What is it?
Acura MD-X
What's special about it?
Acura provided few solid details about the MD-X, which appears here in concept form and will be introduced in production garb later this year at the New York Auto Show. What we were told by Acura in Detroit is as follows: First, engineers took a "no compromises" approach in designing an SUV that offers equal doses of "best in class" on-road ride and handling performance and off-road boulder-bashing prowess. Of course, they failed to define the class, but based on what we saw, we're talking everything from a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited to a Lexus RX300. Second, the aluminum engine under the chisled hood will provide buyers with the most horsepower and torque in the class. Again, we don't know what class they're discussing, much less what engine configuration the production MD-X will have, but they indicated that this is the first SUV to be declared ULEV (ultra-low-emission vehicle) compliant. Evidently, they didn't know much about Toyota's Sequoia, which was introduced as an ULEV SUV 24 hours prior to MD-X's debut. Third, this uni-body construction sport-ute will offer a state-of-the-art automatic four-wheel-drive system. What makes it state of the art? Don't know -- they didn't tell the assembled press. Details we did get about the concept truck were sparse. It has a radical interior crafted from leather and hardwoods complemented by brushed nickel and sisal accents. Pod-style gauges feature lighting reminiscent of a Timex Indiglo watch. Four passengers are invited to ride, and there are large center console storage areas fore and aft. A GPS-based navigation system with integrated Internet access is included. The production version of the MD-X, targeted at North American buyers, was designed and engineered in the U.S. and will be assembled in Canada for delivery to dealers at the end of this year.
Why should I care?
Though the automaker is late to the game with a palatable SUV, we think the MD-X will prove to be a huge hit when it finally goes on sale in fall of 2000 as a 2001 model. It's got rugged good looks, and if it is truly able to deliver Jeep-style capability off the road and BMW X5 performance on city streets, all at a price in the mid-to-high 30s, this is the sport utility many of you have been waiting to buy.
Acura MD-X
What's special about it?
Acura provided few solid details about the MD-X, which appears here in concept form and will be introduced in production garb later this year at the New York Auto Show. What we were told by Acura in Detroit is as follows: First, engineers took a "no compromises" approach in designing an SUV that offers equal doses of "best in class" on-road ride and handling performance and off-road boulder-bashing prowess. Of course, they failed to define the class, but based on what we saw, we're talking everything from a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited to a Lexus RX300. Second, the aluminum engine under the chisled hood will provide buyers with the most horsepower and torque in the class. Again, we don't know what class they're discussing, much less what engine configuration the production MD-X will have, but they indicated that this is the first SUV to be declared ULEV (ultra-low-emission vehicle) compliant. Evidently, they didn't know much about Toyota's Sequoia, which was introduced as an ULEV SUV 24 hours prior to MD-X's debut. Third, this uni-body construction sport-ute will offer a state-of-the-art automatic four-wheel-drive system. What makes it state of the art? Don't know -- they didn't tell the assembled press. Details we did get about the concept truck were sparse. It has a radical interior crafted from leather and hardwoods complemented by brushed nickel and sisal accents. Pod-style gauges feature lighting reminiscent of a Timex Indiglo watch. Four passengers are invited to ride, and there are large center console storage areas fore and aft. A GPS-based navigation system with integrated Internet access is included. The production version of the MD-X, targeted at North American buyers, was designed and engineered in the U.S. and will be assembled in Canada for delivery to dealers at the end of this year.
Why should I care?
Though the automaker is late to the game with a palatable SUV, we think the MD-X will prove to be a huge hit when it finally goes on sale in fall of 2000 as a 2001 model. It's got rugged good looks, and if it is truly able to deliver Jeep-style capability off the road and BMW X5 performance on city streets, all at a price in the mid-to-high 30s, this is the sport utility many of you have been waiting to buy.
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