Acura MDX 2010 – First Drive Review

Acura MDX 2010 – First Drive Review

With Acura’s upcoming 2010 ZDX crossover-coupe-whatever setting the tone for the brand in terms of refinement and technology, its once-techno-trendsetting MDX sibling is looking a bit long in the tooth. Indeed, the second-gen MDX—which placed first out of eight in our last shootout of $50,000 SUVs—has sat relatively unchanged since its 2007 debut, and this fact combined with a number of newly engineered goodies also used in the ZDX makes this year the perfect time for an update.

Dodge Viper SRT-10

| Dodge Viper SRT-10 |The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.

While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.



"A legendary big-game hunter once said, 'Bring enough gun!', and with the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, we've created some very powerful artillery for sports-car enthusiasts," said Kipp Owen, Director, Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Engineering, Chrysler Group. "With 600 horsepower, 90 more than before, and 0-to-60 performance in less than four seconds, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 sets a new benchmark for the ultimate American sports car."

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North America this summer with a new level of customization options, including five new exterior colors, four new interior color combinations and a new wheel design.



Standout Powertrain.
When SRT powertrain engineers set out to get more venom from the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's powerplant, their objectives included not only increasing performance, but also complying with stringent regulatory requirements, such as federal Tier 2, Bin 5 and California's Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) 2 mandates.

Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer's basic formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing and higher engine speed.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10's deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water jackets for better cooling, the block includes pressed-in iron cylinder liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength and durability.



The Viper SRT10's 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to "breathe" cleaner and more efficiently.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 V-10's two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.



The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum-tip spark plugs fired by new individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head covers.

Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with larger-diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability. Forged powder-metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength.

Engine lubrication is managed by a larger oil pump and a swinging oil pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to improve oil pressure in high-rpm and hard-cornering conditions.

Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved emission control. The headers' stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.

SRT engineers didn't stop there. Upgrades were developed to handle the 8.4-liter V-10's increased horsepower and torque levels, while improving traction, driveability, and durability.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's V-10 channels its power through a new, smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch (a change from the previous larger-diameter, single-disc setup). The new clutch reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, resulting in reduced clutch-pedal effort and improved engagement feel.



The transmission is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060. It features 10 percent wider gears for higher torque capacity and a new synchronizer package. A new shifter system results in reduced shifter travel. Club racers will applaud a new provision for adding an external transmission cooler.

2010 Acura TSX Overview

Car | 2010 Acura TSX Overview |For the first time, the ACURA TSX is now available with a V6 engine. The availability of a V6 for the 2010 ACURA TSX  represents a step almost as big as the styling changes introduced with the 2009 model year. More than just an engine change, the ACURA TSX V-6 has a character all its own, distinct from the four-cylinder version.

Technology has always been one of the main appeals of the TSX, and this extends beyond the drivetrain and chassis. Acura’s superb navigation system is the equal of anything in the class, and it displays real-time traffic with congestion re-routing and local and national weather. An airlines display lets you track a flight’s progress across the country. The top-line audio system sets a standard for the class, too, with superbly crisp surround sound. Like the other features, hands-free Bluetooth cell phone architecture is cleanly integrated with the car’s electronics.

The ACURA TSX is a four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive sedan. Considered a near-luxury car, the TSX comes standard with leather-trimmed seats, power everything, dual-zone climate control and heated seats and outside mirrors, electronic stability control and a full array of airbags.

The 2010 TSX is available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6. The four-cylinder comes with a choice of manual or automatic transmission, while the V6 comes with an automatic. The four-cylinder is rated at 201 horsepower and just 172 pound-feet of torque but it revs happily and, with the six-speed manual, it’s the enthusiast’s choice; figure on 0-60 acceleration in the mid-seven-second range. Fuel economy, according to the federal government, for a TSX four-cylinder automatic is 21/30 mpg City/Highway.

The new V6 changes the character of the car. Acura’s V6 is smooth and linear, and up in the higher revs makes a pleasant growl. Good as the five-speed automatic is with paddles and a sport mode that holds manual gear selections, it hasn’t the involvement factor of the six-speed manual offered only with the four-cylinder. The V-6 model is heavier by 210 pounds and takes 3 mpg off EPA city and highway ratings. And it needs an extra 15 inches of space for a U-turn. The TSX V-6 gets an EPA-estimated 18/27 mpg.

The TSX uses front-wheel drive, whereas true sports sedans are rear-wheel drive. That said, the TSX is one of the better-handling front-wheel-drive sedans. And in its class it’s hard to beat as an everyday driver that can still be fun on a winding road. The 2.4-liter engine is rated at 201-hp,

Styling is true to Acura themes, the more aggressive, buff look to emphasize stance introduced on the 2009 model.

The 2010 ACURA TSX competes primarily with the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Lexus IS. Other competitors include the Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Saab 9-3, Volkswagen CC, Volvo S60. Among them, the 3 Series, CTS, G37, and C-Class use a more sporting rear-wheel-drive setup.