1998 Acura Cl Premium Coupe 2-door 2.3l on 2040-cars

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Acura NSX bodywork to be sheathed in zirconium e-coat, fewer paint layers

Automakers make halo cars to drum up excitement and show off what they can do, but there's more to it than that. Advanced platforms allow a company's engineers to experiment with all sorts of technologies. And in the case of the upcoming new Acura NSX, that includes new paint processes.
Speaking with Autoline in this video interview, Honda's North American Senior VP Jon Minto talked about an innovative zirconium e-coat which it's applying to the new NSX. Unlike some experimental paints developed for Formula One, however, this coating is not designed to minimize drag or enhance cooling: it's designed to be more environmentally friendly.
It's one of a few measures which Honda is implementing on the NSX before expanding it to more accessible models, along with another process that uses fewer coats to reduce energy consumption by 40 percent. Watch the interview with Autoline host John McElroy right here.

Acura teases tougher looking 2017 MDX for New York

Acura is teasing its redesigned 2017 MDX with this orange-tinged rendering ahead of the three-row SUV's reveal at the 2016 New York Auto Show on March 23. The luxury automaker promises big changes for the latest model, including "substantial design enhancements, added luxury comfort and convenience features, and advanced new powertrain technology." Unfortunately, the company doesn't offer further details about those general promises. The folks at the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, CA, have much bolder styling ready for the 2017 MDX. While these lines aren't as razor-sharp as the Acura Precision Concept from the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, this SUV subtly evokes the sedan's honed look. For example, the chiseled shapes around the hood and grille are crisp, and the front and rear fenders are highly sculpted, which gives the MDX a tough demeanor. This teaser image makes the lower fascia appear a little busy because there's so much happening down there, but we're withholding judgment until the real thing debuts. We're also curious about the additional powertrain advancements Acura promises because the automaker just updated the MDX last year with its nine-speed automatic gearbox and twin-clutch Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. The company also added expanded availability of its AcuraWatch active safety suite to the 2016 model. Related Video: Redesigned and Reengineered 2017 Acura MDX to Debut at 2016 New York International Auto Show America's best-selling three-row luxury SUV to receive substantial design changes, new features and new powertrain technology TORRANCE, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2016) – Acura will unveil the redesigned and reengineered 2017 MDX luxury SUV at the 2016 New York International Auto Show on March 23. The 2017 MDX will boast substantial design enhancements, added luxury comfort and convenience features, and advanced new powertrain technology, in concert with the Acura brand's focus on Precision Crafted Performance. "We are sharpening our focus on the Precision Crafted Performance DNA of the Acura brand and the 2017 MDX will integrate new styling elements and powertrain technology that takes us another step in that direction," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The Acura MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time and Acura's best-selling SUV, with sales topping 50,000 units in each of the past three years. The 2017 MDX was designed by the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, Calif.

Precision Concept previews the future of Acura design [w/video]

When we drove the 2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid two years ago we celebrated its massive handling and carped on its milquetoast styling. We'd have done backflips if the internals of the brand's flagship sedan had been wrapped in the sheetmetal of the Acura Precision Concept. Don't get us wrong, we still have some questions about the front end of the car in these images, but we're all-in on the side view and, more importantly, we applaud Acura for making a bold design statement. Acura says the Precision concept "literally will shape the direction of all future Acura products," bringing a "bolder, more distinctive future for Acura vehicle design." Hallelujah. As if you couldn't tell, this is the product of the Acura Design Studio in California, where Acura NSX veteran Michelle Christensen led the exterior work and NSX veteran John Norman led the interior design. Up front is what's called a Diamond Pentagon grille, which looks fussy here but we won't make final judgments until we see it on the Detroit Auto Show floor later today. Come around to the side and the low-slung, rear-wheel-drive proportions on 22-inch wheels are the last thing we'd expect from a design study for an Acura sedan. It is about two inches shorter than the 2016 BMW 750i with a wheelbase that is 4.4 inches shorter, and sits six inches lower. Intensely sculpted surfaces flow from the exterior into the cabin, like the CHMSL that breaks the rear backlight to roll into the rear headrests. Interior elements thrust like geologic formations, popping with mixed materials, floating rear seats, a small steering wheel and floating gauge locked onto a tiered instrument panel. The wide, curved screen atop the center console experiments with a floating touchpad to control a concept human-machine interface. Acura says everything about the Precision concept is an expression of the company's "Precision Crafted Performance DNA." We have no idea how Acura plans to integrate this into its product line; put the Precision on a showroom floor right now and every other current Acura model save the NSX would squeal away and hide. But we welcome the attempt. We can't wait to see what happens. Acura Precision Concept Points to Bold Future for Acura Design DETROIT, January 12, 2016 – The Acura Precision Concept model made its world debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show today, pointing toward a bolder, more distinctive future for Acura vehicle design.