The 2022 Acura MDX introduces a brand new platform to the Acura and Honda lineup known as the World Gentle Truck Platform, and it is at the moment unique to the MDX. The brand new 2021 Acura TLX can be constructed on a completely new platform that isn’t shared with another Honda or Acura. Going additional again, when the redesigned 2019 RDX debuted, Acura stated that mannequin was constructed on “a new-from-the-ground-up, Acura-exclusive platform.”
That’s three totally-new and Acura-exclusive platforms in a short while interval, and it received us considering. What’s Acura as much as right here?
Most producers as of late are more and more going within the actual wrong way. Volkswagen’s MQB structure underpins every little thing from the recent hatch GTI to the big Atlas. Toyota’s TNGA platform has a number of sizes/variations, however Toyota nonetheless considers them associated and can inform you that TNGA is the idea of automobiles from the Corolla on as much as the Highlander, plus the Lexus UX and ES. Yow will discover related tales all throughout the trade, in each luxurious and non-luxury manufacturers. Acura, alternatively, seems to be taking a completely completely different strategy.
To get some readability on technique, we reached out to Acura. The solutions are multifaceted, however Acura says it is spending cash the place it pays dividends for efficiency — however there’s additionally extra sharing between fashions than it would appear to be on the floor.
“The definition of what constitutes a ‘widespread platform’ varies by automaker,” Acura completely advised Autoblog throughout a wide-ranging e-mail interview involving the enter of quite a few engineers and product planners. “For us, essentially the most basic worth is to take care of the identical carry factors all through manufacturing and allow us to supply completely different autos in the identical manufacturing surroundings.”
For instance, the TLX and RDX characteristic related carry factors within the chassis to allow their manufacturing on the identical line, however that’s the place the 2 diverge.
“The TLX is completely different in that it has a bespoke platform that isn’t shared with another Acura or Honda car,” Acura says. “This strategy was adopted to satisfy the excessive dynamic targets [for the Type S], and distinctive powertrain [the 3.0T V6] and drivetrain functions [SH-AWD] that required a unique platform from the Accord.”
Acura says the identical for the RDX, but it surely additionally revealed that its crossover “is predicated on a standard platform that underpins different autos, together with the CR-V.” This “widespread platform” is modified to be used within the RDX and “is engineered a lot otherwise to satisfy the distinctive efficiency necessities set for RDX and the Acura model.”
Moreover, Acura famous that whereas a lot of its automobiles are on completely different platforms, “there are some related building supplies and strategies (excessive power metal, high-performance adhesive, curler hemming for the panoramic roof, and many others.)” that it makes use of throughout its lineup.
Acura’s small vary additionally permits it to have as a lot differentiation because it does. Not like Mercedes-Benz’s or BMW’s huge product ranges, Acura has simply 4 volume-sellers — ILX, TLX, RDX and MDX. “This enables us to focus our assets on engineering every Acura mannequin for the particular wants of our clients. A major instance of this is able to be the forged aluminum damper housings and double wishbone suspension on the entrance of the brand new ‘21 TLX and ’22 MDX. These contribute to and/or capitalize on the very inflexible chassis that every has.”
Acura needs its automobiles to drive and really feel like Acuras, not glorified Hondas. To try this, it’s investing in a key space that contributes to improved driving efficiency — the chassis. After spending time within the new TLX and MDX, it is clear the funding pays off in the way in which these automobiles drive.
Not like the TLX, although, the brand new construction beneath the MDX — the World Gentle Truck Platform — will see obligation in a number of Hondas as properly. When the next-generation Pilot, Passport and Ridgeline arrive, anticipate them to make use of a model of the brand new World Gentle Truck Platform.
That’s the sort of platform sharing we’re accustomed to seeing all through the trade. There’s nonetheless loads of engineering work going into making Acuras meaningfully completely different than Hondas, however don’t assume efficiencies aren’t being taken benefit of the place they could possibly be. Seeking to the longer term, Acura has the ILX to revamp subsequent. That may undoubtedly borrow from the Civic, because it has earlier than, but it surely’s but to be seen how a lot differentiation Acura will goal to attain.
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