The Acura ZDX sport utility sedan has been introduced to the world. For the first time in history, we can describe an Acura as wildly inappropriate.
We prepared ourselves for the worst when we learned that Acura was planning to reveal the prototype of their BMW X6 fighter at the New York International Auto Show yesterday. After all, the only thing the world needs less than the original X6 is a milquetoast imitation. But somehow, Acura managed to nearly win us over with their signature inoffensive design, exceptionally adequate performance and seamless integration of technology — all of which will be perfected by the time the production ZDX goes on sale.
Our only reservation? As the fate of the world turns from bad to worse, the luxury sport-ute sedan eschews our new national modesty like a pre-revolution French king. Forget about letting them eat cake. The ZDX is a heaping helping of foie gras.
The launch began with remarks from Jeff Conract Conrad, Acura’s VP of sales. Conract Conrad told the crowd that the ZDX "takes the best attributes of a stylish coupe, a versatile sedan and a flexible SUV - and successfully blends them into a head-turning vehicle for active and adventurous individuals to explore their passions." That also means it’s got the cargo space of a stylish coupe with the agility, fuel economy and visibility of an SUV. We imagine the "head turning" refers to what ZDX drivers will be doing when they attempt to parallel park — despite the on-board cameras and blind-spot detectors. Like nonalcoholic beer or Van Halen unplugged, the ZDX has the potential to be the worst of both worlds.
Luckily for Acura, the ZDX prototype exhibits the carmaker’s trademark flawless execution. No word on performance yet, but we imagine it’ll be more than adequate with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive and a paddle-shifted six-speed transmission mated to an all-aluminum VTEC V6. One of their best decisions was hiring Michelle Christensen, a 25-year-old recent graduate of Art Center College of Design, who managed to keep the prototype’s sheetmetal from aping a Pontiac Aztek or an AMC Eagle. It’s only because of Acura’s new design language that the ZDX kind of looks like an Autobot.
Conract Conrad suggested that ZDX owners would use their car for "navigating city streets in search of a trendy new restaurant, or comfortably covering the miles to a favorite ski resort or ocean front retreat." Unfortunately for potential owners, its SUV-height suspension means you’ll be at eye-level with your former coworkers when they’re sitting on the bus headed to the unemployment office. At least the Acura/ELS premium sound system lets you drown out derisive taunts from the proletariat, while the AcuraLink navigation system can route you around those pesky breadlines.
Photos: Acura
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