2011 Acura on 2040-cars

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2020 Acura MDX PMC Edition coming to L.A. Auto Show

The Acura TLX PMC Edition debuted at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the 2020 Acura MDX PMC Edition takes its turn in Los Angeles on November 20. The MDX PMC, hand-built at the Performance Manufacturing Center like the Acura NSX and TLX before it, will be limited to 330 units. The 300 examples destined for the U.S. and 30 for Canada represent 30 fewer units than the quota for the TLX PMC. That could translate into tighter demand for the MDX PMC, since the standard crossover does about 70 percent more business in the U.S. than the standard sedan. The doted-on MDX PMC follows the formula of combining Valencia Red Pearl paint with the normally-exclusive Advanced and A-Spec packages. Dark contrasts come from the body color grille surrounding gloss-black mesh, black chrome exhaust finishers, gloss-black decorating the roof, antenna, exterior mirrors, window molding, rear license plate garnish, and door handles, and gloss black 20-inch wheels. Inside is found an A-Spec steering wheel backed by metal-finished paddle shifters, black Milano leather seats with Alcantara inserts, red stitching throughout, and an individually numbered plaque identifying the build number. Extra luxury kit includes GPS-linked climate control, climate-controlled front- and second-row seats with second-row captain's chairs, and 10-speaker ELS Studio audio. The engine specs don't change, those being a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque shifting through a nine-speed automatic. Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive keeps the power in shape. When the automaker laid down a marker for the TLX PMC price, it said to expect something around $50,000, the final figure after destination coming in at $50,945. Acura says to expect the MDX PMC to figure in the "mid-$60,000 range," so don't be surprised at $66K minus some change. 

2019 Acura RDX undercuts rivals with base price of $38,295

The all-new 2019 Acura RDX will hit dealers on June 1, 2018, and it'll come with a window sticker bearing a base price of $38,295. That's for a front-wheel-drive RDX; adding all-wheel drive brings the base price to $40,295. Standard equipment includes the AcuraWatch safety and driver assistance package, which bundles automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and road departure mitigation. All RDX models, regardless of trim, are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the drive wheels. That's more power than rivals like Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC300, and Volvo XC60, all of which are cited by Acura as key competitors in the small premium crossover segment. The EPA has given the 2019 RDX estimated fuel mileage ratings of 22 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, or 21/27/23 with all-wheel drive. That's better than the AWD 2018 RDX's 19/27/22 rating, but under the class-leading 22/29/25 figures of the BMW X3, though the Bimmer has less horsepower and torque than the RDX. Perhaps even more important than the low-for-its-class starting price is the reasonable increase in cost as the trim level rises. Opting for an RDX with the Tech Package will cost $41,495 and bring with it navigation with real-time traffic, perforated leather seating surfaces, an ELS Studio audio system with 12 speakers, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic monitor, and front and rear parking sensors. The new RDX A-Spec package branches off the Tech trim level and adds sportier styling with blacked-out accents replacing chrome, 20-inch wheels, 4-inch exhaust tips, an ELX Studio audio system with 16 speakers, heated and ventilated seats, LED fog lights, and sport seats trimmed in leather and Ultrasuede. A red interior package is optional. At the top of the RDX pyramid sits the Advance trim for $46,395. That model gets cool stuff like a high-tech adaptive damper system, 16-way power driver and passenger seats (heated and cooled up front and heated in the rear), a head-up display, surround view camera, genuine wood trim, and a hands-free power tailgate. It's worth noting that since the A-Spec is based on the Tech and not the Advance trim it's not possible to get the adaptive dampers or fancy front seats packaged with the sportiest-looking RDX model. Here's hoping those bits are added as A-Spec package options at a later date.

Hurricane Sandy cost automakers 15,000 vehicles, may have ruined up to 200k

Hurricane Sandy was the largest Atlantic storm in US history, and its total economic impact is just now coming into view. According to Automotive News, Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan and Honda are set to scrap around 15,000 new vehicles ruined by the storm. Nissan alone accounts for about 40 percent of those, with 6,000 Nissan and Infiniti models deeded "un-saleable" due to damage. The company saw 56 dealerships shuttered due to the storm, but 51 of those have since reopened.
Toyota, meanwhile, had some 4,000 vehicles at its Newark port facility, and of those, 3,000 may be scrapped. An additional 825 were dealer inventory when they were ruined. Honda and Acura dealers are reportedly sending 3,440 vehicles to the salvage yard. By comparison, Chrysler weathered the storm fairly well with 825 units destroyed, while Hyundai suffered only 400 lost units and Kia scrapped around 200.
As you may recall, Fisker also suffered some losses, and Automotive News reports the manufacturer saw 320 Karma models damaged beyond repair. Ford and General Motors have yet to come up with estimates, and no automaker has commented on the full cost of replacing the vehicles.