Performance is probably an emotional attribute, too. Yet Acura dropped the 3.5-liter V6 engine and swapped in a turbo four. It's a good turbo four, with just seven fewer horses and more torque, also used, in other tunes, in the Civic Type R and the Accord. The new VTEC four offers 272 peak hp at a relatively low 4800 rpm while torque is listed at 280 lb-ft and plateaus from 1600 to 4500 rpm. For a vehicle that weighs from 3783 to 4068 pounds, depending on options, that’s not bad. Without listing specifics, Acura says the new RDX is quicker to 30 mph, 60 mph and in the quarter mile than the previous V6 model. Score three more for emotion.
That output is routed through an in-house designed 10-speed automatic that Acura says can shift from 10th gear straight to fourth for passing. The new Super Handling All-wheel Drive (SH-AWD) can transfer as much as 70 percent of torque to the rear wheels, where inboard clutch packs can then shift it to either side. As much as 100 percent of that rear-wheel torque can drive a single rear wheel should conditions call for it.
