jrocka312

iTrader: (2)

I just spoke with my General Manager of our ACURA dealership. He just got back from the dealer meeting in Vegas. I showed him the picture of the MDX that ACURA is teasing and then I showed him a picture of the camo spy shots. He did confirm for me that what he saw looked very much like the camo shots we have seen and not like the teaser picture with the very exaggerated lines. Take this for what it is. He also told me he got to see the updated NSX concept. It now has an interior and the front and rear has changed somewhat. I am assuming that the bumpers have been augmented due to wind tunnel and pedestrian safety testing.

Edward1

Is this a good news or not (about MDX)?

wrestrepo

very few cars look like the drawing/concept rendering....if there is an actual camp-ed car being tested, I would trust that a bit more than the drawing too.
I'm excited because I may get to see the new MDX at the DC Auto Show, happening right after the Detroit Auto Show.

Edward1

That's true... I will wait to make further comments until we witness the actual prototype in January. I can at least cross my fingers... Acura, please don't mess it up!!

wrestrepo

This happened to the RDX for example....

Concept


Auto Show

Production

dominik331

I hope the gorgeous NSX concept doesn't become just the NSX concept.

Edward1

I wonder why the NSX concept is so gorgeous and others are not... Was this done in the same studio/designing team?
Also, I am not that familiar with the division of labor between Honda Japan and Acura USA. I suppose enginnering was based in Japan and design is from US (except for some models such as TSX and ILX)?

ls973800

I can just imagine all the Honda and Acura brass reading this forum and snickering at all the remarks about the 2014 MDX. They took a 2012 model, made a few slight tweaks, threw on some camo, and released "spy" photos of it as being the new 2014 model!

Seriously, if the camo image really is what the 2014 will look like, I think Acura has missed their chance with this one. I know some people live and breathe Acura and their MDX and can tell a 2003 from a 2006 from a 2010 from 1000 yards away.

Myself, I think they all look the same and that really is a good thing to a point. But getting into 2014 with the same look versus all the new choices available from other makers with radical or updated looks, wow, I hope they don't continue with the camo unit!

Now the "teaser" picture of what will be at the auto show really does look like it would be able to compete, and actually looks like an updated model. Fingers crossed that is the new 2014!

Just my opinion.

jbawden

The rendering is WAY too expressive for anything Honda/Acura would produce. The camo video posted a while ago seems to give way to a few subtle body lines that the rendering seems to over stylize, but the Camaro-low roof line is not practical for this car for instance. I think the 3rd gen will be more pleasing than the Pilot-looking camo model, but no where near the rendering.

TSX69

Temple of VTEC has new spy shots including some of the interior.

SlimTL

New TOV shots show a lot of similarity to the RLX interior. And that's a good thing IMO.I'm not too fond of the CD slot up top over my 2012 though, but it still looks like typical Acura 1st class interior.

And the exterior mirror has that weird blind spot section from the RDX.

dzionny_dzionassi

is it me, or it is front FWD?

mrgold35

New MDX Interior:


New RLX Interior:

TiggaMan909

Gotta love the double screens! Really starting to get excited about this redesign! Can't wait to see the final product!

Does anyone know if the next gen will follow the RLX drive train (PAWS vs. SH-AWD)? If so, i really hope they release both simultanesiously rather then 1 at a time like they're doing with the RLX!

wrestrepo

? why would you say that? Fact to the matter is that they are FWD bias, but I doubt that they will come out with a FWD only model.
they have been talking about hybrid power trains and such, so we'll see.

and what's up with this?

To me they look a bit cheesy/stupid/dumb

wrestrepo

I can only think about Xzibit saying "yo dawg, we heard you like screens, so we put a screen you can use to use your screen"

Call me whatever you want to call me, but I like the joystick-button operation better than the touch screen, there is no guessing as to where your finger will land if you are keeping your eyes on the road.

LexSux

Hilarious!



I do very much prefer the dial knobby thingy.
It was really annoying to have to go into the touch screen on my Lex GS350 just to adjust the fan speed and mode on the AC.

mrgold35

I do like the updated 3D navi screen. It would be nice if Acura/Honda provided a way to updated the Navi database with your smartphone or USB stick as needed. I would love to have the options of a heads-up display for speedo and a way to import/sync your music bluetooth or wired from your iPhone or mp3 player on to the hard-drive without using CDs.

dzionny_dzionassi

it looks like there is empty spot where rear diff should be. Thats why i say that

wrestrepo

I don't know, I don't see it.....Although the SH-AWD is (supposed to be) gone, I doubt that Acura will come out with a 2WD/FWD version, ALTHOUGH the competition has, so it may be a possibility.
I remember reading speculations about hybrid power train options and electric motors operating the AWD system, so time will tell....what I don't see is a glass/panoramic sunroof.

lindros2

Double screens look retarded. Especially with oversized cheap-looking Honda icons.

Hate it on the Accord. Hate it on the RLX. Hate it on the MDX.

I'll keep our 2011 MDX and trade it for something which didn't fail in this department. I can't trust this with my two kids.

SlimTL

Now tell us how you really feel.

Rocket_man

You're going to be hating that a lot. It is a coming trend.

F23A4

I'm not too big on the dual screens neither. But, it wouldn't represent a deal breaker for me. Honestly, Acura dashboard layouts peaked with the 3G TL. (I feel likewise with Honda and the 7G Accord.)

dominik331

Not feeling the dual screen either. My TSX's radio HVAC and Navi are all controlled thru one screen and it has never bothered or distracted me.

Vividsi

I too prefer lots of buttons on the dash and steering wheel over a second screen, but acura/honda gets a lot of heat for it becuase I guess those people that review them get tunnel vision looking at all the switches and whish they were back in their hundai tiburon.

So now since this is the new direction its one less thing the mainstream will complain about.

Also that screen is not cheap at all and im worried that they will cut something else like SH-AWD to make room for it in the budget. Like the new RDX.

jbawden

I don't think a $50 LCD screen is going to be the demise of SH-AWD. In my opinion SHAWD is complex and heavy and at the end of the day the benefit is limited mostly to dry driving. I know some people are passionate about that ridiculous Acura marketing video and that's fine, but I don't buy it (because when I'm in snow/ice the entire road is icy, not just half of it and snow tires work great!). Here's to hoping that Acura drops this useless system and invests back into more tangible improvements such as reduced weight and more efficiency. Oh and for the love of god can they add a start button to the dash

dominik331

Why is it that no one complains about the sea of buttons in a Buick, Infiniti, MB or a Porsche?

Acura_Dude

fxcarden

Double screens ?. Seriously ?.

Ford's single screen beats the crap out of this.

Honda / Acura missed the boat again.

Rocket_man

I can't remember the details but backup cams will become mandatory on some cars so I supect the dual monitors help here. Kind of like the Accords sideview camera that comes up on the nav screen when you use the right turn signal. The dual screens don't bother me. It is a bother when I have my car in reverse and I'm locked out of my touch screen due to my backup cam.

mrgold35

I don't mind the dual screens as long as the common features like navi map, A/C, and stereo have a dedicated button(s). Sometimes manufactures replace one button with 2-4 layer of screens you have to drill down into to do the same function. I think the screens should add additional features you can drill down into to customize your "driving experience", like:

- I would like to have a mute button on the steering wheel for all audio (stereo and navi). Sometimes you need silence just for 30 seconds and the Navi is barking out orders to "make a U-turn if possible" every 5 seconds.
- Offer an equalizer you can set globally and/or independently for FM, XM, CD, etc...
- Offer more than 6 station presets on one band. Give us an option to select 6-12 presets per band and mix/match XM/FM/AM all together.
- Offer a way to customize the dual screens (color, icon size, icon type, graphics, add common features used most on first screen, etc...).
- Offer a real or touch screen button to turn off rear speakers/sub. Kids sometimes complain the stereo is too loud when they are trying to nap or listen to their music with head phones in the back seats on long trips.

jbawden

Is it really a bother that you can't back up the vehicle and interact with the screen at the same time? Is this the level of immediate gratification we've reached...wow that sounded like an old man's comment. Well stay off my lawn while you're at it!

Vividsi

I noticed that too but its not a big deal for me, I just said when I'm done backing up I'll continue my business on the map.

dominik331

What do you do on your touch screen while you are backing up?

Litt

My Acura sales rep says
"The new MDX will unveil during the North American International Autoshow on January 14/15.
The anticipated launch date hasn't been announced yet but we are expecting to see the new MDX by late 2nd quarter early third quarter."

mrgold35

Do you know if they will offer the sh-awd hybrid powertrain or Krell sound system like in the RLX down the road in 2014-2015?

dzionny_dzionassi

they going to put krell for sure, not sure about awd system.

honda_nut

What about pricing? Would it be similar to the current MDX? My parents are definitely buying a new car this year and the MDX and Odyssey are their preferred choices.

Litt

I'm not sure, but I really hope they put in SH-AWD or the new sport hybrid AWD.

SH-AWD is part of what make the MDX a leader in this crowded field.

The MDX is about the same price as the RL and I assume they will have similar technolgy. The spy shots already show the double touch screens in the new MDX.