SOME EXTRA INTEGRA LOVE
2013 Acura ILX

Before Acura decided that it favored letters of the alphabet over real names, it built a very affordable small car that combined sport and luxury called the Integra. For 2013, Acura brings back the Integra—in spirit if not exactly in name. We like to think that ILX stands for Extra Integra Love, because that’s what the new Acura ILX has. Harvey Schwartz reports. Editor's Note: The following combines excerpts from the manufacturer's news releases with regard to feature and component discriptions, together with the writer's overall impressions of the vehicle. By Harvey Schwartz The all-new 2013 Acura ILX serves as the new gateway to the Acura brand, the all-new ILX features a choice of three powertrain options including Acura’s first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid. Equipped with an interior that is smart, spacious and sporty, the ILX offers a number of new, premium features including a standard keyless access system with smart entry and pushbutton start, along with Pandora internet radio interface and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world. Like all Acura’s, the ILX is equipped with a rich list of standard features including a power moonroof, aluminum wheels and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink. The entry level ILX starts at $25,900.00. The target customers for the new ILX are the younger members of Generation X and members of Generation Y-successful 20-and 30-somethings moving into the luxury car segment but looking for high-value propositions in their purchases. They are young business professionals who are most likely single or soon to be married. They live in larger cities, are very much still in touch with a youthful minded and lifestyle, and yet now embrace adult proprieties and values. In short, like the new ILX, they embody youth and maturity. Style, substance, performance, efficiency and environmental stewardship are all important to these emerging luxury customers, and Acura appears to have combined all of these qualities in one vehicle-solidly below the $30,000.00 price point that is considered the gateway to luxury.

A signature Acura grille features a bold satin surround featuring a single black horizontal grille bar. Flanking the grille are the sweeping headlights with projector-style low-beam lights with multi-reflector high beams. The molded headlight covers follow the sweep of the broad front fenders, while also including strong character lines of their own. Amber side marker lights and reflectors are positioned in the outer edges of the headlight cluster. Below is a front fascia with an aerodynamically tailored lower edge that reminds me of a formula 1 race car and a pair of recesses with a honeycomb grille design that include fog lamps for all ILX models (except for ILX 2.0 in base trim). The long aluminum hood has a central character line that flows from the top of the grille back to the windshield. Narrow A-pillars afford good front visibility through the acoustic glass windshield. The door windows feature are surrounded by satin trim that groups the windows together and visually elongates the cabin shape. Broad front fenders and pronounced front and rear wheel arches give the ILX an athletic presence. The fenders are highlighted with crisp-edged flares that further emphasize the five-spoke wheel design. The most prominent character line on the ILX starts behind the front wheel arches and then rises as it flows rearward through the front door handle, over the rear door handle and rear wheel arches, and finally towards the rear lid. This rising character line imparts a sense of muscularity and motion, even when the ILX is still. At the bottom of the doors lies an additional character line-a deeply set three-dimensional element that provides a look of solidity at the base of the body. The rear of the cabin emphasizes the appearance of the wheel arches and compliments the strong, wide rear fenders. A taillight array wraps around the rear fenders and extends onto the back of the deck lid. The backup lights are located on the deck lid and the CHMSL is located at the top of the rear windows. This is one of the better examples of Acura’s sculpted-from-a-solid-piece-of-metal design. The new ILX comes in three models: ILX 2.0 liter, ILX 2.4 liter and ILX Hybrid. Each model offers a different powertrain and a unique character. I tested the 2.0 liter and was very impressed with the overall feel and performance of the car.

The SOHC 2.0 liter inline four cylinder features 16-valves, i-VTEC and a specially tuned dual-stage intake manifold. The 2.0 liter produces 150 hp at 6,500 rpm and 140 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm. EPA figures are 24/35/28 mpg. The 2.0 liter sedan features a standard electronically-controlled Sequential SportShift five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. In addition to Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold control, the ILX also incorporates Cornering G Shift control, which suppresses unwanted upshifts when the car is cornering aggressively. The 2.4 liter four cylinder engine generates 201 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The ultra-efficient hybrid ILX is powered by a 1.5 liter inline four cylinder engine with integrated electric motor and a CVT transmission with an EPA rated 39/38/38 mpg. The hybrid generates 111 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. The best all-around powertrain is the 2.0 liter with good power and torque plus an excellent EPA mpg rating. A great powertrain needs a great chassis and suspension and Acura doesn’t disappoint. The new ILX 2.0 is comfortably refined, responsive and inspiring to drive. A 105.1 inch wheelbase, wide and rear track, advanced suspension design along with features such as VSA with Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering help give the ILX inspired and controlled handling prowess. Specially tuned independent front and rear suspension provides quick and smooth steering response, along with agile and linear handling. The MacPherson strut front suspension provides precise and engaging handling performance, a responsive feel and luxurious ride quality. Specially tuned bushings along with performance-calibrated geometry ensure optimal wheel alignment while turning for confident handling. A new technology for Acura, Amplitude Reactive Dampers, are used to provide a superior level of ride comfort together with crisp, precise handling. The dampers operate in two distinct performance parameters including a Ride Zone and a Handling Zone. Each zone has a unique set of compression and rebound damping forces tailored to provide the desired ride and handling attributes in essence the amplitude reactive dampers operate like two separate suspension systems combined into one. The new dampers are entirely mechanical in operation with no electronics required The Ride Zone is for short suspension strokes between 1-5 mm travel, the dampers provide minimal damping effect to provide an extremely comfortable ride where little suspension travel is needed-such as on smooth road surfaces. The Handling Zone is for longer suspension stroke-over 10 mm travel, a second damping circuit is engaged. Here damping effect is maximized for enhanced steering feel, improved body-roll and more secure handling-such as driving aggressive cornering or on severe road conditions. With the Amplitude Reactive Dampers by adding a second spring floating valve above a conventional main piston valve, the ILX is able to main the superior driving dynamics. The system works great with no feedback or notice to the cockpit. It is seamless and silent. These new systems and technologies keep Acura ahead of the curve for a great handling front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Enter the all-new ILX sport sedan and the car’s sporting nature is immediately apparent. Offering a seamless combination of luxury, performance and technology, the ILX’s interior exhibits the high level of fit and finish expected of Acura, and puts it in reach of more buyers than ever before. Settle into the comfortable and supportive driver’s seat, and the focus on the driver controls is unmistakable. The cockpit has an efficient layout with crisp and clear LED-illuminated analog instrumentation. The thick, leather-wrapped/tilt/telescoping steering wheel puts a range of commonly used features at your fingertips, and racing inspired shift paddles mounted on the back side of the wheel. The six-speed manual transmission that is standard with the ILX has a short throws for fast precise shift action. It is a great day when Acura makes an all-new luxury sport sedan that is lower in price and available for more consumers looking to drive and own one of the great sedans from Japan. The all-new 2013 ILX is a winner! © Pictures by Harvey Schwartz For more information about Acura products, go to www.acura.com SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2013 Acura ILX Tech Price: $31,400.00-base/$32,295.00 Tech & Destination EPA fuel economy rating: 24 mpg/city, 35 mpg/highway Engine: 2.0 liter programmed multi-point fuel injection, intelligent variable valve timing & lift electronic control, SOHC and variable timing control

Horsepower: 150 at 6,500 rpm Torque: 140 pound-feet at 4,300 rpm Transmission: Five-speed automatic with sequential sportshift and grade logic control, paddle shifters Suspension: Front: independent, MacPherson struts, 0.79 solid stabilizer bar, telescopic design, hydraulic nitrogen gas filled shocks Rear: independent, multi-link with constant rate coil springs, telescopic design, hydraulic nitrogen filled shocks, 0.55mm solid stabilizer bar Wheels and tires: 7X17 in. cast aluminum wheels and 215/45R17 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires Brakes: Front: 11.1-inch vented discs/single-piston calipers Rear: 10.2-inch solid discs/single-piston calipers, ABS, EBD, BA Dimensions Overall length: 179.1 in. Overall width: 70.6 in. Overall height: 55.6 in. Curb weight: 2,970 lbs.