Acura MDX, 2014

Acura MDX

The 2014 MDX is that the third generation of Acura's seven-passenger luxury performance SUV, the primary to be developed from the bottom up exploitation associate all-new, purposeful platform (body and chassis) totally optimized for the wants of today's luxury SUV patrons.

The new Acura MDX, like its flagship sedan counterpart, the RLX, harnesses a bunch of Acura signature technologies to deliver on Acura's "Synergy between Man and Machine" product direction, and to supply higher levels of luxury, quietness, comfort and status during a vehicle that performs "at the desire of the driver" with intuitive management and exhilarating dynamic performance.

Developed on the image of associate "Executive Family Jet," the 2014 MDX is sleek and refined, prestigious and powerful, and designed to deliver on the distinctive performance and practical wants of the posh SUV driver and passengers, be they youngsters or purchasers. In planning the new MDX, Acura engineers targeted on 3 core values: class-leading fuel economy ratings; new levels of status and luxury comfort; and commanding safety performance. At a similar time, they wanted to any enhance the MDX's dynamic performance whereas maintaining its core attractiveness - the family-friendly, seven-passenger cabin and nimble, mid-size SUV exterior size and look.

Packaging

For the 2014 MDX, the designers and engineers wanted to any enhance the flexibility and practicality of the vehicle's seven-passenger cabin whereas maintaining its comparatively compact and sporting exterior form.

The two014 MDX measures 2.0 inches longer than the previous-generation MDX and features a two.8-inch longer distance. Vehicle height has been lowered  by one.5 inches, and rear underpants height is lower by one.8 inches compared to the outgoing model. The front track is one.4 inches narrower and therefore the rear wheel track is one.2 inches narrower. The vehicle breadth is reduced by one.3 inches. during this respect, the MDX presents a two p.c smaller cortical region to the wind for improved mechanics potency, and a rather narrower body for improved garage-ability, whereas the longer distance helps to reinforce ride quality and interior commodiousness. The rider hip points within the 1st and second rows area unit lower by one.2 inches and therefore the third row is lower by one.4 inches, rising the sensation of stability and reduced body roll for all occupants.

Utilizing its longer distance and new, a lot of compact rear suspension, the 2014 MDX makes going in and out of the rear seats even easier with a four.5-inch wider foot entry purpose and one.8-inch lower underpants height. The second-row seats currently have five-position reclining seatbacks, and a replacement Extended Slide feature provides five.9 inches of total fore-aft seat travel, sanctioning larger flexibility in accommodating the wants of each second- and third-row passengers. With the middle-row seats in their rearward-most position, first- and second-row bicycle seating distance has been prolonged by one.1 inches, a perfect setting for traveling with four occupants, whether or not youngsters, purchasers or couples. a replacement One-Touch Walk-In feature makes for easier, a lot of intuitive one-button operation of the second-row seats - from the rear seat, outboard middle row seats, or from outside the vehicle - any easing third-row entry and exit.

Repackaging of the rear-seat HVAC system allowed for the creation of an outsized center console space for storing, hid at a lower place the slippy, leather-trimmed center rest. concerning two inches deeper and wider, and virtually five inches longer, the most compartment offers two.5 times a lot of volume than the previous model and is massive enough to accommodate a moderately sized purse, a pill laptop and a lot of. this can be a key advantage of MDX in its category, wherever several competitive  models supply very little or no center console space for storing.

Platform

The 2014 Acura MDX relies on associate all-new, purposeful platform. wherever previous generations of the MDX were developed from associate existing international light-weight Truck Platform, the 2014 MDX was fully redesigned and developed from the bottom up.

Tapping into their expertise in developing the previous 2 generations of MDX, and exploitation progressive laptop modeling techniques, MDX engineers pursued a holistic vision for the new platform development, increasing the MDX's practical and dynamic performance envelope to realize what area unit usually conflicting goals - like higher performance and class-leading fuel economy ratings; a a lot of versatile and accommodating cabin and a considerably a lot of mechanics body; and class-leading safety ratings and lower vehicle weight.

This holistic approach to body development, enclosed the strategic use of light-weight materials - like 64-percent high-strength steel, Al and metallic element - resulted during a 275-pound reduction in overall vehicle weight compared to the previous model, aiding each fuel potency and dynamic performance. The MDX body conjointly boasts a 16-percent gain in mechanics potency and a 19-percent reduction in vehicle running resistance. For improved dynamic response and higher isolation of road noise and vibration, the 2014 MDX's torsional body rigidity is up twelve.4 percent, and even as critically, the rigidity of suspension mounting points is up sixty seven p.c versus the previous model.

All-new suspension componentry - a replacement strut-type front suspension with triple-path damper mounting system, and a a lot of compact and economical multilink rear suspension - beside lighter and a lot of rigid front and rear subframes, new hydraulic bushing mounts, and stiffer suspension mounting points contribute considerably to the MDX's ability to with efficiency and effectively manage suspension hundreds for each outstanding ride comfort and assured, exhilarating driving performance. New Amplitude Reactive Dampers use variable damping rates to deliver outstanding ride compliance and responsive handling.

The a lot of compact rear multi-link suspension conjointly eliminates the forward trailing arm of the previous system, that allowed engineers to lower the underpants height by one.8 inches. additionally, the rear dampers currently mount on to the rigid rear frame, as opposition the a lot of versatile rear pilothouse on the previous model, providing the utilization of softer bushing settings for higher ride compliance with none sacrifice of handling performance. The MDX platform is additionally optimized for the new two-wheel-drive model by lowering the engine center by one.2 inches, providing a lot of horizontally homeward front drive shafts, that conjointly helps cut back torque-steer tendencies below laborious acceleration.

The use of ultra-high-strength "hot stamped" steel for key body parts includes the world's 1st one-piece filler ring for the motive force and front rider door areas, that beside the appliance of Acura's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) structure, considerably enhances the power to with efficiency absorb and airt crash energy before and facet impacts, and manage roof hundreds within the event of a change.

Powertrain

The 2014 MDX utilizes a similar Earth Dreams Technology engine design because the new RLX sedan, Acura's 1st direct-injected engine, incorporating a replacement i-VTEC valvetrain with two-stage Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™), the primary application of VCM in associate MDX. The MDX's engine design is additionally shared with 2 racecars that finished in 1st and second place, severally, within the LMP2 category at the twelve Hours of Sebring endurance race within the 2013 yankee autoimmune disease Mans Series. With a displacement of three.5 liters, the Al, 24-valve V-6 engine produces 290 peak power unit and 267 pound.-ft. of peak torsion (both SAE net) with roughly eight p.c a lot of torsion below two,750 rev compared to the three.7-liter engine within the previous model. as a result of improved operational potency, power unit output per metric capacity unit is up two p.c and torsion output per metric capacity unit is up four.4 p.c compared to the previous three.7-liter engine.

The 60-degree, aluminumV-6 engine is mated to a reengineered 6-speed transmission with ordered Sport Shift, reduced friction and sander gear changes. On all-wheel drive models, power to the wheels is managed by Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system, that mechanically and instantly apportions engine torsion between the front and rear axles and therefore the left and right rear wheels to deliver confidence-inspiring handling and outstanding unrestricted traction and management.

Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) switches seamlessly between 3- and 6-cylinder modes, betting on engine load, effectively variable engine displacement to match driving conditions for improved fuel potency. Active management engine Mounts (ACM) and Active Noise Cancellation enable the VCM system to work in 3-cylinder mode across a wider vary of driving things.

Dynamic Performance

The second-generation MDX is extremely regarded for its exhilarating handling and spirited driving performance. The 2014 MDX any expands the MDX's dynamic performance envelope with faster acceleration, shorter stopping distances and a lot of nimble handling, together with augmented fuel potency and increased ride comfort.

Taking full advantage of its Earth Dreams Technology powertrain, all-new chassis, and lighter and a lot of rigid body, the MDX is faster and a lot of responsive in nearly each respect. A fatter torsion curve - with eight p.c a lot of torsion out there below two,750 rev - improves the new MDX's launch performance and low-end grunt. The ordered Sport Shift transmission options traditional and Sport modes and provides for full manual management of substances changes via the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

A larger diameter steering column shaft combined with a replacement wattage Steering (EPS) system delivers extremely responsive steering with higher on-center feel and improved damping of unwanted road vibrations transmitted to the wheel. The steering magnitude relation on the new MDX is additionally 9-percent faster than on the preceding model.

The new 2014 MDX SH-AWD delivers a one-half-second faster 0-60 mph time, a shorter 60-0 mph stopping distance, and better most lateral gee versus the previous SH-AWD model. Further, the new MDX turns associate 8-second quicker lap time on Germany's toilsome Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Ring) wherever each the previous and new versions of the MDX were extensively tuned and tested. further testing and standardisation, notably for the new vehicle's 6-speed transmission, was performed on German autobahns and therefore the Grossglockner Pass within the Austrian Alps.

To meet the variable wants of each driver within the family, the new MDX incorporates a replacement Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) with 3 driving modes - Comfort, traditional and Sport. In traditional mode, the steering effort is balanced between comfy and colorful. choosing the Comfort mode reduces steering effort for low-effort mobility, particularly at low speeds and once maneuvering in tight areas. the game mode provides a firmer steering feel with higher effort that enhances a lot of aggressive open-road driving. Sport mode conjointly adjusts throttle response and SH-AWD torsion proportioning, and even Active Noise management for a a lot of aggressive engine note within the cabin.

Standard on the MDX, Agile Handling Assist, a signature Acura technology, by selection uses the vehicle's brakes to enhance corner traceability and assured handling feel, exploitation brake torsion to make a body yaw, or turning moment at corner entry. The 2014 MDX conjointly comes normal with 4-channel anti-lock brakes, and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) for increased stability and management all told driving and road conditions.

Fuel potency

The 2014 MDX with SH-AWD features a exceptional 17-percent increase in its combined EPA fuel economy rating versus the previous model, to class-leading levels (18/27/21 mpg city/highway/combined), whereas the new two-wheel-drive MDX is EPA rated at 20/28/23 mpg, a 28-percent increase in combined fuel economy versus the previous SH-AWD model (the solely drivetrain configuration antecedently available).

Realizing this massive of a rise in fuel economy ratings whereas meeting alternative important objectives, like commanding safety, improved dynamic performance and increased refinement, was created potential by the event of the new MDX platform and therefore the ensuing enhancements in vehicle mass (weight down), driveline potency, and vehicle running resistance. As antecedently declared, the 2014 MDX is 275 pounds lighter than the model it replaces. Further, its all-new Earth Dreams Technology i-VTEC 24-valve V-6 engine options a lot of economical fuel combustion via direct injection, reduced engine friction, and therefore the 1st application of Variable Cylinder Management technology to the MDX.

In addition to its lighter body and fuel-efficient powertrain, the new Acura MDX is optimized in each relation to cut back total running resistance or "road load," consisting of engine pumping losses, driveline friction, mechanics drag and tire rolling resistance. The MDX is that the 1st Acura model to be developed employing a new 40-percent-scale construction laboratory at the company's U.S. R&D facilities in Ohio. Through the utilization of the new construction with rolling ground plane and complicated laptop modeling techniques, engineers were able to optimize the vehicle style - not solely the higher body, however conjointly the abdomen moreover as economical flowing through the engine compartment - to realize a sixteen p.c improvement within the new MDX's constant of drag to class-leading levels.

Total vehicle running resistance is additionally reduced nineteen p.c versus the outgoing model. additionally to enhancements in powertrain potency and vehicle mechanics, key engineering options for reduced running resistance embody new low-drag brakes (70 p.c less drag versus the previous model), a replacement light-weight, low-drag hub and wheel bearing style, and reduced-rolling-resistance tires. The result's a lot of economical and easy cruising potency - an incredible example of Acura's sensible approach to fuel potency. A low-profile nineteen.5-gallon fuel tank aids flowing and maintains the MDX's wonderful route practice range.