The all-new MDX is Acura's first designed-from-the-ground-up sport-utility vehicle -- a fully-featured luxury SUV that delivers exhilarating performance and outstanding all-weather handling in combination with class-leading fuel economy, ultra-low emissions and an expected five-star level safety protection rating. The MDX also boasts highly versatile seven-passenger seating with second- and third-row seats that are easily reconfigured for a wide variety of seating and cargo-carrying arrangements.
"The MDX is a no-compromises vehicle," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president, Acura division. "It is the first luxury SUV to deliver both the sport and the utility consumers desire in one completely refined package."
Exhilarating performance
The MDX is powered by an advanced, all-aluminum, 3.5-liter, 24-valve, V6 engine with VTEC? technology mated to a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Producing 240 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque, the MDX offers engine performance similar to that found in Acura's new high-performance luxury sports coupe, the 3.2 CL Type S, providing exhilarating power and a broad, flat torque curve (95-percent of peak torque available from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm).
Acura VTM-4 Four-Wheel Drive
Delivering power to all four wheels is Acura's innovative new electronic VTM-4 wheel drive system (Variable Torque Management?-4WD). This new system manages the automatic distribution of engine torque to all four wheels for outstanding driveability and control in dry, wet, snowy and icy conditions. Developed exclusively for the MDX, the VTM-4 system employs sophisticated electronic control mechanisms to monitor driving conditions and to actively apportion engine torque between the front and rear wheels for optimal control, performance and handling under varying circumstances.
The MDX four-wheel drive system is automatically engaged whenever the vehicle is accelerating and unlike conventional automatic 4WD systems, which react only to wheel slippage, VTM-4 proactively apportions torque to the rear wheels before wheel slip occurs. When cruising with no wheel slip present, the system reverts to front-wheel drive for improved fuel economy.
In addition, the VTM-4 system also features a lock mode, activated by a button on the instrument panel that delivers maximum torque to the rear wheels for optimum traction under extremely slippery or "stuck" conditions.
Environmental leadership
All MDX models sold nationwide meet California's stringent Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) standards, making the MDX one of the cleanest and most efficient SUVs on the market today. With estimated city/highway ratings of 17/23 MPG, the MDX delivers the best-combined fuel economy of any vehicle in its class.
Exceptional handling
Regardless of weather conditions, the MDX offers exceptional handling capabilities both on- and off-road while providing a smooth compliant ride. With the tightest turning radius in its class, the MDX is easy to maneuver on twisty mountain roads, as well as in suburban parking lots.
Test engineers logged thousands of miles achieving the optimal balance between the chassis, engine, tires and the advanced VTM-4 wheel drive system. The result is a vehicle that delivers tremendous levels of agility and controllability in all types of weather and varying road conditions.
A four-wheel fully independent suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-channel ABS, standard 17-inch alloy wheels and specially designed P235/65R-17 all-season tires further enhance the MDX's sporty performance and all-weather handling capabilities.
Flexible seven-passenger interior
A uniquely transformable interior delivers unprecedented levels of flexibility and utility in a luxury SUV and is capable of accommodating up to seven passengers. Second- and third-row seats that split and fold flat into the floor make for an interior that can be quickly and easy reconfigured to accommodate from one to seven passengers and a wide variety of cargo, from gardening to recreation and sports equipment, including a six foot ladder. A wide track and flat floor design further enhance the vehicle's passenger and cargo carrying capabilities.
Advanced Safety Performance
MDX engineers targeted the highest levels of safety for all passengers and equipped the MDX with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features. Internal crash test data confirms an expected NHTSA five-star rating in safety performance for all passengers in frontal and side collisions. Advanced safety features include a dual-stage passenger's front airbag that adjusts deployment force according to the severity of the impact and seatbelt use; a front passenger's side airbag with passenger size and position sensors; energy-absorbing body structure with passenger compartment safety shell; side-impact door beams and four-wheel, four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS).
The front structure of the MDX also was designed to help avoid bumper override with passenger cars in frontal collisions. Acura engineers designed the MDX to withstand a 35-mph rear impact with no intrusion into the third-row seating area.
Defeat Winter System
A unique "Defeat Winter" system combines Acura's innovative new VTM-4 four-wheel drive system and outstanding handling characteristics with a comprehensive list of winter features to provide passengers with superior protection against the elements. Defeat winter features include heated front seats, heated side mirrors, fluidic front and jet-type rear windshield washer nozzles, a large 1.2-gallon washer fluid reservoir with low-fluid warning light, sealed lower doorsills and a storage bin in the rear cargo compartment for winter-related items.
The MDX also boasts the world's first Synchronized Climate Control System, which allows for simultaneous or independent operation of both the front and rear air conditioning systems for greatly improved interior heating, cooling and defogging performance. An auxiliary heating and cooling unit and fan built into the center console preserves interior headroom while boosting rear-seat climate control performance to best-in-class levels.
Acura Style
Designed at the Torrance, California R&D facilities, the MDX communicates the brand's style in a bold new way with a strong and athletic appearance &endash; lean, clean, muscular and refined. Acura's signature pentagonal grille and bright, clean headlight treatment highlight the sharply chiseled front fascia. A wide stance (2.5 to 4.8 inches wider than its closest competitors) further communicates a message of broad-shouldered strength and stability.
Interior styling was inspired by the wide open spaces and flowing architectural style of the southwestern United States. Large, flowing shapes dominate the instrument panel and center console, while the overall feeling of the cabin is one of spaciousness with superb outward visibility.
Comprehensively Equipped
Like all Acura products, the MDX comes equipped with a comprehensive list of standard luxury features including leather seating surfaces* and door inserts; wood patterned trim; keyless remote entry; power windows, door locks and mirrors; power tilt and sliding moonroof; cruise control; seven-speaker AM/FM/Cassette stereo with in-dash CD player; power adjustable heated front seats; alloy wheels and a multi-function digital trip computer.
The optional Touring package adds a keyless remote-linked, two-position driver's seat and mirror memory system; 8-way power adjustable passenger seat; roof rack; reverse tilt passenger mirror, exclusive alloy wheels and an upgraded 200-watt, eight speaker Acura/Bose music system with in-dash, 6-disc CD changer.
An optional Acura Navigation System with DVD (digital versatile disc) contains mapping of the continental U.S. on a single disc and features a nationwide directory of 3.7-million points of interest, restaurants, hotels, ATMs and a number of other categories. In addition, the system offers a unique line trace function that leaves "electronic bread crumbs" on the navigation screen for re-tracing your steps during off-road excursions in unmapped areas.
Sales/Pricing
Available this October as a 2001 model, the MDX will be priced in the mid-$30,000 range with a first year sales plan of 35,000 to 40,000 units. The MDX will be assembled at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Ontario, Canada.
The MDX, like all Acura vehicles, comes equipped with a comprehensive 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty that includes Acura's TLC (Total Luxury Care) customer service package.
Acura offers a full line of luxury performance vehicles through a nationwide network of nearly 260 dealers. The Acura line up features six distinct models including the exotic NSX supercar, the 3.5 RL flagship luxury sedan, the best-selling 3.2 TL luxury performance sedan, the all-new 3.2 CL luxury performance coupe, the fun-to-drive Integra and the revolutionary MDX luxury sport utility vehicle. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com.
* First and second row seats