Sometimes it takes Acura a little longer than the rest of the class. Sometimes, Acura fans just have to wait, and wait…and wait for their dear Acura to come out with a type of car that just about every other Tom, Dick and Harry automaker already has.

And usually, the wait is worth it. IN the case of the Acura RD-X, the concept SUV debuted at the 2005 North American International auto Show as a soon-to-be production vehicle, the wait will likely be time well spent.

According to Bill Elliot, executive vice president of American Honda, the wait will also be short. First debuted in 2002,the Acura RD-X will be sold in the 2006 model year, and will be built on a new light truck platform in Marysville, Ohio. Though specific powerplant details were not available, Elliot confirmed that the RD-X would have more than 200 horsepower. Between now and then, Acura workers will have to figure out how to get the very best of Acura's technology into an SUV that is smaller than the MDX. Included in the RD-X will be Acura's new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which debuted with the RL model earlier this year. This system distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, and between the left and right rear wheels.

Along with the SH-AWD system, the RD-X offers fully independent front and rear suspension, Brembo disc brakes, and 19-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Sounds just about ready to go - until you get to the interior. Inside, all manner of concept fun is going on, including mood lighting and a custom suitcase in the center console. The instrument panel and door inserts are trimmed with a combination of ivory leather and ivory suede -probably not for production, much like the tangerine-colored, crocodile-embossed leather seats with ivory-colored wool headrests and the rosewood covered flooring...It all sounds a bit tropical for Acura, so expect a typically precise and comfortable interior forthe RD-X.

More realistically, the RD-X will come with Acura's Navigation System with Voice Recognition, the audio system, and other advanced in-car functions, such as Acura's Traffic link . Like in the RL sedan, navigation, audio, dual climate control and other features are controlled using the Interface Dial mounted in the center of the instrument panel. The concept features a downloadable hard drive for personal music collections - a nice bit of technology that would boost the ever-increasing Acura reputation for tech advancement in vehicles.

Yes. The wait is almost over.

By Brian Chee

Photos by Erik Hanson