Acura ZDX design closely resembles concept

The Acura ZDX carries over many of the styling cues showcased on the Precision EV concept car that debuted last year at Monterey Car Week. Acura said its first electric vehicle is the result of three projects happening simultaneously at the brand's Los Angeles design studio.

Along with the design of the ZDX, development was also underway for both the Precision EV concept and Acura's next-generation ARX 06 electrified race car. The maximized aerodynamics of the ARX 06 served as a blueprint for the concept — itself the north star for Acura's performance-oriented styling in its transformation from a gasoline to electrified lineup.

"We were doing the surface language for the concept car and the race car, and the ZDX was also going on," Dave Marek, Acura's executive creative director for Honda R&D Americas, told Automotive News. "Everybody was expecting something unique and special, so we just looked at the concept and said, 'We're going to make that.' "

The result of a collaboration between Acura and General Motors, the ZDX shares its platform with the Cadillac Lyriq EV. While the Acura model leverages common parts, it embodies the performance philosophy of the Precision EV concept car.

"We have to be true to Acura, which is a performance brand, and the contrast surfacing and other cues really help to identify us," Marek said.

The boat hull shape features a character line on the side extending from front to rear. Everything above the line, which is intended to emulate a waterline, is sleek and clean, while everything below represents more tech, function and performance.

“The ZDX still has the sculptural part that was more dramatic on the concept, but the shaping and more mechanical feeling is still on it,” Marek said.

That’s especially true for the ZDX’s 500-hp Type S variant that features a black roof.

A-Spec models will not have the two-tone color scheme, but all ZDXs maintain the familiar character line connecting the headlights to the taillights, along with the platinum rocker anchoring the sportier styling.

Marek said a lot of cars already have the black roof and the black rocker with the body color strip between, and that the platinum rocker "visually lightens the car."

Brilliant Double Apex Blue Pearl, as previewed on the Precision EV concept, is part of the color palette for the highly anticipated ZDX. Type S models will get the performance trim level's exclusive Tiger Eye Pearl color as an option.

Marek said the proportions of the ZDX are what make it an attention-grabber, so whatever color it is optioned in will be cool.

The giant 22-inch wheels of the concept car have also made their way to the ZDX. The wheels are the biggest offered on any Acura model.

Hints of the Precision EV's bold fascia — an illuminated version of Acura's diamond pentagon grille with progressing lights — are present on the ZDX. The lights are translated into a diamond pattern inside the illuminated pentagon, which made its way to the final product. The oversized Acura badge remains prominently centered.

The Particle Glitch light graphics that added futuristic pizzazz to the fascia of the Precision EV concept did not make it onto the production car.