weather

^^ and the tail pipes will be not be seen on the 2014 TLX as well. I was told this back in the spring that ALL Acura models will do away with its dual exhaust and go with the hidden exhaust instead. At first I was upset, but now I like the idea.

dominik331

I dont like the idea of hidden exhaust. That's one of the first thing I went to check and for my disappoinment they are gone.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

booo! no exhaust tips. they'd be stupid not to have a SHAWD model. this is what defines the MDX and differentiates it from the competition.

Rocketsfan

What percentage of MDX buyers (I mean outside this forum. lol) would know the difference between "plain ol' AWD" and SH-AWD? How many would make a decision based on that difference or do they just care it's AWD?

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

well if they do their homework...they should educate themselves. or the dealer sales guys will try and "sell" them on the acura AWD system.

i would think most folks that are in the marketing deomgraphic at the price point of this vehicle would do their homework. granted some people buy cars b/c their "cute".

i always giggle at the toyota commercial that says the camry hybrid is "sporty". acura just needs to show their winter testing video comparisons...then maybe more people would actually appreciate what the SHAWD offers.

Rocket_man

It might just be the way the pictures were taken but to me it looks like the 14 MDX has a lower overall roof line than the current MDX. It looks more CUV than SUV. The flare on the wheel wells looks smaller. This may be part of what makes the car look a little lower. I actually like it. It must reduce drag and give a little more efficiency. With the new ED engine and these styling changes I don't think they are going to hurt the MDX. Hopefully make it better. It is a bread and butter car for Acura. I had one over a weekend once and liked it, except when it came time to fill up the gas tank!

omnuts

+1, Looks like that is the new thing around with different manufacturers, so I guess Acura decided to jump on the bandwagon.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

doesn't help when there is a 21 gallon tank on this beast. when the light goes on...OUCH. if you ever go the route of an MDX...fillup at the half way point. it's less traumatizing on the wallet. i think my most expensive fillup has been $79 for the tank over 18 gallons. oh well.

TSX69

2014 Acura MDX Spied with Less Camouflage

Despite its age, the Acura MDX continues to dominate the luxury brand’s sales charts, and the next-generation model isn’t likely to be any different. A prototype of the new 7-passenger Acura MDX crossover has been spotted again but, this time, with less camouflage to disguise its shape. The 2013 Acura RDX has found success by migrating to the center of the market, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see similar changes made to the upcoming Acura MDX, which will debut in 2013 as a 2014 model.

The current Acura MDX debuted with a controversial grille, but expect a more straight-forward and toned-down power plenum grille on the upcoming MDX. The Acura prototype’s side view doesn’t appear drastically different from that of the current model, but appears to mimic the punched-out sheetmetal design on the lower door panels of the 2013 RDX. As with the 2014 Acura RLX, the new MDX may make available specially designed LED headlights as well as regular HIDs.

2014 Acura MDX prototype rear side view 300x187 imageFrom behind, the next-generation Acura MDX prototype sports LED taillights and a rear windshield wiper that’s exposed, like the Infiniti JX35 and Buick Enclave but unlike the Lexus RX. The 2013 Acura MDX is powered by a 300-hp 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 270 lb-ft of torque. Using a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 2013 MDX is EPA-rated at just 16/21 mpg city/highway. With lighter weight materials, engine tweaks, and even the possibility of a 9-speed automatic transmission, the 2014 MDX should easily approach others in the class when it comes to efficiency. The 2014 Acura MDX volume model will likely use a version of the 310-hp direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 coming to the 2014 Acura RLX.

In a 2010 Acura MDX 1st Test, we appreciated the way the crossover was tuned: “With MDX’s flat stance, quick pickup of cornering grip turning off-center, snap-your-fingers-quick paddle shifts, and extraordinary SH-AWD system, the MDX simply handles better than crossover within multiples of its price.”

Since the 2013 Acura RDX left behind the brand’s so-called super-handling all-wheel-drive system, it’s not clear whether the technology will still be standard equipment on the 2014 model. As with the 2014 RLX sedan, the 2014 MDX may also offer a hybrid model as a flagship SUV. With 2014 Acura MDX production set to begin early next year at Honda’s plant in Lincoln, Alabama, we’ll definitely be hearing more about the 2014 Acura MDX before long.

jbawden

Looks longer to me (rather than lower) especially from the back edge of the rear door to the back of the car, presumably to allow for a "real" 3rd row. I wonder if the hidden exhaust is perception thing? Two huge exhaust tips sort of suggest the vehicle is more about performance than efficiency and for the mechanically ignorant shopper that might sway them into discounting the MDX as a gas hog...no doubt the current model is hog and maybe they want to change that with styling and technological improvements (drop the ridiculous SH-AWD, it's of little real world value IMHO). Frankly actually having performance is much more important to me than "looking" fast, a la Pontiac "excitement" from the 1990-2000's. Overall it does not appear to have a very dynamic styling language. Assuming the sheet metal is done, I'd call it conservative, not very interesting to look at when compared to the '06 to '07 update and the new JX.

dominik331

This does look more conservative, but the new JX does not look interesting to me.

jbawden

Nissan/Infiniti certainly fly a unique style flag and it's not for everyone, but the JX looks good in person. From what I can see so far, I'm slightly disappointed in the predictably bland Honda styling that the MDX appears to display, but we'll see when the wraps come off.

dominik331

This MDX does look bland. I think it's safe to say there is no need to wait for the wraps to come off to see anything more exciting in terms of styling and aggressive character lines. But I'll wait to make the final judgement. It might be one of those vehicles that looks better in person.
(I still think the JX looks like a minivan with crocodile face)

Opus360

I am hoping for the following:
- smaller overall: shorter and narrower
- lower height to make getting in easier
- lighter to save on gas
- better quality of leather

- more standard equipment including:
* heated steering wheel
* heated and vented cooled seats
* 360 view camera system
* blind spot warning, lane departure warning, forward collision system
* LED daytime running lights will be nice to have

dominik331

You can cross those two out of your list.

007Acura

I'm guessing it is going to have sh-awd since they are testing it in Germany. They are obviously tuning the handling to keep up with the X5.

Gen4MDX

more than two

Cooled seats, blind spot and forward collision system is already available on the Advance level

HAWAII-TSX

I think the reason the sales continue strong on the MDX is because it continues to do well in write ups and magazine comparisons. If they take out the SH-AWD this will end and sales will fall. I hope they don't go down this route.

They need to offer SH-awd is some form in order to keep there performance advantage and good reviews.

BMW wins comparisons not because the base version is better than the compettition but because the top of the line ones are(which are always more expensive but still reviewed). This makes the car look better then the rest and the manufacture sells (or leases) a lot of base models based on the loins of the higher model reviews.

I hope they read these forums!!!

04-6mt-atx

iTrader: (2)

The AWD system has proven rather effective for me in central TX and we never get snow and hardly get rain. When I drive in the rain/wet road conditions the sh AWD keeps my tank in line. I wouldn't even want to imagine trying to pull into traffic on a wet road, give it some throttle and the front wheels not being able to trac because they are pulling almost 2 1/2 tons off ass. I also rather enjoy glancing at the SH AWD deal on the MID screen.

Rocketsfan

The more I look at it, the more I think it takes on the same styling cues as the RDX. The front is RDX and the taillights (from what I can tell through the camouflage) seems similar to the RDX.

It definitely looks like it went on a diet. It almost seems to have an SRX/wagon look to it.

TiggaMan909

Can some of the photoshop guru's on this thread work some of their magic and remove the camo?

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

Looks like they still have not fixed the rear cam issue. Where the cam sucks at night due to poor lighting. I hope they include a decent cam on the new X.

I have a 2011 and it sucks at night when you need it most.

dominik331

Yeah sure, courtesy of Type34: (LOL)

Type34

Here was my latest
given the recent camo reveals

chrischabot81

bump

SlimTL

The back kinda reminds me of the Mazda CX-9. (Which is a nice SUV btw)

TSX69

TiggaMan909

^^ nice find! Really wish they didn't do away with the exposed exhaust tips!

SlimTL

Ditto

MANswers

The car is a tad longer for sure.

007Acura

Great find!

From the video it seems like sh-awd is still there from the way it was going through the corners. The engine has a fairly high red line and sounds nice. I noticed the brake lights are not LED anymore but those awesome LED headlights should make up for that.

jbawden

I think I noticed some body lines in the video that I didn't see in the still shots, starting to look better to me. I would think at this stage the exterior lighting package shown on the mule is not necessarily what we'll see on the finished product here in the US.

dcpc08161992

I hope they added some LED lights onto the front end of the MDX. Acura MDX is falling behind in the LED department, fuel economy department, and interior space department. Looking forward to see if I need to trade in my RDX to the MDX ;0).

omnuts

^ There will be led headlights like the new RLX

Rocketsfan

Acura to reveal prototype of 2014 MDX at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, mass confusion ensues :

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/a...pe-in-detroit/

______________________________





Acura says it will show a prototype of its 2014 MDX crossover at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, and we'll admit that the announcement has left us in a bit of confusion. See, the Acura press release says that the MDX proto will present "Aero Sculpture" design language, "alluring proportions" and "arching body lines." It has been accompanied by a sketch (above, click to enlarge) that, indeed, shows off a swoopy, alluring CUV.

Yet we have spy shots from two months ago of what is supposed to be the 2014 MDX, and unless the camouflage is actually some sort of vehicular moo moo, there isn't really a swoopy line on it. It is stout and substantial, but not in a way that makes us think of "Aero Sculpture." We'll know in a few weeks where the truth resides. It would appear that Acura's rendering artist has done a masterful fade on the rear glass/D-pillar area of the vehicle.

If you want to see the answer in real time, the reveal will be broadcast as it happens on Acura's webcast site. There's a press release below with the details.
______________________


Acura to Debut the All-New 2014 MDX Prototype at the 2013 North American International Auto Show

12/12/2012, LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Acura announced today that it will unveil a prototype of the next-generation MDX luxury sport utility vehicle during the press days of the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), held in Detroit over January 14-15. Utilizing "Aero Sculpture" design language affecting both form and function, the 2014 MDX Prototype will feature alluring proportions with smooth, arching body lines matched to an efficient architecture.

The press conference will be broadcast live at www.acurawebcast.com. Media information, high-resolution images and video of the 2014 MDX Prototype will be available at www.acuranews.com immediately following the press conference.

tgt

iTrader: (1)

Nice find.....that image (concept or not) looks promising.

As a reminder, this is what the '07+ MDX concept looked like. Not far from the actual production vehicle.


-tgt

vybzkartel

Yeah it does! And I don't wanna get my hopes up, just yet!

'Cause the spy pics we've seen of the alleged '14 MDX, doesn't jive with this conceptual image.

omnuts

Interestng, I guess we have to wait a bit to see whats in store.

Acura_Dude

^

TiggaMan909

That concept pic couldn't be any further then they spy shots that have already been released..... where is the exagerated rear quarter panel flare??