- The new Civic-based ILX sedan goes on sale next spring.
- The 2013 ILX will feature Acura's first hybrid system.
- Acura also will offer a choice of two four-cylinder gasoline engines in the new ILX.
LAS VEGAS — Acura will offer U.S. buyers its first hybrid system in the all-new 2013 Acura ILX sedan. The Civic-based compact makes its world debut in early January at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and goes on sale next spring, priced from "well below $30,000," according to Acura.
Acura, which last year marked its 25th year as Honda's premium brand, sees the 2013 ILX as the anchor in a new strategy to capture entry-luxury buyers and keep them in the fold.
Toward that goal, Acura is testing a new design vocabulary on the ILX that it calls "aero-fused dynamics." The full-year sales target for the car is 40,000 units.
The front-wheel-drive ILX will come with a choice of three powertrains, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a five-speed automatic transmission and a 2.4-liter four with a six-speed automatic.
Acura also will market the 2013 ILX with a hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrain derived from the Civic Hybrid, which is based around a 93-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The 2012 Civic Hybrid is rated by the EPA at 44 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway. Acura said its version of the hybrid system will be tuned more for performance and less for fuel economy.
The 2013 ILX will offer a variety of advanced features, including a rear camera, HDD and wireless access to Pandora (Web radio) and text messaging (SMS).
A concept version of the car will be shown in Detroit in January with huge cross-drilled brake rotors, aggressive 19-inch five-spoke rims and 235/35ZR19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires — none of which will be offered on the production ILX.
Inside Line says: Acura says there are no plans for now to add an ILX coupe.
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fantastic says:
07:33 AM, 01/10/2012
http://www.acura.com/future/ILX LOOKS PRETTY GOOD THKS..exinobel102
colorado1974 says:
10:25 PM, 01/09/2012
hahahaha ahaha ahahah ahahaha ahaaha haahahahahah ahahahahaha aha ahahahahaha ahahahahaha aha ahahahaha aha haha a ahahahah. ouch my side hurts.
'cause the civic is going over so well, acura needed this.
Honda has jumped the shark. Oh, wait, they did that with the Crosstour...wait...element...wait...acura frying pan face...wait...
cike20 says:
07:37 PM, 01/09/2012
4 new Accords, 2 new Integras, 1 new RDX and 1 new TSX, so I guess you could say I am a Honda/Acura fan as over the last 25 years I have been loyal to Honda. I guess you could say even an addict with my Honda mower.
I grew up with Honda thinking "Form follow Function" unequal gas milage ratings, a leader in engine technolgy and most of all cars that made your heart beat because they were exticing and fun to drive. I remember that year after year I drooled over the next year models and every year I want the new one. Saddly all love affairs come to an end. When the one you love becomes lost, goes down a path that is leading it to an end their come a point where no matter how hard you try to love something it becomes impossable.
This new Civic based Acura the ILX (Stupid name) on the Acuara site actually looks nice but toss in the Civic engine options and the Civic Hybrid option and its will just sink like a lead fishing lure.
Honda wake up and get back to what you once where. Stop touting Acura as the Technology leader as its all show and true "Honda/Acura lovers" are going to be fooled by. Stop tossing out cheap designs that look like and feel like you made a major design change on the 3rd year of your 4 year development plan.
What works:
From Honda the FIT and the Pilot both work. But the USA Civic is nothing I could buy or recommend friends to by. Give me the Civic you sell in Europe, that works and works well! Dont kill the Element, REDESIGN IT to be a mini Pilot!
From Acura the TSX works and works well. The old TL was a hit but the new one not so much. The MDX is a hit as well and the RDX is not.
The rest of what you make no longer works for the primary reason "Form no longer follows function" you are so concerned about form and technology that you are lost. The fun to dive quotent is gone and thats what you need to go back to so your loyal customers have options. Why is it I never get excited over your new models? EVER!
exinobel102 says:
02:51 PM, 01/09/2012
This is what it looks like
http://www.acura.com/future/ILX#1
not too sure how I feel about it yet.
rivernile says:
06:54 PM, 01/03/2012
Lets see- the Honda Civic has lousy reviews. And the bright minds of Honda corporate decided that, "You know what? Me thinks that a luxury version of this poor handling car makes for a very good idea." Seriously, why on earth would Honda take such a step?
perrito says:
02:12 PM, 01/03/2012
Yawn. Crap. Moving on... .
shouldermonkey says:
10:17 AM, 01/03/2012
suck.
typer_801 says:
08:57 AM, 01/03/2012
Another yawner from Acura with powertrain that's clearly NOT entry level luxury. 5 spd auto?!? Really, when Chryslers have 8 speed auto's and every car in the compact car class having 6spd autos. More embarassment for a once well respected brand. When is this going to end either in Ito's termination or some actual decent products someone with a pulse would want to buy.
jscion says:
01:48 AM, 01/03/2012
Acura is the oldest and worst Japanese luxo brand of them all with lack luster products. I wish Honda would just scrap each and every Acura and bring back the Legend, Integra, and NSX!!! They haven't been the same brand ever since they added the stupid alpha-numeric naming and conservatively styled TL and RL models. It's like they died
fbt says:
08:56 AM, 12/30/2011
The well liked Integra was Civic based. I'm actually looking forward to this car.