Acura’s first electrical automobile (EV) will seem for the 2024 mannequin yr. It’s an odd recipe, mixing a principally forgotten identify, GM elements, and a beautiful idea automotive to supply an interesting midsize SUV. However, at first look, it really works.
The five hundred-horsepower model doesn’t harm.
Meet the 2024 Acura ZDX.
Not Fairly a Historic Nameplate
If the identify sounds acquainted, you could bear in mind a distinct segment automobile Acura bought from 2010 to 2013. That ZDX was the forerunner of at this time’s “SUV coupe” development, combining an SUV’s larger stance with a coupe’s sportier roofline. It by no means took off within the U.S. — Acura bought simply over 7,000 of them stateside in three years of attempting — about what number of MDX SUVs it sells in a month.
Not Fairly Acura Bones
The following ZDX can be distinctive otherwise.
It’s constructed on the GM Ultium platform by way of an settlement with Basic Motors. Which means the ZDX shares a lot of its structure with the Cadillac Lyriq and the upcoming 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. Dad or mum firm Honda is creating its personal EV platforms and says future Acura EVs is not going to all be co-developed with GM.
Acura engineers tweaked the Ultium platform sufficient to present the ZDX completely different specs. The corporate will supply three variations.
An A-Spec single-motor trim degree will make 340 horsepower with one electrical motor driving the rear wheels. Acura says it “is anticipated to begin within the $60,000 vary.” An A-Spec dual-motor model will use two motors for all-wheel drive (AWD). Acura hasn’t revealed energy figures for that one. The corporate claims a spread of 325 miles with one motor and 315 with two, although the EPA hasn’t weighed in on that.
A ZDX Sort S may even be AWD and get 500 horsepower. It rides on an adaptive air suspension and will get high-performance Brembo entrance brakes. The Sort S will begin at round $70,000. It’s estimated to journey 288 miles between prices.
Fairly a Putting Look
It could be partially a GM product beneath, however the physique is all-new and all-Acura. A toned-down tackle final yr’s dramatic Precision idea, it bears an apparent household resemblance to at this time’s RDX and MDX. But it surely provides dramatic aptitude with an extended hood marked by three outstanding ridges. A floating roof design emphasizes the visible size.
Inside, a high-mounted central touchscreen is a reasonably customary 11.3 inches however appears bigger thanks to manage surfaces mounted subsequent to it that appear to be extra display screen actual property. Acura says it additionally comes with “an intuitive touchscreen interface and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.”
With GM abandoning Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the ZDX will be the solely means for Ultium followers (is {that a} factor?) to get the platform with fashionable telephone integration instruments.
Each mannequin will get the identical Bang & Olufsen sound gear; a “bespoke system has been engineered completely for the tech-rich cabin of the all-electric SUV with 18 audio system, together with 4 within the headliner, 14-channels of amplification and a subwoofer to ship highly effective and complex sound.”
Honda and Acura haven’t introduced plans to hitch different automakers switching to Tesla’s EV charging plug. As an alternative, the corporate says, “As part of an introduced three way partnership between seven main automakers, Acura EV shoppers could have entry to a number one high-speed brand-neutral charging community in the USA and Canada beginning in 2024.”
Acura appears to have partially backed away from plans to promote its EVs solely on-line. The corporate says, “All Acura ZDX gross sales will happen by way of a brand new, omnichannel digital gross sales course of, guaranteeing a easy and intuitive purchasing expertise from residence or at an Acura dealership. Pre-sale actions for ZDX will begin later this yr, with first shopper deliveries slated for early 2024.”
