What is it?
Acura RD-X
What's special about it?
Keeping with the unofficial "crossover" theme of the most recent major auto shows, Acura rolled out its RD-X, whose mission is to provide a sporty driving experience like an RSX while allowing all-wheel-drive traction and utility a la MDX.
Geared toward yuppies with active lifestyles, the RD-X boasts a number of technical and functional features worth mentioning. Looking more like a lunar rover with Lamborghini Diablo-style side glass, the RD-X features suicide (excuse me, I mean butterfly-style) side doors and a complex but functional access setup for the cargo "zone." Much like a Ford Excursion's, the RD-X's rear hatch consists of a flip-up back window and a split "dutch"-style tailgate. Of course, unlike the Ford, the Acura show car uses power assist to open up the back end.
Once this is done, the rear seats fold up and then fold together, like a clamshell, so that two mountain bikes can roll into place.
A hybrid powerplant sends the four wheels a-spinning. But fret not, this ain't no sluggish econo-motor. Nope, this baby combines a 200 horsepower 2.4-liter iVTEC inline four with two 25-horsepower electric motors that will kick in an additional 50 ponies when the right foot demands. To channel the power to the road, Acura uses a six-speed clutchless manual tranny with a console-mounted paddle shifter. The independent suspension interfaces with the pavement (or trailhead) through 18-inch alloys fitted with chunky 235/60 "run-flat" tires.
Why should you care?
There's some interesting functionality here; too bad it's wrapped up in a body that looks like it was designed by a kid with a large collection of Transformers toys from the early 1990s. — John DiPietro
Acura RD-X
What's special about it?
Keeping with the unofficial "crossover" theme of the most recent major auto shows, Acura rolled out its RD-X, whose mission is to provide a sporty driving experience like an RSX while allowing all-wheel-drive traction and utility a la MDX.
Geared toward yuppies with active lifestyles, the RD-X boasts a number of technical and functional features worth mentioning. Looking more like a lunar rover with Lamborghini Diablo-style side glass, the RD-X features suicide (excuse me, I mean butterfly-style) side doors and a complex but functional access setup for the cargo "zone." Much like a Ford Excursion's, the RD-X's rear hatch consists of a flip-up back window and a split "dutch"-style tailgate. Of course, unlike the Ford, the Acura show car uses power assist to open up the back end.
Once this is done, the rear seats fold up and then fold together, like a clamshell, so that two mountain bikes can roll into place.
A hybrid powerplant sends the four wheels a-spinning. But fret not, this ain't no sluggish econo-motor. Nope, this baby combines a 200 horsepower 2.4-liter iVTEC inline four with two 25-horsepower electric motors that will kick in an additional 50 ponies when the right foot demands. To channel the power to the road, Acura uses a six-speed clutchless manual tranny with a console-mounted paddle shifter. The independent suspension interfaces with the pavement (or trailhead) through 18-inch alloys fitted with chunky 235/60 "run-flat" tires.
Why should you care?
There's some interesting functionality here; too bad it's wrapped up in a body that looks like it was designed by a kid with a large collection of Transformers toys from the early 1990s. — John DiPietro
Add A Comment »