ACURA ILX Compact Sedan 2012

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  • #31
    http://www.abc12.com/story/17660912/...-indiana-plant

    Honda Begins Production of All-New 2013 Acura ILX at Indiana Plant

    SOURCE Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC

    GREENSBURG, Ind., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), celebrated the start of mass production of the all-new 2013 Acura ILX today. The first ILX, built exclusively in Indiana, rolled off the assembly line at 10:30 a.m. ET and was greeted by Honda associates, community partners and elected officials, who gathered to mark its launch.

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120423/CL92759 )

    "Acura has a sparkling reputation and we are thrilled to build the gateway vehicle to this brand at our Greensburg facility," said Jun Nishimoto, president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. "As the exclusive builder of the ILX, HMIN has a big responsibility. Our associates meet this challenge by working together as one team and today we are ready for our customers to share our pride in this beautiful new product."

    The new Acura ILX sedan symbolizes the gateway to the Acura lineup and comes with both gasoline and gas-electric hybrid powertrain options. HMIN produces three versions of the Acura ILX – a 150-horsepower, 4-cylinder 2.0-liter model, a 201-horsepower 2.4-liter model with 6-speed manual transmission, and the ILX Hybrid, with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The gasoline engines for the 2.0- and 2.4-liter versions of Acura ILX come from the Anna, Ohio, engine plant of Honda of America Mfg., Inc.

    The Acura ILX hybrid version is Acura's first-ever hybrid model, the first hybrid vehicle to be made in America at a Honda plant, and the first Acura model to be produced in Indiana. The Acura ILX joins the TL sedan, ZDX crossover vehicle, and the MDX and RDX sport-utility vehicles as the fifth Acura model produced exclusively in North America. Acura finished second among all luxury brands in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study.

    "This all-new Acura luxury sedan is closely linked to the future of Acura," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura for American Honda. "Just as the Acura ILX is the gateway to the Acura brand, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana is a gateway to Acura customers."

    About HMIN

    Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in Greensburg, Ind., earned the platinum award in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study. HMIN began operations with production of Civic Sedans in October 2008. HMIN added production of Honda's natural gas-powered Civic Sedan in May 2009, and began producing Civic for export to markets outside North America in September 2009. It began producing the all-new Acura ILX in April 2012. With employment of approximately 2,000 associates and capital investment exceeding $550 million, HMIN started operations as a zero-waste-to-landfill factory, meaning no waste is sent to landfills, and maintains one of the lowest environmental footprints of any automobile plant in Honda's global production network.

    About Acura

    Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

    About Honda in America

    This year, Honda will celebrate 30 years of producing automobiles in America. Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda currently operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products, such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines. Honda products are made in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.

    Today, the company has four auto plants in the U.S. and seven in North America with a new auto plant under construction in Celaya, Mexico, which will begin producing subcompact cars in 2014. Honda's total automobile production capacity in the region, currently at 1.63 million vehicles per year, will grow to more than 1.87 million vehicles annually in 2014. In 2010, more than 87 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. were built in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

    Connect to Honda:

    Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
    Honda in America: http://www.hondainamerica.com
    Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/americanhonda
    Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honda
    Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
    Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
    Honda Web Site: http://www.honda.com

    ===============================

    http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/b...dustry+News%29

    Acura targets Generation Y with new, smaller ILX

    Acura is thinking small with the new ILX, scheduled to hit showrooms May 22.

    The compact entry-level sedan slots below the Acura TSX, about 7 inches shorter and three or four grand lower in price. Think of it as putting a luxury spin on the popular Honda Civic, a niche expected to grow by 16 percent through 2017.

    The carmaker hopes it will appeal to the mainstream Gen Y buyers as they start moving up in their careers with more money to spend.

    A lot of thought went into the design of this car, with Acura reps pointing to stats such as Gen Y’s preference for environmental responsibility over power.

    Indeed, fuel economy is good. EPA estimates are 26 city/35 highway for the base 2.0-liter, 150-horsepower sedan; 22/31 for the spunkier 2.4-liter, 201 hp version; and 39/38 for the hybrid.

    But it does sacrifice power in the 2.0 and hybrid versions, which felt lifeless behind the wheel and didn’t have a lot of oomph for quick moves. In fairness, they do live up to Acura’s goal of effortless city driving and are tuned for better ride comfort and handling than the Civic.

    The 2.4 is more responsive, more like the TSX and Acura’s old Integra sedan. However, it comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission, and you can’t order the tech package with premium audio.

    The 2.0 is matched to a 5-speed automatic, while the hybrid gets a continuously variable automatic.

    Starting price came in under Acura’s estimate of $27,000 for the 2.0. The 2.4 starts at $30,075 and the hybrid at $29,795.

    Like Civic and most other Honda and Acura products, exterior styling is very mainstream. Inside, the Acura looks upscale with excellent fit and finish.

    And despite its small stance, there is plenty room up front, even for my 6-foot-plus driving buddy. I would be comfortable in the rear seats, but scooting front buckets all the way back doesn’t leave enough room for long-legged passengers, and headroom is compromised by the standard sunroof.

    The trunk is roomy, even in the hybrid, which loses a few cubes and the ability to fold rear seats forward.

    The Acura does a good job on standard features, with items such as the aforementioned sunroof, heated folding side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, audio system with AM/FM, CD player, USB port and auxiliary jack, Bluetooth, Pandora interface, text messaging, speed-sensitive volume control, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted controls, push-button starter, garage-door remote and rear-view camera.

    I am a longtime fan of Acuras, with their price point below competitors such as the Lexus IS and BMW 3 Series, which are about the same size but start above the $30,000 mark. In fact, only a few rivals, such as the Volvo S40 and Buick Verano, price from the $20s. Then again, you also could opt for a loaded Civic.

    Acura ILX

    Compact luxury sedan

    Base prices: $26,795

    MPG range: 26/35, 2.0-liter; 22/31, 2.4; 39/38, hybrid

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Acura expects to receive 5s for impact tests and 4 for rollover resistance; www.safercar.gov

    Web: www.acura.com

    Competitors: Acura TSX, Audi A4, Buick Verano, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Infiniti G, Lexus CT200h and IS, Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes C-Class, Saab 9-3, Volvo S40

    Bottom line: Good all-around sedan, including Acura’s first hybrid, aimed at mainstream Gen Y buyers
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    • #32
      http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/2...-drive-review/

      2013 Acura ILX
      Faint Praise For The World's Nicest Honda Civic


      Acura has a long and storied history of being an innovator since its creation in 1986. As the first luxury brand from Japan, the marque brought with it the first variable valve timing technology, the first drive-by-wire electronic throttle, the first in-dash navigation system and the first instance of torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.

      Laudable accomplishments, all of them, and Acura reaped rewards for the technological advancements it brought to the automotive realm. Venerable nameplates like Legend and Integra launched Acura into first place in the premium luxury car segment in 1987, the brand's first full year of sales.

      And then things started to go downhill. The Legend was replaced by the poorly received RL and the discontinuation of the Integra in 2001 and the RSX a few years later in 2006 left Acura without a proper entry-level model. Acura sales peaked in 2005 and have floundered ever since.

      Is Acura's new ILX the machine it needs to inject some much-needed life into its lineup?

      Walking around the new 2013 Acura ILX, there's little to tip off the casual observer that this car shares its platform with the Honda Civic. This is a very good thing, as nobody who's shopping the entry-level premium segment wants their vehicle to look like a mainstream compact.

      By now, you've surely developed an opinion on the sharp creases and bold look of modern Acura products, so we're not going to dwell on its beak-like fascia other than to say it's been downsized on the ILX and that it mostly blends in with its overall design ethos. We wouldn't expect the face of the ILX to deter many buyers if they are happy with what the rest of the car offers, which is not something we could say of some recent Acura designs.

      A look at the ILX in profile tells you that Acura isn't backing all the way down from its somewhat controversial styling theme, known at the automaker as Keen Edge Dynamics. The ILX is a bit softer overall than the TSX and TL sedans while retaining plenty of familial ties. New to Acura are the ILX's upswept rear haunches and ersatz fastback roofline. Despite that flowing rear window, this car is not a hatchback.

      In front of the driver sits a pair of gauges flanking an electronic multi-information display that can show upcoming maintenance requirements, average speed, instant and average fuel consumption or estimated range with the current fuel load. Acura says this cluster is designed to help the driver concentrate on the task of driving, while the passenger enjoys a deeply carved dash that gives the impression of space and roominess.

      All the interior bits and pieces are well integrated into an overall look, and are all crafted from upscale materials. The upper dash pad is soft to the touch and offers a pleasant contrast to the metallic look of the lower dash and center stack. The steering wheel is nicely styled, with a thick rim that feels good in the hand. We were a bit put off by the sheer number of buttons on either side of the wheel, but managed to figure them all out in time.

      The steering wheel is also home to a pair of paddle shifters on models equipped with an automatic transmission, which shamefully still has only five forward ratios. We didn't get a chance to sample the standard cloth interior, but the optional leather hides were plenty comfortable and are available in either ebony or parchment. The red anodized start/stop button is a nice, sophisticated touch.

      There are three interior packages offered in the 2013 ILX, including an unnamed base model that offers a CD player with six speakers and a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity that includes an SMS text messaging feature and a Pandora Internet Radio interface. A five-inch color LCD screen in the center of the dash comes standard with the base and the middle-rung Premium package, and we didn't care for the large plastic housing required to fill the void left by not splurging for the Tech pack's eight-inch screen, as it cheapens the feel of an otherwise well-done interior. All models deserve the larger screen if its placement is going to be made so prominent.

      In any case, the Premium package does get the buyer XM satellite radio (plus one extra speaker) and the multi-view rear camera that offers three views of what's behind the car, including a very helpful wide-angle shot. Heated leather seats (with eight-way power adjustments on the driver's side), HID headlamps and 17-inch wheels round out the Premium package.

      Stepping all the way up the ladder by choosing the Technology package is the only way to get an ILX with navigation or Acura's Real-Time Traffic and Weather. This top-level spec also includes a 10-speaker, 365-Watt ELS Surround Sound system and a 15-gigabyte internal hard drive.

      Opting for an ILX powered by the 2.4-liter four cylinder will net the buyer different gauges with red illumination; stainless pedals; silver stitching on the seats, door panels and steering wheel; and a nicely weighted alloy and leather shift knob. In one glaring omission, however, it is impossible to order an ILX with the 201-horsepower 2.4-liter engine and the Technology package. So, if you want navigation and its eight-inch screen, you need to stick with the smaller 2.0-liter engine and five-speed automatic. Bummer.

      Fortunately, the 2.0-liter engine's 150 horsepower (at a high 6,500 RPM) and 140 pound-feet of torque (at 4,300 RPM) is satisfying enough around town and for daily commuting duties. The engine is smooth, quiet and generally unobtrusive, which we figure is exactly what many ILX buyers will be looking for. Fuel mileage comes in at an estimated 24 city, 35 highway. That's pretty good when compared to its only natural competitor, the Buick Verano, which scores EPA ratings of 21/32, though with a larger and significantly more powerful (180 hp, 171 lb-ft) 2.4-liter engine. Again, we point an ET-sized finger at the aging five-speed automatic, if for no other reason than Acura could have eked additional performance and/or economy out of a unit with six or more speeds – a trick seemingly every other automaker has figured out.

      If you want the best fuel efficiency you can get from an ILX, you need to opt for the Hybrid, whose 1.5-liter engine and continuously variable gearbox are shared with the Civic. With 91 horsepower from the engine and a maximum of 23 more horses from the electric motor, the ILX Hybrid is predictably passive in its pace. Slapping the shifter into Sport mode helps a little, but there's just no way the combined torque of 127 lb-ft from 1,000 to 3,000 RPM will get the vehicle moving in a hurry. It's not horrible when meandering away in urban settings, but that's the most praise we can offer its ability to get the show on the road, and we twice found ourselves puckering tightly as we goaded the ILX Hybrid into turning across traffic – once as a driver and once as a passenger.

      What really matters with a hybrid is efficiency, though, and the ILX Hybrid is rated at 39 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway. That's not exactly bad, but it's uncompetitive with the 43/40 rating of the Lexus CT200h. If you plan to do most of your driving on the superslab, the Audi A3, when equipped with its optional turbo diesel engine, manages 42 mpg on the highway. Both of those models are in the same ballpark as the ILX Hybrid's $28,900 (*add $895 to all prices quoted for destination) starting price, which jumps to $34,400 when optioned with the Technology package. Add it all up and we'd be hard pressed to recommend the slow and not-so-stunningly efficient ILX Hybrid to fuel-conscious buyers shopping in the entry-level premium segment.

      On a brighter note, the 2.4-liter powerplant, coupled to a sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, has enough gumption to make the ILX legitimately entertaining when the road opens up a bit. There aren't any changes to the suspension with the larger engine, but the standard MacPherson struts up front and multi-link arrangement in back are more than up to the task when the going gets twisty. Acura has fitted the ILX with the same rebound spring and Amplitude Reactive Damper system that we liked so much in the 2013 RDX. Coupled to a steering ratio that's 6.8-percent quicker than the one used in the Honda Civic it's based on, plus a more rigid steering shaft with a forged yoke joint, the hardware underpinning the Acura ILX is capable of delivering on the sporty promise of its 2.4-liter engine and manual transmission. The 2.4 model also gets larger brake rotors (11.8 inches versus 11.1 for the 2.0 and 10.8 for the Hybrid) up front.

      Sadly, as with many such systems, the electronic power steering provides only a vague sense of what the front wheels are doing and it takes time to get used to the artificial feel provided by the tiller's e-brain.

      As we mentioned before, Acura won't let you order an ILX with the 2.4-liter engine if you want the Technology package. That means the enthusiast buyer will have to go without navigation or the high-output stereo system. If you can live without those bits, an ILX 2.4 with the Premium package will cost $29,200 and delivers estimated fuel mileage of 22 city and 31 highway.

      That leaves us with the standard ILX configuration – a 2.0-liter four cylinder with an automatic transmission. Starting at $25,900 in base trim with 16-inch wheels and pegging the fully loaded meter at $31,400 with the Technology kit and its 17-inch alloys, this is the ILX we think will suit the majority of shoppers. At least those shoppers who don't think Acura is charging too much for its smallest product...

      We, on the other hand, do think Acura is charging too much for the 2013 ILX. The car itself, while not terribly exciting to drive, is a pretty nice way to get from point A to point B, but so is the Buick Verano, which, with a starting price of $23,470, is several thousand dollars cheaper. If you want a sportier option, we suggest you wait for the upcoming turbocharged Verano that will be available with a six-speed manual – we predict that car will come pretty well equipped for about the same price as the ILX 2.4, except that it will have navigation, a big LCD screen in the dash and considerably more than the ILX's maximum of 201 horsepower.

      If you don't care about driving a car wearing a "premium" badge, the Ford Focus Titanium can be had with all the goodies you can get in an ILX – plus a bunch of technology, such as Active Park Assist, that you can't get at all in the Acura – for the same price as the base ILX. And if you do care about having that badge (and the expected reliability and high resale value that goes along with it), the larger and more entertaining TSX sedan can be had for $30,010 – and it includes the bigger 2.4-liter engine and leather as standard equipment.

      Acura hopes to find 35,000 buyers for the ILX sedan per year, and they very well may hit that figure. If you're in the market for an entry-level vehicle from a premium automaker, by all means have a look at the ILX... just be sure to check out its competition before signing on the dotted line. As much as we'd like to tell you that the ILX heralds a return to Acura's roots – innovation, value and technology – we can't, because it simply doesn't.

      Engine:
      2.0L I4
      Power:
      150 HP / 140 LB-FT
      Transmission:
      5-Speed Auto
      Drivetrain:
      Front-Wheel Drive
      Curb Weight:
      2,910 LBS
      Seating:
      2+3
      Cargo:
      12.4 CU-FT
      MPG:
      24 City / 35 HWY
      MSRP:
      $25,900 base
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      ACURA & HONDA SUV FAN CLUB ROMANIA - http://daimyo.ro/index.php?action=forum

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      • #33
        http://wot.motortrend.com/wot-episod...bu-198547.html

        WOT Episode 13: 2013 Acura ILX Hits Streets of Malibu

        This week’s episode of Wide Open Throttle is dedicated to the 2013 Acura ILX, an all-new model for the brand. Host Jessi Lang gets behind the wheel of the compact luxury sedan and provides her thoughts on one of the most important vehicles Acura has launched in the last few years.

        Why is it such a big deal? As Lang explains, the ILX is aimed at Gen-Y buyers who now have less disposable income than their baby boomer parents. As such, the ILX must meet Acura’s luxury standards while also being remaining affordable. Lang appreciates the 2013 ILX’s trim strategy, which includes three powertrains. There’s a base 2.0-liter, a hybrid, and a sporty 2.4-liter engine also found in the Civic Si. For this episode, Lang drives the hybrid and says it should definitely appeal to the eco-conscious. However, she’s more curious about the 2.4-liter that’s mated to a six-speed manual.

        Lang finds the sheetmetal simple, yet handsome and she appreciates the interior’s workmanship. She also points out the cabin’s low noise level, thanks to an active noise cancelling system and sound insulating glass. According to Lang, this car seems to say, “There’s no need to shout.” One part of the interior, however, could use improvement. Find out what that is in the video posted below.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1es6r...layer_embedded
        Iubesc masinile japoneze. Ele nu mint, nu inseala !
        ACURA & HONDA SUV FAN CLUB ROMANIA - http://daimyo.ro/index.php?action=forum

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        • #34
          http://rumors.automobilemag.com/feat...id-129225.html

          Feature Flick: A Close Look at the 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid

          As the 2013 Acura ILX arrives in showrooms nationwide, Jessi Lang from Motor Trend examines the new luxury sedan to better understand the new model’s significance to the brand.

          Why is it such a big deal? As Lang explains, the ILX is aimed at Gen-Y buyers who now have less disposable income than their baby boomer parents. As such, the ILX must meet Acura’s luxury standards while also being remaining affordable. Lang appreciates the 2013 ILX’s trim strategy, which includes three powertrains. There’s a base 2.0-liter, a hybrid, and a sporty 2.4-liter engine also found in the Civic Si. For this episode, Lang drives the hybrid and says it should definitely appeal to the eco-conscious. However, she’s more curious about the 2.4-liter that’s mated to a six-speed manual.

          Lang finds the sheetmetal simple, yet handsome and she appreciates the interior’s workmanship. She also points out the cabin’s low noise level, thanks to an active noise cancelling system and sound insulating glass. According to Lang, this car seems to say, “There’s no need to shout.” One part of the interior, however, could use improvement. Find out what that is in the video posted below.

          VIDEO => http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1es6r...layer_embedded
          Iubesc masinile japoneze. Ele nu mint, nu inseala !
          ACURA & HONDA SUV FAN CLUB ROMANIA - http://daimyo.ro/index.php?action=forum

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          • #35
            Imi place de lesin masina asta!

            Comment


            • #36
              http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...cking+Tires%29

              2013 Acura ILX vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which Would You Buy?

              The Acura ILX is in a unique position in the marketplace. With a starting price of around $25,000, the premium compact sedan competes with a small set of vehicles that includes the Buick Verano and Volvo C30. These types of vehicles are a growing niche in the market, but is there a big enough difference in sophistication and luxury to choose a premium-brand model over the mainstream car on which it's based?

              The 2013 Acura ILX is based off a heavily modified Honda Civic. It features different shock absorbers, a faster steering ratio, a larger-diameter steering shaft, thicker windows and more insulation. Of course, the exterior and interior are completely unique to the Acura.

              As for marketing, Honda did a judicious job of making sure the ILX and Civic don't compete on price. A top-of-the-line 2012 Civic EX-L sedan with navigation costs $23,605 and doesn't come with features like automatic climate control or push-button start. These features are included on the $25,900 ILX.

              So if you're not attached to leather upholstery or Honda's not-so-helpful navigation system (both come on the Civic EX-L), should you spend the extra $2,295 to trade up to a base ILX?

              I've driven an ILX 2.0 automatic and the 2012 Civic, and I can tell you there's a legitimate, tangible reason for the price increase of the ILX over the Civic, other than upgrading to Acura's more exclusive marque.

              Whereas the Civic felt coarse, loud and unrefined, the ILX had a sophisticated-sounding engine note, an overall quieter ride and a more refined suspension. The ILX feels more powerful at launch, exterior wind noise was more subdued, and the steering was indeed snappier than the Civic's. Still, some of the Civic's flaws carry over to the ILX, including pronounced tire noise, which is a deal breaker during my commute. The standard power moonroof also encroached on headroom — my head often touched the ceiling from my desired seating position.

              Despite those flaws, the more refined-feeling cabin — still replete with hard-to-the-touch materials, though — and the better driving experience are worth the extra $2,295 to me, especially if you're considering one of these two as your daily driver. Which sedan would you rather buy?

              Read Joe Wiesenfelder's First Drive for more driving details.

              2013 Acura ILX 2012 Honda Civic sedan
              Base price: $25,900 $15,955
              Fully loaded price: $34,400 $26,900
              (Hybrid with Technology Package) (Hybrid with leather and navigation)

              Exclusive, standard, ILX features, over Civic:

              Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
              Speed-sensing windshield wipers
              Pandora internet radio interface
              SMS text messaging feature
              Rear view camera
              Push-button start
              Passive keyless entry system
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              • #37
                http://blogs.motortrend.com/a-late-b...ilx-22679.html

                A Late Boomer and Friends Try Out the Acura ILX

                I was born in the penultimate year of the baby-boom era, so I realize my impressions of the 2013 Acura ILX are not germane. This Acura is designed to appeal to hip faux-hawked and tattooed Gen Y-ers who have somehow managed to get themselves off the couch and out of the coffee shop long enough to amass the kind of wealth and income it takes to lay down roughly 30-large on a car. So when it came time to pair up for the ride-n-drive, I latched on to the youngest guy in the room — 22-year-old Joe Gustafson of Bullz-eye.com (full disclosure — Joe’s hair is normal, and no tattoos show, wearing normal clothes).

                A Late Boomer and Friends Try Out the Acura ILX imageRight off the bat, Joe expressed reservations over the car’s pleasant but ho-hum exterior design. His generation likes to draw some attention with its wheels (and hairdos and body art, presumably), and this one didn’t seem to be drawing any. Not that it matters, but I’m right there with him on that assessment. The interior’s buttony center-stack and traditional forms didn’t move our gee-whiz meters much either — especially when rendered in monotone black. More manufacturers are taking risks with interior design, and cars aimed at youthful audiences are the canvasses on which to try such new things (see the 2013 Dodge Dart). This made us wonder if the youth-marketing target was baked in from the start or added on during the car’s roll-out.

                We started out in the ILX Hybrid and were both disappointed in the way the Acura’s engine impersonated some far less happy mill, moaning under the whip. The only real hyper-miler coaching aid provided is a little green ball display between the gauges, whose diameter varies with pedal position — great big for good-boy coasting, a virtual pinpoint when at full moan. Even with the much-ballyhooed extra sound deadening and dual-rate amplitude-sensitive shocks, small inputs generated a loud report that may have tricked our ears into thinking the car rode rougher than it did. Our test car included the $5500 tech package (heated leather seats, a bunch of amenities, plus navigation and the ELS stereo), which brings the price to $35,295. That struck Joe as a total no-sale. Me too.

                A Late Boomer and Friends Try Out the Acura ILX imageNext up we strapped into the rip-snorting 2.4-liter (a more palatable $30,095), which only comes with a 6-speed manual. Ah, there’s the joyful noise we expect from a Honda! It’s so intoxicating that one feels compelled to wind it out to 7000 rpm wherever space permits. The shifter also feels sublime. Suspension tuning is virtually unchanged, but it seems more appropriate in this bad-boy version. But here we both wondered how old the guys were that decided our target young folks wouldn’t want the kickin’ ELS stereo in the hotrod model? (It’s unavailable.)

                We ended the day in the mainstream 2.0-liter and were relieved to find that it also sounded sweet enough to trick the ear into thinking the acceleration was better than it is. Of course, its acceleration would BE stronger than it is if the antique five-speed transmission could grow an extra cog or two with closer spacing at the low end. My take: Stick with the base cloth seat ILX at the $26,795 base price, and convince yourself that the caliper badge and its attendant resale value and quality reputation more than counterbalance the 30 extra direct-injected horses, leather seats, and 6-speed you’d get for the same money in a Buick Verano. It sounded like Joe and his pals (if they were spending $30K on cars, which he says they’re not) would much sooner be trolling Craigslist for off-lease BMW 328s…

                Counterpoint – Lassa Responds

                Greeting card trivia says I was born in the same Boomer year in which air travel from the U.S. across the Atlantic finally surpassed steamship travel. Happy Birthday, 1958! My drive partner on the Acura ILX intro in Metro Detroit, the estimable Grand Venusian Jim Hall, is even older than me. What do we know from these newfangled entry near-premium $30k compacts? Where would one fit in the Rover Group lineup?

                Well, balderdash, says I. Yes, nothing but truth to the old axiom that you can’t sell a young man an old man’s car, but still. The opinion of one journalist/automotive pundit barely as old as my credit card debt doesn’t make for consensus. Especially when said journalist-pundit is an outlier, an enthusiast who still knows how to row gears. Fact is, I’ve spoken with whippersnappers younger than that pleasant Joe Gustafson who would pick as first cars models that would surprise you. They, like us, are diverse. They simply don’t want to drive an old man’s car, just like us.

                A Late Boomer and Friends Try Out the Acura ILX imageMy concern is, how does the ILX fit into the struggling entry-premium brand’s portfolio? Acura counts the MDX crossover as its perennial bestseller. The TL has been the number two model, and Acura’s number one car, though in 2011, the TSX closed in at 30,935 to the TL’s 31,237. Even in 2010, before the damaging effect on inventories from last year’s tsunami, the TSX was fewer than 2000 units behind its bigger sibling. When the TL and TSX converge into TLX, will the ILX fill the smaller car gap?

                ILX is good enough to sell in those volumes. More important for Acura, the TSX is a European Honda Accord built in Japan. Acura assembles the ILX in Greensburg, Indiana, so the new entry-premium car won’t have all the yen exchange rate issues associated with the old entry-premium car.

                Jim and I concentrated on the 2.4-liter, manual-only ILX, and I’d say it’s a worthy successor to, though certainly more mild mannered than, the Integra and RSX. It feels like the grown up compact for those of us who owned and still lament the Honda CRX. Rural and suburban Southeast Michigan roads are too gently curved, too busy and mostly too smooth for a full-on evaluation, but the chassis feels comfortably compliant, though responsive to inputs. The steering is very good for an electrical power assisted system. Acura says the ILX’s Motion Adaptive EPS applies corrective assist force in oversteer or understeer situations, and that it “doesn’t feel unnatural.” No part of our drive could have activated the feature.

                The overpriced hybrid comes off as an attempt at chasing Lexus hybrids, and it falls short. Best to stick with the Toyota Prius line if you’re considering either an ILX or a Lexus CT or HF. We didn’t get time in the 2.0-liter car.

                The one worth considering, the 2.4-liter/manual, runs about $30K, which is about right for its level of luxury. Jim and I agree with Frank and Joe, that the ELS audio system, one of the best in the business, should be a standalone option, if not standard with this trim level.

                Compared with the Honda Civic, the Acura ILX has a thicker steering shaft diameter, front and rear rebound springs that maintain ride comfort while increasing roll rigidity, and amplitude reactive dampers. This kit works. However, add to this the handsome, if conservative styling and the higher quality interior — leather aside — this is the car the 2011 Honda Civic should have been.

                Young enthusiasts may prefer an off-lease BMW 3 Series, though a newly employed college grad with a healthy starting paycheck won’t if he or she considers the cost of ownership. The Acura ILX is a good enough car for Jim to say he’d consider one, and he’s not been a fan of recent Hondas/Acuras.

                Me? Not quite.
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                • #38
                  http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05...ateway-to.html

                  ILX designed to be 'gateway to Acura brand'

                  There's a new entry-level Acura sedan coming to market this month, designed to bring first-time premium-car buyers into Honda's luxury brand.

                  The all-new 2013 Acura ILX compact is based on the architecture of the newest generation of the Honda Civic, which made its debut last year. And like the Civic, it will be offered in a gasoline-electric hybrid version as well as gasoline-only models.

                  With a starting price of $25,900 (plus $895 freight), the front-wheel-drive ILX will be the lowest-priced sedan in the Acura lineup since the Vigor was discontinued in the late 1990s. It's also the least-expensive Acura of any type since the compact RSX coupe went away in 2006 (it was the successor to the Integra).

                  The hybrid model begins at $28,900, and has essentially the same drive system as the 2012 Civic hybrid, which starts at $24,200 (plus $780 freight). But the Civic has better fuel economy ratings - 44 mpg city and highway, compared with 39 city/38 highway for the ILX hybrid.

                  At the time the RSX was discontinued, Acura officials said the intent was to move the brand upscale and quit selling cars that appealed to young people looking for low-priced performance vehicles. The Integra and RSX, for example, were big with the tuner crowd that also has long embraced sporty versions of the Civic.

                  The TSX has been Acura's entry sedan model since 2004, but its 2012 starting price is just over $30,000, about $5,000 below the TL sedan, the next step up in the brand's lineup.

                  Generation Y is the target audience for the ILX, said Lee DaSilva, Acura's senior product planner. Gen Y, also known as the "millennials," are people born from the mid-70s to 2000.

                  The ILX is a near-premium vehicle designed to be the "gateway to the Acura brand," DaSilva said, bringing to market an Acura compact with "sporty, youthful value and achievable luxury."

                  The idea is to get the Gen Y buyers into the Acura fold, then move them up to more-expensive models as they grow in their personal and professional lives.

                  In the Acura lineup for the coming year, only the TSX and ILX will have four-cylinder engines.

                  The base ILX comes with a 2.0-liter inline four rated at 150 horsepower and 140 foot-pounds of torque, and it has a sequential-sport-shift five-speed automatic transmission. EPA ratings are 24 city/35 highway.

                  Also offered is the ILX 2.4 (base price $29,200), which comes with the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine used in the TSX. It's rated at 201 horsepower and 170 foot-pounds of torque. This engine also is standard in the Honda Civic Si. With the accompanying six-speed manual gearbox, it has mileage estimates of 22/31.

                  As with the Civic, the ILX with the 2.4-liter engine is not offered with an automatic transmission, and is clearly intended for the young tuner crowd.

                  In the hybrid model, only a continuously variable transmission is available.

                  DaSilva said the "windswept" exterior design and the "well-appointed" interior make the ILX "smart, spacious and sporty."

                  There is room for up to five people, although the rear seat is a bit tighter than that of the Civic, and isn't comfortable for medium-size or larger adults. The ILX has 34 inches of rear legroom, compared with 36.2 inches for the Civic sedan.

                  But Gen Y buyers probably won't have many regular backseat riders, except possibly a small child or two.

                  Among standard premium features are a keyless entry system with pushbutton start; dual-zone automatic climate control; power moon roof; 16-inch aluminum wheels; Pandora Internet radio interface; Bluetooth hands-free phone connection; and text messaging capability (as though that's something we really ought to be doing while we're driving).

                  I tested both the base sedan and the hybrid model, but not the 2.4-liter manual version. The base ILX's 2.0-liter engine provided plenty of power for a variety of roads, ranging from hilly two-lanes to eight-lane freeways.

                  Likewise, the hybrid had sufficient power, especially with the boost from the system's 23-horsepower electric motor. Enthusiasts who like the beefed-up Civics probably won't be happy with the hybrid's power, though.

                  Premium ($3,300) and Technology ($2,200) packages are available or already included on certain models. The hybrid is offered with a combination of the Premium and Technology packages ($5,500), but they cannot be separated.

                  The Premium package includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, a 360-watt stereo system with XM radio, high-intensity-discharge headlights, fog lights, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a rearview camera and a cabin active-sound-cancellation system for a quieter ride.

                  With the Technology Package comes Acura's ELS Surround audio system, which includes a navigation system with voice command, along with the AcuraLink Satellite Communication System, Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, Real-Time Weather with radar maps and a universal garage/gate opener.

                  The navigation system has a 60-gigabyte hard drive, including 15 gigabytes for music storage.

                  Acura includes the Technology package in the $29,200 price of the ILX 2.4 model. The most-expensive version of the ILX is the hybrid model with the two packages, which lists for $34,400.

                  Standard safety features include Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure; front, side and side-curtain air bags; four-channel antilock disc brakes; and electronic stability control. The body of the car is made of 62 percent high-strength steel.

                  Up front, there is a center console with two cupholders. The rear seat has a pull-down armrest that provides two built-in cupholders. Sporty gauges and bolstered front bucket seats are standard.

                  There is more trunk space in the gasoline-only models - up to 12.4 cubic feet. The hybrid, though, loses some cargo space to the lithium-ion battery pack. It has 10 cubic feet in the trunk without the Technology/Premium packages, or 9.8 cubic feet with those extras.

                  A locking glove box is standard, as well as a USB port for connecting iPods, iPhones and other gadgets to the audio system. Bluetooth audio streaming is included, too, which allowed me to keep my iPhone in my pocket while driving along listening to my phone's music library through the car's stereo system.

                  Acura says the hybrid model can cruise for short distances between 10 and 45 mph using the electric motor alone, but both the gas engine and electric motor are always used at startup. During high-speed cruising, only the gasoline engine is used, but the electric motor kicks in during hard acceleration for chores such as passing.

                  The ILX is built at the Honda plant in Greensburg, Ind., and officially goes on sale May 22.
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                  • #39
                    http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1061441

                    Neal's Fantasy Factory Hatches an Acura ILX 5-Door "Tourer"

                    The perfect blend of sedan, hatchback and a sweeping roof line.

                    For those looking for a compact Acura that combines the best qualities of a sedan with the practicality of a hatch, Neal has put together the ILX 5-door "Tourer" showing off a more sporting, coupe-like silhouette.

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                    • #40
                      http://content.usatoday.com/communit...e-stability-/1

                      Acura ILX uses robot research to limit skids

                      Honda's robotics research leads to more-stable vehicles.

                      The automaker has drawn from the superfast balancing system it uses to keep its experimental humanoid robots from toppling as they walk for use in a stability system on the new, 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan.

                      The ILX, loosely based on the Honda Civic, goes on sale May 22, starting at $26,795.

                      A full look at the ILX is in the Test Drive column here.

                      The "face" of Honda's humanoid robotics research is a human-acting robot Honda calls Asimo. Honda foresees a time when Asimo and its ilk will be used as "companions" to people who'd otherwise need assisted living or live-in human helpers.

                      Asimo walks like a person, lifting its legs one at a time and bending at the knee, and has articulated arms and hands so it can, for example, open a jar of apple butter or a bottle of sports drink for someone whose grip or arm strength is limited.

                      First time you see Asimo demonstrated, you'll swear there's a person inside making it move like that. Asimo and other industrial robots show up now and then at robot exhibitions around the country; worth a visit.

                      The robotics-inspired vehicle stability, or anti-skid, system will, Acura says, ensure "more responsive handling under icy or slippery conditions. The concept for this additional algorithm is based on patented knowledge gained from humanoid robotics research and development work."

                      Stability systems work by comparing what the driver intends, based largely on the steering wheel position, with what the car's actually doing. If it's not pointed as it should be, stability systems lightly apply the brakes on individual wheels to pivot the car into proper line.

                      The robotics-derived system speeds up the ability of the software to judge what the driver intends, making the whole anti-skid system work faster.
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                      • #41
                        http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/d...exciting-sedan

                        DriveWays: 2013 Acura ILX is a steady yet exciting sedan

                        With the debut of its all-new 2013 ILX sedan, Acura delivers the automotive equivalent of the "The Three Faces of Eve."
                        The sensational 1957 movie was based on the true story of a woman who suffered from multiple personality disorder. A psychiatrist discovered three distinct personas in the title character: timid Eve White, outgoing Eve Black, and the relatively stable Jane.
                        Now Acura has given us the motorized analogy for Eve's faces, though perhaps unwittingly.
                        The ILX designers delivered a new entry-level premium sedan that comes with three distinct personalities: the timid Eve White hybrid, the exciting Eve Black 2.4 and the steady Jane 2.0.
                        The ILX is based on the Civic from Honda, Acura's parent company. It is a compact sedan and, as such, returns Acura to that market territory. When the brand started in the 1980s, it offered the entry-level Integra, a small hatchback that complemented the flagship Legend.
                        Later, the RSX became the entry model, followed by the TSX. But the TSX became more grown up, following on the tailpipes of the midsize TL sedan. The Acura leadership decided they needed another model below the TSX. So now we have the ILX, which the company classifies as near premium and calls "the gateway to Acura."
                        All three versions share fundamentals: full safety equipment, a new lightweight and rigid aerodynamic body, quality interior with modern technology and conveniences, independent suspension, adaptive electric power steering, and enough insulation and noise-canceling technology to give the ILX a refined interior ambiance.
                        The divergence comes in the power trains. At the timid Eve White end is the hybrid -- Acura's first ever -- with 111 horsepower from a 1.5-liter gasoline engine combined with a permanent magnet electric motor.
                        Though its power plant is nearly identical to the one in the Honda Civic hybrid, the ILX doesn't deliver as much fuel economy, owing partly to the fact that it is 116 pounds heavier and is tuned to deliver slightly better performance. Its city/highway EPA fuel consumption rating is 39/38 mpg, compared to 44/44 for the Civic.
                        Nevertheless, despite the ILX's premium trimmings and underpinnings, it's hard to get over the feeling that you're driving a hybrid Civic. Moreover, the hybrid battery pack wipes out some of the trunk space. Equipped with premium and technology packages, however, it is the most expensive ILX at $35,295.
                        The thriller of the trio -- the Eve Black, if you will -- is the ILX 2.4, which also borrows its guts from another car. In this case, it's the TSX's 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.
                        This one can rip off a zero to 60 mph acceleration time of 6.9 seconds, according to Acura's tests, while still delivering city/highway fuel economy of 22/31 mpg.
                        Obviously, the ILX 2.4 aims squarely at the enthusiasts among Acura's entry-level customers. But like the hybrid, it comes up short in a couple of areas. For one thing, there's no automatic transmission available. Also, the optional technology package is not offered on the 2.4. That means you cannot get a navigation system with voice recognition, upgraded ELS premium audio system, solar-sensing climate control and Acura's real-time traffic and weather notification.
                        The tech package, however, is available on the hybrid and on the Jane of the trio: the $26,795 ILX 2.0, which is expected to be the biggest seller. It features a 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode controlled by the shift lever or paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
                        This is the overall compromise model of the lineup. Acura says it accelerates to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds and delivers city/highway fuel economy of 24/35 mpg.
                        However, the 2.0 is strong and versatile enough that you don't notice there are some economy cars that can smoke you at a traffic light. The orientation is more toward luxury, in the vein of one of the ILX's competitors, the Buick Verano. Acura also considers the sportier Audi A3 to be a competitor.
                        The premium option package is offered with both the 2.0 and 2.4. It costs $3,300 and includes leather upholstery, heated front seats with a power driver's seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a rear-view camera with multiple views, premium audio with XM satellite radio, fog lights and an auto-dimming inside rear-view mirror.

                        SPECIFICATIONS

                        Model: 2013 Acura ILX 2.4 premium four-door sedan.
                        Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 201 horsepower.
                        Transmission: Six-speed manual.
                        Overall length: 14 feet 11 inches.
                        EPA passenger/trunk volume: 89/12 cubic feet.
                        Weight: 2,978 pounds.
                        EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 22/31 mpg.
                        Base price, including destination charge: $30,095.
                        Price as tested: $30,095.
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                        • #42
                          http://carscoop.blogspot.ro/2012/05/...%28CARSCOOP%29

                          Acura Promotes 2013 ILX Compact Sedan in New Equal Parts Ads

                          Here's a sneak preview of Acura's new TV spots for the 2013 ILX compact sedan before they air on TV and cinemas across the country on June 4.

                          The Japanese automaker's marketing campaign is named "Equal Parts" and it targets the so-called Gen Y Audience, also known as the Millennial Generation or Millennials, which includes those in their 20s and 30s.

                          The two TV and in-theater ads are named "Airport" and "Office" and both make use of a split screen portraying Gen Yers doing the same things in different environments (business and pleasure) only to end up in the ILX.

                          "These ads capture the duality of a typical Gen Y lifestyle—working their first job and trying to make an impression while also making time to have fun and live it up," said Susie Rossick, Manager of Acura Advertising. "The Acura ILX is the kind of vehicle that can impress in any setting, and we wanted to convey that with these spots."

                          Acura ILX "Office" Commercial :

                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EeQI...layer_embedded



                          Acura ILX "Airport" Commercial :

                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=jAx7EEL-gv4
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                          • #43
                            Party For Two :

                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJgY5...feature=relmfu
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                            • #44
                              http://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss...edan-campaign/

                              Acura Targets Viable GenY-ers With New ILX Sedan, Campaign

                              Automakers are spending a lot of time these days wringing their hands about whether economically beleaguered and automotively disinterested twenty-somethings will ever be willing — or able — to buy enough cars from them. So Acura has decided to bypass the angst and appeal mainly to the part of Generation Y that still has some financial wherewithal: consumers in their early 30s.

                              They’re the target for the brand’s new sedan, ILX. At prices beginning at $25,900 Acura is calling the compact ILX a “gateway” to the luxury segment for those who want and can afford to get on that track.

                              The ILX launch is important for Acura because the brand is still trying to recover its bearings after last year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan crushed the sales momentum it had begun to build in the U.S. market. And, according to Acura brand executives, they’re still trying to capture a measure of respect.

                              “Even with restricted inventories, we still sold more cars last year than Lincoln and Cadillac and Volvo and Audi,” Mike Accavitti, Acura’s U.S. CMO, told me. “Audi gets all these accolades but we sell more cars than them. We’re fourth [in U.S. luxury sales volumes] this year even before high volumes of our two new products, ILX and [a new version of the RDX utility vehicle], have gotten onto dealer lots.”

                              Indeed, sales of the Honda premium brand are up by 11 percent for this year through May. But the comparison is against a weak year-earlier period. And Acura has some work to do to secure a wider long-term berth in the entry end of the U.S. luxury market.

                              “The brand has been struggling with what it is over the last half-dozen years,” said Doug Scott, senior vice president of GfK Automotive, a brand-consulting firm in Southfield, Mich. “The problem is that competitors like BMW and Audi, who already are younger and aspirational, are moving more into the more affordable area of the marketplace.”

                              It looks like they’ll have to fight Acura for some of those buyers: unmarried consumers who’ve achieved some stability financially. The new TV-advertising campaign for the car depicts an ILX owner with his life proceeding separately on two tracks, which literally are occurring in parallel on a split screen in the ads. In one spot, a track shows him in a corporate office, the other at play at hip nightclubs, and they meet when he gets into his ILX.

                              “Life should be equal parts responsibility and fun,” goes the tagline in both spots. “Move up, without settling down.”

                              “Our target is older Gen Y and young Gen X-ers, so we wanted to get them doing both things,” said Susie Rossick, Acura brand manager.

                              Accavitti explained that ILX “was specifically designed for these people because of what they’ve gone through,” Accavitti said. Growing up, “they’ve seen and experienced and touched luxury and wealth. So their expectations are there — but the realities of today’s post-recessionary economy are that this generation may be the first that actually ends up earning less than the previous one.”

                              While that message seems less inspirational or even aspirational than sobering, Accavitti said Acura is positioning the car as “a special vehicle, with the feeling associated with that kind of car, but it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg to get into it. It’s designed for our target at this economic [time]. It’s smart luxury.”

                              For example, ILX has a voice-to-text system built into its infotainment capabilities that includes the capability for issuing pre-programmed responses — such as, Accavitti quipped, “Hey, I’m driving right now!” Pandora internet-based radio is another part of the car’s appeal. Other features include a standard five-inch color display screen and an optional multi-view rear-camera system.

                              And as with anything explicitly aimed at Millennials, digital marketing and music are huge parts of the ILX push. Its TV and in-theater ads feature notable tunes from The Ting Tings and Nick Waterhouse. Acura is supporting the launch with its largest-ever budget allocation to interactive media, with placement scheduled on sites such as Xbox LIVE, Pandora and the (in-transition) web site that is Good.

                              The brand also is sponsoring a summer tour by an indie band — whose identity it won’t disclose just yet — that will span five U.S. cities and give lots of love to the ILX, including having the model on display at concert venues and the ILX participating in music videos. Acura also plans ride-and-drive weekend events this summer in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Chicago, with about 200 people expected to attend each day.

                              Will response to ILX be music to Acura’s ears? Accavitti is confident that ILX will help the brand get fully back on track; meanwhile, sales of MDX, its highest-volume vehicle, are about flat with a year ago, but the new version of the RDX, launched a couple of months ago, is 36 percent ahead of 2011 sales.

                              “We were on a roll prior to the natural disaster” last year in Japan as well as flooding in Thailand last fall that further complicated Acura’s supply lines. “We had 13 months of double-digit [year-over-year] sales increases. But once the inventory was so impacted, it was difficult to [sell] at that level.”

                              And, as Scott noted, Acura’s sibling brand, Honda, has been facing its own difficulties ushered in by the 2011 disaster as well as the shortcomings of its product lineup. “So at a time you’d hope the [Honda] company could focus on Acura and really get it right, the entire organization is having branding issues,” Scott said.

                              Still, Accavitti said that Acura has always appealed to a younger cohort, on average, than Toyota’s Lexus and Nissan’s Infiniti brands and noted that now the brand is focusing on amplifying that heritage advantage.

                              “Younger people are more open to the Acura brand,” he said. “They always have been. They value and respect our foundational values of quality and durability and that, as an investment, our cars hold greater value than our competitors’.”

                              Rossick agreed yet believes Acura can obtain a second look from many of its target buyers. “We’re new and fresh and who these people are looking for,” she said. “We’re confident that we’re talking to this target.”
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                              • #45
                                http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...cking+Tires%29

                                2013 Acura ILX Video

                                The ILX is the first Acura to share underpinnings with a Honda Civic since the late Acura RSX. Despite the shared foundation, the two vehicles are very different, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder. Despite some added sophistication, there might not be enough reasons to buy this Acura, especially since there isn’t a lot of demand for compact entry-level luxury cars, Wiesenfelder says.
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