RLX-Sport Hybrid

It appears from the picture above that the new MDX will come with the same tires I just put on my RLX (Conti DWS06 All Season Tires). Very good move on Acura's part. I hope that make and model tire is applied for the new RLX too.

JM2010 SH-AWD

I wonder if the original plan was to have the SH RLX and the NSX debuts relatively close to each other. It would have made perfect sense. But as we know, the NSX got delayed when Acura (wisely, I think) decided to flip the motor and turbo it. I hope Acura does a better job of marketing the technological brilliance that is the SH-SH system than it has done with the also-brilliant conventional SH-AWD drivetrain.

Edward'TLS

The DWS06 is a passenger car tire, and not a Crossover/SUV tire.

So it is doubtful that this passenger-car DWS06 will appear as the OEM tire for the production MDX model.

TampaRLX-SH

Don't forget our car was launched in Japan as a 2015 MY LEGEND, a MY later than the RLX. A 2017 MMC would not fit the typical Honda refresh cycle. Never say never though. They did accelerate the CIVIC refresh after a ill received launch of the last generation.

No word on the MDX infotainment. But if it were to be an upgraded version, it would be similar to what was launched in the PILOT, which by reports and reviews, a faster, more intuitive interface.

CFoote

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but is there any update on the 2017 model? Here we are in July and no rumors, no dealer information (I asked my dealer yesterday, they haven't heard a thing) and usually with other brands we hear things a month or two in advance.

Any rumors to a facelift, or is this car just going to stay as is for its 6/7 year model cycle?

Chris

neuronbob

I've heard no new info from my usual sources. This is unsurprising and undisturbing, because Acura typically keeps information close to the vest until close to a release.

CFoote

Thanks for the info Bob! We'll see what happens in August.

Chris

neuronbob

Oh noes! Cancelled! Just joking, more likely just omission or they haven't decided what options yet and will update later. Further, the TLX is missing, too.

Acura's 2017 model and price list as of 7/6/2016:

Acura | Press Releases Article | Acura.com

George Knighton

So the MDX is using an AT, not a DCT, even at the high end Sport Hybrid SH-AWD versions?

pgeorg

^^^
I believe the MDX SH is going to be using the same 7 speed DCT as the RLX SH, but matted to a 3.0l V6......The rest will continue to use the 9AT
They have not announced pricing or when it will be available yet.....

George Knighton

The link that he gave us showed 58,000+ for the top of the line Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with a 9 AT. I thought that he gave us the link because it was 2017 models.

Maybe I misunderstood.

pgeorg

The link shows all the 2017 models. The 2017 MDX model that is on the price list, is the regular SH-AWD, and not the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD. That is why you are seeing the 9AT transmission on all of them.
So the top of the line $58,000 MDX, is the price for the regular 2017 MDX SH-AWD.....

The 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD has not been announced yet (to go on sale)....

neuronbob

I saw no MDX Sport Hybrid on that incomplete list. Again, I'm pretty sure the list will be updated later with avilability and pricing of the TLX and RLX variants, and the MDX SH. Looks like the MDX SH Advance will be mid-$60k's like the RLX. I don't see it as a big seller, similar to the RLX SH. At least there's a non-hybrid SH-AWD version of the MDX. I think Acura learned from the RLX fiasco?

TampaRLX-SH

Do you think anyone else learned from it?

Remember when the RL was launched with SHAWD. Most press poo poo'd it. And TLers applied sour grapes analysis that their TLs could do more. Interestingly, some of those same TLers have acquired second hand RLs and now insist the RL is supreme to all that moves on the planet. (I would think the TL SHAWD 6spd manual was likely the finest offspring of them all).
Then the last gen MDX became a sales hit, and many insisted the MDX (and a few ZDXers) that THEY were the Acura flagship....because THEY said so.
Now the MDX will offer SH SHAWD and the cycle will again repeat itself.

Wagers, anyone?

wstr75

As we former 2nd generation RL owners often said and now many RLX Sports Hybrid owners are surmising, Acura is using the low volume RLX platform as a stalking horse for limited consumer trial use of new technology prior to moving to significantly higher volume (and lower priced) models such as now is soon to be seen with the hybrid MDX powertrain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalking_horse

It is a smart way for Honda play its cards. A one-time limited annual production run in Japan for the RLX (as opposed to just in time continuous production of Honda Accords in the USA) is a clear signal of Honda's intent at putting relatively few cars into the market place. From a business and product engineering/de-bugging perspective, this makes sense and has served Honda well over the years.

TampaRLX-SH

^^^ agree on all points. I would add that along with Honda's typical conservative approach, it was a means to minimize exposure should the new SH drivetrain result in significant failures or defects. If, say even a modest 10K units were produced, that would be an expensive issue to mitigate as well as impact on reputation. I also think the RLX / LEGEND was a proof of concept for assembly as well. Much was learned that translated into the NSX Marysville plant. There is much hand assembly that must be automated for any proliferation of SH to the Acura fleet.

neuronbob

^^^^^
In short, we are telling NSX owners, "You're welcome".

TSX69

This info is from RolledaNsx @ TOV who seems pretty reliable with info:

MDX and RLX built in Ohio off same RWD platform.

RDX (becomes the MDX of today) and new Acura Compact SUV (becomes the RDX of today) cover the sales gap of the MDX going more upscale.

dzionny_dzionassi

hahahah lol, BULLSHIT, RWD platform, yeah right.
RolledaNsx keeps changing his statements, he is not so reliable in my book.

George Knighton

I don't see how they could have dragged out the rear drive platform without people catching on.

Marysville and Saiyama aren't showing anything like the kind of restructuring and expansion that would be necessary for a high volume rear bias MDX.

I guess it is possible but I just don't believe it right now.

There are more reasonable things to be working on.

George Knighton

And I am trying to imagine an MDX on the old rear drive Legend/Mugen car...let's just say it isn't pretty.

Not in my mind, anyway.

Part of me hopes he is right, but I do not see how.

neuronbob

RWD RLX ain't gonna happen. There's no way. There's no way Honda keeps development of a RWD platform, or the mules using it, secret. Honda is simply to wedded to FWD to do it. I like RolledaNSX as much as the next rumor-loving guy but I am truly skeptical about this issue. Yes, Honda tested RWD, but that was eight years ago, before the recession, and the project was shelved.

Of course, the Cavs, perennial NBA laughingstocks, just won the NBA Finals, coming from being severely behind to do so. Miracles can happen? Pigs were sure flying and Hell froze over in Cleveland a few weeks ago, maybe the same will happen in Marysvile.

hondamore

I could be convinced that Acura would experiment with an upscale low-volume RWD RLX built in the same plant as the NSX, but to include their volume sales star, the MDX, in that equation is harder to believe.

If "tier-one" is back on the Acura agenda, then a low-volume "SuperSedan" RWD RLX and an upscale SuperLuxoSUV both featuring state of the art fuel cell technology and uber performance might make sense, but I wouldn't mess with the MDX until the results of the "tier one" experiment became apparent. Acura may be hoping for fuel cell powered electric cars to become the "must have" transportation of the one percenters hoping to look like they are saving the planet (ala Tesla).

Alas, only time will tell.

sooththetruth

Honda has tried the performance Hybrid before, of course, with an Accord. Everyone I knew who bought one (two people) loved them, but Accord Hybrid sales never got traction. But Honda is persistant, we see, with the design of the SH AWD sports hybrid. If a hybrid were made REAR WHEEL DRIVE you can imagine the loss of space sacrificed to put the batteries? The only way to pull it off would be to put the engine in the trunk, and the batteries in the floor, like a Tesla. But I will remind everyone that rear engined Porsches are not considered the safest cars to drive aggressively. (e.g. Paul Walker's death). the NSX is a mid engined car, allowing the use of space that in a sedan would be reserved for passengers.

So I don't see any equivalent of a rear wheel drive SH-AWD Hybrid in the future, unless the density of battery storage were to increase enormously. Also, I have to say this, for the majority of us dufus' buying cars, the benefit of rear wheel drive is really mostly overrated, don't you think? Sure, I think it helps BMW, Mercedes sales in the SOUTH, but how many people can even notice the difference. It's a sporting perception. Up north those people are buying AWD, anyway.

CFoote

Now we are into August...still no 2017 RLX info?

TampaRLX-SH

Chris,

I think the issue is that there will likely be no changes in the 2017 model (maybe a new color or bobble that already exists in another market configuration - I like the two tone leather in the JDM offering).
And if there is no change, there really is nothing to announce or release early, So why not continue to sell out the 2016 inventory and wait until that is depleted? Assuming that will occur in the fall when most new model year cars are launched, there is no benefit of launching the 2017 models this early. They did that with the 2016 MY launched in March of 2015 (SH in July 2015), but in that case they were adding new content, streamlining trim levels and addressed issues that the 2014 PAWS got dinged on.

TampaRLX-SH

Just finished the current Car & Driver with a review of new cars for 2017 by brand. The RLX (PAWS and SH) have no changes for 2017.

George Knighton

You lost me at the very first. There isn't any room at that site for another car.

Remember they just added a line for some kind of Civic-based car, we are assuming the next model Accord or maybe next generation TLX.

CFoote

Thanks for the info, I suspect you are right they want to sell off the remaining inventory before the 2017s hit the showroom.

iutodd

The 2017 RLX is up on fueleconomy.gov - mechanically there are no changes listed but the ratings have changed because of the different testing procedures. I'm guessing the press release from Acura will be soon - probably before the end of August/early September.

The 2016 models have had a long run - the PaWS was released in March of 2015 and the Hybrid in June - the RLX first debuted in March of 2013 so this change to a late summer release is somewhat significant. It's possible that this indicates a "short" MY2017 run and some sort of update for Spring of 2017 and the MY2018 release. But at this point the RLX doesn't need an update - it needs an all new model. If something like that is coming next Spring we should start to hear about it rather soon.

TSX69

Sadly, the title of this thread needs to be updated to 2018.





http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...01029965/acura

Acura

January 2, 2017 @ 12:01 am

David Undercoffler

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Acura is expected to have a quiet Detroit show with only a revised version of the Precision cockpit concept it debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. But several sedans are likely to highlight Acura's 2017 calendar, making good on the promise General Manager Jon Ikeda made when he took over in 2015.

A refreshed TLX is likely to debut in the 1st half of the year. It will be only the 2nd Acura model to ditch the oft-maligned beak grille (after the MDX) in favor of a more conventional look.

More changes could lurk under the hood. With mainstream Honda switching to a turbo-heavy lineup, the TLX could see either its base 4-cylinder or its optional V-6 (or both) swapped out for a turbo 4.

Then there's Acura's RLX large sedan; the problem child in the brand's lineup that dealers would soon forget. It too is due for an update and needs all the help it can get to re-establish relevancy in the hard-fought luxury sedan market. Turbos -- likely the larger 2.0-liter unit in the Civic Type R -- could also find their way into the RLX.

In the 1st half of 2017, Acura dealers will get the MDX hybrid it debuted in 2016.

hondamore

^^^I really doubt that a 2 liter turbo-4 will find its way into the RLX in the foreseeable future - now a twin-turbo v6 would be more like it.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Anything less than a V6 in any form is a deal breaker for me. Now a single or twin turbo (light) set up with a V6 and the hybrid assist as we have now would keep me firmly in the brand as it would keep everyone firmly planted in the driver seat. That would be exciting!

Malibu Flyer

The sad part of the article is that it says very little about the RLX with no hint at timing or anticipated changes. I would guess this means a 3rd or 4th quarter announcement with actual availability sometime in early 2018. Groan.

TampaRLX-SH

Remember when the RL and RLX could not be taken seriously without a V8? Now BMW, Mercedes and Lexus are introducing turbo 4s (and Volvo will ONLY offer turbo / supercharged 4s for ICEs). I am waiting for the carping that Acura is way behind, still using V6s. Of course ANY, absolutely ANY reference to a change in the vehicle will spawn a long, tedious, repetitious & indignant thread on TOV that Acura MUST produce a V8 RWD flagship to be taken seriously.

I know I am getting old, but I await the reality of my prediction.

wstr75

BMW and Audi are getting impressive power and torque numbers out of 4 cylinder turbocharged engines. Toyota/Lexus is already heading down that path. If Acura were to commit to making the next generation RLX solely a hybrid model with a strong turbocharged 3.0 liter V-6, it would likely be considerably faster than the present RLX hybrid. A turbocharged 2.0 liter I-4 would have to be tricked out by the factory to get the numbers of the present NA 3.5 liter V-6. However, there are after market chip sets for the 2.0 liter BMWs making the power and torque of our present RLX engine. No guarantee as to the lifespan for those aftermarket chipped engines.

I frequent BMW forums and am impressed at 1/4 mile and 0-60 numbers for a stock turbocharged AWD six cylinder 2 Series. For the ones that install aftermarket chips, the numbers are darn close to mind-blowing for this late 1960s era reader of Hot Rod magazine. Here is a link to a mildly chipped otherwise stock 3 liter I-6 turning seriously low elapsed time numbers indicative of considerable horsepower generation.
M235Xi comes up a 1/10th second from a new record...(Video Inside)

At the end of the day, our engines are big air pumps and small air pumps driving in urban traffic are considerably more efficient than big air pumps. Odds are to get to the 35 mpg Federal hurdle, it is increasingly looking like a smaller, more-highly managed engine in a performance hybrid system is in Acura's largest sedan's future.

Edward'TLS

BMW/MB/Lexus > Acura

neuronbob

2018 calendar year sounds about right for a MMC. The question is, what will I lease as my rainy/snowy day daily driver in the meantime? It is unlikely I'll be extending the lease on my Sport Hybrid to wait.

fsmith

Say it isn't so, Bob. Will you still be moderating us yokels, I hope?

neuronbob

Nope, you haven't lost your intrepid moderator. I haven't decided what to do, yet. I have nine payments left on my lease, and Acura typically offers an early out three months early. I plan to take it, if offered. My default option is to lease another Sport Hybrid, since I like the car and I'd like to try a non-beta test version of it. However, the lease deal will have to be much more aggressive than my "me first!" lease "deal" from 2014. Let's face it, it was not the greatest deal. A less expensive option is a non-hybrid MDX, which the wife approves of, and which can be used as a NSX hauler. There's a non-zero likelihood that instead of another RLX Sport Hybrid, I'll sell my NA1 NSX and buy a NSX 2.0 with iron brakes, then daily drive my paid-off, uber-rare Cadillac wagon again. I plan to start test-driving other cars in March to see what else is out there.

Lots of car-guy decisions to make this year.