We don't have to wait until Wednesday for the 2012 Chicago Auto Show to open its doors to the press to see what the production versions of Acura's 2013 ILX compact sedan and RDX crossover look like as the Japanese carmaker has just released the first official photos.
As we expected, the transition from concept to production didn't bring many changes on either model, just some minor tweaks to the bumper trims and the placing of smaller and less extravagant alloy wheels.
Starting with the ILX, while based on the current Civic, Acura has made considerable efforts to differentiate the compact model from its Honda sibling, both inside and out. Acura says that the primary target customers for the ILX are "Generation Y- successful 20 and 30-somethings moving into the luxury car ranks but looking for high-value propositions in their purchases."
Underneath the body, it's all Honda Civic with the ILX being offered with three engine options. These include the base 2.0-liter inline-four producing 150 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm, which is linked to a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission and returns an EPA estimated 24mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Next up is a 2.4-liter engine with an output of 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft torque at 4,300 rpm, paired to a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission that returns 20mpg city and 29mpg highway.
Finally, there's Acura's first hybrid model which makes use of a 1.5-liter inline engine and Honda's Integrated Motor Assist electric motor with a CVT delivering an EPA estimated 35mpg city and 38mpg highway.
Moving on to the new 2013 RDX, Acura's new crossover replaces the outgoing model's 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 273 horsepower (+ 33HP).
The all-new 6-speed automatic transmission with a lock-up torque converter and an available lighter all-wheel-drive system complete the setup. According to Acura, the FWD version of the new RDX delivers a fuel economy of 20mpg city and 28mpg highway, while the respective numbers for the AWD model are 19mpg and 27mpg.
Both the 2013 ILX and the RDX will go on sale in North America this Spring.
20 Comments:
Good lord, the passenger side has more HVAC vents than plastic...
The RDX rear quarter looks like the new CRV *face-palm*
HAHA!!
Wow....Supar!
Are those actually wheels on the RDX ?
Acura really needs some brand identity, its like they arent sure what they are trying to be. Neither the RDX or ILX look like luxury or premium cars. Their interiors have more plastic than a tupperware party, the RDX has gray toned plastic as trim in a car that expensive? Its interior doesn't look any nicer than whats in the CRV, while Audi, Cadillac, BMW and others use wood trim and aluminum in their upscale interiors the most Honda could muster for Acura was layers and layers of plastic ashame was once a good brand now they are just totally uncompetitive they might as well just be trim levels for the Hondas they're based on.......
I'm impressed with the exterior design of the ILX and look forward to reading about the performance of the 2.4L six speed. But, I'm disappointed that Acura continues to use that awful swoopy dashboard. Adding more vents doesn't make it less ugly. And get rid of that huge rotary knob! I want fewer buttons, not more of them.
As for the RDX, yikes. All I see is an expensive CRV. They attempted to design a mini MDX. Good idea, poor execution.
I think the nasty Acura beak that runs through their styling now pretty much sums it up.
Another chapter in the decline of Acura.
Ruined the TL.
Horrible and cheap interiors.
No class leading tech.
Rebadging Civics.
Awkward refreshes of the MDX and RDX.
Don't even get me started on the NSX.
Nothing Acura does is innovative anymore. I just saw a Ford ad touting torque vectoring (aka same tech as SH-AWD) so basically, Ford is providing the same technology as Acura. EPIC FAIL BOYS. EPIC FUCKING FAIL.
Back in the day Acua stood for something. True,. that 'something' was a budget lexus BUT the styling was sharp and unique (the legend was the shit) and the original NSX was a halo car people still drool over. I'm not a delusional fan boy, Acura doesn't even compete with Audi or Inifiniti but at one point it was the only game in town for near luxury. Then everyone else perked up, made good product and BAM! that's how you get the current Acura.
Disappointing at best. Pathetic at worst.
I loved my 93 Acura Legend Coupe. Kinda sad now days.
This car is amazing. The only thing Acuras lake are false prestige. Amazing Acuras.
ILX = "How to spend too much for a Civic"!
Can see elements from the Lexus IS, Camry, Accord, Kia Optima on the ILX and elements from the Lexus RX on the RDX.. FAIL Acura.
Didn't know that could make the CR-V and IS uglyer! Wait that's a Civic....
This just should have been the Civic, period. That interior is what would have made the Civic competitive in the current market.
It seems most Japanese car "refreshes" are just a rehash of recycled cliché design elements borrowed back and forth between each other.
Hopefully this will be the new Civic sedan in Europe seeing as other Acuras are badged as Honda in Europe
The back end reminds me of the Chysler 200 sedan. I like it though, I think this would make a better civic then the current refrshed civic.
The interiors look really nice. Honda does good work when they copy BMW.
...the new European Civic has already been revealed.. maybe you meant Accord..
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