At the recent Detroit show, Honda’s luxury brand Acura teased us all with the NSX Concept, but another showcar is much closer to the showroom than the supercar, the ILX Concept.
Billed as the precursor to an all-new compact sedan, the production version of this will roll off Honda’s Indiana plant and is scheduled for a spring 2012 launch. Acura doesn’t call it “the new TSX” but since it will be “positioned as the gateway to the Acura brand”, a position the Acura badged Honda Accord Euro (that’s what the TSX is) now sits on, it’s either that or a new entry level model. The latter scenario will leave Acura with four sedans in its range.
“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 recognisable as an Acura,” said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio.
The ILX will feature three different powertrains, including Acura’s first-ever gas-electric hybrid. The range starts with a 2.0-litre inline four, then a high-performance model with a 2.4L engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. The hybrid in question is a 1.5-litre petrol engine plus electric motor combo. This should be largely similar to the 1.5 IMA with CVT pairing found in the Civic Hybrid.
New features include a smart entry keyless access system and push button start, along with Pandora internet radio interface and SMS text message function. Front, side and curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist will be standard, and Acura anticipates top ratings in both NHTSA and IIHS crash safety tests.
I see a bit of Lexus IS and a bit of Nissan Fuga in the rear three quarters shot. Like it?
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rear end look similar to bmw 3 series coupe… if they remove the badges i would say it look like lexus
The front door handles position seems a bit too low…
I would say it looks nice if it’s out 2 years ago. Future is weak with this 1.
Looks interesting, hopefully it will be on a FR layout to challenge the likes of the 3, A4, C and the IS.
It’s about time they launch something interesting in their line up.
this is one nice looking acura!!!!!!
New Accord?? NICE……!!
Its not bad, but its not great either…but I guess that doesn’t really matter. Just slap on a Honda badge and it’ll still sell like hot cakes…In Malaysia at least :)
seriously whats with the beak?
My first thought was a BMW. But the car looks good.
p321a better
congratulation for giving the dumbest comment ever..still praising ur p321a like no tomorrow
I don’t own a p321a. I don’t think anybody other than Proton own in at the moment.
OK. p321a is not better. Is this the smartest comment ever?
OMG!! I see kia optima K5!!
What happen to Jap!?? copying kimchi now!???
OMG!! What happened to Kimchi?? Copied Japanese designs and still copying??!!
bring it on to challenge the Lexus hybrid! :P oh wait, Acura only got LHD market?…mmh..
c’mon guys lets keep Excited and Meh on equal
ala ala bmw…no idea aahh!!!
bmw lookalike……
the rim is ok..headlight design kinda outdated
If this was accord, sure it will kick-out the k5, sonata n other
looks like a lexus on first glance. but looks better than 2012 civic introduced in usa ^^
Hmm, seem like it’s complicated to have to brands within the same house.
Acura meant to a luxury brand to Honda, same as Lexus for compatriote Mr T-san, and this model is meant to be “positioned as the gateway to the Acura brand”…
The risk is to have this one toooooooooo much on the ‘Honda’ side, that may affect Acura’s positioning…
ghey as hell. only blind supporters would like it.
my guess its positioned below the current TSX/Euro accord. the canadians had the civic based CL for the longest time (which was never sold in us) and it makes
sense to have a more bespoke model for acura instead of a rebadged civic if they were going to have an entry lvl acura for the US market.
it does look like an IS from the hind 3/4s.
the good news is that with a 1.5 ima Powertrain, I’m hoping to see this some day as a competitor to the Lexus hybrid
Ever realised that every single conve
Ever realised that every single concept car or video will show it has cross-drilled rotors n oversized BBK but it never happens in actual production cars ( except for supercars )….r the rotors really that expensive? Why cant manufacturers provide them as oem? Its not only good for looks but better cooling n reduces fade n overheating as well…