2007 Acura RDX - The long road to simplicityThe Acura RDX concept originally debuted in 2002 at the Detroit International Auto Show. The concept was an extremely futuristic crossover suv/car platform that utilized eccentric accessories in every possible location. We're talking cameras with video display instead of rear view mirrors, heads up display, glass roof for visibility purposes, etc, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. Many features of the concept that were too off the wall made it unlikely for production.
The Acura RDX concept of 2002 boasted a 2.4L iVTec four-cylinder motor, with a 6-speed manual clutchless transmission. One of the more intesting features of the 2002 RDX was Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). IMA basically consists of two 25 horsepower electric motors - one for each rear wheel. The system provides an extra 50 ponies when needed, and the increased torque makes for much better acceleration than when using only the gasoline motor alone.
| The automotive crowd was intrigued by the gadgetry of the RDX concept, but they were put off by the design of the vehicle. Some said that it was a childish design, and one source hit the nail on the head when they made reference to the RDX's similarities to the transformer toys many of us grew up with. The RDX was obviously targeting youth buyers.
Here are a couple pictures of the Acura RDX Concept as it was back in 2002.
So here we are in early 2006. In late 2005, at the annual Detroit International Auto Show, Acura showed up with an updated version of the RDX. For Acura, it was a long road to simplicity. The RDX had been tamed down volumes from the eccentric concept we had seen in 2002. The lines were smoothed, and the "transformer" resemblance vanished. Acura did away with many of the excessive features that would have prevented actual mass production of the vehicle... and it is expected to hit showrooms in 2006 as the 2007 Acura RDX.
The 2007 Acura RDX is a crossover vehicle that avoids the stretched appearance of most crossover platform vehicles. It simply looks like a smaller SUV. The 2007 Acura RDX is about 7 inches shorter than the Acura MDX. The new RDX will use Honda's patented SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.) |
|
