2009 Acura Tech on 2040-cars

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Acura recalling 43k MDX and RLX models over seatbelt issue

If you've ever lived in a wintery climate, you may have noticed something strange: no, not the perilously enticing sparkle of cold metal in the sunlight or the way your warm breath suddenly becomes visible in the frigid air, but the way your seatbelt seems increasingly reluctant to retract as the temperature drops. Acura, however, has found the problem more serious than a minor inconvenience, and is recalling some 43,000 vehicles across the United States to address the issue.
The recall in question affects about 7,000 RLX sedans (from the 2014 model year) and another 36,000 MDX crossovers (covering the 2014 and 2015 model years) to have their front seatbelts replaced. In the affected vehicles and in very low temperatures, Acura has found that "the driver's and front passenger's seatbelts may not release from the retracted position." Needless to say, seatbelts that can't be used don't offer any protection in the event of an accident, so the Japanese automaker is notifying owners and dealers to hook up to have those seatbelts replaced.

2019 Acura RDX to race in Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Acura just launched the 2019 Acura RDX crossover, and what better way to kick things off than a little motorsport? That's right, Acura will be racing a modified RDX in none other than the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It's Acura's seventh consecutive year participating in the daring ascent, which sees 156 turns over the course of 12.4 miles. On June 24, the RDX will attempt the climb to the summit's elevation of 14,114 feet. To help its Exhibition Class run, the RDX's 2.0L VTEC engine has been given a larger turbocharger and an electric supercharger, which brings output up to 350 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle also benefits from race-tuned suspension, custom 19-inch wheels and Pirelli racing tires, and front Brembo brakes. Behind the wheel will be by Jordan Guitar of Acura R&D's North American Chassis Development Group. The RDX will be joined at the race by three other Acuras: a production-based NSX competing in the Time Attack 1 Class, and two TLXs in the Open Class. One is a TLX A-Spec with an upgraded suspension and 500-horsepower turbo V6. The other is a TLX GT with a modified twin-turbo V6 and suspension developed specifically for Pikes Peak. Related Video:

Acura Precision Cockpit Concept is much more than a digital gauge cluster

Audi Virtual Cockpit is one of the single best pieces of technology on the market, bar none. It blends beautiful graphics, easy interaction, and loads of information in a way that similar all-digital gauge clusters from brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, and Cadillac can't match. Other brands might not stand even with Audi, but Acura is certainly going to try. The company is demonstrating its efforts at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show with the new Precision Cockpit. Like Audi, JLR, and Cadillac, Acura is using a 12.3-inch display in place of a traditional set of gauges that changes color schemes and animations based on the driving mode. A prominent central display joins the digital IP and features what looks like an evolution of the company's current infotainment software. But rather than a knob and dial or physical buttons, Acura is taking a page out of Lexus' book, using a touchpad to control the center display. View 7 Photos But before we lament the touchpad too much, it's worth pointing out how Acura says its arrangement is different. Using something called "absolute positioning," the touchpad behaves more like an actual touchscreen – tap a corner on the pad and whatever's in the same corner of the display responds. In that way, it sounds like Acura is trying to marry a touchscreen with a more ergonomically comfortable interface. Color us curious. Precision Cockpit also stands apart in how Acura optimized it, designing the system with semi-autonomous driving in mind. The company went as far as to use a real-time 3D graphics engine to display what the vehicle's sensors "see" inside the instrument cluster. There's even an advanced vision mode that allegedly shows "cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects – even those obscured from vision – using artificial intelligence to predict future pathways." While Acura is calling Precision Cockpit a concept, the company confirmed in its official release that the Android-based system "will power future production cars." If it comes with all the tech Acura's promoting here, Precision Cockpit stands to be a significant step forward in the digitization of car interiors. Related Video: News Source: AcuraImage Credit: Acura LA Auto Show Acura Technology Emerging Technologies Infotainment Concept Cars Videos Original Video