Mildly Facelifted 2010 Acura MDX Priced from $43,040 in the States

The refreshed 2010 Acura MDX SUV goes on sale at Acura's U.S. dealerships today with prices starting at $42,230, plus a destination and handling (D&H) charge of $810 which comes to a total of $43,040. For 2010, the MDX receives some styling and equipment updates along with a new 6-speed automatic transmission and a tweaked 3.7-liter V6 that generates 300HP and 270 lb-ft of torque, returning an improved EPA estimated 16mpg city and 21mpg highway.

Visually, the 7-passenger SUV is distinguished by the new bumpers, revised taillights, polished stainless-steel exhaust finishers, redesigned alloy wheels and how can we forget, the adoption of Acura's corporate chrome grille.

The list with the interior updates for the 2010 model year MDX include the expanded use of Milano Premium Leather, a new sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, new gauges, the availability of ventilated front seats and upgraded interior trim.

Acura notes that the base version of the 2010 MDX which is priced 3 percent higher than the 2009MY, receives a plethora of new standard content including a power rear tailgate, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated rear view camera screen, LED backlit instrumentation, a new hill start assist feature and premium floormats.

Honda Accord Tourer Taxi Cab: You Won't Be Seeing this Acura in the States

While Acura has confirmed that it will bring the European Honda Accord Tourer to the U.S. as the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon in fall 2010 (the Euro Accord and the TSX are virtually one and the same), it's highly unlikely that you'll ever see one in a yellowish finish with a Taxi roof sign. But if you're planning a trip to Germany, you might very well be able to hitch a ride on a Accord Tourer Taxi - that is, if you manage to spot one among all the Mercs.

The Euro-spec model is powered by a 2.2-liter i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel that delivers an output of 150 horsepower and 350Nm or 258 lb-ft of peak torque returning a combined fuel economy of 6.6 lt/100 or 35.7mpg US in the European cycle.

The new Accord Tourer Elegance cab comes equipped with a taximeter case, wireless telephone pre-installation and special brackets for the taxi sign while the station wagon's standard features include an electric tailgate, cruise control, leather steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, MP3-capable CD player, dual-zone automatic climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The taxi version of the Accord Tourer is available for order now in Germany with pricing set at €20,690 or at today's exchange rates, US$29,800.

Honda HSV-010 GT: NSX's Racing Replacement Caught on Video During Testing

Earlier this week, Honda released the first official details and a photo of its new HSV-010 GT, which stands for Honda Sports Velocity, and has been developed to replace the racing variant of the NSX in the GT500 class of the 2010 Super GT Series. Now we have the first videos of the blacked out racer that's the closest we'll get to the next generation NSX supercar.

You see, the HSV-010 GT is based on the NSX's replacement that Honda canceled at the end of 2008 due to the economic recession. The Japanese company had previewed the supercar which featured a front-mounted V10 engine in concept form through the Acura Advance Sports Car Concept at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.

According to company sources, the V10 supercar would have been the Japanese automaker's most powerful production model ever.

The HSV-010 GT carries the production-ready supercar's shape and underpinnings though Honda's engineers swapped the V10 engine for a 3.4-liter V8 churning out some 500HP and replaced the rear-biased all-wheel drive system for a simpler rear-wheel drive layout to conform to the 2010 GT500 Regulations.

Honda's new GT is slated to make its official racing debut at the Super GT season opener at the Suzuka Circuit, held on March 20–21, 2010.

2010 Acura ZDX on Sale from December 15, Priced at $46,305

The all-new 2010 ZDX four-door-sports-coupe-slash-crossover (take your pick...) goes on sale at Acura dealerships across the U.S. on December 15 with a starting price of $45,495 plus, plus a destination and handling charge of $810. The ZDX will be offered exclusively with a 3.7-liter VTEC V6 that makes 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, while Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is also standard.

According to Acura, the new ZDX achieves an EPA-rated fuel economy of 16mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway.

The 2010 ZDX will be available in three trim packages: the base ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package and the ZDX with Advance Package.

Priced at $46,305, the base trim-level comes equipped with what Acura describes as 'the world's longest panoramic glass roof' and hand-stitched leather dash, center console and door panels as standard.

In addition to the above features, the ZDX with Technology Package that is priced at $50,805 (including destination and handling fees) gets a Navigation System with Voice Recognition, a full VGA display screen, a multi-view rear camera, an upgraded Acura/ELS Surround 415-watt audio system with a built-in 15GB media storage system, a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system and Keyless Access System.

The ZDX with Advance Package ($56,045 including destination and handling fees) adds a blind spot information system (BSI), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), an Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) active damper system, heated and ventilated front seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather seating surfaces, premium brushed tricot headliner material and a sport steering wheel.

Acura Integra GSR Dressed Up Like a BMW with Lambo Doors, Mercedes Fenders and NSX Vents....

Eerie? Tacky? Disturbing? Take your pick. For the second time in a few months after our find of the Acura Integra with the Porsche fascia and Toyota Supra bodykit, we've stumbled upon yet another Integra mishmash on eBay. This custom-build gets headlights and taillights from the latest BMW 5-Series mixed with the Bavarian firm's kidney grilles, Lamborghini-style doors and according to the seller, front fenders from a Mercedes and rear air inlets from the Acura NSX. If your taste buds can handle it, hit the break for more pictures along with the seller's detailed description of the car.

Seller's Description:

"1998 CUSTOM Acura Integra GSR. Modified with a BMW 5 series headlight an taillight conversion. The front end of the car Has the 5series headlights with a M3 Grill molded to the Mercedes fenders. The door handles an all the body moldings have been shaved for the smooth look. NSX vents have been molded in the rear quarters. The stock taillights were removed an the 5 series taillights were installed. Then the car was painted Ocean teal made by Exotic colurs!! Its riding on 18' elite barbs an air ride suspension.

Powered by compressed Nitrogen an electric 3way valves an a ten switch box. For the Up, down, an side to side. The interior is a custom silver an black with chrome flake. The seats are rapped in white vinal with chrome flake. The center consil was fiberglassed for a PS2. It has a 7 in flip out TV in the dash an two TV's in the headrest. Indiglo gages for better look at night. The stereo is 2 JL 12's powered by a audioban amp. In a custom trunk enclosure wrapped in black cloth with a floating Nitrogen bottle in the center! T

he motor runs great. Only 64,000 miles.Gets great gas mileage an look good!! It's a 5 speed manuel transmisstion. This car is show ready, an Can be a daily driver. I don't drive it but maybe 20 times a year but It can be a daily driver. I have over 40 Grand Invested in it. I was asking 15k. but Lost my job an need to sell it. This car has won best of show at NOPI an other big named car shows. Its one of a kind an really need to see it to respect the quality of work!!! So Don't drop abunch of money on a car that takes for ever to fix up!! Buy one that's already done!!!"

Link: eBay , Via: Cardomain

Acura Announces New 2011 TSX Sport Wagon, Based on European Honda Accord Tourer

Even before Honda revealed the controversial Accord CrossTour, U.S. consumers were wondering why the Japanese automaker wouldn't just add the European version of the Honda Accord Tourer to its Acura TSX lineup (the TSX and Euro Accord are virtually identical). Well, Honda has just answered their prayers (now let's see how many of those will actually buy it...) as the company announced today the addition of a TSX Sport Wagon to its 2011 vehicle lineup.

According to the automaker, the TSX Sport Wagon which probably won't differ much from its Euro sibling (see pictures below), will be arriving at Acura dealerships in the Fall of 2010. No other details were released but expect to see a similar engine lineup to the sedan model.

Acura Adds Six-Speed Manual Gearbox to 2010 TL SH-AWD Lineup, Priced from $42,385

Nearly a year after making the announcement on the development of a new six-speed manual gearbox option for its 2010 Acura TL lineup, Honda has finally launched the vehicle onto the U.S. market. The new manual transmission is available exclusively on the range-topping SH-AWD model that pairs Acura's all-wheel drive system with a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 305HP and 273 lb-ft of peak torque, instead of the entry-level, front-wheel drive model's 280HP 3.5-liter V6.

"The new manual transmission equipped TL SH-AWD allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura's SH-AWD system," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales, "Not only is the new 6-speed manual transmission model the best performing Acura TL ever, it is the top handling performer among every vehicle in its class."

The newly developed close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox is said to be approximately 110 lbs lighter than the five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission.

And since the manual model is aimed at enthusiasts, Acura tweaked the TL SH-AWD's chassis by upgrading the suspension and steering wheel system.

Along with the specially tuned coil spring and shock absorber rates for flatter cornering with reduced pitching motions under acceleration and braking -or so Acura claims, the front dampers on the manual model incorporate 5-percent more compression damping to improve turn-in feel and generate 14-percent less high speed compression damping better ride quality.

Other improvements for the manual model include the modified Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and EPS system as well as the firmer engine and transmission bushings.

While Acura has yet to disclose performance figures, the automaker did announce that the TL SH-AWD with the 6-speed manual gearbox returns an EPA estimated 18mpg city and 26mpg highway, which is 1mpg better in both cases than the automatic version.

The manual model keeps the same pricing as the five-speed automatic SH-AWD at $42,385 when combined with the Technology Package and at $43,385 with the Technology pack and high performance tires. Just so you know, the above prices do not include taxes, license or an $810 destination and handling charge.

*Aside from the manual gearbox details, all other images are of the TL SH-AWD with the automatic transmission

2010 Acura ZDX Crossover Photo Galore

Following the initial announcement on the production version of the ZDX in late July, Acura has now released a comprehensive photo album of its new sporty crossover that is scheduled to hit U.S. showrooms before the end of the year. The Japanese automaker's BMW X6-esque crossover will come with a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the firm's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Hit the jump for our high-res image gallery or click here for more detailed information on the ZDX.

2010 Acura MDX Facelift gets Gaudy Grille and Revised Powertrain

Following in the footsteps of the smaller RDX, Acura's largest SUV model, the MDX has received a mild facelift for the 2010 model year. Changes include a fresh exterior look that adopts the Japanese firm's controversial front shield along with some minor engine tweaks, a new 6-speed automatic transmission, chassis refinements and improved look and feel of interior trim materials plus the addition of new technology features.

On the outside, the 7-seater MDX gains Acura's new corporate grille, retrimmed front and rear bumpers, new exhaust tips, revised hood, new side sills and reworked taillights with brighter LEDs. The available 19-inch seven-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels complete the exterior upgrades.

Moving on to the interior, Acura says that the 2010 MDX benefits from higher quality trim materials, a thicker steering wheel grip, increased use of LED interior lighting and revised cockpit controls along with relocated front seat headrests for improved comfort and more detailed leather stitching.
Furthermore, Acura has introduced several new technology features on the RDX such as the AcuraLink Real-Time Weather and Traffic Rerouting systems, a new full VGA 8-inch navigation screen, an upgraded rear view camera with three unique view choices and updated audio and rear entertainment systems.

Under the hood, the 2010 model year MDX receives an updated version of Acura's 3.7-liter VTEC V6 engine linked to an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. Among other changes, the V6 features cylinder heads with improved cooling, new intake valve springs, a new EGR system, unique long-reach spark plugs, a larger throttle body. The revised engine produces the same output as before at 300-horsepower and surprisingly, 5 lb-ft of torque less at 270 lb-ft.

However, in combination with the new transmission, the 2010 MDX returns an EPA estimated city/highway fuel mileage of 16/21 mpg which is an improvement of 1 mpg city and 1 mpg highway over the 2009 model.

Finally, Acura says that the MDX's ride and handling have been enhanced thanks to the revised power steering system, stiffer rear trailing arm mounting and the body rigidity improvements.

The 2010 MDX is expected to go on sale in the U.S. sometime in September.