Daily Auto News 2010 Acura ZDX: New Luxury Crossover Debuts in New York
Daily Auto News
The luxury division of Honda is using the 2009 New York Auto Show to show off a new midsize crossover may reach dealership lots as soon as 2010.
The 2010 Acura ZDX is officially being described as a concept car, but Kicking Tires reports that it goes on sale this Fall. “Honda and Acura don’t often roll out concept cars,” they explain. “Instead, they reveal prototypes that closely resemble upcoming production vehicles. That’s definitely the case with the Acura ZDX crossover concept. The company announced today it will indeed go on sale this fall.”
No one seems quite sure what to call the new model. “Acura calls the ZDX a ‘sports coupe.’” Motor Trend explains. “Seeing as it’s built on the same platform as the MDX SUV and shares its powertrain, all-wheel-drive layout, and high seating position, the purists might argue. But in the context of BMW’s new X6 M, and Infiniti’s FX50, Acura might have a point. These days, almost anything with a cabin where space has been deliberately compromised for the sake of style is called a sports coupe.”
Sitting high on 20-inch tires, the ZDX could be described as a crossover utility vehicle. Autoblog says the car is “clearly aimed at the similarly proportioned BMW X6.” It features styling similar to the TL sedan, but with prominent rear fender bulges and, sitting on big 20-inch wheels, a ride height closer to that of many SUVS. “To further emphasize the crossover’s coupiness, Acura designers have hid the rear door handles in the base of the C-pillar.” Autoblog calls it “the best expression yet of Acura’s new design language, which has taken some getting used to on its current lineup of sedans.”
Motor Trend says the ZDX will “arguably be the best looking vehicle in the Acura range when it goes on sale this fall.”
Edmunds Inside Line reports that the ZDX “will feature a V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission,” but Acura representatives have not given details on the engine’s size or power. The production version is expected to “get Acura’s SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive) system,” which has won praise in the TL and RL sedans. The system varies the speed of each wheel independently to help point the vehicle into turns. In Acura sedans, it’s resulted in sharp cornering prowess with little body lean.
Kicking Tires adds, “The company also promises an upscale cabin beyond what’s in current Acuras. High-tech features will include a blind spot detection system and multiview rear camera. It will also have a panoramic glass sunroof, as all luxury crossovers must have these days.”
According to Edmunds Inside Line, prices will range from about $42,000 to $50,000.
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