All-New Acura ZDX Debuts at New York International Auto Show

04/08/2009 - NEW YORK -
A prototype of the provocative Acura ZDX luxury four-door sports coupemade its world debut at the New York International Auto Show today. The production version of the dramatically styled prototype goes on-sale in the fall of 2009. The segment bending ZDX features stunning coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility.

"The ZDX is truly a luxury performance coupe - plus," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer."
The ZDX is designed to break new ground for Acura in the areas of provocative styling, contemporary luxury and meticulous refinement. With its sensuous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares, the ZDX blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle. Clean, flowing lines start from the headlights and run the length of the car, accentuating the cars presence and grace. In keeping with the coupe-inspired styling, the rear door handles are cleverly concealed in the C-pillar. The all-glass tailgate opens wide to reveal a highly functional cargo space with integrated under-floor storage. The prototype is finished off with stylish dual chrome exhaust outlets and 9-spoke machined wheels fitted with 20-inch Michelin tires.

"From the very first sketch of the ZDX, I wanted to create an emotional vehicle that challenged conventional thinking of what a sports coupe should be," said Michelle Christensen, ZDX exterior designer. "My goal was to create a strikingly beautiful exterior, and use that attraction to help draw you into the rich interior."

Inside, the ZDX exudes modern luxury while focusing on pampering the front passengers. The cabin is enveloped in leather, which gives the interior a luxurious and inviting feel. The hand-stitched leather dash and instrument panel sweep down to form a dual cockpit layout, creating a personal and intimate experience for the front seat occupants. The premium leather seats are highly bolstered to support the passengers during sporty driving and at the same time provide comfort during a long getaway. A black monochromatic center stack leads to the textured metallic center console, which complements the black and pearl white leather trim. The thick leather wrapped steering wheel provides ample grip and is framed by racing-inspired paddle shifters for the ultimate in driver control. The cabin is enclosed by a panoramic glass roof which runs the entire length of the vehicle, providing occupants with a breathtaking view of the world around them.

The production ZDX will bring a new level of prestige and sophistication when it arrives at Acura dealerships in the fall, offering the latest advancements in performance, technology and safety. The ZDX will deliver sports sedan performance on the road with its powerful V-6 engine mated to an all-new, smooth shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. The potent powertrain will be coupled with Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system, giving the ZDX outstanding handling and cornering capabilities in all-weather conditions.

In typical Acura fashion, the ZDX will be available with the latest in customer enhancing technologies and advanced safety features including an all-new blind spot information system, which will help drivers change lanes more confidently. A new multi-view rear camera makes parking even easier with the added enhancement of both a wide angle and top down view. Acura signature technologies like Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather™, Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system and Bluetooth® connectivity will also be available on the all-new model.

The ZDX represents the next step for Acura in its advancement to becoming one of the top luxury brands and makes a clear statement toward the future of the brand.

ZDX Prototype Dimensions:
Length: 192.4 inches
Width: 78.5 inches
Height: 61.8 inches
Wheelbase: 108.2 inches
Wheel/tire: 9-spoke custom alloy wheels with Michelin Latitude HP 275/40ZR 20 tires
Powertrain: All-aluminum VTEC® V-6, all-new 6-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®)
Seating capacity: 5-passenger
For media information and high-resolution photos of Acura vehicles, please visit http://www.acuranews.com/. For consumer information, please visit http://www.acura.com/.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4981

Acura ZDX Caught in Full View

The espionage "artists" at AutoSpies weaseled their way onto the New York Auto Show floor before the official press days kick off and snapped a singular shot of the Acura ZDX crossover ahead of its official unveiling tomorrow morning. Acura's X6-fighter looks slightly less menacing than the teasers suggested, and the silver hue does an admirable job of integrating Acura's new corporate grille into the jacked-up hatch's shape. All the official details – including production dates and drivetrains – will be revealed tomorrow at 11 AM EST, but expect the basic shape to carry over when the ZDX goes on sale this fall.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/acura-zdx-concept-caught-uncloaked-ahead-of-new-york-debut/

NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Will Acura Announce A Hybrid Version Of The ZDX?
Although we've already spoiled Acura's ZDX surprise with the first real photos of the vehicle, one day before the official introduction, sources tell us another surprise could be coming.

Rumors keep circulating that they will announce a hybrid version at the show.

Should they?

Is it important?

Keep checking back often as we will be adding photos often to the 2009 New York Auto Show Photo Gallery of the next few days

Source;
http://www.autospies.com/news/NEW-YORK-AUTO-SHOW-Will-Acura-Announce-A-Hybrid-Version-Of-The-ZDX-42799/

X6-like Acura ZDX “coupe” set for NYIAS debut

Acura has given a name to its new 4-door “coupe” SUV which will rival the BMW X6 Sport Activity Coupe. A prototype version of the new Acura ZDX will be unveiled at the 2009 NYIAS on the 8th of April 2009, just over a week from now. Under the hood will be a 300 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 engine with 373Nm of torque which should be pit against the X6 xDrive35i, but no rival for the xDrive50i version in sight for now. Power for the ZDX will go to all four wheels via Honda’s SH-AWD system. So there’s no new Acura/Honda NSX, but instead they give us something like this.

Source;http://paultan.org/archives/2009/04/01/x6-like-acura-zdx-coupe-set-for-nyias-debut/

Acura/Honda ZDX?

Burlapp's found another good pic, this time of what looks like the ACURA ZDX with a Honda badge. Some people are going to think that this is going to be the new Accord Wagon, but I'm going to say that the lines are pretty much identical to the photo's below of the upcoming Acura Concept (ZDX). For those that don't know, Acura is pretty much North American only, and if the car comes out in Japan or UK, it will be badged a Honda, so the 'H' does make sense.

Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/03/new-honda-non-carnon-suv-thingy.html

The above photo is from Acura which is a 'teaser' of what the concept is going to look like.
Above is a photo taken in good ol' Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was seen presumably being tested for cold weather climate effectiveness.

Acura teases crossover concept ahead of New York Auto Show

Just as we started thinking the 2009 New York Auto show may turn out to be boring, Acura has dropped teasers of a new concept it plans on showing in New York next month.
As you can see, the concept will be a crossover. The Acura Crossover Concept is expected to enter production in 2010.

We’ll bring you more details from the 2009 New York Auto Show on April 8.

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/16/acura-teases-crossover-concept-ahead-of-new-york-auto-show/

Honda/Acura's Next SUV/Crossover gets a Motor Trend Rendering and loosely termed MSX

Here's what we know so far about the upcoming Acura 'MSX':

-Expected to be released in the Fall of 2009 as a 2010 model

-Expected to be positioned between the RDX and MDX

-The Acura product is described as a sort of "MDX/NSX" crossover

-Expected to go head to head against the Infinity FX and BMW X6

-The price range for this product is said to be $50k-60k (US)

-Is going to use either the Accord platform or the RDX/CRV platform

-Is being created with markets like Russia and the Middle East in mind in addition to North America

-Honda is launching Acura in Russia in the near future and Russians are not fleeing SUVs and crossovers the way Americans have been in recent months

-Should be about the same size as a Lexus RX

-Should have a coupelike greenhouse with a sharply sloping D-pillar and tailgate

Here's from Motortrend;
"Powertrain options should include the TL's 3.7L V-6 and trick SH-AWD system, with a smaller engine (such as the Accord's 3.5L V-6) possibly available on more entry-level models. The 3.7L engine makes 305 hp in the TL, which is on par with the 300 hp in the X6 xDrive35i and 303 hp in the FX35. Honda's current lack of a V-8, however, puts the 390 hp FX50 and 400 hp X6 xDrive50i well out of reach -- although that may change. Honda recently divulged it has a V-8 under development that's expected to be ready in time for the launch of the next-generation RL early next decade, which should coincide with the arrival of its latest crossover."

Motortrend article link;
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0811_honda_acura_crossover_update/index.html

Here's an older link found on Vtec.net on the subject;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=719441

Art Designer Leon Paz Comes up with a Modern Acura Concept

Acura's new design language, as seen on the 2009 TL, is fronted by a shield-like appendage that has received mixed reviews. The Acura 2+1 -- the numbers describe the seating arrangement -- by design student Leon Paz is what would happen if you took the shield theme to one natural conclusion. By maintaining the edge throughout the concept's "modern baroque styling," Paz has come up we something we kinda dig.

The body is fashioned from a plastic that is harder than fiberglass, and Paz has done a great job in creating lines that evoke skin stretched over a frame. The upper surface is one continuous window that shows off the twin-turbo V6 and the Acura logo for the cylinder covers. There is no hood -- at your yearly service, the dealer would lift the glass and perform any engine maintenance.

The 2+1 would be an aspirational step for those who want an NSX but can't afford one yet. Based on what we've seen of the NSX so far, we'd probably rather have the 2+1. However, our most pressing question about the car isn't about the design -- we really want to know what is the meaning of "OW AHH" scrolled in LED's across the rear? Check out the gallery of high-res images below, and maybe you can tell us...

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/20/acura-2-1-design-study-takes-superman-shield-to-next-level/

New Shots of Next Gen NSX's Driver's Side Dash

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/07/2010-honda-acura-nsx-spied-again-on.html

Even More Acura NSX Renderings

A Temple of VTEC reader, 'ciwai', worked hard to try and take the camo off of the car, here's what they've come up with.

Link;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=773441

Acura NSX Rendering Rear Shot

Found this on Auto Express, compliments the previous post.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/224049/hondas_next_nsx.html

Another NSX Rendering

Stumbled across this pic, one of a few floating around.

Here are the others that I have accumalated in another post;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/06/next-hondaacura-nsx-looking-to-reclaim.html

Next Honda/Acura NSX Looking to Reclaim it's Title as Japan's SUPERCAR

This is the NSX caught on the track with camo just recently
This is an older rendering on what the NSX might look like.
This is a pic out of a Japanese car MagX. (I think this is the most accurate pic.)
This is an older NSX, absolutley beautiful.

The next NSX is expected for the 2011 model year, but the prototype has already hit the track at Nürburgring, Germany, and it has one aim, to be faster than the Nissan GT-R and the upcoming Lexus LF-A.

It's a tall order, and one that Honda hopes it can achieve through the use of a 5.5-liter V10 expected to make 550 horses, with a torque peak expected to top 420 pound-feet. The engine is essentially a slightly larger version of the V8 that Honda will use for the next-generation, rear-wheel-drive RL sedan, and it will use cylinder deactivation under light loads for maximum efficiency. Additional gains will come from the use of an eight-speed, paddle-shifted automatic.

Getting the power to the ground will be a modified version of Honda's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system. Packaging could be tight, however, as this NSX will place its V10 up front. A combination of steel and aluminum will be used for the chassis that will form the basis of this 2+2 sports car.

Source; http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=127306

Next Gen Honda/Acura NSX Spied

Honda was hardly going to leave Nissan and Toyota to steal all the thunder in the supercar market as they look to provide some serious competition with its new NSX. Previously we had only seen prototypes of the new model sporting the body of the S2000, but now for the first time the model has come out showing its new body styling albeit with the annoying black and white camoflage.

Unlike the previous mid-engined NSX this prototype is running a front-mid engine, with its powerplant placed well behind the front wheels to ensure excellent weight distribution. This should also allow the new NSX to offer 2+2 cabin accommodation, broadening its appeal against the Nissan GT-R and Lexus LF-A - particularly in the USA.

What that engine is remains very much a mystery. There’s talk of a high-revving naturally aspirated V10, which would fit in very comfortably with Honda’s Type R philosophy. Honda’s not as obsessed as many by big horsepower outputs, but even so an output of 450 hp seems likely. Should such an engine be fitted to the sort of lightweight body as the previous NSX, the performance would be exceptional. Four-wheel-drive, with rearward bias, is also rumoured, the handling expected to be controlled by a version of Honda’s electronic Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

The Honda NSX is not expected until 2009 and on top of its Japanese rivals it must also compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

Source; http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080617.009/new-honda-nsx-prototype-comes-out-to-play

2011 Acura RL RWD Test Mule Spyshots Caught by Brenda Priddy & Co.

The Acura RL received a facelift a few months ago in preparation for the 2009 model year, but that hasn't stopped Acura engineers from proceeding full speed ahead with a complete redesign for the 2011 model year. The all-new RL will be the first ever Acura to use a rear-wheel-drive platform as its basis. Our newest spy photos show a test mule for the new chassis, with body components donated from the new TSX.

Recent rumors also indicate the car will come equipped with Acura's first ever V8 — a 420 horsepower 4.8-liter range-topping unit. Other more economical engines are also expected to be offered. An optional RWD-based version of Honda's SH-AWD system is expected to be offered.

The RWD nature of this car is plain to see. Take note of the large space between the front door and the front wheel, for example. While the test mule pictured looks like a Frankenstein TSX, the final RL will have completely new styling unique to it. Since the Advanced Sedan Concept was unpopular to say the least, designers are believed to have gone back to the drawing board.

Source; http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-rl-future.html

New Honda NSX?

2010 is the expected year of the introduction of this car. Just a rendering folks. The next gen Acura NSX is supposed to be a Porche and GT-R killer. Easier said than done, I must say that the GT-R is going to be one helluva car.

2010 Acura RL rumours

Looks like Honda is going to be listening to the critic's and will be adding a RWD V8 RL for 2010! Another rumour is that Honda is working on a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 which will incorporate the Variable Cylinder Management System currently employed in the Honda Accord V6's, (VCM = Cylinder deactivation), to manage fuel better.

The car will supposedly feature an FR layout with SH-AWD, which is the setup that Honda says will underpin the next generation NSX.