2013 Acura RDX drops turbo four in favor of V6

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-...photo-4730956/

Acura is calling what you see here a "prototype," but that's only technically speaking. It is, in fact, the production 2013 RDX crossover, and it's just debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. This is a full redesign of Acura's plucky, performance-minded crossover, making it the vehicle's second generation model.

With a generational switch comes big changes, and the biggest for the new RDX is Acura's decision to buck the industry trend and drop its turbocharged four-cylinder engine in favor of Honda's venerable 3.5-liter V6. Horsepower will jump from 240 to 273, and despite the addition of two more cylinders to feed, fuel economy will also increase significantly. The best the current RDX can muster is an EPA-rated 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 highway, while the V6-powered 2013 model is projected to achieve 20 city and 28 highway. Aiding that new-found efficiency is a six-speed automatic transmission (one more gear than before) with a lock-up torque converter.

The design of the RDX has also matured, and now appears more in line with the rest of the Acura lineup, particularly its big brother, the MDX. Its wheelbase is longer and track wider, which suggests a more relaxed, luxurious ride, and Acura will fit the new RDX with what it calls Amplitude Reactive Dampers to keep the handling appropriately tuned to its level of hustle at any given time.

Larger, more powerful and offering increased efficiency, the 2013 Acura RDX is clearly transitioning from a quirky high-performance compact crossover to a more mainstream product with enough luxury and technology to compete for more sales in the crowded entry-level luxury crossover market. It's likely that sales will increase with this strategy, but will it be at the competition's expense or that of Acura's other crossovers, the MDX and ZDX?

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/2...-detroit-2012/

 

I see ALOT of Audi styling cues in this one, and that aint all bad. And FINALLY, and I NEVER thought I would even say this,,EVEN THE BEAK IS NOT HORRENDOUS ON THIS ONE!!!! Truck looks just about big enough to support the trademark beak. Stil big and pronounced,, but ALMOST flows quite well.

 

Overall, pretty nice and a big improvement from the first gen.

However, the grill could have still been done better. The cross bar bulges too much.

And what's up with those horrendous wheels? They just about kill the whole thing for me.

 

Honestly outside the wheels, its not bad and silver always helps the beak. Looks like a RX/smaller MDX. Interior looks like a good step up. This has also moved to being built in Ohio off the CR-V platform. Did it grow in size?

I think this will sell much better than the last model, maybe around 2-3k a year if the price lowers since it shares more parts and is built here.

 

So does this mean this AWD system is not Acura's revered SH-AWD

 

Handsome.. and V6 will help...

 

Going back to making more vanilla looking cars will help Acura sell better. The previous design language was just too strange.

 

I see influence of Audi, Kia, and Genesis headlights. Looks better than other Acura considering they are all ugly. The V6 with improved mileage with the 6 speed tranny is a plus.

 

Much better looking then the original, interior is nice too. A bit bland and does not stand out much but bland is exactly what the majority wants and what sells.

 

looks good and doesnt look too much like acura

 

Looks like a kia. Wheels look kinda funky.

 

20/28 is nice for something with SH-AWD (yes, it is the SH-AWD) and not to mention still get 273hp

those are really good numbers on paper
hopefully the transmission will be reliable
then we have a winner here

that is if you can look past that iron mask

 

Nice looking prototype.

Hopefully, what I see here will translate into the final production version.

Btw:
I know of the news that Honda group is testing an all-new and improved version of their SH-AWD drivetrain system. Do you think that the updated drivetrain will be made available for this vehicle?

 

interior looks very drab and dark. But the exterior is nothing offensive. Does it look bigger than the outgoing model to anyone else?

 

Not diggin much of it. The slumped over rear roofline and abbreviated rear window lends a hatchback look, which cheapens the theme and carries a compact look . The Hot Wheels rims are immature and classless, the grille is still unecessarily overstyled, and the coal bin cabin needs some warming up (wood). Also, the taillights and rear hatch are copies of the Audi A7, a look we've all seen since the mid-2000's. Nothing really new there at all.

I also don't think jumping to the V6 is progress. While many manufacturers are creating successful turbo fours with good power and high MPG's, Acura dumps theirs and goes the opposite direction. In my opinion, that shows they could not come up with their own successful compact motor. While the 3.5 V6 is solid, one wonders what would have or could have been if Honda worked their magic on a proper 2.0 turbo. Maybe back in the days when Honda led with technology.