We’re only a day away from the official presentation of the production version of the 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan at the Chicago motor show but we’ve managed to get our hands on the patent images providing us with our first look at what has changed and not over the concept model we saw in Detroit last month.
Acura had already told us that the Detroit show car was very close to the production model that will follow so it’s overall styling don’t come as a surprise.
Like all production models, the 2013 ILX stands a little bit higher and rides on smaller wheels, while Acura also simplified the design of the front bumper openings and replaced the concept’s LED strips with regular fog lights.
The model seen in the patent images also does away with the side skirts and the decorative air vents positioned on the lower corners of the rear bumper. Other than that, nothing else has changed.
It is based on the running gear of the latest Honda Civic but sports unique sheetmetal. The ILX launches this spring with an entry-level 2.0-liter inline-four, a higher-performance 2.4-liter 4-cylinder paired to a six-speed manual gearbox and a 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, which will be Acura’s first-ever hybrid offering.
Acura’s foray into the premium compact sedan segment is built around the chassis and hardware of the mainstream Honda Civic and will be offered with three engine choices including a 2.0-liter unit, a 2.4-liter inline-four matched to a 6sp manual gearbox and 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.
The Japanese company said that the ILX will arrive in North American dealerships this spring with a starting price “well under $30,000”.
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ACURA ILX STUDY
