Acura RDX prototype previews 2019 model

Acura is Honda’s luxury brand, found in only a handful of markets. The RDX crossover is Acura’s key player in the U.S. market. Accounting for a third of the total Acura sales, the RDX obviously is a very important product. Now, as a new generation model of the RDX is due to arrive this summer, Acura has lifted the covers off the 2019 RDX prototype.

The RDX is built on a new platform which makes it lighter and stiffer. The platform also induces a growth of 62.5mm in the wheelbase and 30mm in the track width. At the front sits Acura’s signature “diamond pentagon” grille flanked by the “Jewel Eye” headlights. To top it all off, the RDX also gets a floating roof design.

Inside, the 2019 RDX appoints premium materials like soft Nappa Leathers, olive ash wood and brushed aluminium to line the panels. There are two analogue gauges behind the three-spoke steering wheel to read out info to the driver in the good old fashion. The Infotainment system gets a 10.2-inch screen, Acura’s True Touchpad interface and an android based software. There is an optional heads-up display, 16-channel Mark Levinson sound system, and a 4G WiFi hotspot.

Powering the 2019 RDX is a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four engine. The outputs are unknown but Acura promises 40% more low-end torque than the current 3.5-litre V6 unit, which produces 279 hp and 342 Nm. The new engine can only be hooked up to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Front wheel drive is standard for the 2019 RDX range and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with a torque-vectoring rear differential is optional.

The 2019 Acura RDX will be officially revealed in its production flavor before this summer. The Acura line-up is currently available in Kuwait but plans to introduce the brand in the UAE and other GCC markets seem to have stalled for now.