TORRANCE, California — Acura will fire a substantial volley at BMW and Nissan when it rolls out a prototype of the all-new 2010 Acura ZDX at the 2009 New York Auto Show.
The ZDX is Honda's answer to the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX35, an Acura insider told Inside Line on Monday. The upscale Honda brand, in a statement, officially confirmed the ZDX name (earlier media speculation centered on the name MSX) and said the production version of the ZDX prototype will go on sale in the fall.
Acura did not release pricing details, but it is understood that the ZDX will be positioned above the Acura MDX in size, price and performance. One insider said the prospective price range for the ZDX is roughly $42,000-$50,000.
The 2009 X6 is priced from $56,000-$67,000, while the 2009 FX35 is priced from $43,000-$45,000.
Judging from teaser images released by the company, as well as unofficial shots of camouflaged pre-production prototypes undergoing engineering tests, the ZDX will have an unusual four-door "quad coupe" design, similar to the slinky shapes of the BMW and the Infiniti.
"The ZDX prototype is unlike anything you have ever seen before from Acura," said Jeff Conrad, Acura sales vice president. "The prototype showcases a new level of luxury, style and refinement for Acura and speaks volumes toward our commitment to advancing the brand."
An Acura spokesman told Inside Line that it's "still too early" to reveal powertrain details about the ZDX. However, the acknowledgment about its competitors puts the ZDX into sharper focus when it comes to speculation.
The base 2009 BMW X6 gets the 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and all-wheel drive, while the base Infiniti FX35 gets the 303-hp 3.5-liter V6. It would not be unexpected for the ZDX to get the uplevel engine that powers the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD, a 305-hp 3.7-liter V6. Also rumored for the 2010 ZDX is a six-speed automatic transmission.
The ZDX prototype makes its formal debut on April 8.
Inside Line says: Look for the Acura ZDX to be a hot little performer if it wants to steal affluent customers away from BMW and Infiniti. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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