Topic: 2013 acura ilx

[rrocket]

Mazda's new hybrid is going to be the sky diesel which is prob going blow all of these mpg numbers out of the water.  The ford fusion 1.6 turbo with 180hp matches the ilx hybrid mpg numbers.  And why would anyone want to buy this ugly duckling over a new fusion?

I prefer this over the new Fusion...as did the 2 gents I went to the Autoshow with.  The Fusion does NOT look as nice in the flesh as in pics.  We were all surprised by it.  Whereas the Acura looks better in the flesh.

And I'll believe a diesel blowing hybrid numbers out of the water when I see it....certainly not city MPG, that's for sure....

[1TSX]

Mazda's new hybrid is going to be the sky diesel which is prob going blow all of these mpg numbers out of the water.  The ford fusion 1.6 turbo with 180hp matches the ilx hybrid mpg numbers.  And why would anyone want to buy this ugly duckling over a new fusion?

Its not meant to compete with a Fusion. See Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu, etc. for Fusion comparisons.

The closest thing Ford offers to compete with the ILX is.........a Focus Titanium? 

[rrocket]

Mazda's new hybrid is going to be the sky diesel which is prob going blow all of these mpg numbers out of the water.  The ford fusion 1.6 turbo with 180hp matches the ilx hybrid mpg numbers.  And why would anyone want to buy this ugly duckling over a new fusion?

Its not meant to compete with a Fusion. See Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu, etc. for Fusion comparisons.

I dunno.....I could see some cross shopping happening.  But yea, it's not a full mid sizer IMO..

[1TSX]

Mazda's new hybrid is going to be the sky diesel which is prob going blow all of these mpg numbers out of the water.  The ford fusion 1.6 turbo with 180hp matches the ilx hybrid mpg numbers.  And why would anyone want to buy this ugly duckling over a new fusion?

Its not meant to compete with a Fusion. See Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu, etc. for Fusion comparisons.

I dunno.....I could see some cross shopping happening.  But yea, it's not a full mid sizer IMO..

The Fusion is a massive vehicle! The ILX is tiny compared to it.

[rrocket]

Mazda's new hybrid is going to be the sky diesel which is prob going blow all of these mpg numbers out of the water.  The ford fusion 1.6 turbo with 180hp matches the ilx hybrid mpg numbers.  And why would anyone want to buy this ugly duckling over a new fusion?

Its not meant to compete with a Fusion. See Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu, etc. for Fusion comparisons.

I dunno.....I could see some cross shopping happening.  But yea, it's not a full mid sizer IMO..

The Fusion is a massive vehicle! The ILX is tiny compared to it.

Oh it's smaller to be sure.  And I think that's why people might cross shop it...once they see how big some of the competition is. 

The Fusion may be too big for some...and the ILX just right.  Who knows....

[Ice]

low tech.

In which way??

Maybe I'm wrong but the 2.0L gets only 150hp? SkyActive G does better with better torque. The 2.4L does 200hp which isn't too bad... Advanced iVTEC isn't anything to sneeze at. I guess I was expecting Acura to debut some of Honda's new engine tech...they just seem to be coasting along with basically the same engines. Meanwhile Hyundai, Ford, even GM have some new ones with DI and low displacement I4 with turbos.

So it's down 5HP and 8 TQ to the Mazda and that's what makes you say it's low tech?  It's also available in a hybrid..which is high tech.  Where's Mazda's new hybrid??

But the Mazda has torque early in the range while Honda's typically have it late... maybe I'm mistaken but it sounds like they put exactly the same 2.0L engine that the CSX has had for years in the brand new ILX. Maybe it's not. I don't think we have any fuel economy numbers.

Don't get me wrong. I really like the looks of the ILX. I'm just not convinced they tried really hard on the power train.

[rrocket]

But the Mazda has torque early in the range while Honda's typically have it late... maybe I'm mistaken but it sounds like they put exactly the same 2.0L engine that the CSX has had for years in the brand new ILX. Maybe it's not. I don't think we have any fuel economy numbers.

Mazda torque peak is 4100 RPM....Acura torque peak is 4300RPM.  Not a huge difference.

[kevlar]

i'm not suggesting that people will cross shop the ilx and fusion.  my point was honda seems to going in the wrong direction.  they just upsized the rdx engine size to a v6 and the ilx has a bigger, less fuel efficient engine than many cars a size up from it. every company seems to be downsizing except honda.   honda used to be the champion of the small, fuel efficient engine.  what happened?  imo, the ilx should have a 1.4L DI turbo and maybe their 2.2L diesel.   

i can't wait to see all of the new models at the show next week rrocket.   interesting to hear your impressions.

[Ice]

Maybe it's not a huge difference... I could be buying into the marketing hype

I'm one of those people who would cross shop a midsize and a more luxury compact. So the Fusion versus the ILX would definitely be something I'd look at in my car buying future. But I know I'm weird

[1TSX]

What is the ILX's competition then? A base model Audi A4 FWD CVT (which no one buys)? I honestly can't think of one direct competitor. 

[SaskSpecV]

What is the ILX's competition then? A base model Audi A4 FWD CVT (which no one buys)? I honestly can't think of one direct competitor. 

Buick Verano.  Same size, same price range, and both based off of more plebian compact models - but with upgraded engines.  Probably different driving dynamics though.

A 2.4L ILX versus a 2.0T Verano could be interesting.

[Ice]

What is the ILX's competition then? A base model Audi A4 FWD CVT (which no one buys)? I honestly can't think of one direct competitor. 

Verano, Focus Titanium, Mazda3 GT with the Luxury packages, any other top of the line compact that it's in the 30K range. The ILX starts at the top while some of the others get optioned up to that point.

[Ice]

I had a chance to sit in the Hybrid ILX at the AutoShow today. Great experience from my point of view. It's roomy for the size of the car, it looks much better in person than it does in photos, and the interior, seating, switchgear, and overall feel were excellent for me. After a bit of adjustments with the power seat everything was extremely comfortable. Only a handful of cars that I sat in at the show had the same sort of feel for me. I walked away really impressed. No idea how it drives of course... but kicking the tires on a vehicle not even out was quite fun!

[Wetson]

I had a chance to sit in the Hybrid ILX at the AutoShow today. Great experience from my point of view. It's roomy for the size of the car, it looks much better in person than it does in photos, and the interior, seating, switchgear, and overall feel were excellent for me. After a bit of adjustments with the power seat everything was extremely comfortable. Only a handful of cars that I sat in at the show had the same sort of feel for me. I walked away really impressed. No idea how it drives of course... but kicking the tires on a vehicle not even out was quite fun!

   I was thoroughly impressed with it.  Good fit and finish and NOTHING inside it reminded me of the Civic.  Was nice to see that They've finally severed the tie although I do believe the ILX is built on the Civic platform.  It had the kind of luxury and comfort I want in a smaller car.  It may be my next vehicle.

[kevlar]

this will be cross shopped with a lot of sedans.  i don't get why people think if you add 6 inches onto the length of a car that people won't cross shop them.   

[koun_g7]

It's a shame that the powertrain options are that underwhelming. This could have been my next car.

[Ice]

I take back what I was saying about the engines basically being dropped in. It sounds like Acura has been busy working with the nitty gritty pieces for this car.

Some stuff from Temple of VTEC:

UPDATE from the morning technical meeting:
The 2.4L 6MT and 1.5L Hybrid models are expected to start at around $30k. The cars go on-sale officially May 25th, 2012 and will be built at Honda's new Greensburg, Indiana facility.

A few other notes of interest:
2.0L engine has a balancer shaft, Acura says it delivers performance that matches TSX 2.4 5AT.
Hybrid powertrain is nearly identical to Civic Hybrid powertrain but the electronics have been retuned extensively - said to deliver city-speed responsiveness approaching the level of CR-Z in sport mode
All ILX trim levels feature Amplitude Reactive Dampers for improved maneuverabilty and ride comfort
That huge glovebox has a 7.4L capacity
To be built and sold in North America and exported to China
Earth Dreams powerplants will be introduced to the line about as soon as they're available. Not necessarily waiting for a hard date for an MMC event.
Driving impressions of the ILX are embargoed until April 20, 2012.
From a "premium" standpoint, the ILX is a pretty clear step above the 9th generation Civics. This is from the standpoint of build quality, features, materials, and design details.
The ILX body is composed of 62% high strength steel, with aluminum hood and and bumper beams to keep body weight as low as possible
The 6MT 2.4L version lacks the limited-slip differential found in the 2012 Civic Si.
Between the 3 trim levels, there's a surprisingly tight range of curb weights - the base 2.0L version is the lightest at 2910lb, while the Hybrid Technology model tops out the range at 2987lb, for a span of a mere 77lb. The 2.4 6MT model (only offered in Premium trim) weighs 2978lb.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1048046

More and more impressed.

[Guy]

Nice, sounds like the Honda from a few years back.

[Vanstar]

I think there is a market. Acura could offer luxury at a reasonable price unlike the unreliable and overpriced offerings from Germany. 

It seems to work for Infiniti...

I thought Acura was supposed to be the Generation X/technology enthusiast's automobile? All the gadgets you could ever want, without the price tag of an S class?

I certainly agree they need something to differentiate themselves, and their models.

I certainly don't think the TL AWD (available with a manual tranny) is a rip off with its exceptional handling and bus load of tech goodies for $46K

Indeed. The TL is a pretty solid deal. The unfortunate part is the styling.

I don't think it will be overly difficult to fit all 3 of these sedans. They did it in Canada...

I think Acura could do pretty well if they would just suck it up and admit their styling needs work. FWD isn't a huge detriment to the moderately successful yuppie crowd, and AWD just isn't a huge deal in many parts of the US. Couple that with tons of gadgets, nicely put together interiors, solid pricing and excellent reliability and you have a sale.

I just love the styling of my 2008 TL; it is as close to perfect as I can conceive and still looks very fresh. I cannot understand the human need to meddle with success.

[Cadure]

this car should be getting much better fuel economy for it's class.  even the 328i gets better fuel econ.  the engine isn't particularly low tech but,  24 in the city and 32 on the highway?   the ilx hybrid is rated at 38 on the highway.  how is that good?   how about small displacement honda?  the new 1.6L and 2L turbo eco tech engines of the 2013 ford fusion seems like the direction the ILX should have taken. re: the design?  uninspired at best.  someone save honda from themselves.   i guess the rdx had too much "edge" so they had to buff any character out of that car too.   going to a v6?

Well the EPA got a hold of the 328 Auto and BMW had to revise their fuel economy ratings.  I think it is viable to simply wait to see what the EPA comes up with on the new Acura.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/fuel-economy-ratings-for-2012-bmw-328i-automatic-drop-after-epa-tests-produce-lower-figures/

With respect to the TL, it may not shock the competition but nothing in that class is a massive standout.  It is also the size of a 5 series so compared to that, it is a steal.