Acura MDX
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Acura MDX | |
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| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Honda MDX |
| Production | 2001-present (Acura) 2003-present (Honda) |
| Assembly | Alliston, Ontario, Canada |
| Predecessor | Acura SLX |
| Class | Mid-size luxury crossover SUV |
| Layout | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Similar | BMW X5 Cadillac SRX Volvo XC90 |
The Acura MDX (Honda MDX in Japan and Australia) is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Acura since the 2001 model year. The MDX is the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. It was introduced in late 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling US-only SLX, based on the Isuzu Trooper. In Japan, it filled a gap when the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the MDX went on sale in Japan. It competes with the Lexus RX, Infiniti FX, BMW X5 (released at the same time as the MDX), Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
Contents |
[edit] 2001-2006
| Generation One Acura MDX |
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| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Engine | 3.5 L V6 253 hp (189 kW) 250 ft·lbf (339 N·m) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
| Length | 188.7 in (4789 mm) |
| Width | 77 in (1955 mm) |
| Height | 71.3 in (1811 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4451 lb (2023 kg) |
| Designer | Frank Paluch (engineering), Ricky Hsu (styling) |
Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, Acura TSX and Honda Odyssey, it is powered by a J35A3 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 with VTEC. This 3471 cc (3.5 in x 3.6 in) engine produces 265 hp (198 kW) and 253 ft·lbf (343 Nm). Curb weight is 4451 lb (2019 kg), with a 106.3 in (2.7 m) wheelbase and 8 in (203 mm) of ground clearance. The cargo floor can flip up to provide two additional seats. The vehicle is designed to hold 7 passengers. The vehicle features an automatic four wheel drive system that engages only when wheel slippage is detected. The system runs as front wheel drive during normal operation.
All models use a 5-speed automatic transmission. In some models, the transmission suffered significant numbers of transmission problems that were similar to the problems with the Acura CL and TL. However, they did not get the benefit of the free extended warranty that the Acura CL and TL received.
The navigation system and DVD entertainment system options were mutually exclusive in the 2002 model. Both could be ordered at the same time since the 2003 model. The navigation option comes with a rear view video camera since the 2003 model. Since 2005 the navigation system featured information from Zagat about restaurants and other points of interest. The 2003 model was rated as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. EPA estimates 23 mpg (10.23 L/100 km) highway and 17 mpg (13.84 L/100 km) city.
In the 2004 model, the engine was improved to produce 5 hp (4 kW) more power than the 2003 model. The 2004 model features dual tail pipes instead of the single pipe in earlier models. Some chrome trimmings on the 2004 model use matte finish to distinguish from the polished shiny finish on earlier models. Little changed for the MDX during the 2006 model year with a few minor revisions to the vehicle's chrome and faux wood interior trim.
[edit] 2007
| Generation Two Acura MDX |
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| Production | 2007–present |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Engine | 3.7L (3664 cc) 24 valve SOHC V6 VTEC 300 bhp @ 6000 rpm 275 lb.ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Length | 190.7 in |
| Width | 78.7 in |
| Height | 68.1 in |
| Curb weight | 4541-4551 lb |
| Designer | Frank Paluch (engineering), Ricky Hsu (styling) |
On April 11, 2006 during the New York International Auto Show, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX due in October of 2006. The 2007 Acura MDX's body will feature a wider track and a longer wheelbase. Its suspension is tuned at Germany's Nürburgring race track. Its engine is all-new and the most powerful in Acura's lineup. It is a 3.7 liter V6 tuned for 300 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Premium fuel is recommended. When coupled with the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, the upcoming MDX will provide class-leading powertrain and handling performance among its current V6 competitors. Also, the 2007 Acura MDX will finally be equipped with High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) lowbeam headlights.
Three package options will be available: Sport, Tech and Entertainment. The Sport package features active suspension dampers that dynamically improves handling according to road conditions with a button in the center stack to switch to Sport/Comfort modes. This Comfort/Sport mode uses "magneto-rheological" fluid which changes its viscosity when a magnetic field is introduced (usually in milliseconds). The Sport package also includes unique 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels. The Tech package includes the Acura/Alpine DVD-based satellite GPS navigation system with AcuraLink satellite communications with real-time traffic reporting (XM NavTraffic), a 410-watt Acura/ELS DTS Surround audio system with XM Satellite Radio and rearview camera. The Entertainment package offers a flip-down 9-inch LCD screen with 2 wireless Dolby Digital headphones and a remote powered liftgate, operated either from the key's remote, inside the car or directly from the lift gate.
All Canadian Acura MDX models, aside from the heated front seats, also get the second-row heated outboard seats as standard equipment as well. A feature unique to Canadian MDX models are two headlight washers, one located below each headlight. In terms of packages, Canadian MDX models get only two: Technology and Elite. The Technology package corresponds essentially to the US model's Technology package while the Elite package is an amalgamation of the US model's Sport and Entertainment packages together. Unfortunately, AcuraLink real-time traffic reporting through XM NavTraffic is unavailable for Canadian MDX models.
This 2nd generation Acura MDX will continue to be manufactured by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Furthermore, the 2007 Acura MDX, along with the 2007 Acura RDX, will be among the first Acura vehicles to pass the Acura Quality Line, a special quality control and verification process separate from the other Honda vehicles. The second-generation MDX was released on October 17, 2006.
The redesigned MDX overtook the TL as Acura's top seller in the United States. [1]
Since the platform created for the 2007 Acura MDX is all-new, most likely the next Honda Pilot, due in the 2008 or 2009 model year will be based off the same platform.
[edit] Safety
The MDX is ahead of the competition with regards to its construction in rear collisions: It will withstand a rear collision up to 50 miles an hour, well above the the basic 35 mph standard currently required by the NHTSA.[citation needed]
[edit] Awards
The MDX won the North American Truck of the Year award for 2001. The MDX was also Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV and Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year that year [1].
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ American Honda Reports Best-Ever January Sales. hondanews.com. Retrieved on February 7, 2007.
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