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Rejoice, Young Urbanites: Acura RDX Pricing Announced [internal]

Acura's new small, turbocharged SUV for the young and on-the-go, the 2007 RDX, will be priced in the the low $30,000 range — the sweet spot for aspiring ad lions and the ladies who do their taxes. The MSRP will be $32,995, with an optional technology package pushing it to $36,495, not including $615 shipping and handling (sorry, Tennessee!). Press release after the jump.

Acura today announced pricing of the all-new 2007 RDX 5-passenger luxury SUV. Making its debut at Acura dealerships on August 10, the 2007 RDX will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $32,995. The performance oriented RDX is poised to bring a new level of driving excitement and enjoyment to consumers seeking sports sedan performance in the growing entry premium SUV segment.

Featuring Acura's first-ever turbocharged and intercooled engine coupled with patented Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD)(TM) , the RDX blends the best in responsiveness, control and efficiency. The RDX is equipped with a 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve in-line four cylinder engine with i-VTEC valve control that produces 240 horsepower. By adding an innovative variable flow turbocharger, an exceptionally broad powerband with virtually no turbo lag is produced while providing an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 19/23 miles per gallon.

"The 2007 RDX illustrates Acura's passion for developing vehicles that can deliver the ultimate in performance, technology, safety and fuel efficiency," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president sales. "For drivers that want the utility of an SUV but demand a sporty driving experience, the RDX truly delivers."

In addition to an exhilarating driving experience, the RDX offers a comprehensive list of standard electronic and convenience features that serve to greatly enhance the ownership experience. The RDX is equipped with a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a 360-watt, 7-speaker Acura Premium Sound System with a multi-format 6-disc changer, XM(R) Satellite Radio and a convenient MP3/auxiliary input jack for connecting popular portable audio devices such as an iPod(R).

The RDX's inherent performance and technology compliments its state of the art safety features. An Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure helps protect passengers by distributing collision loads through the body structure, leaving the passenger cabin more intact for improved occupant protection while also making the RDX more compatible with smaller vehicles in the event of a vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision. Finally, a specially engineered hood and other components help reduce the chances of pedestrian injury in the event of a collision with the vehicle. Inside the RDX, a full complement of passive safety features are found, such as the latest generation of dual-stage, dual-threshold airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags for the driver and front passenger and side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all outboard occupants.

While the RDX is generously equipped right from the start, it is also available with an optional Technology Package. Priced at $36,495, the RDX with Technology Package enhances the driving experience by adding a 10-speaker, 410-watt, Acura/ELS Surround(R) Premium Sound System designed by legendary recording engineer Elliot Scheiner to create an unmatched listening experience. In addition, the Technology Package also includes several visual and audio communications features such as the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition(TM) and rearview camera, the HandsFreeLink(TM) wireless telephone interface, and the AcuraLink(TM) Satellite Communication System with Real Time Traffic.

The destination and handling charge for all 2007 Acura vehicles is $615.

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Pre-Release Video of Acura RDX SUV; Dan Neil Likes the Acura RDX, He Really Likes It [internal]

Dan Neil's back. Right, he never left physically, but if we're being honest (and we pretty much are), we'd been detecting a slight leak from his characteristic wit of late. If his Muse had left the building, she was only out for lattes (or a Double-Double with extra avocado). Neil's prosiness is back, and it's trained on the Acura MDX SUV, which he says, is "perfectly constructed, elegantly engineered and shamelessly underpriced." Acura's marketing speak-speak, on the other hand, is far less elegantly rendered.

In fact, so smitten am I by this vehicle that I can only conclude I'm exactly the sort of person it was designed for. According to Acura's psychographic buyer's profile, I'm apparently what you call an "urban achiever." I'm edgy, competitive, and I work hard and play hard. During the weekdays I'm entertaining clients and impressing the boss. Weekends I enjoy an active lifestyle of dating, night life and mountain biking.

Right. Just as soon as I can find my pants.

Could this be love? [The Los Angeles Times]

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More Dan Neil [internal]

The early adopters over at AcuraRDX.net (yeah, these guys move quickly) procured what looks like a montage of B-roll shots (with live audio) from an upcoming commercial or presentation for Acura's new RDX mini-ute. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the new turbo spooling up; either that or the low whine of RDX's target audience of urban professionals ordering Thai food over the phone. We're sending it to the lab for analysis. [Thanks to Rob for the tip.]

First Official Acura RDX Pre-Release Movie [AcuraRDX.net]

Related:
Uteful Digressions: Acura's New RDX Prototype [internal]

Acura introduced its new small luxo-ute prototype, the RDX, this afternoon. The lil' X3 fighter is built on Acura's new global light-truck platform and powered by an all-aluminum turbocharged 2.3-liter i-VTEC mill producing 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It's also got paddle shifters to work the five-speed SportShift tranny. Whether the company will build his swankness — or some reasonable facsimile thereof — is all but assured. Maybe in 2008.