Photo: Acura
In the wake of huge success registered by the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA, Acura has fixed its entry-level model for the 2016 model year. You can still see the Honda Civic underneath, but it's definitely a much better car, one which we can finally take seriously.
The big news is not the front end design, oh no. Under the bonnet, Acura has cleaned everything up and is now offering only one very competitive powertrain. The standard engine is the 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder from the base TLX. It's been rated at 201 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, so it's similar to a Civic Si, and has been paired to a new eight-speed twin-clutch gearbox called a "DCT" , short for double clutch transmission.
That means the ILX now has more gears than the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA. And more is always going to be better… probably. No performance numbers are available yet, but thanks to the superior gearbox, 2016 ILX models should be able to sprint from 0 to 60 a bit faster than the old models that did it in 6.4 seconds.
Let's not forget the 2016 ILX is also a heavily refreshed car. The front end now seems a little longer and Acura's famous Jewel Eye headlight system has been installed, together with new LED taillights.
For 2016, the ILX will be optionally available with the A-Spec package that brings larger 18-inch wheels, black Swede inserts to the seats and white stitching for the leather on the steering wheel. Acura says NVH levels be noticeably lower, thank to more soundproofing material and front door glass that's 1mm thicker.
Prices have not yet been announced. The 2016 ILX will arrive early next year and should cost about the same as the older model with the 2.4-liter engine – $30,270.
That means the ILX now has more gears than the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA. And more is always going to be better… probably. No performance numbers are available yet, but thanks to the superior gearbox, 2016 ILX models should be able to sprint from 0 to 60 a bit faster than the old models that did it in 6.4 seconds.
Let's not forget the 2016 ILX is also a heavily refreshed car. The front end now seems a little longer and Acura's famous Jewel Eye headlight system has been installed, together with new LED taillights.
For 2016, the ILX will be optionally available with the A-Spec package that brings larger 18-inch wheels, black Swede inserts to the seats and white stitching for the leather on the steering wheel. Acura says NVH levels be noticeably lower, thank to more soundproofing material and front door glass that's 1mm thicker.
Prices have not yet been announced. The 2016 ILX will arrive early next year and should cost about the same as the older model with the 2.4-liter engine – $30,270.
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