Acura tweaks beak on the MDX
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LOS ANGELES -- Acura has toned down the polarizing "beak" grille on the redesigned MDX crossover that is due in mid-2013.
The lightly camouflaged front fascia seen in spy photos shows the beak has been transformed into something more shieldlike. The pictures also indicate Acura is following the luxury-brand trend toward LED headlights.
In the rear, the greenhouse glass retains the current MDX's downward plunge along the D-pillar. The rear fascia is more chiseled, and the taillights get more of a squinty appearance.
Under the hood, expect the same 3.5-liter, 278-hp V-6 Earth Dreams engine recently installed in the 2013 Accord, though it may be mildly retuned to increase its 252 pounds-feet of torque.
Honda has held back on introducing its large-vehicle two-mode hybrid system on the new Accord, probably because it wants Acura to be its technical breakthrough brand. The MDX would be a logical first choice.
Acura sold 38,646 units of the outgoing MDX through September, a 22 percent gain over last year, when the earthquake depleted supplies. The current-generation MDX's peak volume was 58,606 units in 2007, which accounted for 33 percent of the brand's sales.
You can reach Mark Rechtin at mrechtin@crain.com. -- Follow Mark on 
