Technology Package, Heated Seats, 3rd Row Seating, One-owner, Local Trade on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Weekly Recap: Automakers rethink the definition of luxury

Variety is the spice of life, but it's becoming a prerequisite for luxury carmakers in the ultra-competitive US market. The Detroit Auto Show was strong evidence of this reality. It's not enough to offer attractive and well-appointed cars and SUVs anymore. Luxury brands that want to be competitive need to invest in everything from high-powered supercars to clever hybrids. To be relevant, you need to be green and mean – and everything in between. As General Motors product chief Mark Reuss said after the reveal of the 640-horsepower Cadillac CTS-V: "We are not leaving anything on the table." He was speaking for Cadillac, but he might as well have been speaking for the luxury car market. The CTS-V debuted in Detroit about an hour after Lexus surprised showgoers with the reveal of the RC F GT3 race car and then announced ambitious plans to return to competitive racing. That almost overshadowed the fact Lexus had just revealed another potent addition to its growing F line, the 467-hp GS F. View 20 Photos But for luxury brands, it's not just about maximum horsepower for well-heeled enthusiasts or decadent amenities for the Grey Poupon set. Strong competition from all corners has forced automakers to refine and expand their lineups in ways unforeseen even a few years ago. Case in point: Mercedes-Benz finally has an answer to the BMW X6, rolling out the GLE coupe in Detroit. The X6, which blends coupe-like styling cues with some of the functionality of an SUV, debuted in 2008. Back then it was a punchline, but seven years and more than 260,000 sales later, the X6's success has compelled Benz to respond. Mercedes – one of the strongest proponents of diesel technology – also debuted the C350 plug-in hybrid sedan, which promises a range of 20 miles on electricity, though fuel economy figures were not announced. The car pairs Mercedes' well-received 208-hp turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor for total output of 275 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, Infiniti will add the Q30 hatchback to its lineup by the end of the year, new president Roland Kruger reiterated in Detroit. It's expected to be joined by a crossover variant, and the additions will help strengthen Infiniti in the United States and abroad. "While we're expanding our product line, we're also expanding our market reach," he said. That's something echoed by Jaguar executives, who are preparing to launch the brand's first crossover, the F-Pace, in 2016.

2022 Acura MDX Type S priced far above the base model

Acura has published pricing information for the 2022 MDX Type S, the first SUV that the firm has deemed worthy of wearing this esteemed badge. It's priced well above the entry-level MDX but it gains a long list of performance, comfort, and technology upgrades to make up for it. Pricing for the Type S starts at $67,745 including a mandatory $1,045 destination charge. In comparison, the base MDX starts at $48,245 including the same destination charge. While that's a significant difference, the range-topping Type S benefits from 3.0-liter V6 engine that's turbocharged to 355 horsepower, a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, Acura's first air suspension system, and Brembo-sourced four-piston front brake calipers. Visual changes (including a grille that sends about 10% more air to the engine bay) further set the Type S apart. The list of standard features also includes 21-inch wheels with self-sealing tires, LED exterior lighting, aluminum interior trim, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless device charger, a 16-speaker sound system and 12.3-inch display for the infotainment system; Acura packs a lot of features into the Type S. Buyers who want even more can step up to the Type S with the Advance Package, which starts at $73,095 including destination. It will be the most expensive member of the line-up once the NSX exits the stage. Ordering the Advance Package adds a 25-speaker sound system with 1,000 watts and illuminated door speakers, 16-way power-adjustable front seats (the standard Type S gets 12-way units), a nine-way massage function for the front passengers, heated rear seats, wood interior trim with black metallic accents, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera, a power-operated tailgate, gloss black exterior trim and roof rails, plus acoustic laminated glass in the rear doors. As a bonus, Acura adds floor mats that it describes as "ultra-plush." Acura dealers across the nation will begin receiving the 2022 MDX Type S during the second half of December 2021. Related Video:

2022 Acura MDX spy photos show more athletic, TLX-inspired body

Acura's first in-house crossover/SUV is finally ready for another full redesign, and these latest spy photos give us our best look yet. This 2022 Acura MDX was caught by one of our spy photographers with bare minimum vinyl wrap camouflage. As such, we can tell that the new model will be quite a bit more athletic and share many styling cues with the recently revealed TLX sedan. Starting from the front, the MDX features the pentagonal grille from the TLX. While the outgoing version has a similar grille, this one is wider and flatter. It also has headlights that fit with the grille better, adopting a more angular, slimmer shape compared to the old MDX. The grille and headlights sit higher in the front fascia, too. Combined with what looks like a longer nose, the new MDX has a more proud, upright look versus the slumped, slightly minivan-esque design of the current model. Moving around the MDX, we can make out beefier fenders that give the new crossover a wide, sporty stance. The roofline looks a bit lower than the current MDX, furthering the sportier appearance. The rear quarter window also sweeps upward now. This echoes the window line of the TLX. The rear of the MDX is the least interesting, but it still borrows from the TLX. The taillights and the squared-off exhaust tips look just like those of the sedan. Otherwise, the MDX has a fairly generic hatch. Considering how close to production this prototype is, and a leaked Acura product road map, we're expecting the MDX to be fully revealed during this year's auto show season (whatever that may be), so sometime in the fall or winter. We suspect its powertrain lineup will mirror that of the TLX with a 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the base engine, and a Type S version (confirmed by the aforementioned road map) will get a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 making 355 horsepower. A hybrid model will probably be available eventually, too, but possibly not at launch. Versions powering the front or all four wheels will certainly be available, with the latter using the SH-AWD system Acura has become known for. Related Video: