The new MDX will reportedly debut next year with a 3.5-liter direct-injected V6 with VCM. I haven't heard the predicted horsepower but I'm assuming it's the same engine as in the new RLX, so it should be around 310hp.

Given that it wouldn't make too much business sense to have two different 3.5-liter engines in the stable, I wonder if it's too much to hope the new engine will find its way into the TL and the RDX as well (?)

I'm a big fan of DI engines, as they usually provide better mileage and more responsiveness, and a 300 (or so) horsepower RDX would be sweet! Especially if it got as good or better mileage.

The question, I guess, if whether they'd keep the existing 3.5 for the Honda line, and therefore make it reasonable to retain it for the RDX.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

^^ More importantly, has Honda figured out how to deal with the carbon build up associated with most DI engines? I would say that the TLX will likely have the same engine but it will not be at least until the MMC that there is any chance the RDX will see this engine. My gut feeling tells me that it will be at FMC that the RDX will see this engine

 

Yeah, I hear you. But Honda is usually very thrifty, and it would make more economic sense in a way to eliminate one whole engine "type" - especially since the DI part is all contained within the heads.

IOW, keep the block and all other parts, just apply the new DI heads to all the 3.5's and be done with it.

Anyway, we can hope!

 

^^ I agree that it would make sense which is why I am not convinced it will happen. It seems Acura holds the prize for the "what were they thinking" award sometimes!

 

Isn't the new DI 3.5 an Earth Dream engine, which essentially replaces the old tech 3.7? The RDX 3.5 is the same engine in the Honda line up. I understood that Earth Dream technology engines would start proliferating through the line in 2014. The first to do that would be the 2014 RLX and the 2014 MDX. I imagine that any changes to the RDX would be MMC...and that kind of depends on capacity in North America as they change over...

See the 2011 News Release

 

You're probably right about the ED engine. And the changeover at the engine plants might take awhile, but integrating the engine into all lines of vehicles as soon as possible will work to Honda's benefit.

And you're probably also right that it will find its way into the RDX at MMC.

But we can always hope.

 

I think the TLX will have the ED 3.5 as the TLX and Accord are essentially the same car and have usually had the same V6 engines with minor differences in the 2 models. It would help them have a SH-AWD TLX that can get say 20/28 MPG. Also if you look at Accord drivers their ED 3.5 gets them around 25 combine and over 30MPG highway fairly easily. I also don;t know if they will wait for FMC to get the ED in the RDX, it makes sense for them to get ED in as quickly as possible. The real question as mentioned is have they handled carbon build up?

 

It looks like GM and a few others have conquered the carbon problem. I'll wager Honda's late entry into DI is at least partly because of this issue and how to combat it.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the RDX ends up with a variation of it but in a smaller displacement like 3.2 L.

 

I think Acura would provide the same 3.5L Direct Injection for the RDX soon; but, it will probably be a de-tuned version at 275-285 hp.

 

I must be drifting because when I saw ED, I thought why is he talking about Viagra

 

While they're at it, add the friggin' AC/heater vents in the rear!

 

You're not alone. As soon as I typed ED I knew it was a mistake.