The all-new 2010 ZDX four-door-sports-coupe-slash-crossover will go on sale with an initial price of $45,495. The ZDX will be suggested exclusively with a 3.7-liter VTEC V6 that makes 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The new ZDX reaches an EPA-rated fuel economy of 16mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway.
The 2010 ZDX will be accessible in three trim packages: the base ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package and the ZDX with Advance Package.
The base trim-level comes arranged with what Acura describes as ‘the world’s longest panoramic glass roof’ and hand-stitched leather dash, center console and door panels as standard.
The ZDX with Technology Package that is priced at $50,805 gets a Navigation System with Voice Recognition, a full VGA display screen, a multi-view rear camera, an upgraded Acura/ELS Surround 415-watt audio system with a built-in 15GB media storage system, a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system and Keyless Access System.
The ZDX with Advance Package adds a blind spot data system (BSI), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), an Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) active damper system, heated and ventilated front seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather seating surfaces, premium brushed tricot headliner material and a sport steering wheel.

Honda has finally launched Acura 2010 TL SH-AWD onto the U.S. market. The new manual transmission equipped with TL SH-AWD allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura’s SH-AWD system,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales, “Not only is the new 6-speed manual transmission model the best performing Acura TL ever, it is the top handling performer among every vehicle in its class.”

Acura tweaked the TL SH-AWD’s chassis by upgrading the suspension and steering wheel system. Along with the specially tuned coil spring and shock absorber rates for flatter cornering with reduced pitching motions under acceleration and braking -or so Acura claims, the front dampers on the manual model incorporate 5-percent more compression damping to improve turn-in feel and generate 14-percent less high speed compression damping better ride quality. While Acura has yet to disclose performance figures, the automaker did announce that the TL SH-AWD with the 6-speed manual gearbox returns an EPA estimated 18mpg city and 26mpg highway, which is 1mpg better in both cases than the automatic version.

The manual model keeps the same pricing as the five-speed automatic SH-AWD at $42,385 when combined with the Technology Package and at $43,385 with the Technology pack and high performance tires. Just so you know, the above prices do not include taxes, license or an $810 destination and handling charge.

Acura’s largest SUV model, the MDX has received a mild facelift for the 2010 model year. Changes include a new 6-speed automatic transmission, chassis refinements and improved look and feel of interior trim materials plus the addition of new technology features.

On the outside, the 7-seater MDX gains Acura’s new corporate grille, retrimmed front and rear bumpers, new exhaust tips, revised hood, new side sills and reworked taillights with brighter LEDs. The available 19-inch aluminum-alloy seven-spoke  wheels complete the exterior upgrades.

Moving on to the interior, Acura says that the 2010 MDX benefits from higher quality trim materials, a thicker steering wheel grip, increased use of LED interior lighting and revised cockpit controls along with relocated front seat headrests for improved comfort and more detailed leather stitching.
Acura has presented several new technology features on the RDX such as the AcuraLink Real-Time Weather and Traffic Rerouting systems, a new full VGA 8-inch navigation screen, an upgraded rear view camera with three unique view choices and updated audio and rear entertainment systems.
Under the hood, the 2010 model year MDX receives an updated version of Acura’s 3.7-liter VTEC V6 engine linked to an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. The V6 features cylinder heads with new intake valve springs, improved cooling, a new EGR system, unique long-reach spark plugs, a larger throttle body.

The 2010 MDX, in combination with the new transmission, returns an EPA estimated city/highway fuel mileage of 16/21 mpg which is an improvement of 1 mpg city and 1 mpg highway over the 2009 model.

Acura declares that the MDX’s ride and handling have been enhanced thanks to the revised power steering system, stiffer rear trailing arm mounting and the body rigidity improvements.
The 2010 MDX is expected to go on sale in the U.S. sometime in September.

While the Japanese automaker released an official statement, Acura went ahead and posted a full gallery as well as initial details and prices on the 2010MY RDX on its public website. The RDX, on the outside, has received Acura’s controversial corporate grille along with a new front bumper and new trim for the lower part of the rear bumper that houses new hexagonal tail pipes.

We didn’t notice any aesthetic changes inside, but it is said that the 2010MY RDX benefits from a series of convenience and equipment upgrades.

The most important news for the 2010 model year concerns the introduction of a new front-wheel drive model thatcarries a base price of $32,520, or $2,000 less than the all-wheel drive version that’s equipped with Acura’s Super-Handling AWD system.

Both models are powered by the same 240HP 2.3-liter turbocharged four linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel drive RDX, however, is more frugal returning 19mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway compared to 17mpg and 22mpg respectively of the RDX SH-AWD.

New photos of the 2010 Acura RDX facelift have leaked on the web. The source claims that the images are officially produced by the automaker. It is easy to notice that there have been changes to the exteriors, and though the photos mainly focus on the front of the car, some changes at the back can also be seen.

The changes include extensive modifications to the air intakes, fog lamps, and grille, as well as hexagonal tailpipes, part of a redesigned rear bumper that better incorporates the exhaust, and the use of some black mesh material at the center.

Acura RDX was launched in 2008 and had only one version (all-wheel drive model) but now, it is also available in the more fuel-efficient front-drive version. The new version also gets 17/22 mpg, midpack for vehicles in its class.

Interior updates include USB connectivity with room for an iPod and stereo Bluetooth audio, ambient lighting, Bluetooth compatibility, and a navigation system update with rearview camera updates and real-time traffic.

The late eighties is when it all happened for Japanese luxury vehicles in North America. But by the time Lexus and Infiniti launched in 1989, Acura was already on the market for three years. Since then, Acura customers in the U.S. looking to finance new cars went through the same American Honda Finance Corporation that bankrolls the purchases of new Honda cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, lawnmowers, outboard marine engines and everything else the Japanese industrial giant builds (to the possible exception of corporate jets and robots), not to mention the establishment of new dealerships and all that entails.
That’s all about the change with American Honda Motor Co.’s announcement of the launch of Acura Financial Services, a new financing arm for the company’s luxury division that will handle the purchases of new Acuras. The move is part of an effort to distance Acura from the more commonplace offerings of its parent company, and to give the division its own look and feel. A strange time to launch a new financial company, but we’ll see how it works out.

Meet the Acura ZDX concept, or shall we say, a very close to production version of the Japanese firm’s forthcoming crossover that is due to go on sale in the States in the fall of 2009. While most of us were questioning BMW’s decision to add the X6 in its lineup, the Honda folks quickly picked up the idea and came up with their own four-door coupe crossover – we know, it sounds ridiculous…”The ZDX is truly a luxury performance coupe - plus,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer.”While we wouldn’t actually fall in love with its exterior styling, we must admit that Acura’s designers seem to have done a better job than their Bavarian counterparts. An interesting detail are the hidden rear door handles that are concealed in the C-pillar. Aside from a few minor details such as the headlamp and tail light housings, the exhaust tail pipes and quite possibly, the front bumper, don’t expect to see other differences on the production model.At 192.4 inches or 4887mm long, the ZDX prototype is less than two inches longer than the MDX (190.7 in.) but nearly 12 inches longer than the RDX (180.7 in. or 4590 mm). However, with a height of 61.8 inches, it’s also around 7 and 4-inches respectively lower than its two crossover siblings.Inside, the five-seater ZDX is virtually production ready though don’t expect to see the hand-stitched leather dashboard and the two-tone trim, or at least not in the basic versions of the crossover. The prototype’s cabin also features a panoramic glass roof which runs the entire length of the vehicle.Acura said that this fall’s production version of the ZDX will be powered by a V6 engine mated to an all-new, 6-speed automatic transmission that drives all four-wheels through Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.

Acura dealers are assured that its primary plan to become a Tier 1 luxury brand – able to hang with Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus – is still underway. But according to Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., the key to playing with the big boys isn’t limited to what’s on showroom floors. Colliver told Automotive News, “Having a premium luxury brand is not just about product. It’s the way dealers handle customers. You’ve got to earn your way into the segment. It’s not necessary for you to have a $90,000 sedan to get there.”

Inspite that formula which seems to have been working for Lexus, Acura has different plans. The recently released TSX, RL and TL have set the goal for the next few years, and another crossover, designed to slot in between the RDX and MDX, is currently under development.

It was also confirmed by the Colliver that work on the NSX replacement is “mostly done,” so even though Honda shelved the V10 supercar to cut costs and keep an even keel during the economic downturn, the NSX could be pulled out of the corporate garage, dusted off and brought to market once conditions improve.

Acura’s entry-level image could help the automaker impact the economic downturn better than its rivals from Germany and Japan, but when the market firms up, Acura will need products (with high-output engines and RWD) at the ready to compete with the stalwarts of the luxury set.