Acura announced Thursday it was taking orders for the MDX Type S, the most powerful SUV the brand has yet produced.
“The MDX Type S is for people who love to drive,” said Emile Korkor, assistant vice president, Acura National Sales, in a statement.
Certainly the engineering revisions give you little reason to doubt his assertion.
The three-row SUV is powered by Acura’s all-new, 24-valve, DOHC 3.0-liter V-6 engine that debuted on the TLX Type S earlier this year.
In the MDX, it generates 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque with the help of direct-injection and a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Other MDX models come with a 3.5-liter V-6 carried over from the third-generation MDX that produces 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. While no slouch in power department, that’s 18% less than Type S, which should make for a noticeable difference in acceleration.
Engineers also equipped the Type S with standard torque vectoring and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, while also pairing the MDX’s adaptive damper system an air suspension, Brembo front brakes and 275/40ZR21 Continental 21-inch wheels.
The SH-AWD update on the new MDX can shift up to 70% of that power to the back wheels — and then direct as much as 100% of that torque to either left or right wheels. The adaptive damping system adds a Type S-exclusive Sport+ mode, in addition to the Normal, Comfort, Individual, Snow, Sport modes offered in other MDXs.
The Type S also has a new Lift mode thanks to its air suspension, which increases ground clearance two inches to 9.4 inches when needed in off-road situations or for clearing deep snow.
As with other MDX models, the Type S uses a 12.3-inch HD center display that can be operated by voice, touch controls on the steering wheel or the touchpad on the center console. It also gets a standard WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa voice assistant, plethora of USB ports and a quick, 15-watt wireless charging pad.
Unlike other MDX models, it comes with the brand’s first massaging front seats and a new 25-speaker ELS STUDIO 3DÒ Signature Edition premium audio system. And of course it has full Milano leather with a special curvilinear quilting pattern and Ultrasuede inserts, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Designed, engineered and developed in America, the MDX Type S will be built exclusively at the company’s East Liberty, Ohio auto plant, with engines sourced from its facility in Anna, Ohio.
The Type S is visually distinguished by a front splitter and a diamond pattern grille texture that Acura says increases airflow into the engine by about 10 percent. In the rear, a diffuser flanks each of the MDX’s exhaust outlets.
The high-performance model can be reserved, and will reach showrooms in December. Look for prices to start in the high-$60,000 range.
With the new MDX Type S, it appears that Acura is finally living up to the reputation it once enjoyed as the first Japanese luxury brand, one that once set a real benchmark with models like the Legend sedan and coupe, and the NSX.
Certainly, the MDX was among the earliest luxury SUVs when it debuted for the 2002 model year. And it remains one of the luxury market’s most compelling three-row options, generation after generation, a reputation that the new Type S is bound to bolster.
Acura has never competed in the luxury SUV segment with the German’s. Actually no Japanese automakers has to date. But at $70K for Honda+ most will look elsewhere unless the lease deals are really good.
Loved the article on the new Accura model S. This one would be high on my buy list. I owned a 14 MDX tech and loved it now my granddaughter is enjoying it