iPod®. For those who want to be even more connected to the world around them, the optional Technology Package includes Acura’s signature Navigation System with Voice Recognition which has expanded voice capabilities for 2010. Additionally, the AcuraLink™ Satellite Communication System with Real-Time Traffic™ now features Traffic Rerouting™ and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™.

The RDX also incorporates leading safety technologies based on Acura’s “Safety Through Innovation” initiative including advanced front, side and side curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist ™ (VSA™), ABS with Brake Assist and an Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.

Powertrain

The RDX is equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine incorporating computer-controlled “intelligent” i-VTEC® intake/exhaust valve actuation that delivers enhanced performance across a broad powerband. The heart of the RDX’s performance is its Variable Flow Turbocharger (VFT) that delivers an unusually broad powerband with virtually no lag in throttle response. The turbocharger works in concert with i-VTEC® to deliver outstanding acceleration and efficiency while driving at a variety of speeds.

For 2010, the turbo system makes use of a new inlet pipe that is thicker to reduce noise during high boost situations and the RDX incorporate a dual-stage radiator fan to further reduce cabin noise.

Rated output for the 2.3L I-4 engine is 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The RDX has an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating* of 19/24 mpg (RDX) and 17/22 mpg (RDX SH-AWD™) along with meeting EPA TIER 2 – BIN 5 and CARB LEV-2 ULEV exhaust emissions standards.

A performance-minded Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission is standard on the RDX and an electronically-controlled Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system works with the transmission to execute exceptionally quick and smooth gear changes. The Sequential SportShift feature allows the transmission to function in a conventional automatic mode or can be controlled manually via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Chassis

Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system is available on the RDX, helping it to maximize available traction while improving handling balance and responsiveness in a variety of weather conditions. SH-AWD™ distributes optimum torque not only between the front and rear axles, but also between the left and right rear wheels while also being able to overdrive the rear wheels. The system’s direct yaw control utilizes torque vectoring to help reduce understeer thus enhancing steering accuracy and adding to total cornering ability.

New for 2010 is a two-wheel-drive version of the RDX that offers a lighter vehicle weight, improved fuel economy and a lower purchase price. The 2WD RDX employs a front wheel drive drivetrain design, but otherwise retains the same exceptional chassis and driving dynamics for which the RDX is known.

Precise and responsive handling is generated by fully independent front and rear suspension. The MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension system is tuned for compliant control, and the suspension is assisted by large-diameter front and rear stabilizer bars for flatter cornering. Standard to the RDX is Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control to further enhance vehicle controllability and grip.

For 2010, changes to the brake booster and servo deliver even better brake pedal feel along with less initial brake “grabbiness”. In addition, the brake system makes use of revised rear brake pad actuation that delivers less drag and longer pad life; also added to the mix are Geomet-coated brake rotors for improved looks and added corrosion protection.

Exterior

RDX exterior styling further emphasizes the crossover SUV’s sporty athleticism. Large wheel arches, aggressively raked body sides, steeply raked windscreen and a short rear overhang generate an RDX with a taut and muscular presence. A unique rear hatch allows for a smooth transition of the body to the rear bumper- a transition that delivers a more custom look as well as eases loading and unloading of cargo.

For 2010, the RDX gets a new front fascia, Acura’s signature front grille, a hood with a new front edge design and updated HID headlights that are now controlled by a standard Auto on/off function. Looking at the side of the 2010 RDX you’ll notice new wheels that team with the vehicle’s wide track (61.9-in. front, 62.6-in. rear) to deliver excellent handling. At the rear, a much more aggressive bumper fascia, rectangular exhaust finishers, revised taillights and satin finish trim give the 2010 RDX a fresh new look.

Redesigned high-intensity discharge (HID) low beam headlights command the corners of the RDX’s front fascia and fenders. The headlight’s new design incorporates a “smoke style” chrome plating treatment and complements the angular pattern set by the Acura grille. Front bumper integrated fog lamps are standard on the RDX, and for 2010 they are mounted within separate side grilles located at the corners of the new front fascia. Both front and rear wheel arches are bold and broad, and new 18×7.5-inch 10-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels further add to the dramatic appearance of the RDX.

Interior

Inside every RDX, leather trimmed front seats deliver a high outward visibility “eye point” that provides a confident field of view. The 3-passenger rear seat has a 60/40 split-folding capability and, when folded flat, significantly expands the load area and increases the total cargo volume to 60.6 cubic feet.

Multiple storage compartments are positioned throughout the interior, including a lockable dual-level center console (that is large enough to accommodate a briefcase) conveniently located between the front seats. For 2010, two revised interior color themes are available: a darker, richer Ebony and; a lighter, more premium looking Taupe.

Acura interior design has always made intuitive functionality a priority, and in the 2010 RDX all important systems and controls now feature even more intuitive button placement along with easier-to-read markings. The systems used most frequently – audio and cruise control – have switches positioned on the steering wheel, and for 2010 the HVAC buttons have been moved closer to the driver. Technology Package items like Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, Multi-Information Display (MID) and the AcuraLink™ Satellite Communications System can be controlled via switches on the steering wheel. AcuraLink™ messages consist of text displayed on the navigation screen, plus full details via Text-To-Speech can be heard over the RDX audio system. For 2010, the RDX has improved Text-To-Speech voice recognition with more words that can be recognized.

Also new for 2010 is a center console tray that is a convenient way to store items such as a wallet, spare keys, or an iPod®. In addition, integrated to the underside of the lid is a coin holder and place for holding credit or gate cards. New for 2010 is a USB port (also located in the center console) that allows for the easy connection of items such as an iPod®, iPhone® or a memory stick storage device. Standard is an Acura Premium Sound System with AM/FM tuner, 6-disc in-dash CD, MP3, WMA, XM® Radio, 7 speakers and a 360 watts watt amplifier. The RDX has soothing blue low-level ambient lighting in the ceiling that illuminates the front center console area, and new for 2010 is ambient blue footwell lighting.

For 2010, the available Technology Package adds even more capability, and integrates seamlessly into the RDX’s performance-oriented driving environment. The Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™ has a revised 8-inch screen, improved navigation system feature use and content, and a faster reacting and more useful rear view camera. Non-Technology Package RDX’s now get a standard rear view camera system with a viewing screen that is integrated into the auto-dimming rearview mirror.

With the AcuraLink™ Satellite Communication System and AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™, the RDX driver can easily navigate around complex freeways. In addition, the navigation system now includes Traffic Rerouting™ that allows automatic rerouting around problem areas. Also new for the 2010 RDX is AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with weather radar image maps that provide weather tracking for area-specific, continually-updated weather conditions between your current location and your final destination.

Part of the RDX Technology Package is a spectacular Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system with 6-disc DVD-audio, CD/MP3/WMA player, DTS®, AM/FM tuner, XM® Radio, Dolby Pro Logic II 10 speakers and a 410 watt amplifier. The Acura/ELS® audio system was designed by 6-time Grammy® award winning sound engineer Elliot Scheiner. When playing DVD-Audio discs (DVD-Audio is 500 times clearer than traditional CD), this advanced system delivers eight discreet audio channels (up from the usual two channels) to create an exceptionally accurate listening experience. For 2010, the Acura/ELS Surround® audio system receives a Note function for XM® Radio that allows the driver to later recall the song title, artist, a short excerpt of the actual song along with the XM® channel that played the song.

The Technology Package also includes a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, automatic climate control system. In total, these advanced technologies put the RDX at the cutting edge of the Entry Premium SUV segment.

Safety and Security

The RDX’s technology leadership also extends to safety, where a long list of advanced features, including an Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure allow the RDX to achieve NHTSA’s top rating (5-Stars) for both frontal and side impact crash tests**

The ACE™ body structure employs a network of interconnected front frame structures that work to absorb and redirect collision forces away from the passenger cabin while helping improve crash compatibility with vehicles of different sizes in a frontal collision. A special frame member located below the RDX’s front bumper is designed to engage the front bumper of a lower vehicle, allowing the bumper systems of both vehicles to attenuate crash energy more efficiently.

In addition, a specially engineered hood, collapsible hood hinges, breakaway wiper pivots and other features help reduce the chance of pedestrian injury in the event of a collision with the vehicle.

Inside, the RDX has a full complement of passive safety features. Key technologies include the latest generation of dual-stage, multiple-threshold airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus side airbags for the driver and front passenger along with side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all outboard occupants. The front passenger’s side airbag features an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) to prevent airbag deployment if a child or small-stature adult leans into the deployment path. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat mounting systems allow the quick and secure installation of a child seats.

Like all Acura models, the 2010 RDX is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000 miles powertrain limited warranty. Additional ownership benefits include Acura Total Luxury Care®, which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.

2010 Acura ZDX First Drive

The new Acura ZDX may just be the best-looking new model of 2010. But its handling and performance prove it's more than a pretty face

What's the best-looking new model on the market this year? My vote could easily go to the all-new 2010 Acura ZDX, a rakish-looking crossover vehicle that Honda's (HMC) luxury car division describes as a "four-door sports coupe" (never mind that coupes, by definition, have two doors). The ZDX looks even better in reality than in photos. When I test-drove a couple of preproduction ZDXs through Manhattan recently, even jaded New Yorkers were stopping in their tracks and shouting questions about the new model, which will hit dealer showrooms in December.

The ZDX is designed mainly for affluent empty nesters, couples whose kids are grown and who no longer need the passenger capacity of a true SUV. It combines the good looks of a luxury coupe such as, say, a Mercedes CLS550 with enough luggage capacity to stow four golf bags behind its second row of seats.

The market for such vehicles will grow, Acura contends, "as the population matures, becoming couples again rather than large family units, and enjoying the fruits of their success through travel, second homes, and unique lifestyle activities." To put it more prosaically: As baby boomers age, Acura figures that a lot of active, affluent old geezers will be in the market for a vehicle that seems more stylish than an SUV but less sedate than a luxury sedan.

Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but the ZDX is expected to start at around $45,000, rising to perhaps $55,000 when you load it up with options. Its image is meant to be upscale and exclusive. Acura sees the ZDX competing with, in addition to the Mercedes CLS, such diverse models as Nissan's (NSANY) Infiniti FX35, BMW's (BMWG) X6, and the Porsche Cayenne. Acura only expects to sell about 6,000 ZDXs in 2010, and 8,000 to 10,000 annually in later years.

The ZDX is Acura's first truly North American model—engineered in Ohio, styled in California, and manufactured in Ontario, Canada. It has the oomph Americans like under its hood, provided by the same marvelous 3.7-liter, 300-horsepower V6 engine found in the Acura MDX SUV. Also in keeping with mainstream American tastes, the only available transmission is a six-speed automatic—though with a manual function for those who wish to do the shifting themselves, as well as the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that are now de rigueur on any North American model with pretensions to sportiness.

The ZDX's fuel economy—16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway—is only slightly better than that of the '09 MDX and six-cylinder BMW X6 (15/20) and about the same as that of the Infiniti FX35 (16/23). However, it's markedly better than the six-cylinder Porsche Cayenne (14/16).

Behind the Wheel

The ZDX is meant to drive something like a conventional luxury car, and it comes close. The big difference is that the floor is a bit higher off the ground than a car's, giving the ZDX more of an SUV-like feel. The ZDX isn't intended to be superfast, but it's lighter and therefore somewhat quicker than the Acura MDX, which accelerates from zero to 60 in under eight seconds. That's plenty of speed for most people, and there's a ton of power when you punch the gas at highway speed. The cabin is luxury-car quiet.

I'm a big fan of Acura's new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which comes standard on the ZDX.