Remember the Acura Legend? How about the NSX? Banish those thoughts of beauty and cast your eyes upon the revolting beast that is the 2010 RDX. It curdles milk, it makes small children cry, women faint in its presence. We're tempted to throw rotten tomatoes at it. Why? Just why. We thought the Acura ZDX was a monster, but this might just trump it.

The new RDX isn't just an ugly face though, it also gets decontented over the last version. Whereas the last RDX came with "Super-Handling AWD" only, the new version adds a front wheel drive version with the same engine motivating things. It should be faster, but it'll never outrun the ugly, and with a base price of $32,520, we'd rather wait for a bus. [Acura via Autoblog]

The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Spyder tops the list of cars that still cause serious concern, though we could have told you were concerned about Eclipse GT buyers before the study. Full details and list below.

Acura RDX and Smart Pure Rank As Least Toxic Cars; GM Most Improved American Manufacturer

(Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - Ann Arbor, MI) - Today the Ecology Center released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org. Over 200 of the most popular 2008- and 2009-model vehicles and over 60 children's car seats were tested for chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats, and carpet. These chemicals become part of the air we breathe, contributing to "new car smell" and a variety of acute and long-term health concerns. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is a major source of potential indoor air pollution. Children are the most vulnerable population since their systems are still developing.

"More and more consumers are concerned about the issue of toxic chemicals in commonly used products - especially products related to children," said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center's Clean Car Campaign Director. "While the best car and child car seat manufacturers are starting to pay attention, far too many companies have not yet phased out these dangerous chemicals."

Overall, several auto manufacturers showed improvement over last year's findings, including Mazda, General Motors and Nissan. General Motors, whose average vehicle ranking improved by 27%, showed the most improvement of the domestic automakers. Average child car seat scores improved by 28% overall, proving that toxic chemicals are not required for the manufacturing of child car seats and interior automobile components. Best and worst picks for 2008 vehicles and car seats are listed above and below, respectively.

Given escalating fuel prices, this year's rankings are also cross-referenced with fuel economy figures, allowing consumers to find both healthy and fuel efficient vehicles. Anyone looking to buy a new car or child car seat can visit www.HealthyCar.org and search by model, or comparison shop between different models. For the first time, consumers are able to access product ratings using mobile devices with SMS texting and a mobile device optimized web site: Mobile.HealthyCar.org.

Last year the Ecology Center's HealthyCar.org research found the most toxic vehicles were the Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, Scion xB 5dr and the Kia Rio. The least toxic vehicles were the Chevy Cobalt, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Odyssey and the Volvo V50.

The law regulating chemicals in commerce, the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), is 30 years old and needs an overhaul. Visitors to HealthyCar.org are encouraged to contact U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (CA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, and U.S. Representative John Dingell (MI), Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and ask for oversight hearings on re-writing TSCA. HealthyCar.org is asking for complete health and safety testing on chemicals used in products and industry before they are put on the market, and to promote innovation for safer alternatives.

To sample the vehicles and car seats, experts at the Ecology Center used a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, which identifies the elemental composition of any material in less than 60 seconds. In each vehicle 11 different components were sampled including: steering wheel, shift knob, armrest/center console, dashboard, headliner, carpet, seat front, seat back, seat base, hard door trim and soft door trim. Components sampled were those most likely to be touched or otherwise contribute to human exposure. For car seats, seat bases, clips, EPS foam, shades, trim, and/or arm rests were tested.

While there are numerous substances in vehicles that can lead to health and environmental problems, HealthyCar.org selected those with known toxicity, persistence, and tendency to build up in people and the environment. These chemicals included:

Bromine: Associated with the use of brominated flame retardants, BFRs are added to plastics in order to impart fire resistance, but they are released into the environment over the life of the vehicle. Heat and UV-ray exposure in cars can accelerate the breakdown of these chemicals and possibly increase their toxicity. Some BFRs have been associated with thyroid problems, learning and memory impairment, decreased fertility, behavioral changes, and other health problems.

Chlorine: Associated with the use of polyvinyl chloride, PVC is a widely used type of plastic that is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle. PVC often contains chemicals called phthalates, some of which have been associated with decreased fertility, pre-term deliveries, and damage to the liver, testes, thyroid, ovaries, kidneys, and blood. There is also evidence that phthalates can pass from mothers to babies through the placenta and through breast milk.

Lead: Lead is sometimes used as an additive in automotive plastics. Exposure can lead to a number of potential health effects including brain damage, and problems with the kidneys, blood, nerves, and reproductive system. It can also cause learning and behavioral problems.

Other: Other chemicals tested as part of healthycar.org include antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and tin. The substances in this category are allergens, carcinogens, or cause other adverse health impacts depending on the concentrations and exposure levels.

The same chemicals that cause human health issues can also cause problems in the environment. When vehicles are discarded at the end of their life, the majority of plastic and other non-metallic parts are shredded and put in landfills or burned in incinerators. When discarded in landfills, harmful chemicals contained in vehicle plastics can leach out and contaminate soil and water. When incinerated, toxic chemicals are dispersed throughout the atmosphere.

[HealthyCar.org via The Car Connection]

Related:
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.

Related:
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]

Related:
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.