2010 Acura ZDX

Adding to the dynamic capabilities of the Acura ZDX is the available Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which tailors the fully independent suspension’s Active Damper System and speed-sensitive steering together to suit the driver’s preference for a more comfortable or a more sporting ride – all available for easy change at the turn of a dial. Comfort mode prioritizes road isolation and reduced passenger fatigue, while Sport mode favors crisp handling response, heightened vehicle body control and maximum traction.

Befitting its “sports coupe” design, the 2010 ZDX is longer, lower, wider and has a significantly wider track than its primary market competitors. The Acura ZDX rides on a 108.3-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 192.4 inches, it has an overall width of 85.6 inches with a 67.7-inch track front and rear, and it stands 62.8 inches tall. These dimensions allow the Acura ZDX to offer a driving character that is as confident as its appearance is dramatic.

When the Acura ZDX goes on sale this winter, customers will have the choice of three distinct trim levels: ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package and the ZDX with Advance Package. Like all Acura models, the ZDX will come generously equipped. The panoramic glass roof with moveable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® connectivity, power tailgate and a high powered audio system with CD player, AM/FM radio, XM® Satellite Radio and USB audio connectivity with iPod® integration are all standard features.

The Acura ZDX with Technology Package adds several key features including an Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, an Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system and a new multi-view rear camera. The Advance Package boasts additional customer enhancing technologies like a blind spot information system, a Collision Mitigating Braking System™ (CMBS™) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

When the Acura ZDX goes on-sale, it will bring a new level of prestige to the Acura lineup. The Acura ZDX will be positioned and priced between the Acura MDX luxury SUV and the Acura RL luxury performance sedan. ZDX pricing and additional details will be released at a later date.

Powertrain

The all-new Acura ZDX is equipped with a new generation of the 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine that continues Acura’s longstanding mission to provide V-8 level horsepower and torque with the size and fuel efficiency of a V-6. The all-aluminum engine develops 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque for immediate acceleration response, outstanding low- and mid-range torque and exciting high-rpm power.

Helping broaden the powerband while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency of the latest 3.7L V-6 is a new 2-rocker arm design VTEC® (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system applied to the intake valves. In addition, special high-lift camshaft specs during VTEC® operation, a dual-stage induction system and an electronic Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system team to improve engine performance.

Performance and fuel economy are further enhanced by the Acura ZDX’s all-new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission that is designed to satisfy the most discerning enthusiast drivers. EPA estimated city/highway fuel mileage of 16/22 mpg and a large 21-gallon fuel capacity allow for the Acura ZDX to have a long cruising range. Plus, the ZDX complies with the latest EPA TIER 2 – BIN 5 and CARB LEV II ULEV emissions standards.

Standard on the ZDX is Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system, which is tuned for real-world driving conditions and has been performance proven on Germany’s famed Nürburgring road course. Setting new standards for power delivery and handling response, SH-AWD® actively varies the torque distribution first between front and rear axles, and then between the left and right rear wheels, to maximize available traction under most driving situations. This “torque vectoring” operates automatically and seamlessly, and allows SH-AWD® to overdrive the outside rear wheel up to 1.7-percent faster than the front wheels- thus creating a “yaw moment” that allows the Acura ZDX to better rotate around a corner while minimizing vehicle understeer.

Chassis

The Acura ZDX chassis was tuned to provide an ideal balance of handling precision, road isolation and damping. In front, MacPherson struts team with coil-over springs and forged-aluminum lower control arms for precise handling with generous wheel travel, while hydro-compliance suspension bushings and a front subframe that “floats” on rubber mounts provide superb road and engine isolation. The Acura ZDX’s multi-link rear suspension mounts on a separate steel subframe and employs aluminum uprights for reduced unsprung weight; the coil springs, dampers and anti-roll bar are tuned for optimum ride and handling.

Included with the available Advance Package, the new Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) tailors the Acura ZDX’s fully independent suspension’s Active Damper System and speed-sensitive steering to suit the driver’s preference for a more comfortable or a more sporting ride – available at the touch of a switch. Comfort mode prioritizes road isolation and reduced passenger fatigue, while Sport mode favors crisp handling response, heightened vehicle body control and maximum traction.

The heart of the Acura ZDX’s Active Damper System is its electronically-controlled Magneto-Rheological shock absorbers, which can individually adjust from minimum to maximum damping force in as little as five milliseconds (0.005 sec.). Along with the active dampers, the speed-sensitive hydraulic steering assist is automatically adjusted according to the driver’s choice of Comfort or Sport modes: lighter steering effort is generated in the Comfort mode, while firmer effort results when in Sport mode.

Body

The exterior design goal for the Acura ZDX was to merge the emotional appeal of a sports coupe with excellent all-season ability and good ground clearance to allow for moderate off-highway use. The unique design of the wide rear fenders and aerodynamic cabin give the Acura ZDX a decisive and powerful appearance, while the panoramic glass roof provides occupants with a breathtaking view of the world around them.

The unique moonroof design teams with the surrounding glass structure to make for the longest glass roof in the automotive market- stretching from the leading edge of the windshield to the trailing edge of the tailgate glass. In the front section of the glass roof is the moonroof that tilts and slides up and back along the outside of the roof. This opening design helps to preserve maximum interior headroom while also retaining the dramatic and personal “sports coupe” design of the cabin greenhouse. A fixed glass panel over the rear seat area further brightens the cabin. Dual motorized sunshades cover both the front and rear glass panels should the Acura ZDX occupants choose to reduce sunlight entering the interior, while a mesh fabric pop-up air deflector achieves a new standard for wind-noise performance when compared to a traditional blade-type wind deflector.

Cargo

Opening the power-actuated tailgate reveals an impressively detailed rear cargo area that offers a total of 26.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Lined with premium loop-style carpet, the rear cargo area also offers a cleverly hidden 2.2 cubic-feet cargo bin positioned under the floor. Hidden behind removable side panels are additional storage areas in the cargo-compartment sidewalls. Like the under-floor access panel, the removable side panels have satin-metal release handles, and can be stored in the under-floor cargo bin to generate a wide load space designed to accommodate up to four golf bags. With the second-row seats folded, the Acura ZDX offers a fully carpeted near-flat load floor and a total of 55.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

Interior

Combining premium materials with a new standard of attention-to-detail and craftsmanship, the Acura ZDX interior takes its place as the ultimate expression of Acura interior design. Following the “2+Freedom” design concept, the Acura ZDX interior emphasizes the needs of the driver and passenger, while also offering the loading freedom to easily accommodate a weekend golfing trip or a piece of bulky cargo. For occasional use, the Acura ZDX’s second-row seats can comfortably accommodate two full-size adults, or three passengers for shorter rides.

New manufacturing processes allow top-grade leather to precisely follow complex, flowing shapes on the instrument panel, center console and door panels. LED interior lighting and a striking center instrument panel that blacks out when not in use give the Acura ZDX a clean, technical feel.

Standard Acura ZDX interior features include leather seating surfaces, a supportive 10-way adjustable power driver seat and an 8-way adjustable power passenger seat. Also standard is the panoramic glass roof, power tailgate and a dual-zone, dual-mode automatic climate control system with automatic humidity control and rear seat vents. Additional standard equipment includes a powerful 8-speaker audio system with 6-disc CD changer, AM/FM tuner, XM® Radio, Bluetooth® Audio, USB port connectivity (for items such as iPod®, iPhone®, or removable USB mass storage devices) and AUX jack interface (for portable MP3 music players).

The Acura ZDX auto day/night rearview mirror includes an integrated rear view camera display, while Tech and Advance models display camera information on the navigation system’s full VGA color display.

Advanced Technology

An available Technology Package increases both connectivity and comfort. The package starts with a Keyless Access System with push-button start, luxurious full-grain Perforated Milano Premium Leather for the seating surfaces and an Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™. The system has an 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display, uses navigation data stored on a built-in 60 GB hard disk drive (HDD) for impressively quick operation and includes AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™ along with the AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with weather radar image maps. For the ultimate in connectivity, the AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System allows direct communication between the ZDX and Acura, including the ability to make automated appointments for vehicle service.

The Technology Package also features Acura’s renowned Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system with a 435-watt Digital Sound Processor amplifier, a 10-speaker surround sound array and a built-in 15-gigabyte hard disk drive (HDD) media storage system that allows the Acura ZDX owner to download and store about 3,500 up to songs for later playback. The Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system offers DVD-Audio (with 500-times higher resolution than traditional CD audio), DTS™, CD, AM/FM tuner, XM® Radio, Bluetooth® Audio, plus USB and AUX jack connectivity.

The available Advance Package includes everything in the Technology Package, and adds premium brushed tricot headliner material, ventilated front seats, a sport steering wheel and additional LED ambient lighting. The Advance Package also includes Acura’s Collision Mitigating Braking System™ (CMBS™), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a blind spot information system and the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) that controls the Active Damper System and speed-sensitive steering.

Safety

Acura’s acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and a comprehensive array of active and passive safety features help the 2010 ZDX offer a high level of passenger safety. The ACE™ body structure more evenly distributes collision forces throughout the vehicle and also helps maintain the integrity of the passenger cabin in the event of a severe frontal collision.

Passive safety features include a dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), dual-chamber side airbags with a passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), front seats with active head restraints, knee bolsters for front occupants, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and front seatbelts with an automatic tensioning system with integrated load limiters.

Numerous standard “active safety” features that help the Acura ZDX driver minimize the risk of collision include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) along with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

An additional active safety feature included in the available Advance Package is the Collision Mitigating Braking System™ (CMBS™) which helps the driver reduce the likelihood of a collision by alerting the driver to potential collision situations and activating the brakes if the system determines a collision likely is unavoidable.

Although the Acura ZDX has not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as of press time, Acura internal testing projects the ZDX to achieve top ratings in NHTSA frontal and side impact testing, as well as earn GOOD ratings from the IIHS.

Along with every other new Acura, the 2010 Acura ZDX is covered by a comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000 miles powertrain limited warranty. Additional benefits of ownership include Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC), which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service and trip routing.