NEW CARS GUIDE

Vehicle Overview
Acura's high-dollar, aluminum-bodied, mid-engine sports car underwent a notable redesign during the 2002 model year. The two-passenger NSX got a lower air dam, restyled front and rear fascias, and an air diffuser integrated into the lower rear bumper. Acura's goal was to enhance the car's handling, performance and aerodynamics.

Fixed-position headlights replaced the prior pop-up units. A trunk lip spoiler was added above restyled taillight housings. The front spring rate was increased, and larger 17-inch tires were installed.

A trunk-mounted CD changer joined the standard-equipment list for 2004, but the NSX continues into the 2005 model year essentially unchanged. A lightweight removable roof panel is standard.

Since its 1991-model-year debut, the NSX has been the most costly, strongest-performing member of the Acura lineup. Competitors include the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper SRT10 and Porsche 911. Through the years, the NSX has been a technological showcase for Honda, Acura's parent company.

Originally intended as a response to Ferrari and other makers of high-end sports cars, the NSX never achieved that level of status. A redesigned NSX is likely to appear soon.

Exterior
Unlike some sports cars with designs that date back to the early 1990s, the NSX still looks sleek and contemporary. Aluminum is used for many of the low-slung coupe's components, including its sculpted, wedge-shaped body. An integrated rear spoiler contains a center-mounted brake light.

Built on a 99.6-inch wheelbase, the NSX measures 174.2 inches long overall and stands only 46.1 inches tall. Front to rear weight distribution is 40/60 percent. The removable aluminum roof panel permits open-air driving and contains an integrated storage compartment.

High-intensity-discharge headlights sit in conventional fixed positions. The lower air dam helps yield a 0.30 coefficient of drag. Forged aluminum-alloy wheels with a ribbed spoke design hold high-performance 17-inch tires: P215/40R17 in front and P255/40R17 in the rear.

Interior
Only two people fit inside the NSX, but tall occupants get more usable space than they would in many other sports cars. Acura claims the NSX's interior is meant to evoke a jet fighter's cockpit. Because of the mid-mounted engine, a modestly sized trunk is located up front; it holds just 5 cubic feet of cargo.

Standard equipment includes perforated leather-trimmed seats, automatic air conditioning, four-way power bucket seats, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, variable intermittent wipers and a Bose cassette stereo with a trunk-mounted CD changer.

Under the Hood
Two powertrains are available. A 252-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 teams with a four-speed-automatic transmission, while a 290-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 mates with a six-speed-manual gearbox. The automatic transmission features a manual-shift provision that operates via a toggle lever on the steering wheel — an idea borrowed from Formula One racing. Instead of a throttle cable connected directly to the gas pedal, the NSX uses electronic drive-by-wire technology.

Safety
All-disc antilock brakes and traction control are standard. Side-impact airbags are not available.

Vehicle Overview
Updated for 2010 with a new transmission and revised styling, the seven-seat MDX luxury SUV has a 5,000-pound tow rating and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive. It competes against the BMW X5, Lexus RX 350 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. It's top-rated in crash tests and has a history of above-average reliability.
New for 2010
Changes this year include a new grille similar to the ones on Acura's TSX and TL sedans, updated taillights and tailpipes, a new steering wheel, revised gauges and some new high-tech options. An Advance Package replaces last year's Sport Package, and a six-speed automatic transmission supplants last year's five-speed automatic.
Exterior
Now in the current generation's fourth year, the MDX has received a face that looks more like the ones on Acura's sedans. The rear looks more like last year's MDX.

Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
Standard xenon headlights
Optional auto-leveling xenon headlights and 19-inch wheels
Interior
The MDX carries seven people in standard leather seats. It has eight-way power front seats, and the driver's seat can remember two settings. Both seats are heated, with ventilated seats optional. There's also standard automatic three-zone climate control and a cargo space that can be configured six ways, depending on how the seats are folded. A number of tech features have been upgraded for 2010.
Optional rear DVD entertainment system, power outlet in the center console and heated second-row seats
Optional voice-recognition navigation system with real-time traffic information
Optional ventilated seats, metallic accents and sport steering wheel
Under the Hood
The MDX's 3.7-liter V-6 turns out 300 horsepower and 275 pounds-feet of torque, making it Acura's most powerful engine.
Six-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting
Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive
Optional active-damping suspension that varies shock-absorber firmness to smooth the ride and control body lean, with driver-selectable Sport and Comfort modes
Safety
Standard safety features include:
Dual-stage front airbags
Side-impact airbags for the front seats
Side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all three rows of seats
Active head restraints
All-disc antilock brakes
Electronic stability system with traction control
Optional blind spot warning system and active cruise control with collision mitigation feature

Vehicle Overview
The front-drive Integra sedan, whose design dates to the 1994 model year, returns unchanged for its final season in this form. Acura introduced a new Integra at the Detroit auto show in January, and expectations are that the 2002 model will come only as a coupe. Like the current model, the new Integra will be based on the new design for the Honda Civic. Acura is the luxury brand of Honda.

In addition to the compact-size sedan, Integra comes as a sporty hatchback coupe that is profiled in the sports car section.



Exterior
The Integra sedan rides a 103-inch wheelbase and is 178 inches long — a few inches longer than the Honda Civic or Ford Focus sedans.

A standard power glass moonroof opens above the roof so it doesn’t reduce interior headroom. Acura says the integrated bumpers can sustain a 5-mph crash without damage.



Interior
A full complement of comfort and convenience features are standard on all models, including air conditioning, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and power locks and windows.

Leather upholstery is standard on the GS and GS-R models, and all Integra sedans have a one-piece rear seatback that folds for additional cargo space.



Under the Hood
Two 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines are available in the Integra sedan. LS and GS models use a 140-horsepower version that teams with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The GS-R has a 170-hp engine with variable-valve technology and comes only with a five-speed manual.



Driving Impressions
Acura may be a luxury brand, but the Integra is more of a sporty compact than a luxury sedan, providing athletic handling and a firm ride. Both four-cylinder engines rev like crazy but don’t produce much power at low speeds. If you prefer an automatic transmission, be prepared for a lot of foot-to-the-floor driving to keep up with brisk-moving traffic.