2010 Acura TL

Auto Car | 2010 Acura TL | Acura announced to the public last year that they will be offering a manual Acura TL for its 2010 release. The public can now get a taste of the Acura TL with an option for a self shifter with six speeds going side by side with the five-speed Sequential Sportshift automatic of the 2009 TL. The sticker price for the all wheel drive TL SH starts at $42,385.

The new manual gear box gets stronger architecture and better engineering compared to its older siblings. Aside from the tougher aluminum casing and rigid internals, the gearbox is equipped with specially designed synchronizers to make transmission smoother. The clutch also gets a new build to blend well with the natural strong torque of the V-6 3.7L power train.

The Acura TL 3.7L variant boasts of 305 horsepower and an torque of about 275 lb-ft. The 3.5L model outputs 280 horsepower with a 254 lb-ft torque.

The manual transmission model uses bushings to make sure that the transmission and the engine is very stable during high rev driving. The car also gets 1% improvement on weight distribution with a 58/42 ratio compared to the 59/41 of the automatic model. The better ration may be attributed to the 110 lbs shaved off from its curb weight compared to the 5-speed automatic release.

The Acura TL is also equipped with a Hill-Start Assist. It also gets a new stiffer configuration for its dampers and springs.

The manual transmission is as efficient as its automatic counterpart with 18 mpg on city driving and 26 mpg while cruising down the highway. The best fuel economy in the segment – but very competitive none the less!

Buyers of the TL have also options to add on some sleek electronics for navigation and car entertainment. You can also go for better rims and tire package.

Trunk space is about average for the class, at 13.1 cubic feet. With the SH-AWD model a bit of the floor space is taken up by the all-wheel-drive components.

From the driver’s seat, you are presented with four, individually shrouded gauges under an overarching shroud. The large tachometer and speedometer are flanked by smaller fuel and water temperature gauges. Between the tach and speedo is a digital readout for gear selection, outside temperature, and other information.

The center stack has a shrouded black and white Multi-Information Display screen that displays radio information, interior temperature settings, and compass direction, among other tidbits. The screen has a plexiglas cover and we found that it washed out in strong sunlight.

The navigation system comes with XM NavTraffic that can give real-time traffic updates and suggest alternate routes. The XM NavWeather shows real-time weather information for 21 metropolitan areas, one- and three-day forecasts, severe weather alerts, and Doppler-style radar maps.

All TLs come with an auxiliary audio input jack and a USB port. The latter offers iPod connectivity and can also read thumb drive storage devices. The iPod interface is displayed in three lines on the Multi-Information Display or navigation screen. Long playlists will require a lot of scrolling, but it’s nice that you can control an iPod through the audio system. Music on a thumb drive can also be played through the audio system, but cannot be loaded to the 12.7 gigabyte hard-drive that comes with the Technology Package. The only way to load music to the hard drive is to rip it from CDs. Acura says the hard drive can hold up to 2,500 songs.

The audio system offered with the Technology Package was developed with music producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner. It has DVD Audio capability. DVD Audio is a high-quality audio format that delivers more accurate sound through six discreet channels. It requires its own software, meaning audiophiles will want to buy their own DVD Audio discs.

Source : www.tejamovies.com:

2010 Acura RDX SH-AWD

Auto Car | 2010 Acura RDX SH-AWD | If you’re looking for a luxurious premium-brand compact crossover, might we suggest the Audi Q5. How about a stylish one? Mercedes GLK. Or perhaps a well-balanced one that does a good job in all areas? The Lexus RX350 comes to mind. But if you’re in the market for an entry-level luxury crossover that’s fun to drive, there’s really no other choice than the Acura RDX.

While there are numerous qualified competitors in this growing segment, only the RDX delivers when the category at the top of your shopping list is “fun to drive.” In a world where every automaker insists its crossover has “car-like” driving qualities, the RDX is the only one we’ve actually ever had fun in.

Next up, there’s Acura’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This setup really doesn’t get as much credit as it should and for those who don’t know, it’s far more than just a fancy description for sending power to all four wheels. Not only does SH-AWD distribute power between the front and rear, but it can also send as much as 70 percent of the engine’s thrust to just one of the rear wheels – when so required. This means that in a hard corner, when you need the rear wheels to push you out, most of the power will go to the inside rear.

We’ll admit that most drivers really aren’t likely to take advantage of the capabilities of SH-AWD, but we managed to get a good feel for it on some snowy-slushy roads, where traction was at a minimum. Combined with some good winter tires you can really feel the system working and with the VSA shut off, the RDX is a genuine hoot when the weather gets rough.

Top off these two amazing attributes with Acura’s usual driving dynamics, pedal and steering feel and the RDX is the only premium crossover that delivers on it’s no compromises promise.

While it would easily be our top choice in this ultra competitive segment, the RDX isn’t perfect. In fact, it’s not hard to find criticisms. While the large 18-inch wheels and low profile rubber do deliver excellent road holding capability and driver feel, the ride quality does suffer as a result. The engine, while incredible as a performance tool, is less refined that those found in much of the competition and can most certainly be heard inside the cabin. Outside, the already lost-in-the-crowd styling gets a makeover for 2010, and while the new Acura beak does help it get noticed – it’s not in a good way. Finally, fuel economy is decidedly weak at just 17/22 mpg (city/highway), something that could no doubt be improved through the use of a six-speed automatic transmission, rather than the 5-speed box currently used. This is certainly a bit shocking as most non-premium cars have even switched to six-speeds.

Where the RDX returns to our good graces is on the inside. We’ll admit that the interior isn’t exactly luxury, but rather what the European’s so rightly term “premium.” In other words, it’s not lavish, but it is excellently executed and definitely sporty. The thoroughly well bolstered seats help keep you in place if you do decide to turn off the electronic nannies and have some fun on a snow covered parking lot, while the large sporty gauges are a constant reminder that Acura is a “performance first” sort of brand. We’re also glad to see the paddle shifters, which, while mostly unused, are great when you want them.

Still, there are drawbacks here as well. For starters, the audio system, like in all Acuras, is rather unimpressive. Worse, however, is the LCD screen and its outdated 8-bit graphics display.

As for passenger and cargo room, both are adequate but nothing special. The rear seat provides enough legroom for adults and we were pleased to see a few extra trim touches that are often forgotten on vehicles like this. As for cargo room, it’s rated at 27.8 cubic feet for groceries and a total of 60.6 cu.-ft. with the rear seats folded. There are also plenty of storage compartments.

Along with the revised look, which also includes a new rear end design as well as modified headlights, taillights, and exhaust finishers, the RDX has been given a full mid-cycle refresh for 2010. Added standard equipment includes a rear view camera, ambient footwell lighting, auto function headlights, as well as iPhone hookup and USB memory stick port.

The interior continues to include expected luxury features like a moonroof, heated power seats with lumbar control, a driver’s seat memory setting and dual-zone automatic climate control. What’s really missing, however, is a smart key with a push-button ignition.

For 2010 Acura also decided to add a new entry-level RDX model, without SH-AWD. The result is a lighter vehicle that also gets much improved fuel economy at 19/24 mpg (city/highway). It also costs a few grand less at $32,520 to start, compared to $34,520 for SH-AWD models. We like the sound of that, but as SH-AWD is such a big part of what makes the RDX a winner in our books, we hardly see the point.

Source : www.autoguide.com

2010 Acura MDX: New look and transmission

Auto Car | 2010 Acura MDX: New look and transmission | Late winter reminders were everywhere on this weekend ski trip to Lake Tahoe: mountains painted white with snow, roads that were beaten up by harsh weather, signs of animals starting to come out of hiding, and people shedding clothing on two very sun-drenched ski days.Prepared for any weather change, but with only a hint of snow late one evening, I traveled pleasantly into the Lake Tahoe region and back thanks in part to the all-around road capability of the 2010 Acura MDX.

Now in its fourth year of production by Honda’s luxury division, the all-wheel drive MDX is one of many midsize luxury crossover sport utility vehicles that can make any drive more appealing. It provides what practically all drivers are seeking – performance, handling, convenience and comfort.

The sales dilemma facing the MDX and the whole crowd in this category is contending with each other. In driving many of them over the past several years, a true favorite doesn’t immediately come to mind.

The MDX has plenty of company in the Infiniti FX35, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Porsche Cayenne, Mazda CX-9 and the Lexus RX 350, which was the forerunner in this highly competitive class.

Not residing on its laurels, the MDX has a modest redesign for 2010. What some people may notice first is the adaptation of a grille that some industry folks are calling a “corporate grille” because of its commonality to other Acura models.

This year’s MDX, which has three rows of seating and can accommodate seven passengers, has abandoned the standard five-speed automatic transmission and moved to a six-speed. The change provides a modest increase in both power and fuel economy, which now ranges between 16-21 mpg.

Step inside the interior and one notices a cabin that’s been attractively revamped and features a new steering wheel with paddle shifters that are standard, plus many new gauges. The optional navigational system is now more high tech and a multi-angle back-up camera is available as well.

The MDX can make sure all seven passengers are feeling the love in the heat/cool department, thanks to climate controls for all three rows. The comfort doesn’t stop there. The first two rows provide an abundance of comfort and even the third row is fine for an adult on a short trip, which is typically not the case. The dash has its share of buttons, but they honestly don’t take that long to master.

One safety item worth mentioning is the collision mitigating braking system. Once the driver gets accustomed to the visual warnings, it’s a wonderful tool to avoid any approaching cars that happen to get into the dreaded blind spot. And if that oncoming vehicle is still not detected, the system automatically brakes quickly to help avoid a potential accident.

Standard features include: heated front seats; paddle shifters; antilock disc brakes with brake assist; stability control with a stabilizing feature for trailer towing; collision mitigating braking system; power liftgate; sunroof; tri-zone automatic climate control; eight-way power front seats; 50/50-split-folding third-row seat; leather upholstery; eight-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio

 

Source : sacramentoscoop.com

First Look: 2009 Acura RL

Auto Car | First Look: 2009 Acura RL | For the most positive change in the refresh of the 2009 Acura RL, the flagging flagship of Honda's luxury division that's making its production debut at the 2008 Chicago show, you'll need to look beyond its odd chrome snout and under the blow-formed aluminum hood. New for 2009 is the 3.7-liter, 300-horsepower VTEC V-6 that also powers the MDX, with 275 lb-ft of torque (up from 256 lb-ft on the 2008 RL) on tap.

In the "if it ain't broke, let's just make minor improvements" category, the engine is mated to an upgraded version of the Acura's Sequential SportShift five-speed automatic transmission that you can shift two ways: via F1-style steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters or the new straight-gate console-mounted gear selector. While adequate, we hope Acura is developing a six- or seven-speed transmission to better keep it inline with today's luxury competition. The RL's fuel-economy ratings check in a bit lower for 2009 at 15 city/22 highway.

Also updated for the 2009 RL is the automaker's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which is now "quicker-responding and better-performing," according to the automaker. The SH-AWD system employs torque vectoring to increase the rotation speed of the outside rear wheel during aggressive cornering maneuvers, enabling the car to turn more effectively under power, while reducing understeer and improving overall handling and cornering grip. While SH-AWD is by all accounts a solid system, most of the RL's main competition is rear drive. The system is rumored to be more rear-biased than before in an effort to play up more of a rear-drive angle.

A number of other changes also have been made to the car's fully independent suspension in an effort to improve the RL's handling, including the use of larger-diameter stabilizer bars, stiffer subframe mount bushings, higher-rate coil springs, and improved steering-rack components.

Eight colors are now offered for the RL, which has been restyled both front and rear. Acura says the sheetmetal changes lend the car a more athletic stance -- we're not so sure yet based on the photo we've seen so far (we'll have more shortly). Seven-spoke 18-inch rims shod with more aggressive Michelin Pilot HX P245/45R18 rubber are now standard equipment. Five of the colors are new and feature a pearl pigment process that Acura says improves luster and shine.

In the cabin, some much-needed room has been added for the rear-seat passengers, but Acura has not yet said how much. The front passenger seat has 10-way power adjustability and is ventilated, as is the driver's seat. Both driver and passenger are treated to softer armrests, redesigned air vents, and what Acura says is a more intuitive climate-control system. The steering wheel is fitted with a better quality wood and "metal-like" accents, with the latter also used on the new gauge cluster.

Joining Acura's Real-time traffic on the navigation system is Real-time weather. The 10-speaker Bose sound system with DVD-audio is upgraded, and as with the other interior controls, Acura assures us it has more readable buttons and is, thus, easier to use. You will hear the sound system better thanks to additional insulation, Active Sound Control noise abatement system, and a more advanced acoustic windshield. A new high-directional array microphone has been designed to better hear the 100,000 commands you can use with the HandsFreeLink system. Other new or updated features include a keyless entry and start system, a USB port and a dynamic route guidance feature for the nav system.

While we're not sold on the exterior changes, the new engine, better technology, improved handling, along with the revised interior, combine to create a solid argument for the revised RL on paper. But despite the considerable improvements, the majority of its competition is available with V-8 power and/or rear drive -- two significant issues Acura has yet to address for its flagship.

With just 383 RLs sold in January 2008 and sales down 45.7 percent in 2007 compared with 2006, Acura salesmen are going to need all the help they can get to turn those figures around. The 2009 model should aid their cause, though we're not sure by how much.

Source : www.motortrend.com

2010-Acura TSX V6

Auto Car | 2010-Acura TSX V6 | Acura has a good thing going in the luxury segment. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi – but like Lexus – Acura’s best selling car is not its entry-level model: Acura moves more TLs than anything else in its line-up. And unlike those other brands, Lexus included, all of Acura’s offerings carry five-star safety ratings from NHTSA, are rated as top safety picks by the IIHS, and the Automotive Lease Guide has declared that Acura offerings have the best resale value among luxury brands. Now, Honda’s premium division has grown by one with the addition of the TSX V6, and Autoblog was invited to find out if the new, more powerful sedan could keep the brand’s good thing going. Follow the jump to find out.

The TSX V6 was engineered to fill the gap between the four-cylinder Acura TSX and the relatively new TL. With the latest TL having gone upmarket in several areas, Acura felt there was enough space between its entry and mid-market lines to offer a stepping stone between the two. But this wasn’t strictly about plopping a V6 into a TSX and adding some bigger digits after the dollar sign. According to officials, this car is about creating a more comprehensively sporting version of the TSX, yet one that wouldn’t trod on the bumper of the TL.

If you’re familiar with the 2009 TSX that was introduced last year, then you’re up-to-speed on the TSX V6′s exterior; there were essentially no changes made to the car beyond larger wheels, a V6 badge on the trunk and a different compound on the rear brakes. Even the dual tailpipes are the same size on both cars, and there are no interior changes – not one – to differentiate the four-pot from the sixer. Acura decided the V6′s buyers were looking for sport package identity, they simply wanted more power. So, as with the bionic man, this is an operation to be felt, not seen.But in Acura’s estimation, this is also a car meant to truly compete with the A4, 3 Series, and C-Class. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the base TSX has 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, leaving it ten horses and 88 lb-ft down versus Audi’s 2.0-liter four. The 3.5-liter V6 in the TSX boosts its numbers to 280 hp and 254 lb-ft, giving it better outputs than the sixers in the Mercedes C350 and Audi A4 3.2, figures bested only by the BMW 335i – and it shades all of them by a hair in the fuel consumption stakes.

As stated, Acura didn’t do anything to the interior, but it still deserves mention. Overall, the inside offers a placid view and the designers have done a good job of providing visual variety. There are plenty of contrasting curves, overlaid with four different plastics treatments throughout and perforated leather inserts in the doors. It won’t grab you by the heart when you take a seat, but it ought to age well – a trait that seems too rare in the luxury segment. (something that would go some way toward explaining that resale value…)

The seats remain wide and comfy. Strikingly, compared to the skinny seatbacks becoming au courant among smaller luxury cars, the side of the seat is thicker than a brick wall. Rear legroom doesn’t appear to be compromised since it’s only the bolsters that create the bulk, but it did come as a surprise.

As for another detail of the interior: we appear to be alone in this, but the dash feels awash in buttons. The steering wheel has 11 buttons on it, seven of them multi-function. The center stack is a button convention with two multi-function knobs as special guests. We’re sure it wouldn’t take much to adapt and find our go-to buttons, but the initial cockpit survey leads us to think Airbus, not Acura.

Still, none of that is any deterrent to enjoying the car. Besides, in this league, it’s the driving that counts.

Acura’s assertion that this wasn’t just about more power but about creating a sportier car is backed up in every way. In our review of the four-cylinder TSX, the engine was said to be “sufficient, but still lacks real grunt,” and the car was described as doing “its job without much fuss, but never gets your adrenaline pumping.”

Not so in the TSX V6. Although the V6 model gains an additional 194 pounds, the additional horsepower and torque offsets the extra poundage. Lay on the gas from a stop in the base TSX and the car aspires to action. In the V6, you only get the action.

The new coil springs and damper settings fore and aft do a terrific job of keeping road harshness away from cabin occupants. They’re aided in the quest for cabin quietude by electronically controlled engine mounts and a feature only available on the V6: Active Sound Control (ASC), a noise cancellation system that filters out certain frequencies.

If you tell a group of automotive scribes that you’ve engineered a sedan for sporty performance and let them loose in twisties, they will, without fail, beat the bejeezus out of it to redline, smoking brakes and beyond, then compare it to the platonic ideal of a rear-drive BMW. Put through that tried-and-true test, the front-drive Acura fares well. Going hot and heavy into a hairpin will get you a serving of understeer and a flashing yellow triangle while the traction control works to keep the ship righted. But we were delighted to find that the flashing yellow light was the most intrusive part of the TC – no piercing whistles, no dominatrix-like clampdown on the brakes, no sudden wondering “Where did the power go?” It was always just enough to keep you going over the road and not over the cliff.

The electronic power steering returned decent feedback. Most importantly, we always knew where to put the wheel when planning a line, and corrections weren’t necessary when we laid the course. The suspension kept to its tasks just as well when flying as it did at town speeds, keeping all the wheels where they needed to be even as the car was squatting and flicking to stay in its lane. The brakes did get tired a bit early. They were fine all the way up and over the mountain, but there was a gradual yet noticeable fade while plugging through corners. Not surprisingly, when we exited the car, the tangy scent of hot brakes was heavy in the air.

However, few of this TSX’s drivers will ever belt this car like it’s a Belmont Stakes runner. And if you are looking for a ride to do your Crank imitation of Jason Statham… you shouldn’t be looking at a TSX anyhow.

Back here on Earth, and off the Hollywood set, the TSX V6 comes good with just about everything you’d want from it. The drive-by-wire throttle that feels like instant-on acceleration at low speeds loosens up nicely on the trot. The five-speed automatic (no manual option on this car) knows its gears and isn’t afraid to kick down, and the extra power pulls the TSX nicely out of apexes. Even though there’s a manual shifting mode with paddles on the steering wheel, we barely used it and rarely called on peak horsepower. The latter doesn’t come on until 6,200 rpm, just 700 rpm shy of the redline, and at that height, even the ASC can’t keep the cabin from becoming vociferous.

The grabby brakes loosen up as well – which is as much down to fade as anything else when it’s really hard going. But maintain a rhythm, don’t stab at the stoppers like a serial killer, and they’ll serve you well.

In short: drive this car like it’s a TSX with more power and better dynamics – not like it’s a Lotus Elise – and you’ll get a fabulously put together package that comes standard with a bucket of kit. If you want a TSX with more power, you’ve got that and more with this model. And if you’re looking for an Acura that handles enthusiastically enough to seriously play on the same pitch as the three gatekeepers of the entry-level premium segment (3, C, and A), here you are. And you’ll get it for less coin than those other cars: base base MSRP is $34,850 plus $810 destination and, if you’re game, $3,100 for the Technology Package. That money will also save you money: you’ll get better gas mileage than those other cars as well.

Source : www.autofans.us

2010 Acura RDX Facelift

Auto Car | 2010 Acura RDX Facelift | Acura RDX was launched in 2008 and had only one version (all-wheel drive model) but now, it is also available in the more fuel-efficient front-drive version. The new version also gets 17/22 mpg, midpack for vehicles in its class.

A couple of weeks ago we showed you a series of photos that supposedly depicted the redesigned 2010 Acura RDX. While the Japanese automaker has yet to release an official statement, Acura went ahead and posted a full gallery as well as initial details and prices on the 2010MY RDX on its public website. On the outside, the RDX has received Acura’s controversial corporate grille along with a new front bumper and new trim for the lower part of the rear bumper that houses new hexagonal tail pipes. The redesigned alloy wheels complete the exterior enhancements.

We didn’t notice any aesthetic changes inside, but it is said that the 2010MY RDX benefits from a series of convenience and equipment upgrades. Interior updates include USB connectivity with room for an iPod and stereo Bluetooth audio, ambient lighting, Bluetooth compatibility, and a navigation system update with rearview camera updates and real-time traffic.

The most important news for the 2010 model year concerns the introduction of a new front-wheel drive model that carries a base price of $32,520, or $2,000 less than the all-wheel drive version that’s equipped with Acura’s Super-Handling AWD system.

Both models are powered by the same 240HP 2.3-liter turbocharged four linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. However, the front-wheel drive RDX is more frugal returning 19mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway compared to 17mpg and 22mpg respectively of the RDX SH-AWD.

Source : dailycar.info

2010 Acura ZDX CUV

Auto Car | 2010 Acura ZDX CUV | The provocative new 2010 Acura ZDX is a personal sports coupe that defies categorization. With the stunning good looks of a performance coupe and the four-door convenience and comfort of a sedan, the ZDX is an enticing study in contrasts. Flexible cargo utility and multi-surface, all-season capability further broaden the ZDX`s appeal. With its sens uous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares, the segment-bending ZDX transcends the traditional distinctions between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle.

Visually and functionally, the Acura ZDX luxury 4-door sports coupe`s inventive new "Passionate Getaway" concept defines this Acura as a completely different type of personal luxury vehicle. As the term suggests, the ZDX is designed primarily to provide a means of freedom and escape for two adults and their cargo-whether that`s luggage for a weekend, sporting equipment or newfound antiques. As such, the ZDX is the perfect enabler of a "passionate getaway" that is simultaneously both renewing and rewarding. Powering this getaway is a responsive, flexible, efficient and clean 300-hp VTEC® V-6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel DriveTM (SH-AWD®) system that establishes the ZDX as one of the most innovative luxury vehicles on the market. The ZDX offers a highly personal sports coupe driving experience combined with off-road capability-along with the refinement and quality that Acura customers expect.

As the very first "complete" design to come from the new Acura Design Studio in Southern California, the ZDX reflects the desires of luxury buyers who want to experience life to the fullest. Developed first and foremost as a driver`s vehicle, the ZDX offers an available new Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) that provides a choice between Comfort and Sport suspension and special steering tuning that allows the ZDX to effortlessly morph from a supremely comfortable highway cruiser to a formidable back-road dance partner. Developed and tuned using Germany`s famed Nürburgring road course, the ZDX is more than capable of handling challenging road conditions-while still retaining off-highway capability.

From the signature Acura front grille to the artful use of strong character lines and the industry`s largest continuous glass panel, the ZDX adds a new dimension to the luxury market and sets a new standard for personal expression. This personalized style carries over to the 5-passenger interior, where premium features include a leather-accented instrument panels, sport-oriented leather front seats with heating and available ventilation, available Acura Navigation System with Voice RecognitionTM, AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System with AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and WeatherTM, and an available 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Audio System. Unique features include a new rearview camera system, Collision Mitigating Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM), Active Cruise Control (ACC) and a blind spot information system.

The 2010 ZDX advances the definition of personal style, luxury and performance to the highest level in Acura Division history. Developed by Acura engineers in Ohio and manufactured in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, the ZDX is a significant contributor to North American productivity and jobs. And with its low-impact manufacturing, factory waste recycling programs and a significant reduction in the use of harmful materials, the ZDX is also a top environmental citizen.

POWERTRAIN FEATURES

SH-AWD® drivetrain for performance handling and all-season capability
3.7-liter SOHC V-6 aluminum alloy engine
300 hp at 6,300 rpm and 270 lbs-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm
11.2:1 compression ratio
Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) for intake valves
Dual-stage induction system with lightweight magnesium alloy intake manifold
High-flow, sport-tuned dual exhaust system with dual stainless-steel outlets
Computer-controlled Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Direct ignition system
Detonation/knock control system
Maintenance MinderTM system
100,000-mile tune-up intervals*
EPA TIER 2-BIN 5 and CARB LEV II ULEV emissions
Estimated 16/22/18 mpg** (city/highway/combined)

BODY & CHASSIS FEATURES

Unit body structure with extensive use of high-strength steel
Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional high and low beam front headlights
Acoustic windshield glass
Panoramic glass roof
Power rear tailgate
Fully independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and coil springs
Fully independent multi-link rear suspension with trailing arms
Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) - Active Damper System (ADS) combined with Electronic Controlled Power Steering (ECPS)
Torque-sensing, variable power-assist rack-and-pinion steering
19x8.5-inch, 7-spoke aluminum wheels
Michelin Latitude P255/50R19 103H M+S high-performance all-season tires
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®) with traction control
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
1,500-pound tow rating
LED illuminated Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL)
Heated outside mirrors with Reverse gear tilt-down feature and integrated LED directional turn signals

Source : www.auto-power-girl.com

2007 Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept

Auto Car | 2007 Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept | The Acura concept sports car is supposed to be the successor to the famous Acura NSX. But this dynamically styled concept car is far more than what would expect. Basically created for the exotic supercar category, the 2007 Acura concept car was designed to house a very powerful V-10 engine. Mounted on the front, the engine is expected to create ripples not only in air the surrounds the engine as it revs to its limit but it will send ripples to the whole high-performance car categories. Manufacturers will further realize that the whole car industry is never sedentary and things always move forward.

Aside from that powerful V10, the new Acura also boasts of their new rear wheel driven version of Acura´s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Everything about the 2007 Acura reflects the fusion of advanced technology and passion for absolute performance and quality.

Other features of the concept car are ABS, vented disc/vented disc for braking system, tires for the front are 255/40 R19 and for the rear 295/35 R20, and dimensions were measured to be 181.5 × 78.6 × 48.1 feet.

Not only does the engine, the braking system and the rear wheel drive technology stop you at your tracks, but the outside appearance of this sports car will give you quivers of anticipation. The outside of the 2007 Acura concept car is a dynamic synthesis of technology and emotions. It´s like watching a drama unfolding before your eyes, or something like that. The long hood of the sports car is filled with deep, sculpted lines and is embossed with air vents, an obvious indication of how powerful the engine is below. The same lines and contours run to the side of the sports car´s body, to the arches of rear wheels which suggest fluidity and aggressiveness. But, even if it looks futuristic some of the features of the supercar were actually taken from the 1st generation Acura NSX.

Specs also include a 108.8 inch or 2763mm wheelbase. The concept car will have 19 inch performance front tires and 20 inch ones at the rear. Tires will be mounted on custom made billet-machined, polished wheels made of aluminum that will hide all the power, ventilated disc brakes made of carbon ceramic, as well as the 8-piston calipers.

When you turn the concept sports car over and examine the under chassis, you´re supposed to find a carbon fiber underbody. The door handles are flush mounted to maintain that neat, sleek look. Also another reason is to increase or maximize the supercar´s aerodynamic design. The rear is also finished with assertive looking quad exhaust pipes and well integrated (for higher performance) rear diffusers.

Everything about this sports car is magnificent. The design, engineering and appearance seems to convey that the future is now. Maybe it is.

Source : www.sportscarcup.com

2009 Acura ZDX

Auto Car | 2009 Acura ZDX | No longer can we call the BMW X6 unique. Acura's ZDX concept, shown at the 2009 New York auto show, also mixes sports coupe DNA with that of a sports-utility. In Acura-speak, this particular crossover segment is called `luxury performance coupe-plus.' According to Jeff Conrad, Acura's vice president of sales, the mix of sports coupe and SUV allows the RDX to create a "new" segment.

How `new' that segment is may be up for debate, but it's certainly carte blanche for Acura itself. Its previous crossovers looked decidedly truck-like, but the ZDX resembles a TSX sedan in most areas. The sloping fastback roof is breathtaking, and its tinted glass surface is seamlessly blended into the blacked-out rear valiance panel and taillights.

Designer Michelle Christensen says she wanted the ZDX's exterior to draw you into a rich interior, and we have to say she's succeeded. The sculpted instrument panel is a typical Acura design trait, but its two-tone scheme, trimmed in stitched leather, is nothing short of sumptuous.

What lurks beneath that interior is a bit of a mystery. Acura says the ZDX concept uses an all-aluminum V-6 with VTEC, a new six-speed automatic, and the brand's trademark SH-AWD system. We imagine a similar setup will make its way into the production ZDX, which reaches dealers this fall.

A prototype of the provocative Acura ZDX luxury four-door sports coupe made 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 flexibility 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.”

source : www.autofans.us