Model Year 2007 is going to be big for Acura as they will be launching two new SUVS. The MDX, Acura's popular mid-size SUV will benefit from a full model change while the RDX -the first addition to the Acura line since the TSX - will join the Acura lineup and slot in underneath the MDX in terms of size and price.
Details remain scarce for both models, though Acura showed the RDX Concept at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show and provided a solid hint regarding the styling and packaging of the vehicle as well as a few key clues surrounding the drivetrain. In case you forgot, Acura promised SH-AWD, "more than 200hp", and an incredible in-car entertainment system. Since then, the rumor mill has been buzzing about a new turbo 4-cylinder motor that's supposedly been under development for the RDX, but that's been sort of back and forth as to whether it will make it to production. The latest info we've heard is that the turbo motor is a go. Expect the RDX to go on sale early in 2006. Brenda Priddy managed to snag some photos of the RDX, shown here in heavy camouflage (the test engineers are actually driving around with a car cover ON the car). If you look closely at the interior you can see that the instrument cluster bears a resemblance to the one shown on the Detroit Concept. You can also see that the back glass is shaped nearly identical to the concept as well. It may be difficult to see in the shot we've included here, but the vehicle appears to have power seat controls and dual exhausts. In other shots we have seen, there are turn signals on the mirrors.
Now, we're not even sure that the vehicle in this photo is the MDX, but after seeing the current shots of the RDX, and looking back at this one (it was first offered to us in July), it appears that though this vehicle is shod with the same wheels and tires as the RDX, the vehicle in this photo appears quite a bit larger than the RDX. Also notice the relative slab-sided appearance. We're guessing that it's the 2007 MDX, though given the short rear overhang, there's an almost equal chance that it could be a CR-V.
