Honda’s Premium Division Goes Electric
Acura is taking the jump into the world of electric vehicles with not one, but two models. The division’s first full-electric vehicles will be the 2024 Acura ZDX and a performance version, the ZDX Type S, that Acura says “demonstrate its commitment to performance in the electrified era.”
The two ZDX are part of Honda and Acura’s 30 EVs hitting the market worldwide by 2030, moving toward a goal of 100% zero emission vehicles by the year 2040, and everything the company does being carbon-neutral by 2050. Zero emissions includes hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and whatever new propulsion sources may be developed between now and then.
To get there, Honda has entered into a technical relationship with General Motors, sharing GM’s Ultium Platform, currently used on the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer (among others). It becomes the base for upcoming Acura and Honda electric vehicles. So while the chassis and lithium-ion batteries will be from General Motors, the Acura ZDX twins and the Honda Prologue SUV EV will be designed by Acura and Honda. The Honda Prologue is also set to be in dealers in 2024.
Design Cues
The ZDX is based on the Acura Precision concept, which was styled at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles. If the ZDX follows the Precision design, it will have a long front hood, a grille that fully lights up, narrow LED headlights, fog lights sitting wide in the lower fascia, and a near-flat roof that will give rear seat passengers ample headroom. The sides are smooth with flush door handles. The rear has a small spoiler over the lift gate, where the narrow butter knife-shaped LED taillights continue across the full back end. The lack of anything unnecessary gives the ZDX a clean and upscale look.
If the interior is anything like the Precision concept it will be easily one of the most modern cabins on any car. Acura says the “instinctive drive” and “spiritual lounge” modes give driving a dual experience. In instinctive drive, the yoke-style steering wheel retracts so the ZDX can be autonomous. Maybe modern doesn’t do it justice, but more like wild!
Propulsion Details
Acura did not provide details on the powertrain, but it should be all-wheel drive, especially the ZDX Type R version. Performance specs with dual electric motors could equal those of the Chevrolet Blazer at 557 horsepower (hp) and 684 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque, and all-electric driving ranges of either 290 or 320 miles. It is possible the base ZDX could have a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, as does the Cadillac Lyriq, producing 340 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque and having a 312-mile driving range.
Pricing and Availability
Production should begin in mid-2023 with an on-sale date in early 2024. Pricing has not been announced.
Observations: 2024 Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S EV
Acura is going from zero to at least two all-electric cars in about a year from now. Will the ZDX look like the Precision concept? We sure hope so, as this would be the best-looking Acura in a long time.
Clean Fleet Report wishes we could tell you more, but like us, you will have to wait over the coming months for Acura to leak-out more tidbits.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by Acura and Honda.