Honda Car Forum

OVERVIEW

Benchmarked against some of the best performance SUVs in the world and tuned
on the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany, the MDX clearly establishes itself
as a driver's SUV. Outfitted with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel
Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system and an available sport package with Active
Damper System, the MDX yields a combination of handling and comfort that is
truly on the cutting edge.

The 2008 MDX is equally daring in its styling and thorough in its safety and
environmental responsibilities. Included as standard equipment on the MDX is
the largest array of passive safety features in Acura history. The MDX's
300-hp VTEC™ V-6 makes as much power as some competitive V-8s, yet delivers
ultra-low emissions and excellent fuel economy. Inside the 7-passenger interior,
the MDX offers thoughtful luxury and an unmatched range of advanced technologies,
including the Acura Navigation System and AcuraLink™ Satellite Communication
System with real-time traffic and a spectacular 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround™
Premium Sound System.

Altogether, the 2008 MDX embodies Acura's commitment to performance,
luxury, quality and style, together with parent company Honda's global
mandate for safety and environmental care. The 2008 MDX is the sixth Acura project
to be designed and engineered in the United States, including the 1997 CL, 1999
TL, 2001 CL, 2001 MDX, and 2004 TL along with several award-winning Honda products.

POWERTRAIN FEATURES

• 3.7-liter, SOHC, VTEC® V-6 engine


• 300 horsepower @ 6000 rpm


• 275 lb-ft of torque @ 5000 rpm


• VTEC® (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)


• 2-piece, dual-stage magnesium intake manifold


• Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission


• Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™)


• EPA estimated mileage of 15/20 mpg* (city/highway)


• CARB-Certified LEV-2 ULEV

*Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods
beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare
to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive
and maintain your vehicle.

BODY & CHASSIS FEATURES

• Unit body structure with extensive use of high-strength steel


• Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) low-beam headlights


• MacPherson strut fully independent front suspension


• Multi-link independent rear suspension


• Torque-sensing, variable power-assist rack-and-pinion steering


• 18x8-inch aluminum-alloy wheels


• P255/55R18 104H M+S all-season tires


• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution
  (EBD) and Brake Assist


• Vehicle Stability Assist™(VSA®) with traction control
  and Trailer Stability Assist


• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)


• 5,000-pound tow rating


• LED tail lamps and Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL)


• Heated outside mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down and integrated
  LED directional turn signals

INTERIOR FEATURES

• 7 passenger seating


• Driver-oriented cockpit


• Driver's 10-way power seat, including power adjustable lumbar support


• Electronic tilt and telescoping steering column


• Two-driver custom memory system


• Front passenger 8-way power seat


• Heated front seats


• Tri-Zone automatic climate control system with humidity control
  and filtration


• 253-watt Acura Premium Sound System with AM/FM tuner, 6-disc in-dash
  CD, MP3, WMA changer and 8 speakers, including 8-inch subwoofer and XM®
  satellite radio


• Auxiliary jack for personal audio devices


• HomeLink® remote control


• Multi-Information Display (MID) allows access to multiple electronic
  functions


• Maintenance Minder™


• Adaptive and flexible cargo space with multiple configurations


• Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® wireless telephone interface
  is compatible with many Bluetooth® mobile phones


• Auto dimming rear view mirror

SAFETY FEATURES

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure


• Side impact door beams


• Impact-absorbing crumple zones (front/rear)


• Driver's and front passenger's dual-stage, dual-threshold
  airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)


• Driver and front passenger's dual-stage knee bolsters


• Driver's and front passenger's side airbags with front
  passenger Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)


• Side curtain airbags for all three rows with rollover sensor


• Front active head restraints


• 3-point adjustable-height front seat belts with pretensioners and
  load limiters


• 3-point seat belts at all seating positions


• Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR)
  (driver has ELR only)


• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child-seat mounting
  system for the second-row seats

Technology Package

• Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™ and rearview
  camera


• AcuraLink™ satellite communication system with real-time
  traffic


• 410-watt, 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround™ Premium Sound System
  with multi-format 6-disc in-dash CD/DVD-Audio changer, AM/FM tuner, and XM®
  Satellite Radio


• GPS-linked, solar-sensing, tri-zone, automatic climate control
  system with humidity control and filtration

Sport Package (in addition to the Technology Package features)

• Active Damper System


• Perforated, premium full-grain leather seating surfaces with high-damping
  front-seat cushion foam


• Exclusive alloy wheel design


• Auto-leveling Xenon HID headlights


• Textured metallic accents on radio, cupholder and shifter escutcheon
  

Entertainment Package (available with Technology or Sport Package)

• DVD Rear Entertainment System with wireless headphones and remote
  control


• 115-volt power outlet in center console


• Heated second-row outboard seats


• Remote power-operated tailgate

MARKET SUMMARY

MDX has been very important to Acura, accounting for about 30-percent of the
division's sales since the vehicle's introduction as a 2001 model.
Equally important, the original MDX attracted buyers from competitive luxury
makes including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, starting new relationships for
Acura.

The 2008 MDX competes in the Mid Premium CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) segment.

TARGET CUSTOMER

Focus groups with luxury customers were conducted in Seattle, Detroit, Chicago
and Los Angeles. These cities were carefully chosen to explore how customers
use their SUVs in cold climates, in areas that are traditional domestic-vehicle
strongholds, and in areas known for their trend-setting character.

Early in the study process Acura also benchmarked performance SUVs such as
the BMW X5 - and polled their owners, typically successful professional
families with school-age children - to ensure that the second generation
MDX would meet and exceed its performance. Satisfying these highly discriminating
customers means that the MDX would be well positioned to attract a wider group
of potential buyers.

With the MDX, added performance and handling capabilities boost its appeal
for performance enthusiasts, while the luxurious and functional interior continues
to satisfy the needs of traditional luxury customers.

ENGINE & POWERTRAIN

With a displacement of 3.7 liters, the 2008 MDX features Acura's largest
and most powerful V-6 engine. Developing 300 horsepower and 275 lb-ft. of torque,
the MDX's output is competitive with many V-8 engines - without
the fuel-economy penalty that many V-8 engines suffer. To widen the powerband
and improve emissions and fuel economy the 3.7-liter engine has VTEC® (Variable
Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control), a dual-stage intake manifold, and
an electronic Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™. EPA estimated mileage of
15/20 mpg* (city/highway) and a large 21-gallon fuel capacity mean the MDX also
has a long cruising range. The MDX is designed to meet the latest CARB-Certified
LEV-2 ULEV emissions certification.

A 5-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift is designed to
satisfy the most performance-oriented drivers. Tuned on the challenging Nürburgring
circuit in Germany, the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™)
system provides handling precision that sets a new benchmark for SUVs. SH-AWD™
"actively" varies the torque distribution between front and rear
axles - then between the left and right rear wheels - to provide
the maximum grip under all driving circumstances. Operating seamlessly and automatically,
SH-AWD™ overdrives the outside rear wheel up to 1.7-percent faster than
the front wheels to help the vehicle "rotate" around a corner.

*Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods
beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare
to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive
and maintain your vehicle.

BODY & CHASSIS

The 2008 MDX sets new standards for Acura from styling, engineering, handling
and safety standpoints. Its dramatic styling utilizes large surface areas, sweeping
curves and decisive angles. Longer, wider and lower (and with a longer wheelbase)
than the original MDX, the new dimensions create a more athletic appearance.

In an effort to keep mass out of the vehicle, the MDX features widespread
use of light weight materials such as high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium.
In addition, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) unit
body structure is intended to bring new levels of front crash safety to the
MDX.

Befitting its position as Acura's flagship SUV, the MDX is equipped
with Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) low-beam headlights, a dramatic array
of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in the rear tail lamps and center high-mounted
stop light (CHMSL), and exterior mirror-mounted turn signals. The new grille
also reflects a fresh look for the MDX. Careful aerodynamic tailoring reduces
drag noise and high speed dynamic stability.

The 2008 MDX features a track-tuned chassis to complement its 300-horsepower
VTEC® V-6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™).
Engineers targeted the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne when developing the MDX chassis,
and then tested and refined it at the famed Nürburgring circuit. The Active
Damper System, available in the Sport Package, has proprietary fully active
dampers that adjust - in less than five milliseconds (0.005 sec) -to
road conditions on a real-time basis. The MDX is also at home off-road where
its excellent engine torque, responsive suspension, and generous ground clearance
enable it to cross-step through rough terrain with aplomb.

For family recreation, the new MDX tows as well as it goes. With its 5000-pound
tow rating, standard trailer pre-wiring, high-capacity radiator with twin cooling
fans, transmission fluid cooler and Trailer Stability Assist, the MDX needs
only a dealer-installed hitch and wiring to tow a substantial trailer.

INTERIOR

The MDX features a luxurious yet functional interior. The cockpit environment
is focused on the driver, and features a host of technologies to make driving
simultaneously more rewarding and relaxing. The interior styling and functionality
perfectly coexist with a driver's cockpit that features a 10-way power
seat including power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver, electronic tilt
and telescoping steering column, a 2-position custom memory system, and a Multi-Information
Display (MID) that allows access to multiple electronic functions.

The interior design is as dynamic and contemporary as the exterior, with a
"4+3 seating" concept that luxuriously hosts four passengers in
the first and second row seats, while also offering comfortable accommodations
for three additional passengers (one in the second row and two in the third
row). The front passenger enjoys an 8-way power seat of their own, while everyone
on board will appreciate the MDX's Tri-Zone automatic climate control
system and new 253-watt, 8-speaker Acura Premium Sound System with multi-format
6-disc in-dash CD, MP3, WMA changer, AM/FM tuner, and XM® Satellite Radio.
An auxiliary jack for personal audio devices is also included. Standard convenience
features include HomeLink®, Maintenance Minder™ system, and adaptive
and flexible cargo space with six configurations. Included in the available
Entertainment Package is a power tailgate, the first on an Acura SUV.

SAFETY

The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) unit body structure
along with several passive-safety technologies help bring the 2008 MDX to the
next level of safety. ACE™ more evenly distributes collision forces and
helps maintain the integrity of the passenger cabin in the event of a severe
frontal collision. The MDX is also less intrusive to smaller vehicles in a head-on
collision thanks to a special frame member located below the front bumper that's
designed to engage the front bumper of smaller vehicles.

The MDX is equipped with active head restraints and dual-stage knee bolsters
for the driver and front passenger. The driver and front passenger are also
protected by dual-stage, dual-threshold airbag Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) and side airbags with front passenger Occupant Position Detection System
(OPDS). Occupants in all three rows of outboard seats are protected by side
curtain airbags. A rollover sensor adds a further level of protection.

The 2008 Acura MDX furthers Acura's commitment to "Safety Through
Innovation" with pedestrian protection features such as a deformable aluminum
hood and hood hinges, and breakaway windshield-wiper pivots.

MANUFACTURING QUALITY

Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario, was chosen as the assembly
plant for the MDX. A special dynamic quality-control process is employed to
ensure the highest possible level of attention to detail for every MDX produced.
After assembly is completed, each MDX enters a special Acura Quality line. The
ability to immediately respond to the smallest quality issue allows the MDX
to excel in quality - and in customer satisfaction.