AcuraLink® Roadside App

Official release from www.acuranews.com:

Introduces Acura Owner’s App for iPhone®, Roadside Assistance

11/21/2011 – TORRANCE, Calif.

Acura announced today that it will extend the current AcuraLink® brand to a new set of digital services, commencing with the launch of a new AcuraLink® Owner’s Mobile App, available to all Acura clients.

The initial features for the AcuraLink® Owner’s App will support Acura’s Roadside Assistance Program. Acura owners can now conveniently access a wide range of roadside assistance services simply through the new iPhone® app.

The free app, produced with Acura’s roadside assistance partner, Cross Country Automotive Services (Cross Country), offers Acura drivers access to a full range of service options available through the sign-and-drive Acura program. Services include items such as comprehensive towing, lock-out assistance, battery jump-start, tire change and fuel delivery.

Acura owners can use the AcuraLink Roadside Assistance app to view scheduled time of arrival and contact information for the dispatched towing service provider, as well as an assigned reference number for the roadside disablement event.  The app also offers a priority emergency button for urgent situations.

“Roadside Assistance is now available at the push of a button with this user friendly application. This is another example of the flexibility, speed and expertise Acura clients have come to expect from our products, services and our brand“, said Charles Kendig, Acura Division’s Assistant Vice President for National Fixed Operations.

Acura owners can use the app to reach an experienced roadside assistance agent to dispatch a reliable roadside assistance service provider: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Acura owners highly value design and engineering innovations within their vehicles, and Cross Country is excited to provide technology that enables Acura owners to easily obtain dependable roadside assistance service and related information when they need it,”said David Ferrick, Cross Country’s senior vice president and general manager of Insurance Services and Automotive Markets.

The AcuraLink Owner’s App is available for download at the App Store or through Acura.com at http//owners.acura.com/acuralink/roadside.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 271 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL luxury performance sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV, the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

About Cross Country
For nearly 40 years, Cross Country Automotive Services has been a pioneer and thought leader in creating and delivering technology-enabled service solutions for the auto and insurance industries.
Cross Country manages roadside assistance programs in the U.S. on behalf of global automobile manufacturers and U.S. insurance carriers, providing solutions for the nearly six million roadside service events experienced by their consumers each year.  In addition, Cross Country provides accident scene management, vehicle release management and total loss screening services for insurance carriers, customer care services and connected vehicle services for automotive manufacturers.

For more information, visit www.crosscountry-auto.com

*Roadside Assistance no-cost benefits apply during warranty period only. See program details for specific warranty coverages. Beyond warranty coverage, Acuralink may still be used for non-covered services requiring a separate payment at the time of service.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPod and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc.

[Source: Acura]

Motoring TV 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Elite Review

Graeme Flethcher of Motoring TV takes a look at the Canadian 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Elite in this recent YouTube upload. The Elite package is the top level TL in Canada, equivalent to the US Advance package which includes upgrades such as 19″ wheels, the Blind Spot Information System and ventilated front seats. There’s no surprise that the 2012 TL’s refreshed styling and SH-AWD system continues to impress in this video review below.

“Test Drive of the 2012 Acura TL. The sophisticated all wheel drive system doesn’t fool around with the 3.7L, 305 horse power engine putting a lot of power to the wheels.” – Motoring TV

[Source: Motoring TV via YouTube]

S.H.I.E.L.D. Evasive Driving Experience

It looks like the lucky winners of the Join S.H.I.E.L.D. campaign had a couple days of fun unleashing some Acuras on a closed road course. Does anyone else think this driving course should come free for all new Acura owners?

“Want a CLASSIFIED look into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s top-secret evasive driving facility? As the official vehicle of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Marvel Studio’s latest blockbuster films Thor and Captain America, Acura secured clearance for select aspiring S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to train with the elite force at an undisclosed location. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were recruited to be agents. But only these 6 agents qualified to train on this grueling evasive driving course” – Acura

[Source: Acura via YouTube]

Bette Midler in “The Season of Reason” Acura TV Spot

‘Tis the season for another round of hilarious holiday ads from Acura. “The Season of Reason” television spots are back, and this time they’ve got the star power of Bette Midler and chef Gordon Ramsay to help push Acura’s year end sales event.

Created by advertising agency rp&, seven spots ran last year showing us some over-the-top and ridiculous ways one may overspend during the holiday season. While those were a bit strange and awkward, I find this year’s ads to be more outrageous, exciting and a whole lot funnier. Of course, you can’t go wrong when you bring Bette Midler or Gordon Ramsay home to liven up the holidays. 

The ads are already running on TV, but you can check them again below.

Chef Gordon Ramsay:

Bette Midler: 

Visit acura.com for more information on current offers.

[Source: Acura via YouTube]

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon © Motor Trend

Hauling new Ikea furniture has never been so easy thanks to the Acura TSX Sport Wagon’s 60.5 cubic feet of cargo space and high revving four-cylinder engine. “Practical and Fun” is how Motor Trend describes the TSX in the latest update of their Long Term Road Test.

“Furniture packed, navi set, it was time to hit the freeway and head home. The circular, tight radius on-ramp near the local Ikea is always a great way to exercise the sport wagon’s ability to out-handle its crossover competitors, and is a solid reminder why wagons are better cargo-carrying alternatives for driving enthusiasts. Roll onto the throttle, suck into the radius, and be amazed that a car carrying this much stuff also has noticeable chassis tuning running through its veins.” – Alex Nishimoto, Motor Trend

Visit www.motortrend.com for the rest, including the full image of the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon under the gorgeous California sunset.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Honda Small Sports EV Concept

As Acura’s parent company, new technology utilized in Honda vehicles will often find its way into Acura models. Honda plans to introduce a few new interesting concepts at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show that may have some influence on future Acuras. While details are limited, Honda has released some real-life photos of a plug-in hybrid sedan named the AC-X, as well sketches of their SMALL SPORTS EV CONCEPT.

Additional information is available in the press release below:

Honda Announces Overview of Display for the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011
Seven Next-Generation Electromotive Concept Models on Display

November 10, 2011 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its lineup of production and concept-model automobiles, motorcycles, power products, and other highlights for its display at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 11, 2011.

At this motor show, with the booth concept of “What makes people feel good?” Honda will propose an exciting and thrilling mobility life of the future that it envisions as a company providing personal mobility to people all around the world. The display will include a lineup of the next-generation electromotive concept models including two-, three- and four-wheeled commuter vehicles designed for easy and fun mobility in future cities, mid-to-long distance commuters designed to enrich life and enhance the freedom and fun of mobility, and sporty models that pursue the joy of driving/riding.

Furthermore, at the automobile section, N Concept, a new mini-vehicle series that emphasizes the creation of ample space, will be showcased, including introduction of the first production model in the series, N BOX. At the motorcycle section, a variety of models will be on display, including planned production models such as NC700S, INTEGRA and NC700X, which will be equipped with Honda’s newly-developed global 700cc motorcycle engine. Also on display will be the planned production model of the CRF250L which offers both an ease of use in everyday life and the fun of off-road riding. Covering the largest floor area of any single brand at the show, the Honda booth will showcase a diverse lineup of products unique to Honda.

As a part of “SMART MOBILITY CITY 2011″, a themed project the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) will hold at the motor show venue, Honda will showcase the FCX Clarity advanced fuel cell electric vehicle, EV-neo electric scooter, EV-MONPAL electric cart, as well as the Honda Smart Home System which features several Honda-developed energy production technologies, including a gas engine cogeneration unit and a solar powered system to reduce household and mobility CO₂ emissions. The progress Honda has been making in testing program of these technologies also will be showcased.

Since the establishment of the company, Honda’s goal has been to make people happy through its technologies and through the creation of products that are useful in people’s daily lives. Driven by these dreams and passion, Honda has been committed to the research and development of mobility which focuses on people. With a passion to create and deliver mobility filled with fun and good feelings for people, Honda’s challenge as a manufacturer of mobility products will continue into the future.

Electromotive concept models:

• AC-X
A next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle which offers a more comfortable and enjoyable time in the vehicle during all driving situations, from urban to long-distance driving. With the choices of an “engine drive mode” for more aggressive driving or an “automatic drive mode” for more relaxed driving, the vehicle broadens the joy of mobility.

• MICRO COMMUTER CONCEPT
A micro-sized, futuristic, electric city commuter which will become a highly accessible form of mobility for more people. This vehicle will offer the joy of a new type of communications between people and mobility and an exterior that the owner can enjoy customizing more casually. The collaboration of Honda’s motorcycle and automobile R&D centers made it possible to load the MOTOR COMPO two-wheel EV commuter in this vehicle.

• SMALL SPORTS EV CONCEPT (tentative name)
A next-generation EV sports model which maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance.

Visit Honda’s Worldwide site at world.honda.com for more.

[Source: Honda Motor Co. ]

It doesn’t look as though the Chinese ZDX is much different from the North American model with its 3.7-liter V-6 engine, SH-AWD, 6-speed automatic transmission and many of the other standard features. It does appear to have a few exterior differences similar to the Chinese MDX. Clear front turn signals and standard headlight washers are common for the Chinese models, as well as slightly modified rear tail lights with additional sections of clear lenses(pictured below). 

Check out the attached gallery or visit www.acura.com.cn for more.

[Source: Acura China]

2012 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Edmunds revealed their top wagon picks in the recently published 2012 Wagon Buying Guide. The Acura TSX Sport Wagon topped the Under $35,000 category as the first recommendation in that price bracket.

Here is what Edmunds had to say:

“The no-doubt winner here is the Acura TSX Sport Wagon. It features a sizable number of standard and technology features, sporty handling and, befitting Acura’s reputation, excellent build and materials quality. It also delivers on interior space, since there are nearly 61 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. That’s better than both the pricier Audi A4 Avant and the BMW 3 Series wagon.” – Edmunds

Visit www.edmunds.com for more wagon buying tips and guides.

[Source: Edmunds]