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Acura considering Vezel-based compact crossover

There's a distinct benefit to automakers having their own premium brand. After all, why develop one vehicle to be sold under one nameplate if you can turn it into two? Especially if a little reconfiguration and some premium accoutrements allow said automaker to charge significantly more for the luxury version. It's a winning formula - for crossovers especially - that Toyota has used to turn the Highlander into the Lexus RX (even if the first-gen RX arrived before the original Highlander), that Ford has used to transform the Edgee into the Lincoln MKX and that General Motors has applied to the Chevrolet Suburban to turn it into the Cadillac Escalade (to name just a few of the many examples out there). And it's one to which Honda and its Acura division are certainly not unaccustomed.
Acura has adapted its Euro-spec Honda Accord into the TSX, the Civic into the ILX, the CR-V into the RDX and the Pilot into the MDX. And now that the Honda Vezel is coming to market, Acura reportedly has its eye on that as well. The idea was first introduced when Acura unveiled the SUV-X concept (shown above) at the Shanghai Motor Show this past April, just a few months after Honda revealed its Urban SUV concept that previewed the production Vezel. At the time, says Automotive News, Acura said it intended to put the concept into production in China for the Chinese market, and it's reportedly moving ahead with those plans. But now that it is, executives are wondering where else they might find buyers for the premium compact crossover.
With the Vezel soon to begin production alongside the Fit at Honda's new plant in Mexico, it wouldn't be a stretch to see the Acura version follow suit. The market does, after all, seem to be heating up with entries like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, and we couldn't blame Honda - pardon us, Acura - for wanting a slice of that pie.

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:

2024 Acura ZDX EV previewed ahead of Monterey unveiling

Announced in August 2022, the Acura ZDX will make its debut a year later during Monterey Car Week. Our spies have spotted the Japanese brand's first series-produced electric car testing with almost no camouflage, but a new preview image gives us a better look at the crossover. The photo confirms that the ZDX will fall in line with Acura's current design language. Its front end is characterized by sharp headlights with LED accents and a trim panel shaped like the grille fitted to gasoline-powered models such as the Integra. One interesting detail is that the lower part of the trim panel is illuminated. Beyond the front end, the aforementioned spy shots confirm that the crossover's silhouette is far more conventional than the original ZDX's, which surfed the crossover-coupe wave with a polarizing design and a fastback-like roof line. If you're experiencing deja-vu, it's likely because the ZDX looks like a heavily toned-down version of 2022's Precision EV concept. It's reasonable to assume that the interior will be made far more realistic as well, though Acura hasn't revealed it yet. All we know at this stage is that the ZDX will be available with a new infotainment system with Google apps integration and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. We'll need to be patient to find out what the ZDX's specifications sheet looks like. Acura simply confirmed it will offer two variants at launch: the standard ZDX, and a performance-oriented model called Type S. The latter will stand out as the quickest and most powerful crossover in the brand's history. Both versions will use the Ultium electric technology developed by General Motors and found under the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer, among other EVs. General Motors will also build the ZDX through an agreement signed with Honda in April 2022. The 2024 Acura ZDX will break cover on August 17. Sales will start in early 2024. Honda's related Prologue EV shouldn't be far behind. Green Acura Crossover Electric Luxury Pebble Beach