Acura RDX

anythngbutgm

At least, I would like to find out a final drivetrain for the RDX. Plus some of you lucky folks have seen the RDX in person, this will be new to my eyes. Even if it's not the real thing, It'll be nice to observe the profile and pray that a manual tranny will be available

varmint

'07 model appearing sometime in 2006. I think it's likely that the release date will be late spring or early summer. The '07 CR-V should be released in the fall.

Anythingbutgm - I think you're going to have to wait a long time for reliable powertrain information.

tsx24

I lose track between the new 3-series, 1-series, and the new Lexus IS...

EXACTLY

ateixeira

So was the Model X concept, and a lot of the look and feel on that interior made it to production.

They might just surprise us and do that again.

-juice

varmint

Yes and no.

The interior of the Model X concept was pretty much integral to the mission of the vehicle (dorm room on wheels). So features like the wash-n-wear interior did carry over.

However, there was a whole lotta stuff that didn't see production. Even the concepts that did make the transition were watered down. I'm not going to list them all, but I'll give you one example. You might recall that the Model X had a front seat that could be reversed to face the back of the vehicle. What we got with the Element was ordinary seats.

When I look at the RDX interior, I see Rosewood floors, alligator accents, and a built-in briefcase. Incidentally, the MDX concept back in 2000 also had a hardwood floor (walnut maybe?). Those items are not integral to the design of the vehicle. They're just typical show-glitz.

kyfdx

I'm sure we'll get that interior color, don't you think... ;-)

arthur_15

The interior of that car is one of the main things drawing me to it. Without that interior I may not consider the car. I guess I'm in the 28 year old urban professional demographic.

I just can't see it making it to prodcution either, but I would love it if it did. Probably too small of a niche market to cater towards though.

ateixeira

I don't think those reversible seats are legal, are they? )

Still, I think the overall concept translated to production pretty nicely. You sort of know what's concept stuff, and what will make production.

So getting into an RDX could be sorta useful to give you an idea of what it'll be like. I don't expect the wood and alligator stuff, but who knows about the briefcase. Detachable center consoles are now common.

That tangerine looks like something Nissan would do. LOL

-juice

nippononly

many of the Vanagons from the 80s had captains chairs that swivelled to face the rear, so did some Previas didn't they? I think they are legal, but I am sure they are more expensive than regular seats, and Element starts at $16K, after all.

I highly HIGHLY doubt that the rosewood and alligator skin from the concept will make the production RDX. Even in a $28K vehicle, no way.

varmint

The point is, there's nothing in the concept's interior that would be considered a major feature of the vehicle. There's nothing so important it would need to carry over. Not to mention the date of release is at least one year into the future.

ateixeira

I wonder if newer truck safety standards would allow rear-facing front seats. Back then you could do anything.

As for the interior, concepts are often used to debut new features, and even to test reaction to certain things. I'd love to see those.

I wonder if the wheelbase (platform size) is fixed, i.e. would the concept give you an indication of the interior size of the production model?

-juice

kyfdx

Varmint... you better take your tape measure to the NY show.. We'll expect a full report..

Maybe a sextant and a protractor also..

And a mirror at the end of a long stick... for looking underneath...

ateixeira

I'm going to the NY show, probably on Thursday the 24th. I'll try to crawl inside.

Honda and Acura have not scheduled any press releases, so I don't expect any big new intros. That makes the RDX presence more likely - otherwise they'll have not much to show, and you want attention at a big show like NY.

-juice

varmint

Bummer. I can't take the time away from work right now, so I'll be there on the weekend. If you change your plans, lemme know.

Honda made reference to the fact that the RDX was 7 inches shorter than the current MDX. That's kind of a specific number. If the dimensions were not set, I think the language would have been different. So, yes, I think we can get a general idea of what the exterior/interior space will be like. I'm sure the actual dimensions may be off by an inch here and there, but Honda's insistence about the exterior styling makes me think what we see is what we get.

I figure Honda can show the RDX, Ridgeline (still new enough), and the 2006 Civic Si concept. We'll probably see two of them, but not all three.

ateixeira

Ridgeline is already in dealers.

I'd love to see the new coupe and RDX.

They're a little more liberal about letting us in during the press/industry preview days, so I'll try to wiggle my way inside both.

-juice

accordfreak

Don't your guys think that while Geneva in still in session, there'll be no new news? Let's see if come Monday, Honda puts out the press release that says NY will see the production RDX (along with a concept MDX, since I'm one of the few who believe they will revamp it rather than wait till '08). Only time will tell...

ateixeira

They are measuring reaction to this:

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/civic/pages/1.htm

-juice

kyfdx

I hope they are right about the 5-door looking better.. It does bode well for the Civic.. Kind of RSX styling there.. which would be good..

ateixeira

Surprise - that is a 5 door. The rear door knob is hidden neatly in the D-pillar.

I like it, very modern. Makes the current US Civic Si look like a dowdy minivan.

-juice

kyfdx

Gotcha.. can't see the rear, because of the shadows....

varmint

Production RDX? Not going to happen. It'll be a year before we see that.

tsx24

don't bomb on our parade here.

ateixeira

Looks like I am going after all, 23rd-24th. Industry Preview days so hopefully it'll even be open. :-)

I'll take pics and try to share. Anything in particular someone want to know about?

-juice

armand

Now that you asked - yes there is something I would like to know. It may sound strange but I would like to know the width of the RDX. Reason is that we have major width issues with our garage.

ateixeira

I will try to check that, at the very least ask them about it.

I hope they show it!

-juice

bodble2

I also have a couple of odd little concerns -- where is the location of the security LED? On top of the door ala TL, or on the dash ala TSX?

And, I wonder what is the design and location of the parking brake? A funky setup like on the CR-V, or a conventional location in the console.

Thanks in advance for anything you can find out.

ateixeira

OK, what am I looking for, I don't know what it looks like.

Do you have a pic of that on the TL?

Gotcha on the parking brake. I remember the funky hidden one in the CR-V (neat, IMO).

-juice

armand

I appreciate that. Good Luck.

ateixeira

OK, CR-V is listed as 70.2" in ConsumerGuide. I'll keep that as a reference point.

-juice

bodble2

You know the one, the red flashing LED that indicates your car is locked and armed. I don't know how to post a pic but on the TL, it is located right on top of the driver's door next to the door lock tab. (Audi and VW have theirs located in a similar spot). On TSX, the LED is located in the dash instrumentation, similar to Subarus, I believe.

ateixeira

OK, I'll check for that.

And width. :-)

-juice

tsx24

Well it's the 2nd day of the New York Auto Show...what's the word?

ateixeira

Good news? It's there.

Bad news? Up on a rotating pedestal, and we were not allowed near it, not even press for photos.

I did get a press kit, but even that is *weak* in terms of real information. It basically includes the original press release, which lists the length but not the width, and some high res photos, basically the ones on all the web sites already.

All I can say is that it appears wider than the CR-V, for sure. Lower, longer, wider.

The interior has so many neon lights that you can't even tell where the LED would be, if it's there at all. To be honest I doubt it. The design is clean and modern and clearly concept only.

Any how, like the concept that preceeded the TL, it feels like it's just hinting at the exterior shape. Remember that TL's lack of windshield wipers? It blew jets of air to clear rain.

All that concept did was indicate the styling direction of the new TL. I doubt the dimensions remained the same as the concept.

But the concept does seem wide, my guess is it would not fit in a narrow garage or car port. Our car port has a fire place taking up half of one side so I know how you feel.

-juice

bodble2

Juice, thanks for your effort anyway. I know Honda can be a real horse's [non-permissible content removed] when it comes to releasing pre-launch model info. We'll see how it shapes up near the end of this year, I'm sure. One glimmer is hope is that the production TL didn't turn out half bad!

varmint

Ditto. Thanks for taking a look. I'm not surprised that NY was the same concept vehicle as shown before.

armand

Thanks for your effort. The CR-V just fits so if the RDX is even an inch or 2 wider it ain't going to fit - and it sounds like it might be. That means I'll probably go ahead with a CR-V - but I sure wish it had a few more "creature features".

bodble2

The '05 CR-V is as well-equipped as any other small SUV out there, so you probably could go wrong with your choice. And if the RDX turns out to be a winner (and smaller than anticipated), you can always trade up for one in a couple of years.

autoboy16

good question :confuse:... Oh well since i have 0 experience on this topic i can't really tell. Is it me or does the bottom area of the stereo unit seems overly cluttered with buttons? Even just looking at it is confusing me!

nomorejeep

MSN says the RDX is going to be released as a product model in summer of '06, with a 6-cylinder engine!

nomorejeep

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4022963&src=LP%20utes

armand

I guess I would like electric memory seats but can live without them.

bodble2

Power memory seats, for some reason, seem to be available only for fairly upscale models. You would think they would be fairly commonplace by now, but that is not the case. Even top-of-the-line Accord, Camry, Altima don't have them. I was surprised that even the fully-loaded Legacy and Outbacks, which are selling at some serious $$, don't have them even as options. So it is not a slam-dunk that the RDX would have them either.

wco81

Are fine but on a lot of cars, they are like a $1000 option.

Really make no sense unless the car is driven regularly by more than one driver.

armand

Agreed. But I also have a physical problem getting in and out of cars and need to put the seat all the way back each time I get out and then reposition it when I get in. Power memory really helps with this.

ateixeira

That's funny about MSN, because MT says 4-cylinder turbo. So one is just a rumor, question is which?

Power seats - one thing I found interesting is that a lot of friends that have them do not like them because they move too slowly. So not everyone likes them.

An advantage is it's easier/safer to adjust them while in motion.

-juice

bodble2

I would put my money on a 6-cylinder. Honda doesn't have a history of building turbos, and I don't think an SUV, or SAV is the right application for a turbo.

RE: power seats. They are good for making small adjustments. But I think it's power + memory that is really desireable. Even though I'm the only one who drives my car, I'm very finicky about the seat position, so I still find the memory feature useful for the times I have to move the seat to vaccuum the interior, accommodate a tall rear passenger, or to reset the seat after having it serviced, etc.

What I really want is power/memory seats for my wife's car since I do drive it about 20% of the time.

toast

Since the B9 Tribeca does not offer XM Radio I will be waiting for the RDX. I hope Acura continues to offer this as standard equipment in the RDX. Once you have satellite radio you can never go back to the traditional advertising laden broadcast options. The choices are phenomenal and broadcast quality is exceptional.

Some day all vehicles will come with satellite radio, until then, Acura makes tomorrow possible today.

ateixeira

Your timing is rather funny, because if you pre-order a Tribeca right now, Subaru will give you a portable XM radio. And that plugs right in to the aux input on the models equipped with the DVD enterainment system.

So actually you can get XM on a Tribeca, in fact it's included standard right now. You can't help but get XM.

-juice

nippononly

RDX a 6-cyl engine, won't it probably be an existing one? And at this price point, won't it likely be the Accord's engine, rather than the higher powered one from the much more expensive TL? If it makes 240 hp right out of the gate, it will be very competitive in this segment (using the word "segment" loosely here, because what will actually be a direct competitor with RDX?). The Forester turbo makes 210 hp right?

wco81

Why should you pay much extra for it?

It's just a way for XM to get a subscription revenue stream from you.

They should be heavily subsidizing it or at least giving it to you for minimal price in exchange for say a 12-month contract.

Maybe the costs of the satellite radio receivers are stil too high to subsidize. But when you compare it to cell phones, it doesn't seem right.