Acura ILX sedan upgraded with more horsepower, 8-speed transmission

(February 10, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — With more features, more leading-edge technology and a major injection of Acura DNA, the 2016 ILX goes on sale today as the Acura gateway sports sedan with, according to Acura, the performance, technology and style desired by younger luxury buyers.

Starting at $27,900, the 2016 Acura ILX boasts more power, improved handling, more luxurious appointments and more youthful, sporty styling. The 2016 ILX also expands customer choice with three main grades — the standard ILX, the ILX with Premium Package, and the line-topping ILX Tech Plus Package, supplemented by the addition of the all-new AcuraWatch Plus and A-SPEC Packages.



Acura claims the ILX captures a higher percentage of young luxury buyers, under age 35, than any other vehicle in this growing entry-luxury sedan segment. The enhancements made to the 2016 model are designed to make the ILX even more attractive to upwardly mobile younger buyers looking for upmarket quality and performance.

The ILX's new 2.4-liter, 16-valve, direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC engine produces peak output of 201 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm, up 51 horsepower and 40 lb.-ft. compared to the outgoing 2.0-liter engine.

The new engine is mated to a new 8-speed dual clutch transmission (8DCT) with torque converter and paddle-controlled Sequential Sport Shift. The new 8DCT is the most advanced transmission in its competitive set, delivering incredibly quick, crisp and intuitive gear changes, including rev-matching down shifts, to achieve outstanding response and sporting performance with top-class fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 25/36/29 mpg city/hwy/combined.

To make the most of its high performance new powertrain, steering responsiveness and linearity are improved via a retuned suspension and a number of chassis design enhancements. With these changes the 2016 ILX delivers an athletic, confident and balanced driving performance.

With form following function, the reborn ILX sports a bolder, more distinctive front end highlighted by piercing Jewel Eye LED headlights, a new grille design, and more aggressive lower fascia; a restyled rear end offers new LED combination lights and lower fascia enhancements; and  new 10-spoke 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The available ILX A-SPEC Package enhances the performance look even more by adding sporty side sill garnishes, a trunk spoiler, front fog lights, new 18-inch 10-spoke machined alloy wheels, and several unique interior appearance touches.

Inside, the 2016 ILX is luxury-quiet, benefitting from additional noise-insulating materials, thicker front door glass, noise-attenuating wheels, and the adoption of Active Noise Control technology. Interior refinement continues with styling enhancements such as upgraded materials, contrasting Euro-style stitching on the steering wheel, parking-brake handle and shift knob, as well as new high-intensity silver trim for the instrument panel and other areas.

The A-SPEC package enhances the exceptional cabin appeal and appointments with an exclusive Premium Black interior color scheme including a black headliner, perforated black Lux Suede seat inserts, red instrument illumination, exclusive gray interior stitching and aluminum brake and throttle pedals.