Acura ZDX

Acura ZDX
2011 Acura ZDX Advance
Overview
Manufacturer	Acura (Honda, first generation) General Motors (second generation)
Production	2009–2013 2024 (to commence)
Model years	2010–2013 2024
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Body style	5-door coupé SUV (2009–2013) 5-door SUV (2024–present)

The Acura ZDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with a sloping rear roofline developed by Honda for its upmarket brand Acura. The car was originally planned to be called the "MSX". The ZDX debuted at the 2009 New York International Auto Show on April 8, 2009, as a 2010 model. The vehicle was also the first to be completely designed at Acura's southern California design studio in Torrance.

The original ZDX concept was penned by Michelle Christensen who labeled it a "4-door luxury sports coupe" and which Acura says "blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle."

The ZDX features Acura's first six speed automatic transmission, advanced ventilated seats, as well as other luxury appointments. Although the ZDX shares a similar profile with the Honda Crosstour, the two vehicles are not mechanically related: the latter is based on the Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX.

On August 19, 2022, it was announced that the ZDX nameplate would return to Acura's lineup in 2024 for the brand's first electric vehicle. The new ZDX will be co-developed with General Motors.

Concept version

The ZDX concept

Five teaser shots, released by Acura between March 16 and 20, 2009, indicated a coupe-like sloping roofline akin to that of the BMW X6, which led many observers to believe that is its direct competitor. After the announcement about naming the vehicle ZDX, Acura added the words "Luxury Four-Door Sports Coupe" to the caption for each picture. Moreover, it did not state the vehicle as a crossover or an SUV. The automaker translated the designers renderings almost literally into production sheetmetal. It's all but unheard-of for a rookie designer to have sketches embraced by a car company and put into production with so few changes.

First generation (YB1; 2009)

First generation (YB1)
Overview
Production	2009–2013
Model years	2010–2013
Assembly	Alliston, Ontario, Canada (HCM)
Designer	Michelle Christensen
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Acura MDX Honda Pilot
Powertrain
Engine	3.7 L J37A5 V6 (gasoline)
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2,751 mm)
Length	192.4 in (4,887 mm)
Width	78.5 in (1,994 mm)
Height	62.8 in (1,595 mm)
Curb weight	4,452 lb (2,019 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Acura RDX Acura MDX

The announced version includes the 3,664 cc (3.664 L; 223.6 cu in) SOHC VTEC V6 all-aluminum engine rated 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6300 rpm and 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm, 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), 19-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof with movable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate, and a high-powered audio system with CD player, AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio and USB audio interface with iPod integration. Sales began in winter 2009.

Acura ZDX

The Technology Package adds the Navigation System with voice recognition, an Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system and a new multi-view rear camera. Advance Package adds blind spot monitoring system, Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which brought multiple modes of suspension firmness and response using electronically controlled Magneto-Rheological shock absorbers.

For 2013, in a last ditch attempt, Acura sold the ZDX in only one trim level. Acura cut costs by eliminating CMBS, ACC and IDS and replaced them with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), redesigned front grille, integrated parking sensors, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, and new dark accents for the wheels. This resulted in a MSRP ($51,815) over $5K less than the previous year advance model.

The 2013 ZDX has one well-equipped trim level. Standard features include a navigation system with an 8-inch screen, satellite radio, USB input, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, ventilated and heated seats (front), cruise control, keyless entry, power-folding side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power tailgate, moonroof, and auto on/off headlights. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a rearview camera. The ZDX has 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its 60/40 split-folding rear seats and just 57.3 cubic feet with them folded flat, which is very small by class standards.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel consumption estimates for all models are 16 mpg_‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg_‑imp) in the city, 22 mpg_‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg_‑imp) on the highway and 19 mpg_‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg_‑imp) combined.

Discontinuation

The ZDX was discontinued after the 2013 model year due to poor sales, and in a statement from Honda, "as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products." The ZDX was the rarest of U.S. manufactured Acura offerings, with a total of 7,191 vehicles produced and sold in North America.

Safety

NHTSA 2012 Acura ZDX:

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover:	/ 13.0%

Sales

Calendar year	US Sales
2009	79
2010	3,259
2011	1,564
2012	775
2013	362
2014	78
2015	2

Second generation (2024)

Second generation
2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec AWD
Overview
Production	2024 (to commence)
Assembly	United States: Spring Hill, Tennessee (Spring Hill Manufacturing)
Body and chassis
Layout	Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive Dual-motors, all-wheel-drive
Platform	GM BEV3
Related	Cadillac Lyriq Honda Prologue Chevrolet Blazer EV
Powertrain
Electric motor	Permanent magnet motor
Power output	358 hp (363 PS; 267 kW) (A-Spec RWD) 490 hp (497 PS; 365 kW) (A-Spec AWD) 500 hp (507 PS; 373 kW) (Type S AWD)
Battery	102 kWh Ultium lithium-ion
Electric range	Up to 278–313 mi (447–504 km) EPA
Plug-in charging	190 kW (DC)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121.8 in (3,094 mm)
Length	197.7 in (5,022 mm)
Width	77.0 in (1,956 mm)
Height	64.4 in (1,636 mm)
Curb weight	5,421–6,052 lb (2,459–2,745 kg)

Acura unveiled the all-electric ZDX in August 2023. The first EV in Acura's lineup, the new ZDX is co-developed using General Motors' Ultium vehicle architecture that currently underpins the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV and the Honda Prologue, itself slated for a 2024 release. Similar to the Prologue, it shares many components with the Blazer EV, including the steering wheel, climate setting controls, and door handles. Additionally, it shares its powertrain with the Cadillac Lyriq.

Compared to the original ZDX, the 2nd generation ZDX has a more traditional roofline. The ZDX gains an A-Spec single-motor configuration, and a Type S performance variant, the latter of which is estimated to give 500hp, making it the most powerful SUV ever produced by Acura.

It is the first Acura to implement several technologies and features. The standard 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system marks the debut of Acura's partnership with the company. The infotainment system has Google Built-in, which is the first implementation of Android Automotive in an Acura, though it is a reskin of GM's version rather than the Honda developed version seen in the Accord. Additionally, the ZDX will debut a new hands-free highway driving assistance system called AcuraWatch 360+ with Hands Free Cruise.

The ZDX was to be one of many Acura and Honda EVs co-developed with General Motors. However, In October 2023, Honda and General Motors announced that their plan to co-develop low-cost electric vehicles has been cancelled, and future Honda/Acura EVs will be solely developed by Honda and will be manufactured in Honda assembly plants. Honda cited struggles with achieving good highway range on GM's platform along with the changing economic climate of higher interest rates and following EV demand slowdown as factors for the cancellation. Both the ZDX and the Honda Prologue are the only known models jointly developed with GM to make it to production.

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  Rear view

Powertrain

The ZDX has three different powertrain options. First is the base single-motor, rear-wheel drive A-Spec which outputs 358 hp (267 kW; 363 PS) and 324 lb⋅ft (439 N⋅m) of torque. The all-wheel drive A-spec has an additional motor powering the front wheels and makes 490 hp (370 kW; 500 PS) and 437 lb⋅ft (592 N⋅m) of torque. A higher output version of this setup is used in the Type S, where it produces a slightly increased 500 hp (370 kW; 510 PS) and a significantly higher 544 lb⋅ft (738 N⋅m) of torque.

All versions use GM's 102 kWh lithium-ion modular Ultium battery, which is also used in the Cadillac Lyriq. It allows the single-motor A-Spec model an EPA range of 313 miles (504 km), while the dual-motor version achieves 304 miles (489 km). The Type S, which has larger 22-inch wheels, achieves a lower 278 miles (447 km) of range. The ZDX can DC fast charge at up to 190kW, which Acura claims allows single motor models to add 81 miles (130 km) of range in 10 minutes, and can charge the battery from 20-80% in 42 minutes. An onboard AC charger allows for a claimed charging rate of 29.4 miles (47.3 km) per hour.

All versions have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lb (1,600 kg).

External links

• Acura - official site