Exterior and Interior
The Acura ILX’s design remains faithful to that of the concept, sporting a sleek, sporty, and aerodynamically efficient exterior, but customers will also have two additional packages to choose from: a Premium Package and a Technology Package. The Premium Package includes leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, an upgraded 360 watt stereo system, a rear view camera, and an Active Sound Cancellation system to make for a quieter cabin. The Technology Package adds an ELS Surround audio system and a full complement of relevant technologies, including AcuraLink Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather with radar image maps.
Engine
The new Acura ILX will be offered with a choice of three advanced, sporty, and efficient engines. The entry level will be offered with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 150 HP at 6,500 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. This version is offered with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission and delivers a city/highway fuel economy of 24/32 mpg.
The top of the line model gets a 2.4-liter engine with an output of 201 HP at 7,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft torque at 4,300 rpm. Mated to a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission, this version will deliver a city/highway fuel economy of 20/29 mpg.
With the new ILX, Acura is also introducing its first ever hybrid model. This version will combine a 1.5-liter inline engine and an Integrated Motor Assist electric motor to deliver a total of 111 HP at 5,500 rpm and 127 lb-ft of torque between 1,000-3,000 rpm. During braking, the gasoline engine deactivates and the electric motor acts as a generator to recharge the battery pack. At a stop, the 1.5-liter engine can enter idle-stop mode to save fuel and reduce emissions. The engine remains off until the brake pedal is released. Equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the new ILX Hybrid will deliver a city/highway fuel economy rating of 35/38 mpg.
The new 2013 ILX will also be offered with advanced MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems, and new Amplitude Reactive Dampers.
Prices
The new 2013 Acura ILX will be produced at Acura’s Greensburg, Indiana plant and will go on sale later this year in late 2012. Prices will be announced at a later date.
Competition
The list of competitors for the new Acura ILX will include models like the Buick Verano and the Audi A3 (for which Audi plans to offer a sedan version soon). The Verano is powered by an Ecotec 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 177 HP and 170 lb.-ft. torque. The A3 will be offered with all of the engines found in the hatchback version, including a 2.0 TFSI engine that delivers a total of 200 HP. Acura has promised that its model will be cheaper than the other two models, but we’ll have to wait for the official announcement to see if they keep their promise.
gallery: 2013 Acura ILX
