2013 Acura ILX

HighestOfHigh · Jan 9, 2012

With a hat trick of new cars at this year's Detroit auto show--including the hybrid NSX concept--the Acura brand is taking fresh aim at luxury-car buyers that have moved onward and upward to other brands.

With the ILX concept, Acura's looking for fresh talent. The new four-door makes it clear that Honda's idea of luxury car buyers now includes those folks who want smaller, greener cars.

Acura says the ILX concept is the precursor to a new vehicle it will put on sale early next year. Like most recent Honda and Acura concept cars, this one looks about 90 percent production-ready, though that's not yet confirmed by the company. It's pointed right at first-time luxury-car buyers who can't quite swing into the usual 3-Series--or, Acura hopes, a TL or TSX.

It's a handsome new vehicle, and the ILX shares its basics with the latest Honda Civic. That car hasn't been well-reviewed by the automotive press; our sister site, TheCarConnection, gave the 2012 Honda Civic an overall rating of 6.6 out of 10. Still, Honda's already committed to making fixes on engine noise, interior surfaces and other issues on the Civic itself, and the transformation into an Acura could take those upgrades even further.

Three engines will be available with the ILX, and the lineup mirrors the drivetrains found in the Civic. The base engine's a 2.0-liter four; the Si equivalent sports a 2.4-liter four. Finally, a hybrid edition--Acura's first gas-electric car--gets the latest 1.5-liter four teamed with batteries and electric motors. No power outputs or gas-mileage ratings have been announced, but they're likely to be in line with those of the Civic.

To distinguish it from the Civic, the ILX gets a more upscale interior. Acura's also promising keyless entry and pushbutton start, and an audio system with Pandora streaming capability and voice-to-text (or possibly text-to-voice) translation.

Unlike other Acura-brand vehicles with an "X" in the name, the ILX will not offer all-wheel drive.

The ILX goes into production this year at Honda's Civic plant in Greensburg, Indiana.

- 2013 Acura ILX Preview: 2012 Detroit Auto Show

HighestOfHigh · Jan 9, 2012

Acura ILX Concept
The Acura ILX Concept is the precursor to an all-new Acura luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in Spring 2012. To be positioned as the gateway to the Acura brand, the ILX will feature three different powertrains, including Acura's first-ever gas-electric hybrid.

"First time luxury buyers place the highest value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues and that's a virtual definition of what we have created with the new Acura ILX," said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. "The strategy behind this new model is to position ILX as the first opportunity for many young buyers to enter the luxury market."

Sleek, sporty and aerodynamically efficient, the exterior of the all-new Acura ILX combines luxury, performance and efficiency. A beautifully styled luxury sedan, the ILX Concept has a compact, yet formal proportion, targeting a very professional image. The Acura ILX delivers both, with a low and wide stance and a long nose and a short tail that are aerodynamically efficient, the ILX is immediately recognizable as an Acura.

The lineup of ILX models will include an entry-level model powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine; a high-performance model with a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission; and a 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, Acura's first-ever hybrid offering.

The ILX will feature a high–quality, well-appointed interior that is smart, spacious and sporty. It will offer a number of new, high-value features, including a smart entry keyless access system and pushbutton start, along with Pandora internet radio interface and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world.

As with all Acura models, the ILX will have a longlist of standard features, different trim levels (that will include a Technology Package), multiple transmission choices, and excellent standard safety features- including Acura's acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure, front, side and side-curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA™). Acura anticipates that the ILX will achieve top ratings in both NHTSA and IIHS crash safety testing.

The new ILX will be manufactured exclusively by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC, in its Greensburg, Ind. plant- one of only three plants in the world to receive J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Platinum Award for outstanding quality.