Mokos23

why no inline 6? another i-vtec 4 cylinder?

even the X3 has an inline 6. terrible decision, hope they change that to a 3.2 V6 Vtec engine.

crimson002

I agree with 04EuroAccordTsx, Acura should offer the RDX with a i-6, a i-4 in a suv is kinda lame. At least offer the i-6 as an engine option. Any comments justinjsw?

98AccordEx

Thanks for the info Justin! This vehicle sounds awesome.

Any chance it will debut at NY Auto show as a close-to-production "concept"? [I know it has already been a concept but that concept was butt-ugly and definitely not a MDX-Jr.]
Or is this a definite Spring 2005 debut with Fall 2005 release?

T-R

Why would Honda develop a whole new engine if they have one of the best at this moment (all K series i-vtecs are THE best, and J series are of the top 10 probably)? Maybe they can offer one of J series as an option, but I thin RD-X is a different kind of SUV. It's not meant for towing and it's not meant for off-roading. I think they are trying to make it a fun car for city/highway commute. And you still don't know how will it perform with IMA and this new sophisticated transmission (maybe the gearing is incredible). I would say that the acceleration will not be slower than 7.5 seconds because Honda knows that by 2006 competition will have more powerful cars as well.

And to tell you the truth, I'm kinda of sick of SUV HP wars and SUV 0-60 wars. There is a line when you stop thinking about topping your competition with power, but refinement and technology instead.

gilboman

wow..this board is run by acura nazis....

i just commented how lexus is moving upscale with their suv's ..while acura is continuing to move down..maybe lexus can rebadge an echo or RAV4 to expand acura style

rzee

Why would you need the extra 2 cylinders when you can have an instant on/off electric motor?

justinjsw

Moving upscale...they retro fitted a 4Runner and called it a GX...thats below the LX BTW. Maybe they should take a camry and turn it into an suv...oh wait they do that already.

Junkster

Now that you mention it, Gilbo, I'm wondering how Toyota will respond to almost all other luxury brands moving down market.

With BMW's success of the MINI (I know, not same nameplate, but every1 knows it's a beemer) and future launch of the 1-series, Audi's launch of the A3, MB's announcement to move the A class to the NA market along with the Smart brand, Alfa's supposed return to the US, and Jag supposedly working on a small coupe, Lexus has to be figuring to jump into the 'smaller' market. With the rumors that the IS will now be a bit more upscale, and another car sitting above the LS (heard this on Autospy, so take it with hesitation), the Toyota group has to be planning something in terms of the lower entry class model.

What cha' think, Gilbo? BTW, where's B-D in all this?

Junkster, who wouldn't think an upscale RAV4 isn't a bad idea.

justinjsw

Thats a good question but its off topic.

T-R

Define upscale. If rebadging huge SUVs is upscale then - no thanks. Bigger doesn't mean upscale.

justinjsw

Ok guys...for the last time lets keep this thread focus on the RDX.

Mr. Gilbo we do not need to hear your Lexus is better in EVERY freaking thread...we know where you stand. Enough is enough.

If you have info you like to share in regards to the RDX then by all means share it with everybody...if not move on. Better yet start your own Lexus is better thread...wait you have been doing that for 2 yrs already...my bag.

T-R

All right, back to subject

Cool concept pictures+info

Even more pics

More

MT

So maybe we will see some innovative features as well.

JeffPhx

Thanks Justin!!

What enhancement/changes does the "Innovative IMA" include verses the standard IMA? AWD?

When does the TSX get the close-ratio clutchless manual trans?

Kwijybo19

The concept, and even the Motor Trend sketches seem to point to suicide doors, ala Element. Yet, no one has even made a mention of this during all of the recent speculation.

Justinjsw, anything??

By the way, this thing sounds great!! Will it be targeted as a sporty mini-ute or what?? X3 sales aren't exactly what BMW was hoping for, so hopefully this will help Acura. And by the way, I assume it will use the platform of the CR-V, which is subsequently the one used for the Civic. Does this mean it will be the current Civic platform (01-05 models) or the future Civic platform (06-10)?? And any word on whether the Civic (Global Small Platform I think it's called) will revert back to double wishbones instead of Mac'Struts??

Any or all, thanks Justin! You are the man!

Jason

This may be the next car for my fiance. This thing sounds killer. Of course, if she's living large in the RDX, I'm gonna have to buy a TL. Kill two birds in one shot.

For those questioning the use of a 4-cyl over a 6-cyl (RDX vs. X3), I'd just point out that it works pretty well in the TSX vs. 3-series. An X3 gets up to the upper $40's in price so it's really no comparision, just like the TSX over the 3-series. You can have your I-6 Gilbs. Oh yeah, let's not forget that other little motor in the back. 250 HP is a TON for a tiny little SUV. How fast does my chick need to go anyway?

gavriil

Source= Mag-X.com

iNteGraz92

ah, owned once again.

goldmember

Looks like a Murano fucked an MDX.

I think Acura needs a design overhaul. I somewhat like the TSX/TL styling, but something with even more huevos is needed.

As for headlights... maybe something that doesn't scream <2003 Honda Accord, because... from the front, my sister's 02 Accord Coupe V6 and my CL look less alike than their price difference would suggest.

And I don't mean to threadjack.

gilboman

um nope... ... RX/Highlander is lowest..GX is moving up because the RX is at the bottom of the lexus suv chain, so you are adding a vehicle that is higher up in the model lineup..rebadging a rav4 and putting it under the RX is moving down....if this is confusing..remember high=up...low=down

gilboman

more $$ more features and higher up in price class...a very simple concept.. but one that eludes you obviously

gilboman

fine..i'll switch back to BMW is better

einsatz

AcuraFan

BMW? You mean the company that just released the smaller ("downscale") X3 that will be in direct competition with the RDX? The same company that's planning a 1 and 2 series?

Jason

Stop that! The BMW 1 and 2 series almost ARE nicer than a Civic.

ClutchPerformer

...But if the LX470 is still at the top of the Lexus SUV chain, then the GX can't be an upscale move. Maybe we'll call it "middle-scale".

T-R

Who said that RD-X will have less features than, say, RX 330? Judging by current information, RD-X will certainly be more technologically advanced. RX was just redesigned and will not be redesigned again when RD-X comes out.
So again, you have no clue what you are talking about. RD-X is just a neat little SUV with the luxury. And it's not going to cost you an arm because it's SMALL comparing to other SUVs.

AcuraFan

Huh? I don't get it. Sure the 1 and 2 series will be nicer than a Civic. But that's what you'd expect from a BMW. Just as the RDX will be nicer than a CRV. It's not a rebaged CRV...it's just based on the same platform.

My point is Gilbo is complaining about Acura moving "downscale" and how real luxury companies move upscale, not down. But he ignores the likes of BMW, Audi, Volvo, etc...all companies that are developing cheaper vehicles.

I say "Bring on the RDX. Acura will be a stronger company for it!"

Stokeless_TSX

uglee

Moog-Type-S

Boring.

Iceman

Assuming it weighs about the same as a TSX, 250 hp is fine.

TLProspect

Justin,

Will the new AWD 250 total HP TSX be available in automatic as well or ONLY manual?

AcuraFan

Honda loves their automatics...don't think for a moment that the Hybrid TSX won't have an auto option. My question (reiterated from before) WHEN???

jimcol711

what? uuugh....looks like a rav4. lame. the MDX is nice but that is just going more and more toward honda products. if Acura wants to be luxury, they need to keep moving that direction, not making econoboxes like RSX and this RDX.

take one step forward (new TL) take 2 steps back (continuation of RSX and now this RDX)

they need to get out of that loop and BE a true luxury brand.

TypeSAddict

The CL suited me well these past few years, but the next car I get is going to shipped directly here from Europe

chungkopi

front looks like a minivan

Black CL-S 4-Life

Typical Honda bland styling.

JeffPhx

I think the RDX is based on the Global Midsize Platform (Accord/TSX/TL) instead of the Small Global Platform which the CRV/Civic is based on.

I would bet the RDX will be about the same size of the X3/RX330 and the 06 MDX will get a little larger (unfortunately) to separate it from the RDX. I guess the RDX and Pilot will be in the same price range too. So that probably means the Acura will probably have some features to distant itself from the Pilot, like Bluetooth, IMA and clutchless manual trans.

s2ktaxi

What the TSX needs is that 250hp engine Maybe a Type S?

brutus

So anyone else want to add some more information on this RDX?

I am starving for information, think we will see a "prototype" in NY 2005 auto show?

More please.. morrrrre.

Later,
B.

gavriil

Honda will add small car, another Acura truck to U.S. lineup - - By KATHY JACKSON | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek

LOS ANGELES -- American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will add a small car to the Honda lineup next year and give Acura a second light truck sometime in the next two years, Executive Vice President Thomas Elliott disclosed last week.

Elliott would not give any details about the new Acura truck, but said it will be smaller than the MDX and probably would not be built in the United States.

"Our percentage of truck sales is not where the market is," Elliott said. "If you want to compete, you must be comparable to the market."

Trucks represented 53.7 percent of total U.S. vehicle sales through April 30, but only 38.9 percent of American Honda's sales, which were about flat through the first four months of the year.