2006 Acura RD-X Preview

Sometimes it takes Acura a little longer than the rest of the class. Sometimes, Acura fans just have to wait, and wait…and wait for their dear Acura to come out with a type of car that just about every other Tom, Dick and Harry automaker already has selling on its lots. But like a careful student who meticulously reads and thinks through every exam question, when Acura finishes, it usually gets an A. And as legions of fans can tell you, any "A" is well worth the wait. That's likely the case with the Acura RD-X, the concept SUV debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show as a soon-to-be production vehicle. Though introduced as a concept, plans to build the RD-X are well along, to the point where the production version will take a bow as a 2006 vehicle. Built on a new light truck platform in Marysville, Ohio, the 2006 Acura RD-X will probably get the same engine that currently drives Honda's Ridgeline truck: a 255-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine. Count on all of the latest Honda vehicle control technology, including Acura's new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD), which debuted with the RL model earlier this year. This system distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, and between the left and right rear wheels. Along with the SH-AWD system, the RD-X offers fully independent front and rear suspension, Brembo disc brakes, and 19-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Cars and SUVs

You can also count on a variation of the new Honda Ridgeline's frame. Instead of the traditional ladder steel frame, on which the three main elements of a truck are built - nose, cab and bed - Honda took a unibody frame and welded a steel frame onto it, making cab and bed one piece and creating separate sections for the front and rear suspension. Honda claims that the resulting truck frame reduces body twist significantly, an important improvement when it comes to ride quality, load capacity and towing. There used to be a time when all SUVs did that kind of stuff. Times have changed, however, and now it is just as important that your SUV drive like a dreamboat. Chances are good that when the 2006 Acura RD-X hits the streets, Acura will boast it as a small SUV with a car-like ride and a blue-collar pedigree when it comes to towing, dirt driving and hauling. Dream, indeed. But then again, maybe it's more of a nightmare -- if your name is Infiniti.

Interior

Inside, all manner of mystery remains, but one thing is sure: count on Acura's emerging theme of communication to continue. The RD-X will be equipped with a next-generation version of the AcuraLink' satellite communication system, which includes real time traffic information and enables communication between the RD-X driver and Acura customer service. In addition to the real time traffic feature, this system boasts advanced features, which allows the driver to access the Internet, read movie reviews, and download music. A hard-drive, integrated into the center console, allows storage of an entire digital music library, which can be accessed at any time. The 2006 Acura RD-X shows that like the student who takes his time, Acura knows one thing to be true above all other maxims: it's not how you start but how you finish. And judging from an initial look, the RD-X will very likely have a strong finishing kick. Photos courtesy of Acura