LOS ANGELES -- Following the lead of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 5-series Gran Turismo, Acura Division will launch a four-door vehicle with coupelike lines this winter as a 2010 model.
The Acura ZDX, seen in concept form at the New York auto show in April, will retain the concept vehicle’s panoramic glass roof and hidden rear-door handles.
Although the five-seat ZDX is vaguely similar in shape and size to the Honda CrossTour -- also announced this month -- Acura spokesman Mike Spencer said the ZDX “shares nothing with the CrossTour … zero.”
Spencer said the ZDX has most platform components in common with the larger Acura MDX crossover. But the 300-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 engine, seen across the Honda and Acura lineups, will be the powerplant. It will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. The vehicle will come standard with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.
Other standard features will include 19-inch wheels, leather seats, leather instrument panel dashboard and door panels, Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate and a CD player with USB port and iPod integration.
The hatchbacklike rear of the vehicle includes cargo-hiding panels in the sidewalls as well as an integrated underfloor storage area.
Although exact pricing was not announced, Acura said the ZDX will be positioned between the MDX and the RL sedan in the brand’s pricing ladder. An exact production date was not announced, so Acura could not say whether the vehicle will reach dealers by year end.
