provench

I think domn and I agree on this one. Since IMA is pretty much not going to happen most likely. I really think the RDX needs a 3.0V6 to compete in its market segment. Although some of us might have said that about the TSX, I think when you try to sell as a mini-ute you have two big differences ... weight and towing ... to be considered.

So Acura if you are listening (and its not to late) ... Accord 3.0V6 please

dom

I agree. A 3.0L V6 is a must IMO. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be used. Unless they use the 3.2 or IMA of course.

Then again I have been wrong about using the 2.4 in a luxury car before (See TSX)

esCarbonie

so for now it is slated to receive a 4 cyl?

provench

I think it's all speculation, but if I was a betting man right now it is looking like a spruced up K24 from the TSX with about 220HP and more torque.

DEI99662

with and provench, it needs to have a V6 of some sort whether it is a 3.0L or something else. I almost have a feeling that it will be 2.4L with a 3.0L coming as an option later.

KC 2004 TSX

I would be very suprised if it had a 6 cyl. I looked at the Honda Elements specs. on Edmunds, this is the type of performance you should expect from the new RDX. The only thing that will be much more is the hp., it'll be around 200 hp.

HONDA ELEMENT
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 2.4 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 160 hp
Max Horsepower: 5500 rpm Torque: 161 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4500 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1500 lbs.
Drive Type: FWD Turning Circle: 34.9 ft.

provench

Good point on the Element ... think weight will be similar? Yeah ... RDX is probably gonna get the K24.

jcg878

10 days ago I had 5 people in my car for the first time. The acceleration (and brakes) didn't cut it. If I had grown kids, I'd have a different car. The RDX needs more torque to haul that heavy body around, not just a spruced up TSX engine that gets 220 HP at 8500 RPM or whatever

jcg878

If the RDX resembles the Element in any way - engine, philosophy, hose-downess - it is crossed off my list instantly.

dom

And they have that gem of a 3.0L V6 just wasting away in the 500,000 or so Accord's sold a year

BTW - That 3.0L V6 is rated at 250HP with premium......

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Considering that the RDX shares a platform with the TSX (the basic Accord platform is used, apparently), I would say that the K24A2 with some upgrades to produce more hp and torque is the most likely bet. Also, considering the speculation about the bump in power for the TSX, this seems like a good base.

If the RDX uses the larger US Accord platform, then fitting the 3.2L J32 from the TL is possible. I can't see them using the 3.0L from the Accord. If a V6 is in the plans, it'll be an Acura spec engine.

provench

... same for me

crisco

A V6 would be nice, but I seriously doubt it will happen. This thing will probably get a gussied up K24 with more torque/hp. Just look at the CRV - similar size and has the K24 4cyl 160hp engine...

jcg878

But they shouldn't be looking at the CRV, they should look at the X3, Freelander, etc.

provench

I am seeing some comments that this is a new light truck platform?

KC 2004 TSX

I don't think it will resemble the Element but the towing capacity is good. That leads me to believe they will stick with a 4 cyl.

dom

Has that been confirmed or even speculated?

I presumed it used the next gen CR-V/Element platform.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

It might be, but the concept is apparently (from what I've heard) built off of the universal midsize platform (i.e. the TSX/Euro Accord platform).

Zapata

TSX i4
RDX ?
TL v6
MDX v6


see a pattern forming? No way this thing gets a v6. I think you finally see the power of the k24 unleashed.

DEI99662

Like I said the 2.4L is more of a likely choice than any V6.

cM3go

they might not put the 3.0 V6 with 240 HP in the RDX also because the MDX only has a 3.5 V6 pushing 265 HP. Its not like Honda to have the power so close between 2 models of the same type of car... If they were smart, they'd offer both 4 cyl and 6 cyl... but I don't see that happening. Acura has gone to 1 standard engine, with Honda only having engine options

Precision Crafted

Ok, didn't Honda/Acura officials say that the RDX was being built on a new platform? If so then the Global Midsize is out. Now, if you take a look at the new Honda Ridgeline structure, it share very little with the Pilot. Honda is calling the platform all new. Go to Hondanews.com and look at the pics of the unibody and ladder frame box rails hybrid. The Rideline can tow up to 5k lbs.

Now with all this in mind, it could be possible that the RDX could be based off of a shortened version of this 1/2 ton truck platform. Next thing to consider is this. Didn't Honda/Acura officals, when responding to questions about SH-AWD during the introduction of the new RL, mention that SH-AWD was designed for use with any of the companies V6's and global mid size cars? This is one of the reasons why the TSX would not get SH-AWD (Global Mid size but no V6) and the TL (Global Mid size V6) would.

If in deed the RDX and CRV will be based off of each other, then the new truck platform fits. And to help spread the cost of developement and such, the next MDX will be based off of the same platform just stretched out to accommodate a third row.

dom

Good points, we had forgotten about that. Since the RDX has SH-AWD a V6 is pretty much a certainty.......

Cheque

I know this question has been asked and analyzed probably to death, but I'll just have to ask it again: what is it with Honda when it comes to releasing new vehicle's information. I mean, this car is scheduled to go on-sale by Fall 2005 and so far we've seen and heard very little information about it.

What is it really that's so secret and confidential about releasing information to customers?

taeoug

I think the MDX is due for a refit as there was some pictures on the internet field testing it somewhere. I'm guessing they are going to up the horsepower.

Hoping the RDX will be equipped with V6 but looking at all the comments, Acura may not

Zapata

You are exaclty right. Honda has already stated that SHAWD is only ment for v6s

98AccordEx

I expect the RDX will have only one engine, a V6 - nice analysis PrecisionCrafted. The CRV though may get both a 4cyl and V6 similar to the Accord in fact I would guess the same engines.

Anybody thought that HMC may increase the 4cyl displacement again (94/2.2L, 98/2.3L, 02/2.4L, 06/2.5L) that would provide the 4cyl with a much needed boost. With premium fuel and TSX engine treatment it might put out 220HP & 180lbft similar to the BMW 2.5 I6????

Precision Crafted

With rumors going around that the next RAV-4 will have a V6 option, a V6 in the RDX/CRV makes sense. The RAV-4's V6 is in response to a possible 3rd row and rumors Toyota heard about the CR-V getting a 6.

The CRV could get a possible 3rd row and the Accords motor. The RDX could get the TL's motor. Now whether or not a 3rd row is in the cards who can say expect for our insider friends. Yes the concept doesn't show a 3rd row, but this is a concept. Remember when the MDX was first shown in concept form, it was way smaller then the production model. If I remember correct, Acura didn't want the actual size revealed until the last moment.

provench

very good points Precision Crafted

98AccordEx

I looked at a RAV4 and I'm still waiting for them to get a decent second row. The space back there is ridiculously lacking compared to the CRV.

Precision Crafted

Rumor has it that the next RAV-4 will be wider for better comfort of those sitting 3 abreast.

Stevens24

You need to read between the lines better. Acura stated that it will work with any with any of the V-6 engines doesn't mean that it will ONLY work with V-6 engines. The light duty truck platform is the basis for the RDX, same platform as the 2007 CRV. Expect the engine to be a high output K24 with 230-240 hp and 180-200 lb feet of torque. It will not have IMA. The next Gen MDX will have SH-AWD. Also expect the TSX to get hp boost as well (220).

provench

240HP from the K24 ... that'll be something I would have to test drive.

98AccordEx

So how was my guess of increased displacement??
How do you get that much more power from the same engine, I mean I know Honda engineers are geniuses but that's a big increase from the 200/166 on the TSX. Turbo???

Zapata

200ftlbs is def necessary. That's nearly 40flbs more of power from the k24. That's alot of work from no increase in displacement. 180ftlbs. Dunno...seems kinda low for heavy suv. We'll see

Precision Crafted

Thanks for the insight. I will say that SH-AWD would not be a good idea for an i-4 since Acura indicated that they system is heavy. With the added weight an i-4 would struggle when loaded with people and cargo. Now, will 230-240 be enough and foot pounds being 180-200?? The RDX concept has a clutchless tranny. A new one or a modified version of Sportshift?? Justin mentioned something about the tranny months ago but I cannot remember all he said. Even so, inorder to get the thing moving with authority, you'd have to keep the revs up. One of the reasons I did not go with a TSX was past experiences with Honda 4's. The auto in my Accord was fine, but my second Accord I had along with my first TL was a stick. That car wasn't pwrfull by any means but because it was a stick, I could keep the revs up and that Accord would move!

Speaking for myself, I'm not sure I'd want a car that I had to keep in 3rd or 4th just to have some excitement. So with an auto tranny fitting my current needs, I got another TL.

Acura says that the RDX will be athletic. I'm not too sure if a four banger with out artificial pwr enhancements could make a heavy truck feel sporty. I doubt the RDX will use light weight materials to the extent Jag, Audi, or even the new M5 does. I will say I did not expect IMA. I did expect the MDX to get SH-AWD and Justin hinted that the TSX was going to receive some changes around or after the RDX is produced.

You know more then I do because your in a position to know more, I just hope that if your right, Acura has done their home work on this one. All the gadgets in the world will not over come a deficit.

TMQ

From all the good analysis shown above, I'd say that the RD-X in production will be a V6 with SH-AWD, seating for 5. I think people would be very disappointed if V6 or SH-AWD do not show up in the production. Differentiation from MDX is needed, so MDX would be larger, less sporty, and more luxury items. Future CR-V will probably get an optional V6, but most people will probably get the 4 cylinder.

Precision Crafted

After looking at BMW's web site for X3 info, the base 2.5 i-6 has 184 hp and 175 foot pounds. Well if the RDX has only a 4 banger that has more then 200 hp and at least 200 foot pounds, then Acura is going after the possible owner of the X3 2.5. I can also guess that possibly Acura figures that the TSX does so well with a 4 compaired to the 3 seriers 2.5 i-6. But I've read owners who say that while the TSX is a great performer, it could use more pwr. Maybe an i4 would be just enough. Maybe the MDX will not get such a large pwer increase we're guessing about. I say the Accords 240 hp V6 would be a good alternative to the MDX's 3.5 that may have the RL's out put.

Precision Crafted

If Honda wants to stay in the hunt with the CRV a V6 is needed. Honda was bullish about a V6 in the Accord saying that the i-4 was all that was needed and that the i-4 performed well. They were right and the i-4 sells better then the V6 to this day. But, the option is still there. What if Honda had never introduced a V6 for the Accord? All of it competitors had or were getting a V6.

The CRV is in the same boat. The Korens are stepping things up a notch by having a 6 as an option. The American companies are already there. Toyota may be going there with the RAV-4. Honda can play it safe and take a wait and see approach but at times waiting has hurt them more then helped.

A V6 for the RDX should be in the cards.

TMQ

Perhaps Precision Crafted is right about CR-V getting a V6, compared to what the current competition has. I read somewhere that while accord has the v6, most people still just buy the 4-cylinder. Maybe it's different for SUVs, but if all CR-Vs are to have V6, the price of the vehicle will go up quite a bit. I don't know the deal with Toyota RAV-4's speculation; for people who want a bigger vehicle, get the Highlander.

I'd say the CR-V will be offered in 2 versions. By the same logic, v6 is a must, if not just for marketing purposes (we are talking SUVs here). TSX can do fine as it is.

By the way, CR-V handles pretty poorly at turning compared to sedans, so SH-AWD is a must for the RD-X. for MDX, a SUV halling 7 people, the need for SH-AWD is probably not there, but marketing will probably say, put it on.