Acura is planning some big updates to its line-up, starting with the all-new TLX we recently reviewed on TheDetroitBureau.com, and next bringing out a new version of its big MDX crossover.
There’ve been plenty of leaks in recent months, including patent rendering images from the European Union Intellectual Property Office but, now, we have an official rendering that gives us another, more formal take on what the 2021 Acura MDX will look like.
“We’re accelerating Acura’s commitment to Precision Crafted Performance and this fourth-generation MDX is the most ambitious and consequential redesign of an Acura core model in our history,” Jon Ikeda, the brand’s vice president said in a statement accompanying this teaser image. “This all-new MDX will take us into new territory in terms of performance, prestige and emotional appeal.”
(Acura rolls out 2021 TLX and revives Type S performance models.)
We also had a few more detailed – albeit partial – glimpses at the new MDX in a short video now up on Youtube.com.
As has become the norm for both the Honda brand and its luxury sibling, Acura is calling this an MDX Prototype. That said, we expect to see only marginal changes between the concept and the final production model.
While images have been leaking out, details are relatively scarce and some reports leave us skeptical. It does appear that the new MDX will grow a little longer for 2021, with much of the added wheelbase enhancing cabin roominess.
(Acura sounds off with latest ELS audio system.)
The current MDX comes with a choice of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 pushing out 290 horsepower, with a 321-hp hybrid also available.
Those options very well may carry over, but the good news is the Japanese luxury brand is expected to continue pushing into the performance space, the MDX, like the new TLX, to get a new Type S package.
If insiders are to be trusted, that will translate into a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 making as much as 355 hp and directing it through the Acura Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive, or SH-AWD, system which offers such useful functions as torque vectoring.
We’re also expecting an MDX A-Spec with sporty body features such as darkened head and taillights and other trim differentiators.
(Check out the Acura Type S Concept.)
We’ll find out more Oct. 14 when Acura reveals the 2021 MDX Prototype during a webinar open to the public.