Acura’s first SUV receives a technological makeover by RADwood.
The SLX may appear to be in perfect condition, but it is hiding a lot of secrets. The “SH-AWD” badge at the back indicates that this is not an ordinary version Acura’s first SUV. The first all-wheel-drive model of Acura has opted for the new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which was inherited from the RDX.
The SH-AWD system was first introduced in 2005 on Acura’s RL sedan. It has since been installed in approximately 1 million Acura vehicles in North America. Now, it is in a 22-year old SUV derived from an Isuzu Trooper. After an ECU remap and an upgrade to the exhaust and a custom intake, it works with a turbocharged four cylinder engine borrowed from RDX. It produces 350 horsepower and 340 pound feet of torque.
This is a significant increase over the stock 272 hp & 280 lbft output of RDX.
Super Handling SLX 1997 has also replaced the four-speed manual transmission with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was taken from the RDX. The track width has also increased from 59.6 to 64.4 inches at its front to 59.8 to 65.1 inches at its rear. The solid rear axle was removed with coil springs and the five-link independent suspension was installed. In the front, the independent double wishbone has been replaced by a MacPherson Strut arrangement.
The SLX Restomod doesn’t just involve replacing the old hardware with newer hardware. Acura also removed the stock wheels and replaced them by a set of 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The original two-tone paint was updated to a Performance Red Pearl/Champaign Silver combination, and the hard shell spare tire cover at its back is the same shade as that of the body.
Acura has done a few updates inside the cabin. They have reupholstered the seats in Milano leather, and applied a gray wood trim to the dashboard and door cards. Acura has replaced the bulky gear selector on the automatic transmission with a series buttons similar to current Acuras. These include a start/stop and electronic parking brake.
Honda’s Premium Division will have the SLX Restomod on display at RADwood Car Show, Saturday, December 7, in Orange County.