Let's get this out of the way: The six-speed manual transmission is only available with the 201-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4, and the 2.4-liter is only available with the six-speed manual. The good news here is that Acura is hoping to price the ILX with the real transmission very close to the base model car, which comes with a 150-hp 2.0-liter I4 and six-speed automatic. Acura says potential ILX buyers want a mix of fuel economy and performance, and the way they've gone about performance is to keep the weight to about 3,000 pounds and make the car nimble and responsive, "the way all Acuras will be again."
The ILX is Acura's new entry-level car to lure Gen-Y buyers into luxury cars. "They like luxury and feel they deserve luxury," Acura said. But "they're beginning to realize that they may not be as affluent as their parents. They're living the recession." In that vein, Acura is hoping to pack a lot of content and a luxury ride into a car that starts "well under $30,000."
But it's not just a luxury ride Gen Y wants. They want to stay connected and have the coolest features. That's where Premium and Technology packages come in. The Tech pack has Acura's ELS surround-sound system, navigation, real-time traffic and hard-disk drive. Fully loaded, the ILX will run about $30,000. It will be made in Greensburg, Indiana, and go on sale in the spring. Acura's hoping for sales of 40,000 units per year once production/marketing is fully up to speed.
blueguydotcom says:
08:56 AM, 02/ 8/12
Start at 21-22k and it makes sense but barely. 25-26k fully loaded and you'd get the now-parents from the 90s buying their kids what would be a modern day Integra.
Not sure why Acura abandoned that market. The integra was ubiquitous among teens and 20 somethings until the tragic RSX debut. Seemed like Acura just abandoned the idea of luring people to their brand early.
transpower says:
09:22 AM, 02/ 8/12
Not impressed. The forthcoming Acura NSX looks much more appealing.
jlh3 says:
09:53 AM, 02/ 8/12
Whoa baby.............Look at that wheel GAP
_feloniousmonk says:
09:58 AM, 02/ 8/12
Actually, this is an appealing car in almost every way. Hope they nailed the "feel" of the car--sporty, yet composed--because this could be a major hit for the brand.
lmbvette says:
10:12 AM, 02/ 8/12
So, is this based off the Civic?
blueprint1 says:
10:14 AM, 02/ 8/12
re-post from the News section:
Apart from the AcuBeak, this is what the current Civic should have looked like.
It was said in earlier reports that this car will replace the TSX. What wasn't said is if the replacement is effective once the current TSX lives its model run, or if the change will happen quicker than that.
Canadian Acura dealers are probably very hungry for this car, as the CSX, their volume car, was cancelled for 2012.
The previous CSX / 1.7 EL / 1.6 EL were always closer than their period-mate Civic, but content always gave them better value than the top-trim Civics.
The ILX is way more Honda than the RL or MDX will ever be.
End re-post
This car will give us the option of having the go-fast bits of the Civic SI sedan, but without the 2002 Camry tailights and the double-decker Fisher-Price dashboard. I say it's a winner.
throwback says:
10:28 AM, 02/ 8/12
I think this car will do well, it's a shame it means the end of the TSX. I suspect that the current TSX will become an enthusiasts favorite on the used car market. Especially the wagon.
kain77 says:
10:29 AM, 02/ 8/12
I like it. This brings back the feel of the previous-gen TSX, which was a nice car (not quite an Integra replacement, but solid nonetheless).
I feel Acura has really gone astray with the beak lineup; the brand used to bring a performance-focused side of entry level luxury that was in stark comparison to its stuffy rivals at the time.
rl5 says:
12:22 PM, 02/ 8/12
No exposed exhaust tip on a sports sedan with a manual tranny? The 2.4L with 6m will get good reviews and probably rarely be seen on the road. 75% of the cars sold will probably have the base engine. I do not understand why a 6 speed auto isnt offered with the 2.4L.
typer_801 says:
01:06 PM, 02/ 8/12
Typo found: "base model car which comes with a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 and six-speed automatic"
Unfortunately, the base model car comes with only a five-speed automatic.
From the Honda Press release:
The entry-level ILX will be powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. Paired with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission, the ILX 2.0L will deliver an EPA estimated* city/highway fuel economy of 24/32 mpg.
For those who seek a more dynamic driving experience, the ILX can be equipped with a 2.4-liter engine with an output of 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft torque at 4,300 rpm. Mated to a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission, the ILX 2.4L will deliver an EPA estimated* city/highway fuel economy of 20/29 mpg.
typer_801 says:
01:07 PM, 02/ 8/12
Typo found: "base model car which comes with a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 and six-speed automatic"
Unfortunately, the base model car comes with only a five-speed automatic.
From the Honda Press release:
The entry-level ILX will be powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. Paired with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission, the ILX 2.0L will deliver an EPA estimated* city/highway fuel economy of 24/32 mpg.
For those who seek a more dynamic driving experience, the ILX can be equipped with a 2.4-liter engine with an output of 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft torque at 4,300 rpm. Mated to a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission, the ILX 2.4L will deliver an EPA estimated* city/highway fuel economy of 20/29 mpg.
hubblehornz66 says:
01:10 PM, 02/ 8/12
The design problem was the Acu-beak. Now its the rear lights. Please dont affect the NSX in either of these two ways please, I beg of you!
HH
66
hondacura4 says:
04:13 PM, 02/ 8/12
Strong competition for the Buick Verano. I kinda like the ILX but I wish it had the finish of a GTi.
billt9 says:
08:55 PM, 02/ 8/12
Welcome back, RSX/Integra/CSX. Why is the mpg so crappy? 24/32? Pretty much forces you go for the hybrid with 35/38.
I'd expect 24/32 in a midsized car with 180-200 hp.
carguy622 says:
08:04 AM, 02/ 9/12
"They like luxury and feel they deserve luxury". Ugh.
6sptl says:
09:03 AM, 02/ 9/12
Lets get one thing straight this car is not based on the civic, its essentially a civic si (the 2.4 version) with different sheet metal and different interior fitment. Thats not a bad thing. The top pricing of around 30 is also a good thing. Think of it as an integra/RSX 2.0 and you'll get the picture. Personally I think in these leaner times it will be a hit with the young urban professional types. Like the new Civic si it will be reasonably sporty but will be a significant cut above in the refinement department. IMO it looks great all around at a relatively small premium over the civic.
coolb944 says:
12:51 PM, 02/ 9/12
How come we only get interior shots of the start button and the shifter? Nobody has actually gotten to see the rest of the interior yet
cr_driver says:
08:06 PM, 02/ 9/12
Bland and boring looking.
Just look at that exhaust tip.
Great, I want luxury, nothing gives me that than a very exciting and luxurious 2.0 liter 4 cylinder with 150 horses.
As for the 2.4, ok at least it has that one, but at what premium? Isn`t this car for those who want luxury but can`t really afford it? LOL
-"They like luxury and feel they deserve luxury," Acura said. But "they're beginning to realize that they may not be as affluent as their parents. They're living the recession."-
fordson1 says:
06:39 AM, 02/10/12
That's just an incredible amount of dead-cat space right there. And I love the dinky Honda brakes.
And with 175 actual whp and at 3000 lbs. compared to a GTI with 200 whp at 3150 lbs., why does it get only 20/29 mpg?
It does look good, apart from the beak - this IS what the new Civic should have been, although why Honda has abandoned the compact hatchback market which is growing by leaps and bounds, is beyond me.
DLu says:
08:13 AM, 02/10/12
@ blueprint1,
I remember seeing those Acura CSX up here in NH and when I visited Montreal. At first I thought it was very odd to see the "A" on a Civic, thought it was one of those hack jobs, like an "///M" on a Camry or something ...