Acura RDX Continues to be the Right SUV for Today's World
TORONTO, ON – September 1, 2011 - Choosing the right vehicle has never been more important. Blending a smart balance of sport and utility, the 2012 Acura RDX offers the “right sized” package matched with a turbocharged powertrain and the sure-footedness of Acura’s acclaimed Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™— all wrapped in supple luxury.
The evolution of the luxury performance SUV took a significant leap forward with the arrival of the turbocharged Acura RDX crossover vehicle. The quick response of power from Acura’s first-ever turbocharged engine along with the breakthrough technology of SH-AWD™ combine to deliver excellent performance in an efficient SUV package.
“The RDX has always offered a unique mix of great performance, good utility, useful technology and sharp looks,” said Alexandre Roger, assistant vice president, Acura Canada. “The 2012 RDX is an exceptionally smart choice for anyone that doesn’t want to sacrifice performance or luxury when moving into the utility of an SUV.”
The RDX continues to be the compact luxury SUV of choice for drivers with energetic lifestyles who need a responsive and sporty vehicle with plenty of utility and leading edge styling. With an available Tech package, the 2012 RDX comes in two choices, both of which include Acura’s SH-AWD®, perfect for those looking for sporty performance and all-weather capability.
Externally, the 2012 RDX has an aggressive, sporty appearance thanks to bold front and rear fascias, Acura’s signature grille, pronounced wheel arches, 18-inch 10-spoke aluminum wheels and upscale trim accents. On the inside, the RDX makes use of a rich blend of leather, artful stitchwork and flowing curves— paired with plenty of cutting edge technology.
True to Acura’s leadership in the application of advanced technology, the RDX incorporates a class-leading array of features that keep passengers informed, entertained and in control. Every RDX features standard Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® connectivity with Bluetooth®audio capabilities, a 7-speaker Acura Premium Sound System and a USB port that allows the connection (and charging) of items such as an iPhone® or iPod®. For those who want to be even more connected to the world around them, an available Tech Package includes the Acura Navigation System with bilingual Voice Recognition™, off-road tracking, rearview camera and steering wheel-mounted controls.
Based on Acura’s “Safety Through Innovation” initiative, the RDX incorporates leading safety technologies including Acura’s renowned Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, a wide array of airbags (including front, side and side curtain airbags), Vehicle Stability Assist ™ (VSA™), ABS with Brake Assist, and front seats with active head restraints.
Powertrain
The RDX is equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder engine incorporating computer-controlled “intelligent” i-VTEC® for the intake valves that deliver enhanced performance across a broad powerband. The heart of the RDX’s performance is its Variable Flow Turbocharger (VFT) that delivers an unusually broad powerband with virtually no lag in response. The turbocharger works in concert with i-VTEC® to deliver outstanding acceleration while driving at a variety of speeds.
Rated output for the 2.3L I-4 engine is 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The RDX has an estimated city/highway fuel economy rating* of 11.7/8.7
L/100km all while meeting stringent TIER 2 – BIN 5 and CARB LEV-2 ULEV emissions standards.
A performance-minded Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission is standard on the RDX and an electronically-controlled Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system works with the transmission to execute exceptionally quick and smooth gear changes. The Sequential SportShift feature allows the transmission to function in a conventional automatic mode or gear shifts can be manually controlled via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Chassis
The design goal for the RDX chassis was to simultaneously provide the sporty handling of the Acura TSX sports sedan with the versatility of an SUV.
Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system is standard on the RDX, helping it to maximize available traction while improving handling balance and responsiveness in a variety of weather conditions. SH-AWD™ distributes optimum torque not only between the front and rear axles, but also between the left and right rear wheels. In addition, SH-AWD™ utilizes torque vectoring to help reduce understeer by overdriving one of the rear wheels to create a yaw moment that enhances steering accuracy and improves cornering ability.
Precise and responsive handling is generated by fully independent front and rear suspension. The MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension system is tuned for compliant control, and the suspension is assisted by large-diameter front and rear stabilizer bars for flatter cornering. Standard to the RDX is Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control to further enhance vehicle controllability.
Exterior
RDX exterior styling further emphasizes the crossover SUV’s sporty athleticism. Large wheel arches, aggressively styled body sides, steeply raked windscreen and a short rear overhang generate an RDX with a taut and muscular presence. A unique rear hatch allows for a smooth transition of the body to the rear bumper— a transition that delivers a more custom look as well as eases loading and unloading of cargo.
HID front headlights team with sharp body lines, bold 18-inch 10-spoke aluminum wheels, rectangular exhaust finishers and satin body trim to give the RDX a crisp look.
Interior
Inside every RDX, leather trimmed front seats deliver a luxury feel as well as a high outward visibility “eye point” that provides a confident field of view. The RDX has soothing blue low-level ambient lighting in the ceiling that illuminates the front centre console area along with ambient blue footwell lighting. The 3-passenger rear seat has a 60/40 split-folding capability and, when folded flat, significantly expands the load area— increasing the total cargo volume to over 1,700 litres.
Multiple storage compartments are positioned throughout the RDX interior, including a lockable dual-level centre console that is conveniently located between the front seats. Within the centre console is a movable tray along with a coin holder and a place for holding credit or gate cards.
Acura interior design has always made intuitive functionality a priority, and in the 2012 RDX all important systems and controls are intuitive and easy-to-read. The systems used most frequently – audio and cruise control – have switches positioned on the steering wheel and the HVAC buttons are located close to the driver.
The 2012 RDX features a standard Acura Premium Sound System with AM/FM tuner, 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3, WMA, XM® Radio, 7 speakers and a 360 watt amplifier. The audio system also features USB port and AUX jack connections for items such as an iPod®, MP3 music player, or a removable memory stick.
All 2012 RDX models feature a standard rear view camera system. A base RDX has a viewing screen that is integrated into the auto-dimming rearview mirror, while an RDX with Tech Package displays the rear view image on the 8-inch colour screen used for the navigation system.
Part of the RDX Tech Package is a spectacular Acura/ELS Surround® 410-watt Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, 6-disc DVD-Audio, CD/MP3/WMA player, DTS®, AM/FM tuner, XM® Radio and Dolby® Pro Logic® II. The Acura/ELS® audio system was designed by 6-time Grammy® award winning sound engineer Elliot Scheiner.
The Technology Package includes a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, automatic climate control system. In total, these advanced technologies position the RDX at the cutting edge of the Entry Premium SUV segment.
Safety and Security
The RDX’s technology leadership also extends to safety, where a long list of advanced features are used— including an Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. ACE™ employs a network of interconnected frame structures that work to absorb and redirect frontal collision forces away from the passenger cabin while simultaneously helping improve crash compatibility with vehicles of different sizes.
In addition, a special frame member located below the RDX’s front bumper is designed to engage the front bumper of a lower vehicle, allowing the bumper systems of both vehicles to attenuate crash energy more efficiently. A specially engineered hood, collapsible hood hinges, breakaway wiper pivots and other features help mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision with the vehicle.
Inside, the RDX has a full complement of passive safety features. Key technologies include the latest generation of dual-stage, multiple-threshold airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with side curtain airbags (with a rollover sensor) for all outboard occupants. The front passenger’s side airbag features an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) to prevent airbag deployment if a child or small-stature adult leans into the deployment path. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat mounting systems allow the quick and convenient installation of child seats in the rear seats.
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Honda Canada Inc.
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