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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.

We're not sure how many of you follow the Britcar Championship, but even if you don't, we gather that you'll appreciate these photos of John Danby Racing team's newly developed (and oh-so sizzling hot) Honda NSX racer. The matte black Japanese sportscar was built to comply with the Britcar Production regulations and has already completed a successful shakedown test at Snetterton in Norfolk last Friday ahead of its debut at the season's final round at Brands Hatch on November 7.

The UK-based racing team said that their newly built NSX is equipped with all the latest technology gizmos such as engine control and data-logging capabilities with GPS, Fly by Wire and live feed video while custom solutions have been adopted for for dampers and brakes.

The NSX racer will be driven by motoring journalist and TV persona Vicki Butler-Henderson alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race while the car's owner and Britcar regular David Fenn will drive the NSX in the evening GT race alongside Barclay.

Source Carscoop

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.

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.
Via Carscoop

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.

A couple of weeks ago we showed you a series of photos that supposedly depicted the redesigned 2010 Acura RDX. While the Japanese automaker has yet to release an official statement, Acura went ahead and posted a full gallery as well as initial details and prices on the 2010MY RDX on its public website. On the outside, the RDX has received Acura's controversial corporate grille along with a new front bumper and new trim for the lower part of the rear bumper that houses new hexagonal tail pipes. The redesigned alloy wheels complete the exterior enhancements.

We didn't notice any aesthetic changes inside, but it is said that the 2010MY RDX benefits from a series of convenience and equipment upgrades.

The most important news for the 2010 model year concerns the introduction of a new front-wheel drive model that carries a base price of $32,520, or $2,000 less than the all-wheel drive version that's equipped with Acura's Super-Handling AWD system.

Both models are powered by the same 240HP 2.3-liter turbocharged four linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. However, the front-wheel drive RDX is more frugal returning 19mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway compared to 17mpg and 22mpg respectively of the RDX SH-AWD.

Via Carscoop

What Acura pitches as a four-door sports coupe but we see as yet another crossover that attempts to differ from the crowd by blending styling elements from numerous other segments, the all-new 2010 ZDX, has been officially revealed ahead of its US market debut later this year. A similar proposal to BMW's X6 crossover, the ZDX was first shown as a pre-production concept at the NY Show this past April.

With the exception of a few minor cosmetic details such as the head- and tail-light trims, the alloy wheels, the lower bumper designs and the interior trim, the production ZDX is identical to the NY Show concept.

Notable design highlights include the panoramic glass roof, the hidden rear door handles and the bulgy fender flares. There's also Acura's gaudy shield up front, but that's something we've become accustomed to lately.

The five-seater ZDX will be offered with a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque which is paired to an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Performance or fuel economy figures have yet to be announced.

Acura said that when the ZDX goes on sale in the U.S. this winter it will be offered with three trim levels: ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package and the premium, ZDX with Advance Package.

All models will come equipped with a panoramic glass roof with moveable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate, and a high powered audio system with CD player as standard.

According to the Japanese automaker, the ZDX will be priced and positioned between the MDX luxury SUV and the RL luxury sedan, with pricing set to be released at a later date.

Via Carscoop