To some, when a new product comes out it’s called the original and anything that comes out later are called copycats.

Call it what you like, but it looks like the 2010 Acura ZDX is going to give the BMW X6 a run for its money.

The exterior was designed by Michelle Christensen, a 25-year-old recent graduate from the Art Center College of Design and according to Michelle, her aim was ‘to create an emotional vehicle that challenged conventional thinking of what a sports coupe should be.

Unveiled at the New York International Auto Show last month, the ZDX looks somewhat like its rival the X6 albeit this new beast looks both muscular and elegant all at once.

According to Acura, the ZDX is a 5 passenger sports coupe as opposed to the X6 that can seat only 4 and is based on the MDX platform.

It will be powered by a V6 (most probably MDX’s 3.7 liter) engine and mated to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD).

No word yet on performance as the Acura team is still keeping this secret.

Dimension wise, the ZDX is bigger than the X6 but just by a few inches.

On the outside one notices the 20 inch, 9 spoke wheels and chromed dual exhausts at the back.

Probably one of the most striking features is the panoramic glass roof that smoothly curves from the base of the windshield to the rear of the bumper, allowing both front and rear passengers a view of the sky.

This could prove to be both a blessing and a curse depending on the time of year.

Most probably more of the latter if someone decides to bring the ZDX back to the tropics.

Rear door handles aren’t visible since the designers cleverly hid the handles in the base of the C pillar.

A friend of mine is considering buying the 2009 Acura RL and asked me to accompany her to the dealer and give the car a once over.

At first glance, the thing you notice is the redesigned hood, nose, tail, rocker panels and the trunk lid.

The wheels were widened to 18 from 17 inches and there’s a larger rear stabilizer bar.

On the inside, the front seats now sport an eight way power adjustment plus lumbar compared to four from the previous model.

Heated front seats are now standard and a ventilation function not previously offered is included with the tech package.

Also new in the tech package is the real time traffic rerouting system.

Real wood dashboard trim and the automatic shift gate now sports a better looking leather knob which is now linear by the way.

A lot of the changes were a bit superficial-a couple of buttons were shaped differently and the steering wheel has imitation wood at the top and bottom.

Speaking of steering wheels, if the F 22 Raptor had a steering wheel instead of a stick, this would be it.

I counted 14 buttons and a blank and this is not including the shift paddles.

There was a slight increase in length at the back, giving rear passengers slightly more legroom.

Under the hood I was surprised to find a 3.7 liter, 300hp VTEC V6 engine instead of last years’ 290hp 3.5 liter which I expected.

The 09 RL has Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive or SH-AWD, which is an upgraded version of its’ all-wheel drive system.

Unlike the older version wherein power can be shifted front to back, the SH-AWD can direct it to the individual rear wheels.

So during cornering if you were to gun it, the system will direct more power to the outside rear wheel than the inside which will essentially cancel out any understeer or oversteer and if I’m not mistaken, Acura is the first one to do this.

Get the lowest quote from the Houston Acura Dealer.