ZDX Was Ahead of its Time. Here’s Why Acura Brought The Name Back
When asked if the ZDX was ahead of its time, Acura product manager Jonathon Rivers takes a long pause before responding.
“Absolutely,” he says. “In fact, maybe too far ahead of its time.”
Debuting way back in 2009, the ZDX was controversial from the outset. But now it’s back as a dramatically-styled fully-electric vehicle and so Rivers recently joined The AutoGuide Show podcast to explain how it came to be, and what Acura has planned for it. (Give it a listen here).
ZDX Was Too Far Ahead of Its Time
“I will say that the original ZDX essentially established what is now this common crossover coupe segment,” he explains. “There were very few other players in the market at the time. Now just about every brand has a version of it. I think it launched ahead, which could have been deemed polarizing for some, but it’s interesting to see that it really set the stage for the segment.”
Selling in niche numbers until it was discontinued in 2013, the ZDX was far from a success. So why bring back the name?
“I want to make it clear that it wasn’t just marketing buzz,” says Rivers. “When we were in development of this vehicle we really looked at a lot of different options. Given what the vehicle is and what we wanted to achieve, the name made a lot of sense… Including the fact that the original ZDX was this boldly-styled crossover-like coupe.”
Not the Same ZDX
“Now the new vehicle isn’t an exact replica of the previous ZDX. That wasn’t the intent. But it does share a lot of the bold crossover coupe-like styling.”
But borrowing a little name recognition wasn’t the only reason.
“And this may not be so well known..” continued Rivers. “We knew this was going to be a battery electric vehicle. We wanted to play up the Z in ZDX, meaning zero emissions. It did serve a dual purpose.”
Two ZDX to Choose From
The ZDX is currently available for pre-order via Acura’s website with the first deliveries planned for early Spring of this year.
Delivering 340-hp and between 315-325 miles of range the ZDX will start at $64,500. An S Type model will also be on offer with 500-hp and approximately 288 miles of range, priced from $73,500.
For more on the ZDX and to listen to the full interview with Jonathon Rivers, be sure to check out The AutoGuide Show podcast brought to you be eBay Motors, and subscribe today.
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With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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