Car_and_Driver_USA_July_2017

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Halo Bender Acura’s MDX Sport Hybrid finds the NSX supercar’s tech stash. _by Bengt Halvorson HYBRID TECHNOLOGY PROMISES to advance our vehicles’ effciency, performance, and gratification, even if it saddles them with more mass. But that hybrid halo is often illusory. In many luxury hybrids, off-the-rack gasoline-electric technology yields an underwhelming, slow-witted driving experience, even if the cars are occasionally quicker than their less expensive nonhybrid counterparts. The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is a rare exception, and one that lives up to its potential—at least in our first drive, without the instruments attached. Credit goes to the hybrid-electric hardware from the NSX supercar paired with a less potent six-cylinder engine. The technology that makes the NSX both highly capable and approachably benign improves the driving experience and effciency of this high-riding six- or seven-passenger family wagon. The nonhybrid MDX SH-AWD is itself stellar. It’s among the best-handling threerow crossovers, with precise, nicely weighted steering and well-controlled vertical body motions. The Sport Hybrid ramps up the tractive teamwork in corners, applying resistance (and recovering energy) at one rear wheel while delivering forward drive to the other, achieving a more nuanced and more effective form of torque vectoring than the nonhybrid version can deliver. The hybrid system also does away with a mechanical connection between the engine and the rear axle. Instead, a 3.0-liter V-6 up front is paired with two 36-hp motor/generators at the rear. A third electric motor, rated at 47 horsepower, is geared to the input shaft of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and has three roles: delivering supplemental torque, smoothing shifts, and acting as a generator. The entire system makes 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, or 31 horses and 22 pound-feet more than the nonhybrid models. Vivid powertrain response, great city mpg, no packaging compromises. Infotainment remains an ergonomic disaster, token third row, forget about towing. The seven-speed transmission and hybrid motors are all business, ripping through the gears with quickness and grace. You hear shifts more than feel them, and the rush of passing power starts even before the transmission has downshifted. Moving along with city traffc, it’s clear that Acura’s hybrid know-how extends beyond mountain-road esses. The hybrid system brings the V-6 seamlessly into the mix with a wet multiplate clutch, finessing the low-speed drivability issues that can plague such a setup. Accelerate gently and the MDX hybrid launches silently in electric-drive mode. The V-6 comes on shortly thereafter, although it often switches off when coasting at speeds up to 56 mph. Most of the standard MDX’s driving experience remains. There’s a fair amount of body lean, but the adaptive dampers do filter out harshness. Push hard into tight corners and you might find yourself dialing in too much steering input, as the outside rear motor nudges the vehicle’s rotation, preempting understeer. Four driving modes vary throttle response, steering effort, and damper behavior. Sport-plus mode keeps the engine running all the time. Acura says the hybrid kit adds 227 pounds to the standard all-wheel-drive model, but the addition of the 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack has minimal effect on packaging. The ground clearance is the same as that of the standard MDX, seating is comfortable in the first two rows and good enough for kids in the third, and cargo space is uncompromised. Given the boost of 8 mpg in the city and 1 mpg on the highway versus the standard allwheel-drive MDX, and the extra cost of just $1500, the only reason to avoid the hybrid might be that trailering isn’t recommended due to transmission durability concerns. DOUBLE DOUBLE Two 36-hp electric motor/ generators on the rear axle provide propulsion as well as torque vectoring. 2017 ACURA MDX SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD VEHICLE TYPE: frontengine, front- and rearmotor, all-wheel-drive, 6- or 7-passenger, 4-door hatchback BASE PRICE: $52,935 POWERTRAIN: SOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 257 hp, 218 lb-ft; 1 front permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motor, 47 hp, 109 lb-ft; 2 rear permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motors, 36 hp (each), 54 lb-ft (each); combined system, 321 hp, 289 lb-ft BATTERY: air-cooled lithium-ion, 1.3 kWh TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode DIMENSIONS WHEELBASE: 111.0 in LENGTH: 196.2 in WIDTH: 77.7 in HEIGHT: 67.4 in PASSENGER VOLUME: 132 cu ft CARGO VOLUME: 15 cu ft CURB WEIGHT: 4500 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) ZERO TO 60 MPH: 5.8 sec ZERO TO 100 MPH: 16.3 sec 1/4-MILE: 14.5 sec TOP SPEED: 110 mph FUEL ECONOMY EPA COMBINED/CITY/ HWY: 27/26/27 mpg 108 . CAR AND DRIVER . JUL/2017
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW Customer Rating • Powerful 15 amp motor • Makes precision cross, bevel and miter cuts • Laser guide 199 99 $ 199 99 Compare $339 ITEM 61969/61970/69684 shown LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* $134 99 SUPER COUPON SAVE $ 204 Blade sold separately. SUPER COUPON 20% SINGLE OFFANY ITEM Limit 1 - Coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 10/6/17. SUPER COUPON FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE 1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE $ 6 99 VALUE ITEM 69030 69031 shown LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 10/6/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day. 72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET Customer Rating $5 99 Compare $ 8 99 SAVE $17 .97 ITEM 69505/62418/66537 66% shown SAVE $ 8 LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* SUPER COUPON 2.4" COLOR LCD DIGITAL INSPECTION CAMERA Includes hook, mirror, magnet accessories, and video-out cable. ITEM 61839/67979 62359 shown $59 99 SUPER $ 69 SUPER COUPON $ 145 Customer Rating $ 69 99 Compare $205.75 26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART WINNER – Truckin' Magazine ITEM 61634/61952 95659 shown SUPER COUPON Customer Rating • 580 lb. capacity • Weighs 97 lbs. • 6200 cu. in. of storage Customer Rating • Weighs 73 lbs. 20" SAVE $ 269 $ 149 99 SUPER COUPON $99 99 $79 99 $99 99 149 Compare $369.32 #1 SELLING JACKS IN AMERICA RAPID PUMP ® 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK SAVE $ 190 Compare $269.99 $ 94 99 $ 94 ITEM 61253/62326/61282 shown 12 TON SHOP PRESS SUPER COUPON Customer Rating • Pair of arbor plates included • Extreme duty steel construction SAVE $ 79 119 99 $ 119 99 Compare $179 ITEM 33497 /60604 shown SAVE 72% • 300 lb. capacity $19 99 $ 27 99 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* Compare $71.97 LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* 1750 PSI PRESSURE WASHER • 1.3 GPM • Adjustable spray nozzle • 20 ft. high pressure hose Customer Rating $79 99 $ 99 99 ITEM 63255 63254 shown $ 99 99 40" LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* SUPER COUPON LOW-PROFILE CREEPER Customer Rating 19" ITEM 63424 63372 shown SUPER COUPON A B Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger. ITEM 68287 shown 69652/62872/62869 LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* 3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS SAVE 59% A. HOT DOG ITEM 69269/97080 shown B. PANCAKE ITEM 95275 shown YOUR CHOICE 60637/61615 $39 99 Customer Rating $ 54 99 $ 54 SUPER COUPON Compare $98.62 MECHANIC'S GLOVES SIZE ITEM MED 62434/62426 LG 62433/62428 X-LG 62432/62429 YOUR CHOICE $3 99 Item 62429 shown SAVE 60% $ 5 99 Compare $9.98 SUPER COUPON Customer Rating LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* SUPER COUPON 18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER AND FLASHLIGHT KIT SAVE 74% Customer Rating $ 24 99 SAVE 57% SUPER COUPON 12 VOLT, 10/2/50 AMP BATTERY CHARGER/ ENGINE STARTER Customer Rating $19 99 $29 99 99 ITEM 60581 $ 49 99 Compare $79 60653 shown 49 $ 49 99 Compare $69.99 LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 10/6/17* Use Coupons: In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567 *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 10/6/17. • 1000 lb. capacity SAVE $ 138 SUPER COUPON Customer Rating MOVER'S DOLLY ITEM 60497/61899 62399/63095/63096 63098/63097/93888 shown $7 99 ITEM 93897 shown 69265 /62344 Compare $19.97 SAVE 59% 10 $ 10 99 SUPER COUPON 3/8" x 50 FT. RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL Customer Rating $59 99 $ 79 99 Compare $198.45 At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
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