The photos above and below are reported to be of the 2010 Acura RDX, complete with a mid-cycle redesign. Visually, the entry-level luxury crossover gets a little less attractive thanks to the addition of the corporate Acura badge. And if not attractive, at least it will help to set the crossover apart in an incredibly competitive segment.

It seems as though the upcoming Acura ZDX isn’t the only new model Honda’s luxury arm is planning to release in the near future. Both German auto pub Auto Motor und Sport and Japan’s Holiday Auto are both reporting that four-door coupe is in the works and that is likely to be based off the European Honda Accord/North American Acura TSX platform. Holiday Auto even included a few renderings, shown above and below.

Acura gave us the official first look at its new ZDX Concept, a four-door coupe crossover thingy, at the New York Auto Show today. And, well, it’s not exactly what we would call beautiful.

The real-life proportions of the car make it look distinctively different from the BMW X6, even though original teaser photos from Acura gave us that impression.

While a concept, the ZDX is slated for production and will be on sale later this year. An Acura rep told us that the production model will be “extremely close” to what was shown today.

The ZDX will be powered by a V6 engine and will use Acura’s SH-AWD technology. A six-speed automatic will be standard, although according to the Acura press release it will be a “sequential” unit – which could mean a quick-shifting double-clutch style system.

Also included on the production car will be the panoramic glass roof, a multi-view rear view camera and a blind spot monitoring system. Style elements include hidden rear door handles and exhaust pipes that are integrated intot he rear bumper – both firsts for Acura.

The ZDX is a car that defies categories, with coupe styling, four-doors and the functionality of a crossover SUV.

Surprisingly, despite the ZDX’s less-than-massive size, it will slot in above the MDX in the Japanese luxury carmaker’s lineup.

More on the Acura ZDX after the jump:

Several months ago we reported that Acura has achieved an historic first by earning a perfect rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for every vehicle in its lineup.

Now Acura has claimed another manufacturer first after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the new Acura TL a perfect 5 star rating. Along with the TL, every other vehicle Acura sells has a perfect 5 star rating from the NHTSA, giving the company the best possible safety score in every vehicle it sells, in both recognized safety

This not only means that the Acura lineup is safe when it comes to withstanding an impact, but the IIHS requires stability control (a life-saving technology) to be on a car in order for it to be award a Top Safety Pick rating.

“No other automotive brand has accomplished what Acura has, nor can make the safety claims that Acura can,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales. “When consumers think safety, they really should think Acura.”

Official release after the jump:

Can a gasoline engine best a diesel one in endurance racing? It can during qualifying, as Acura proved by claiming the pole for the 12 Hours of Sebring race, set to take place tomorrow.

Scott Dixon shocked pretty much everyone on Thursday by piloting the de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a to the pole with a time of just 1:45.27. Neither Audi or Peugeot (both favored to claim the pole over Acura) could post a better lap. Impressively this pole position is the first for Acura, during it’s first ever race in the top-level LMP1 class.

“I’ve watched this race for many years and it’s always been exciting so now it’s great that I get to race here,” Dixon said. “I’ve tested on the short track many times with IndyCar but never on the big track. So you can’t help but grin from ear to ear to be excited to drive here.”

“Overall it’s been a great week especially now having Acura on the overall pole,” Dixon said. “It was unexpected. We always shoot for the pole from the get-go. But realistically I thought we were only to be third or fourth. It was interesting when I heard I was going to qualify the car. I’m not sure why Gil picked me in the end, but I think all three of us could have done it.”

The battle for pole was a close one, however, with Tom Kristensen just 0.082 seconds behind in the new Audi R15. In fact, the fiels was so close that all top-five qualifiers were just 0.281 seconds apart.

The third fastest time was posted by Christian Klien in one of the Peugeot 908 HDi coupes.

In the LMP2 class, Acura also claimed the top spot with Adrian Fernandez in the Lowe’s Fernandez Racing Acura ARX-01b posting a 1:49.686.

As for the remainder of the classes, Corvette clinched the GT1 pole with a Oliver Gavin behind the wheel in what will be the last Sebring race for the C6.R as it retires later this season.

The final class, GT2 saw a Porsche on the pole with Dirk Werner in the Farnbacher Loles Racing Porsche GT3 RSR running a time 2:03.051.

Complete qualifying results after the jump:

Ahead of the New York Auto Show, Acura has released just two images of a concept vehicle it will have on display. And thanks to the folks at AcuraZine we have three more (significantly more revealing) photos of the car… or should we say SUV.

Luxury cars. Obviously they’re not just about options, toys, and an interior swathed with leather. They bridge the gap — figuratively and literally — between the “haves” and “have-nots” on our roads. First they were mostly produced by American stalwarts Cadillac and Lincoln and now by the German carmakers Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. The Japanese, with Infiniti, Lexus, and Acura have also all produced one or two luxury cars that have broken into the “luxury” fraternity.

If you’re in the market for a luxury car that’s a bit different, choices are slim. But I wager that Acura’s RL may just be what you’re looking for — if you can forgive a few foibles.

The Acura TSX has grown considerably over the years, so much so in fact that Acura has decided that for top level performance the car has outgrown its four-cylinder powerplant. So to add some beef to the already impressive sports-sedan, Acura has stuffed a 280hp 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood for the 2010 model year.

No manufacturer has ever received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Top Safety Pick rating for every car it produces… until now. With a top crash rating for the new 2009 TL, all five Acura cars and SUVs (including the RL, TL, TSX, MDX and RDX) carry the prestigious Top Safety Pick rating.

To get the top rating, each vehicle has to score a “Good” for each of the three test categories, which are: Frontal Offset Crash Test, Side Impact Collision Evaluation (SICE) and Rear Crash Protection.

For several years now the IIHS demands that Top Safety Pick winners be equipped with stability control. That being said, all Acura models now come with the company’s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system.

Starting in 2009 every Acura also comes with the following safety features: Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual-stage/dual-threshold front airbags, side airbags with front passenger Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active head restraints for front seats, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Acura also scores highly in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, with a top rating for front crashes – the most common type of accident.

Welcome to the AutoGuide.com News Blog, your comprehensive source for breaking automotive news. Our staff of writers and contributors will keep you updated on all aspects of the auto industry, from vehicle unveilings, to concept cars, to news from auto shows, the aftermarket and the world of motorsports.