Acura: ZDX News
04-11-2009 | 08:01 PM
#721
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 364
From: Calgary, AB
-More suv than coupe.
-Didn't look big a la MDX at all despite having the same wheelbase. But it's no small car either.
-Glass rear is just like the discontinued CRX and Prius and new Insight. But the glass actually said "Acura" on it, not Honda. Which shows they're aiming for tier 1 status with the attention to details.
-concealed door handle was very well integrated into the top piano black part of the window/pillar. You really have to look for it to see it (to get a sense of what I'm talking about, look at a Nissan X-Terra's rear door handle. It too is 'hidden' on the window part but it has an indentation where you can see it there. On the ZDX it's the piano black trim in that area including the actual door handle so it's camouflaged ).
-the grille does not line up with the headlights, which i think you can spot from the pic above, but in case anyone was still wondering.
I actually like it, I think the whole kabuki headlight + power plenum grille thing work better on SUVs (like the MDX and here) than on the sedans. It's because they have that extra height to make it work, whereas on the sedans it's a flatter look.
-Didn't look big a la MDX at all despite having the same wheelbase. But it's no small car either.
-Glass rear is just like the discontinued CRX and Prius and new Insight. But the glass actually said "Acura" on it, not Honda. Which shows they're aiming for tier 1 status with the attention to details.
-concealed door handle was very well integrated into the top piano black part of the window/pillar. You really have to look for it to see it (to get a sense of what I'm talking about, look at a Nissan X-Terra's rear door handle. It too is 'hidden' on the window part but it has an indentation where you can see it there. On the ZDX it's the piano black trim in that area including the actual door handle so it's camouflaged ).
-the grille does not line up with the headlights, which i think you can spot from the pic above, but in case anyone was still wondering.
I actually like it, I think the whole kabuki headlight + power plenum grille thing work better on SUVs (like the MDX and here) than on the sedans. It's because they have that extra height to make it work, whereas on the sedans it's a flatter look.
I suspect that this vehicle will be around US$50,000, which is around the same price as a fully loaded Audi Q5, which I have been laying my eyes on.... until the ZDX comes along! LOL! For $50,000, I think that the ZDX is a much more interesting and unique choice than the Q5! Well, that is assuming that my price speculation is correct....
04-12-2009 | 12:35 AM
#722
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 25
From: SoCal
An SUV crossover without utility? Terrible blind spots and zero rear headroom? Billy Barty on the design team, along with his greatgrandkids' Transformers graphics team?
TRAIN WRECK. Mark my sad words.
TRAIN WRECK. Mark my sad words.
04-12-2009 | 03:47 AM
#723
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 64
Hey, thanks for the great information, Phile! I wish I were there to see it! I like it a lot too. How was the general reaction to the ZDX there? What features looked too much like a "concept" car and may not make it to the production vehicle, I wonder?
I suspect that this vehicle will be around US$50,000, which is around the same price as a fully loaded Audi Q5, which I have been laying my eyes on.... until the ZDX comes along! LOL! For $50,000, I think that the ZDX is a much more interesting and unique choice than the Q5! Well, that is assuming that my price speculation is correct....
I suspect that this vehicle will be around US$50,000, which is around the same price as a fully loaded Audi Q5, which I have been laying my eyes on.... until the ZDX comes along! LOL! For $50,000, I think that the ZDX is a much more interesting and unique choice than the Q5! Well, that is assuming that my price speculation is correct....
People by crossovers to sit a little bit higher than Sedans and Station wagons for commanding view of the road.
This thing is over 192inch, too wide and sits too low. Even MDX looks better.
I have doubt it can compete with RX.
It seems Honda philoshpy is to make vehicles oversize.
04-12-2009 | 08:02 AM
#724
Pinky all stinky
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,665
Likes: 191
Hey, thanks for the great information, Phile! I wish I were there to see it! I like it a lot too. How was the general reaction to the ZDX there? What features looked too much like a "concept" car and may not make it to the production vehicle, I wonder?
I suspect that this vehicle will be around US$50,000, which is around the same price as a fully loaded Audi Q5, which I have been laying my eyes on.... until the ZDX comes along! LOL! For $50,000, I think that the ZDX is a much more interesting and unique choice than the Q5! Well, that is assuming that my price speculation is correct....
I suspect that this vehicle will be around US$50,000, which is around the same price as a fully loaded Audi Q5, which I have been laying my eyes on.... until the ZDX comes along! LOL! For $50,000, I think that the ZDX is a much more interesting and unique choice than the Q5! Well, that is assuming that my price speculation is correct....
From what I can tell, the headlights won't be the same in production. Here it's bisected by a top and lower portion. But that's just way too thin to house any projector headlights so you probably won't see the same style, although the shape (a la MDX) remain.
Not sure if the chrome lower air ducts will make production either, I've never known Acura to be flashy like that. Maybe they've changed.
Oh and there are turn indicators on the side mirrors. they're just integrated into the mirrors themselves as opposed to being separate strip of LEDs attached, and they're blacked out. Not sure if that will make production or if Acura will go with the current side indicators like all Acuras.
04-12-2009 | 09:53 AM
#726
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,667
Likes: 13
From: NY
Q5 is only 182 inch length with decent height. and great choice of Rims & hopefully new TFSI/TDI engine/DSG transmission for next year.
People by crossovers to sit a little bit higher than Sedans and Station wagons for commanding view of the road.
This thing is over 192inch, too wide and sits too low. Even MDX looks better.
I have doubt it can compete with RX.
It seems Honda philoshpy is to make vehicles oversize.
People by crossovers to sit a little bit higher than Sedans and Station wagons for commanding view of the road.
This thing is over 192inch, too wide and sits too low. Even MDX looks better.
I have doubt it can compete with RX.
It seems Honda philoshpy is to make vehicles oversize.
04-12-2009 | 10:21 AM
#727
Honda Fanboy
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 17
From: So Cal
04-12-2009 | 10:53 AM
#728
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,667
Likes: 13
From: NY
Just in case you didn't know SSFTSX is an Automotive Industry Analyst. He already knows the cargo space and rear headroom numbers to be claiming that the ZDX will have neither. He also knows that Acura has been secretly designing this car to compete with the Lexus RX, not the BMW X6, the whole time.
04-12-2009 | 02:02 PM
#729
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,802
Likes: 1,012
04-12-2009 | 02:05 PM
#730
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,667
Likes: 13
From: NY
I put it down to "at least he got ONE thing right..."
04-12-2009 | 02:22 PM
#732
Go Big Blue!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 5
From: Orlando, FLA
Personally, I think there's a large future market for them (especially when the gas prices start to rise again). Most people driving an RX (or an RDX) probably don't need the extra headroom or underbody clearance. It just trashes the drag coefficient and reduces gas mileage. When gas is back to $4 a gallon (and rising) that will matter to people again.
04-12-2009 | 02:51 PM
#733
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,802
Likes: 1,012
Brian Cooley at Cnet looks (briefly) at the ZDX in this Cnet video:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10217353-48.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10217353-48.html
04-13-2009 | 08:36 AM
#734
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,796
Likes: 1,400
From: NC
Engine
Acura ZDX | Future Vehicles | Acura.com
PANORAMIC GLASS ROOF
COUPE ROOFLINE
AUTHORITATIVE STANCE
PRONOUNCED REAR SHOULDERS
CONCEALED REAR DOOR HANDLES
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM
MONO-SURFACED CONTROL PANEL
ADVANCED VENTILATED SEATS (???)
WRAPAROUND LEATHER INTERIOR
REFINED CARGO AREA
ALL-GLASS TAILGATE
MULTI-VIEW REAR CAMERA
300-HP, 3.7-LITER VTEC® V-6 ENGINE
SUPER HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE™
INTEGRATED DYNAMICS SYSTEM
6-SPEED SEQUENTIAL SPORTSHIFT TRANSMISSION
RACING-INSPIRED PADDLE SHIFTERS
PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED INSTRUMENT PANEL
PANORAMIC GLASS ROOF
COUPE ROOFLINE
AUTHORITATIVE STANCE
PRONOUNCED REAR SHOULDERS
CONCEALED REAR DOOR HANDLES
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM
MONO-SURFACED CONTROL PANEL
ADVANCED VENTILATED SEATS (???)
WRAPAROUND LEATHER INTERIOR
REFINED CARGO AREA
ALL-GLASS TAILGATE
MULTI-VIEW REAR CAMERA
300-HP, 3.7-LITER VTEC® V-6 ENGINE
SUPER HANDLING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE™
INTEGRATED DYNAMICS SYSTEM
6-SPEED SEQUENTIAL SPORTSHIFT TRANSMISSION
RACING-INSPIRED PADDLE SHIFTERS
PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED INSTRUMENT PANEL
04-13-2009 | 08:42 AM
#735
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47,710
Likes: 801
From: Toronto, Canada
Although I bet its due to HP and Tq figures not being finalized yet. Pretty sure this thing is still getting the 3.7L J.
04-13-2009 | 09:26 AM
#737
Pinky all stinky
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,665
Likes: 191
04-13-2009 | 09:37 AM
#738
What Would Don Draper Do?
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,223
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Once again, Acura screws up its opportunity to take advantage of hype. Will they ever learn? Hellooooooo.....picking on a site like Autospies only pisses off enthusiasts they need to evangelize the new design.
The more I look at the ZDX's exterior design, the more I think I like it. I'm slowly coming around. The grille is better integrated into the design. Granted....I don't LOVE the design, it is not droolworthy, but I think that with enough positive hype it will sell a few copies.
I can't get over the great interior, though. The new TL's interior is similarly impressive for an entry lux sedan. Someone over at Acura buy the interior design boys/girls some drinks!
The more I look at the ZDX's exterior design, the more I think I like it. I'm slowly coming around. The grille is better integrated into the design. Granted....I don't LOVE the design, it is not droolworthy, but I think that with enough positive hype it will sell a few copies.
I can't get over the great interior, though. The new TL's interior is similarly impressive for an entry lux sedan. Someone over at Acura buy the interior design boys/girls some drinks!
04-13-2009 | 10:10 AM
#740
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,667
Likes: 13
From: NY
I'd like a new TSX V6. Unfortunately for MT peeps, it won't have an MT, at least for the first year. Hopefully it'll get one for the 2nd year like the TL.
04-13-2009 | 01:42 PM
#743
Full of water...
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 11
From: Michigan
Brian Cooley at Cnet looks (briefly) at the ZDX in this Cnet video:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10217353-48.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10217353-48.html
he says the MDX has a 6 speed AT, is that true?
04-13-2009 | 01:56 PM
#746
What Would Don Draper Do?
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,223
Likes: 1
From: Houston
04-14-2009 | 05:23 AM
#753
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,802
Likes: 1,012
OK, I stitched together the individual interview clips with the ZDX designers. I think these were meant to be used as sound bytes and not as one whole clip. BUT, its a whole clip NOW! It ended up being 17 minutes long, and since I thought it was a little sparse, I added a music bed. What can I say, I just couldn't leave it alone.
So if you want to see what they were thinking, check it out.
http://satoauto.com/cblog/index.php?...Auto-Show.html
So if you want to see what they were thinking, check it out.
http://satoauto.com/cblog/index.php?...Auto-Show.html
04-14-2009 | 12:44 PM
#754
Chloe @ 17mo
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA
OK, I stitched together the individual interview clips with the ZDX designers. I think these were meant to be used as sound bytes and not as one whole clip. BUT, its a whole clip NOW! It ended up being 17 minutes long, and since I thought it was a little sparse, I added a music bed. What can I say, I just couldn't leave it alone.
So if you want to see what they were thinking, check it out.
http://satoauto.com/cblog/index.php?...Auto-Show.html
So if you want to see what they were thinking, check it out.
http://satoauto.com/cblog/index.php?...Auto-Show.html
Very nice job. Thank you for the link.
I like the music that you used. What is it?
04-14-2009 | 01:34 PM
#755
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,802
Likes: 1,012
It's called "A week on the Ganges"but unfortunately it's not a commercial song per se. I use a program called Cinescore, to create the music. "Create" it probably giving myself too much credit. The program provides tracks that I can modify by adding more or removing instruments. I tell the program how long I want the music and it makes me a song of that length. Kinda like working with Sony Acid, but more restrictive.
04-15-2009 | 09:42 AM
#756
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 9
Some interesting background / market projections for the ZDX:
Acura Builds One for Baby Boomers With New ZDX
Acura Builds One for Baby Boomers With New ZDX
The ZDX features important crossover attributes like a high seating position in a distinctively styled package, said John Watts, Acura senior manager of product planning. Whereas the automaker's seven-seat MDX crossover is geared for families, Watts said the ZDX is aimed at empty-nesters.
...
It remains to be seen whether luxury car buyers will embrace an Acura like the ZDX, but in BMW’s case, its more traditional X5 crossover handily outsold the X6 through March 2009, according to Automotive News. Kim, however, said he doesn't think sales should be the primary measuring stick for the ZDX.
"I don't expect it's going to be a really high-volume product," Kim said. "I don't think it's meant to be. If it succeeds in drumming up interest in the rest of the brand it will have done its job."
...
It remains to be seen whether luxury car buyers will embrace an Acura like the ZDX, but in BMW’s case, its more traditional X5 crossover handily outsold the X6 through March 2009, according to Automotive News. Kim, however, said he doesn't think sales should be the primary measuring stick for the ZDX.
"I don't expect it's going to be a really high-volume product," Kim said. "I don't think it's meant to be. If it succeeds in drumming up interest in the rest of the brand it will have done its job."
04-15-2009 | 09:52 AM
#757
What Would Don Draper Do?
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,223
Likes: 1
From: Houston
It remains to be seen whether luxury car buyers will embrace an Acura like the ZDX, but in BMW’s case, its more traditional X5 crossover handily outsold the X6 through March 2009, according to Automotive News. Kim, however, said he doesn't think sales should be the primary measuring stick for the ZDX.
"I don't expect it's going to be a really high-volume product," Kim said. "I don't think it's meant to be. If it succeeds in drumming up interest in the rest of the brand it will have done its job."
04-15-2009 | 10:17 AM
#758
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 66
From: SF/Colma CA
BMW never expected the X6 to outsell the X5. And I'm sure Honda does not expect the ZDX's sales to come close to the MDX's. For that matter, Toyota doesn't expect the Solara or the Venza to outsell the Camry, or even come close. It doesn't matter because those two vehicles help to extend the Camry's platform.
Companies usually have an idea how many units of a product they are likely to sell and manage their internal expectations accordingly. Do you think Apple Inc. expects the iPod touch to outsell the iPhone or iPod nano? Do you think Amazon expects the Kindle to sell the way an MP3 player or some other gadget would?
Companies usually have an idea how many units of a product they are likely to sell and manage their internal expectations accordingly. Do you think Apple Inc. expects the iPod touch to outsell the iPhone or iPod nano? Do you think Amazon expects the Kindle to sell the way an MP3 player or some other gadget would?
04-15-2009 | 10:24 AM
#759
Go Big Blue!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 5
From: Orlando, FLA
^^^ I agree. It's meant to add depth to the brand. Acura knows one of their problems is it's limited lineup. This isn't any keystone product for Acura, but it's a new model in a new segment that will help broaden their reach to more customers. It's necessary and a good thing for them.
I'm sure they realize they need to continue this, and start building a sporty side to the lineup (coupe's, roadsters, convertibles, etc.). This should only be the beginning of a larger expansion effort that will probably take many years.
I'm sure they realize they need to continue this, and start building a sporty side to the lineup (coupe's, roadsters, convertibles, etc.). This should only be the beginning of a larger expansion effort that will probably take many years.
04-16-2009 | 12:33 PM
#760
[T]he [L]egacy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
I just read the car review on Acura.com and I am amazed, The headlights + tails look very futuristic and eye catching. The grile matches perfectly unlike the new TL *ugh* maybe they will change that soon, Loving the LED look and this baby is very hightech, freaking Venilated Seats, with Blind spot system? Thats crazy and the Multi-Camera, Talk about a movement for Acura, they are the future