2016 Acura ILX to be TLX inspired

On Friday I received an email or two from Acura. With the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show scheduled for next week, buzz is in the air as to the much anticipated 2016 Acura ILX. I’m assured by my contacts that I’ll like what Acura has planned for ILX. I’ll be drooling over ILX the morning of Nov 20.

looking to the October sales report: With 2015 TLX sales pushing Acura towards segment domination, I anticipate 2016 Acura ILX design and performance to be be TLX inspired.

How do you take an already quality yet mild performance compact executive 4 door sport sedan and push it to the next level? In the case of Acura ILX, follow the leader. I’ve had a tough time justifying the publication of pure speculation(on my behalf) as to what 2016 will bring to Acura ILX.

Acura’s teased us with a photo or two and a written hint as to possible changes, but not much. The public relations team at Honda/ Acura is the best in the business at creating pre- introduction buzz. The 2015 Acura TLX campaign was perhaps the most expensive promo in Acura’s history, they’ve dialed it down a notch for ILX.

2016 Acura ILX will not represent an all new design

Acura’s been pretty clear about that fact. With hints such as “substantially new” and rear/side profile photos of ILX spotted on the internet, I do know that while Acura ILX will be “substantially new, the already good car is effectively being upgraded to the extreme.

Comparing the 2015 ILX side profile to that of the 2016, we discover the same body-line. That’s o.k., Acura ILX is a good looking car in its current manifestation. I do note a change in the trunk-line, tail cowling, front lower cowling, front and rear lighting and tire rim design.

2015 Acura ILX sports lowest power to weight ratio in segment

In a recent test drive of ILX, I found the car’s exterior and interior fit, finish and accessories to be be top of class. Where ILX failed to excite was at the peddle. Notably lackluster base model power is a deterrent for most want-to-be first time Acura sedan buyers. The day of the small body Integra Type R is long gone. The agile TSX Sport with Si has been replaced by the TLX. That’s fine for those buyers wishing for a performance midsize, Acura has that in TLX, quickly becoming a sales leader in the segment. For those wanting Audi A3 or Mercedes C Class size and performance in an Acura, ILX has failed to pass the litmus test.

While Acura ILX does provide bullet proof reliability, reasonable fuel economy, interior comfort at $10,000 below a comparably equipped German competitor, horsepower and torque ratings approaching Civic numbers just don’t cut it.

Acura has sounded the horn on meaningful, measurable accessory, performance and style changes for 2016. If Acura follows the path set by TLX, ILX will be a force to recon with in the compact class performance sedan class.

What to look for in 2016

This is where I step out onto the precipice of educated guess driven pure speculation. To keep ILX priced below the TLX i-4 with P-AWS, all-wheel drive is(most likely) out of the equation. However, I do believe that Acura will offer a higher output 2.4 liter direct injected i-VTEC 4 cylinder(206 hp/180 ft-lb torque) and a variation of the very successful dual clutched actuated 8 speed manual as found in TLX.

That’s what you’ll find on the sports side. At entry trim level we’ll find a nicely appointed up-tuned counterbalanced 4 cylinder mated to Honda’s state of the art CVT with paddle shifting options. You may read the current ILX specifications here. I further anticipate Acura holding the line on price increase while adding more standard feature as demonstrated on Honda’s latest CR-V offering.

For 2016 Acura ILX will be TLX inspired with greater high-tech driven comfort, style and performance.

I’ll be covering Acura’s introduction of 2016 Acura ILX at the Los Angeles Auto Show Press Conference, Nov. 18-20, 2014.

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