Acura To Debut New MDX Concept At New York International Auto Show

Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a brand, Acura announced plans to debut a concept version of the all-new MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle, April 12, at the New York International Auto Show and released an artist's rendering of the new vehicle. Scheduled to debut later this year, the 2007 Acura MDX will be the second generation of Acura's luxury SUV to be designed, developed and manufactured exclusively in North America.

'The 2007 MDX will speak clearly to the advanced image of Acura and promises to put MDX solidly at the front of the pack with a striking new image, new technology and performance unmatched in the segment,' said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 'The designers and engineers working on this new MDX have a tremendous passion for this product that will be evident in all aspects of its design and performance.'

The company made the announcement on the 20th anniversary of its creation as the first Japanese luxury nameplate. 'The pioneering spirit that gave birth to Acura two decades ago is driving our continued advancement and innovative approach to luxury,' said Colliver. 'Acura is twenty years young today - stronger, faster, more nimble and more on the cutting edge of automotive design and technology than at any time in its 20-year history.'

The company also celebrated the groundbreaking for a new Acura-exclusive design facility - the Acura Design Center - scheduled to open in the summer of 2007. This new facility, located at the company's Torrance, California, headquarters will play a critical role in the research and design of future Acura products and will serve to ensure that Acura continues to produce distinctive designs that communicate the advanced style, performance and character of Acura.

Launched on March 27, 1986, Acura was the world's first Japanese luxury nameplate and the first to challenge established European and American luxury marques with its world-class engineering, product quality, value and advanced powertrain technology. Its 20-year history of innovation includes the first Japanese exotic sports car, the highly-acclaimed Acura NSX, and numerous technology firsts including the first automotive applications of in-dash navigation, Bluetooth(R) phone integration and DVD-Audio surround sound. Acura was also the first Japanese luxury automaker to develop and manufacturer its vehicles in North America, beginning with the 1997 Acura 2.2CL coupe. Today, nearly two-thirds of all Acura vehicles sold in America are designed, developed and manufactured in North America.

In 2005, the Acura Division recorded its third consecutive year of record sales, topping the two-hundred thousand mark for the first time in the Division's history. It's class leading products include the Acura TL sedan, America's best-selling luxury sedan in 2004; the award-winning Acura MDX sport-utility vehicle; and the highly popular TSX sports sedan, three-time recipient of Car and Driver magazine's 10Best honors. Its top-of-the-line RL performance luxury sedan boasts numerous technology innovations including AcuraLink Satellite Communication System with Real Time Traffic, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and the first North American application of advanced Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) technology.

In 2006, Acura will introduce two all-new models - the 2007 Acura MDX and the completely new RDX premium entry SUV. Equipped with an innovative new 2.3-liter turbocharged engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the RDX combines sport-utility function with sports sedan handling and performance. The RDX will launch this summer as a 2007 model.

by Acura

The Acura 'MD-X Concept' luxury performance SUV made its world debut today at the 2006 New York International Auto Show featuring bold, sleek exterior styling indicative of the next generation MDX production model.

'Every aspect of the MD-X Concept design conveys performance while still retaining SUV functionality,' said John Mendel, senior vice president, auto operations. 'The styling signifies a bold direction for the next generation MDX, both in appearance and substance.'

The MD-X Concept is fashioned as a true driver's SUV, with its low, wide stance and aggressive design. Its sleek surface lines are modeled after a high-powered megayacht.

The MD-X Concept features a wider track and longer wheelbase that give the vehicle a sportier, performance look. The profile of the concept reveals a refined SUV with smooth, chiseled lines and an elegant form. A dominant character line runs from the front quarter panel to the rear, evoking the feeling of forward movement. The sharply raked D-pillar creates a stealth, aerodynamic appearance while still retaining the third row seating functionality and cargo carrying capability of the current generation MDX.

The Concept sits low to the ground despite the large 20-inch five-spoke custom alloy wheels, while the large wheel arches and flares add to the Concept's muscular appearance. The sleek cabin features flush mounted windshield glass, which improves aerodynamics while adding to the MD-X Concept's smooth and flowing design.

'The smooth lines and sleek shape of the MD-X Concept challenge the conventions of SUV design,' said Ricky Hsu, chief designer for the MD-X Concept. 'Our goal was to create the image of a sports sedan while maintaining generous interior volume and utility of a SUV.'

The front hood is accented with pronounced character lines culminating in an aggressive five-sided grille, which gives the MD-X its bold presence. The commanding front grille features a dominant center bar running through a solid aluminum face. The narrow, Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights appear to grow out of the massive grille, giving the overall front-end a strong, distinct look.

'The front end of the MD-X Concept communicates power and prestige,' explains Hsu. 'We want drivers to do a double-take when the vehicle passes them on the road.'

In the rear, the MD-X Concept has an integrated rear hatch, which sits flush against the bumper to create a smooth, clean appearance. LED taillights wrap around the cargo hatch adding to the vehicles wide and low appearance. A rear spoiler improves aerodynamics and the integrated dual exhaust pipes add to the SUV's sporty style.

The next generation MDX production model will be available this fall, bringing a whole new level of performance and sophistication to the Acura light truck lineup. Track-tuned at the famed Nurburging in Germany, the all-new MDX will feature outstanding performance and handling. Equipped with a powerful, class leading V6 engine and coupled with Acura's exclusive Super Handling All -Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM)), the next generation MDX will re-invent the luxury SUV segment just as it did when it first debuted.

by Acura

First introduced in 2001, Acura released the MDX into a market full of luxury SUV's. Sharing the same platform as the Honda Odyssey, the MDX shares much in common with the Honda Pilot. The MDX was built to compete with the BMW X5 and the Mercedes M-class. A luxurious vehicle, the Acura MDX featured leather seats and wood trim within a plush interior that had a dashboard full of cutting-edge electronics. Other features included heated power front bucket seats, a power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, front side airbags, antilocking all-disc brakes, rear AC, heated mirrors and a CD player.

The upscale division of Honda designed and built this all-wheel-drive midsize sport-utility vehicle to compete against the very popular Lexus RX 300 and other car-based SUVs. MDX stood for ‘Multi-Dimensional Luxury' and was about 5 inches longer in length than a BMW X5 and 8.5 inches longer than a Lexus RX 300. The Acura MDX also holds up to seven passengers, while competitors only had seating for five.

The MDX featured a more powerful version of the Odyssey's 3.5-liter V6 that produced 240 horsepower and was attached to a five-speed automatic transmission rather than a four-speed. Normally the Standard Variable Torque Management (VTM-4) four-wheel drive powers the front wheels, and it's designed to sense impending wheel slippage and directs up to 52 % of power to the back wheel when necessary. Though no low-range gearing was included, a rear-wheel locking device kicks in for maximum traction below 6 mph. The Acura MDX is capable of towing a 3500-pound trailer or a 4500-pound boat.

The Touring package was optional and featured a driver's seat/mirror memory, roof rack, and a six disc in-dash CD changer. Also optional was a navigation system with a dashboard screen. Both second and third-row bench seats were standard, and much like the Odyssey, the third-row seat folds into the rear cargo floor. An SUV ‘first', the second-row seat also folds into the rear cargo floor. Since both seats were split, the sections can stow individually to suit passenger/cargo loads.

For the 2002 model year, noise-reduction measures were taken in the '02 edition of Acura's SUV. The windshield glass was produced thicker and sound dampening material was added to the roof and other areas. The door mirrors and roof rack were also repositioned. In this year the rear wiper/washer was made standard and child-seat anchors were installed.

The following year the MDX engine received an additional 20 horsepower along with an antiskid system that became standard. The MDX featured a shorter body than the Pilot, with very unique styling and a somewhat smaller cabin. Rain-sensing wipers and a new electronic ‘drive –by-wire' throttle were installed. Both the steering and suspension systems were revised for 2003 along with some structural stiffening occurring and wheels being restyled. The navigation system was now operated with voice control and 3-D graphics, and the screen served the newly optional rearview camera. Models that didn't have Acura's navigation system could install a new DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system.

For 2004 Acura featured new head-protecting curtain airbags along with a tire-pressure monitoring system on the MDX. The front and rear styling was also slightly altered.

The following year more entertainment options were added for the 2005 Acura MDX that included standard satellite radio on all models along with a larger fuel tank. Newly standard with the navigation system is OnStar assistance. For 2006 the Acura MDX received updated interior trim for the top-line model.

Celebrating its 20th year as a brand, Acura debuted a concept version of the all-new MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle on April 12th 2006 at the New York International Auto Show and released an artist's rendering of the new vehicle. Later during the 2007, the second generation of Acura's luxury SUV would be designed, developed and manufactured exclusively in North America. Nearly two-thirds of all Acura vehicles sold in America are designed, developed and manufactured in North America today.

At the same time as the release of the new Acura, the groundbreaking for a new Acura-exclusive facility – the Acura Design Center – was also scheduled to open in same summer, 2007. Located in the company's Torrance, California headquarters, the new facility will play an important role in the research and design of future Acura products.

by Jessican Donaldson