Acura RDX

Acura RDX
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2007-present
Assembly	Marysville, Ohio
Body and chassis
Class	Compact entry-level luxury crossover SUV
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L K23A1 Turbo I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Length	181 in
Width	73.6 in
Height	65.2 in
Curb weight	3968 lb

The Acura RDX is Acura’s first compact luxury crossover SUV. Originally previewed as the Acura RD-X concept car, the production RDX had its debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show and went on sale on August 11, 2006.

The RDX takes over from the MDX as Acura's entry-level crossover SUV, as the MDX continues to grow in size and price. The RDX competes with other compact luxury SUVs such as the BMW X3, Lincoln MKX, and Land Rover LR2; other competitors include slightly larger crossovers such as the Lexus RX and Volvo XC90 as well as luxury-option versions of vehicles such as the Subaru B9 Tribeca and Mazda CX-7. The RDX is assembled in Marysville, Ohio. Although the dimensions of the vehicle are similar to that of the Honda CR-V, Acura claims the RDX uses a unique platform developed to handle the vehicle's advanced all-wheel drive system. Sales have been slow. 3832 units have been sold in the first two months of 2007 which is below forecast. Incentives will be offered to help sales.

The RDX is powered by Acura's first turbocharged gasoline engine. The 2.3-liter I4 K23A1 engine has all-aluminum construction, an i-VTEC head, and dual balance shafts. Acura's variable flow turbocharger reduces turbo lag by using a valve to narrow the exhaust passage at low rpm, increasing the velocity of the exhaust flow and keeping the turbine spinning rapidly. At higher rpm, the valve opens to allow more exhaust flow for increased boost. The engine also features a top-mounted intercooler which receives air from the grille, channeled by ducting under the hood. The Acura RDX engine is rated at 240 bhp @ 6000 rpm with a torque peak of 260 ft·lbf. @ 4500. The EPA estimated fuel mileage is 19 city and 23 highway miles per gallon. New more realistic EPA mileage estimates as of February 2007 are 17 city and 22 highway. With a heavy foot, one tester got 11 mpg in the city. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=116773 The recommended fuel is premium unleaded.

Drivetrain

The Acura RDX comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission with Acura's SportShift sequential manual shift capability, activated by paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The paddles can be used in Drive (D) to make a gear change with the transmission returning to automatic mode as soon as the vehicle resumes a steady-cruise state. The Sport (S) setting has higher shift points and quicker downshifts, and using a paddle in “Sport” immediately puts the transmission in full manual mode. The RDX also has a version of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), first seen on the flagship RL sedan. The system can vary the front/rear torque distribution from 90/10 to 30/70, depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating, cruising, hill climbing, taking a curve, or encountering poor road conditions. When taking a curve, a pair of magnetic flux clutches in the rear differential can transfer as much as 100% of the available rear torque to the outside wheel. That torque transfer, combined with a 1.7% rear over-rotation of the rear wheel helps rotate the RDX through a turn.

Interior

The RDX seats five and comes standard with leather seating, a moonroof, automatic climate control, and all the expected power features. The RDX 7-speaker audio system features a 6-CD changer, which is capable of playing standard Audio CDs, and Data-CDs burned with either MP3 or WMA files. The RDX's sound system also includes XM Satellite Radio with a complimentary 3-month subscription.

Much of the interior technology introduced in the RL sedan is found in the optional "Technology Package". This package includes the latest version of Acura's navigation system, complete with a rear view camera, real-time traffic, and Zagat restaurant reviews. The package also features a 10-speaker Acura/ELS audio system with DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound. The audio system plays DVD-Audio discs as well. Both stereos come with a 1/8" auxiliary input jack, which may be used to plug in external sources such as iPods. Acura also offers an iPod adapter for the RDX, which is wired into the glove box, and allows the iPod to be controlled through the RDX's sound system interface.

Almost all of the ELS sound system's operations can be activated by voice command, as can most of the operations for the navigation and climate control systems. In addition, the vehicle will interact with most Bluetooth-equipped cell phones. The driver can initiate or receive calls through verbal command. During the call, the sound system will mute and channel the call through the speakers while caller and signal information is displayed on the instrument cluster.

The tailgate opens over six-feet high and 60/40 rear seatbacks fold down for a flat cargo area. A hard cargo cover can fit flush on the floor when not needed and is reversible to carry wet or dirty cargo. The cabin includes several storage areas including a lockable center console that can hold a standard size laptop computer.

Safety

The Acura RDX is the second Acura vehicle to features the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure which is designed to absorb energy from a collision. The RDX comes standard with six airbags, including dual front airbags, front side airbags and dual side curtain airbags. The front airbags use a dual-threshold, dual-stage technology that can adjust the timing and speed of each airbag deployment depending on the degree of impact and the driver's or front passenger's seat belt usage. If sensors deem the front passenger too small (less than 65 lb.), the front airbag is designed not to deploy. The front passenger's side airbag is designed to shut off if a child or small statured-adult is leaning into the airbag's deployment path. In the event of a sufficient side impact or roll-over, the side curtain airbag deploys from above the door frames of the affected side, with coverage for both the front and rear occupants on that side, and stays inflated longer than if there was a collision.

Front seats have active head restraints and their seat belts are equipped with pre-tensioners and force-limiters. As of November 2006 the RDX was crash tested by the NHTSA, resulting in a perfect "5 Star" rating for driver and passenger frontal crashes, and front and rear side impacts, along with "4 Stars" for rollover.[1]

Performance

Performance numbers have varied by a large margin by various publications

Edmunds:

• 0-60 mph: 6.8 s
• 1/4 mile: 15.2 s

Road and Track:

• 0-60 mph: 6.4 s
• 1/4 mile: 14.8 s

Motor Trend:

• 0-60 mph: 7.3 s
• 1/4 mile: 15.6 s

External links

• Official Acura RDX Site
• Sketch Pad: 2007 Acura RDX, article from Motor Trend
• Edmunds Pricing, Specs, and Review Edmunds.com