2005 Acura RD-X Concept

But seriously, aside from the future-cool LED head- and taillights and lack of windshield wipers, this design is said to be not

Aside from the future-cool LED head- and taillights and lack of windshield wipers, this design is said to be not far from what we'll all see on the roads starting sometime in 2006. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

far from what we'll all see on the roads starting sometime in 2006. Borrowing the latest design trends from just about every rival car company that has produced a compact SUV concept, the RD-X's high, raked beltline and steeply sloped windshield, copied from Nissan's Murano, look good combined with Acura's geometrically faceted, softly edged planes. I suppose its better that it looks more like a Murano than a Kuraza (see Concept or Prototype section under Infiniti).

Just the same it will be difficult to distinguish it from the crowd until its front end with its wide, slightly sinister trademark grille comes into focus, as well as its creased, angular fenders and polished-steel satin-finish bumper insert that splits the aggressive grille opening. Also in line with the geometric deco theme are the wraparound headlights and, in the rear, uniquely styled taillamps, plus integrated exhaust tips straddling the rear bumper insert, matching brushed aluminum to mirror the

No matter what you think of the new RX-D's styling, just be glad that it doesn't look as hideous as the previous SUV concept that bore the RD-X nameplate back in 2002. (Photo: Acura Canada)

grille. This is "Art & Science" design, to coin Cadillac's design "language," but only after a round with a sandblaster.

In profile, it looks like some giant robot took its mechanical hand and flattened a CR-V to about three quarters of its original height. Then the Honda engineers came in with a bunch of crazy glue and left-over plastic panels from the Keio University science fair, slapped on some side sills and sprinkled a dash of "fender garnish," (that's literally in the press release--fender garnish... I mean, c'mon) and presto, an RD-X is born and along with it a new art form, Origami folded metal.