Sporty styling, new technology and efficient powertrains are highlights

02/08/2012 – CHICAGO

Following up on its blockbuster appearance at this year’s Detroit auto show, Acura today unveiled production versions of two new vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show. A completely redesigned 2013 Acura RDX crossover sport utility vehicle and the all-new 2013 Acura ILX luxury compact sedan were shown. Both new Acura models are scheduled for launch in the Spring.

“We are excited to be launching these two new luxury models as the gateway of Acura’s revitalized product lineup,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura. “As we embark on our second 25 years as a premium luxury-performance automobile brand, we are excited about the role these two vehicles will play in welcoming a new generation of luxury car buyers to the Acura brand.”

2013 Acura ILX

The 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan is an all-new model that is positioned as the gateway into the Acura brand. The primary target customers for the new ILX are Generation Y— successful 20 and 30-somethings moving into the luxury car ranks but looking for high-value propositions in their purchases.

“First-time luxury buyers tend to place a high value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues, and that’s what we have created with the new Acura ILX,” said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. “The strategy behind this new model is to position ILX as the first opportunity for many young buyers to enter the luxury market.”

Sleek and sporty, the ILX combines luxury, performance and efficiency. While maintaining a strong emphasis on stylish and aerodynamically efficient exterior design, the ILX features a large and airy greenhouse that provides excellent outward visibility. As a five-passenger luxury sedan, the ILX combines compact proportions with a spacious passenger interior and ample cargo space— perfect attributes for young professionals on the go.

Click here to see the full press release

2013 Acura ILX Patent Filing

A French website has posted images of Honda’s European patent filing for the 2013 Acura ILX design. The black and white images in multiple angles gives a better sense of the changes we’ll see in the production ILX that is set to make its official debut February 8th at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

The images are far from glamorous, so it’s not too late to turn away if you want to hold out for the official press photos next week.

See the gallery below for more, or stay tuned to see the 2013 Acura ILX in all its glory next week.

[Source: MYTF1]

Production Ready Acura ILX?

We’ll get to see the production version of the new ILX at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show on February 8, but I’ve captured a screen shot of what looks to be the final front end design. As Jon Ikeda mentioned in his TOV walk-around video, most of the top half should stay the same as the concept we’ve seen in Detroit. The above image shows a new, revised lower bumper similar to the recent spy shots. I absolutely loved the concept and am happy to see the only tweaks are an improvement to the original design.

See the vehicle briefly at the end of Acura’s ”Munchkin” video below and get ready for its official debut next week on the 8th.

[Source: Acura]

Official release from www.acuranews.com:

01/31/2012 – TORRANCE, Calif.

The production versions of the all-new Acura ILX and the completely redesigned Acura RDX will make their world debuts at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, February 8, 2012, Acura announced today.

The 2013 Acura ILX luxury compact sedan is an all-new model positioned as the gateway to the Acura brand. Sleek and sporty, the ILX will feature three distinct powertrains, including Acura’s first ever hybrid. The ILX will feature a high–quality, well-appointed interior that is smart and spacious.  It will offer a number of new, high-value 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.

The new 2013 RDX, Acura’s compact crossover Sport Utility Vehicle, will offer a perfect balance of luxury and utility. The RDX will now be powered by a V-6 engine, producing 33 more horsepower than the outgoing model— yet it is expected to offer the best fuel economy of any gasoline-powered luxury SUV in its class. Interior features, such as larger door openings, more passenger room, increased cargo volume and a power rear tailgate make the RDX interior even more accommodating and flexible.

Although there will not be a media press conference, both vehicles will be on display in the Acura booth at McCormick Place, Chicago. Press information and photos will post to www.acuranews.com on February 8, 2012.

About Acura

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

[Source: Acura]

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some of the models Acura presented at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

NY Acura Dealers sent in the Tier10 team along with award-winning photographer Douglas Sonders to capture both the new and current models of the Acura booth. For those who attended the show, you were probably too busy wiping the drool from your chin to really take in the details of the new concepts. Have another look, you’ll likely find you missed some really cool design features that Jon Ikeda and the Acura Design team incorporated.

[Source: Joseph Olesh/Tier10 Marketing, Douglas Sonders]

The RDX Prototype, ILX Concept and NSX Concept are now featured on the Future Vehicles section of www.acura.com. The series of slides offer some different angles and lighting, along with a few notes on the philosophy behind each model.

See the full presentation at www.acura.com.

[Source: Acura]

After an exciting few days at the 2012 North America International Auto Show, the Acura team has put together a few videos from the big event. A wrap up video showcases some of the highlights of the press conference, with additional comments from Acura executives on what the three new vehicles have to offer.

Also available are individual videos with panning shots and different views of each model. Believe me, these vehicles look even better in person, so if you can’t make it to the show you’ll want to see the clips below.

Click here to see the videos

Acura NSX Concept

The automotive media roared in applause today at COBO Center as Honda CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled the new Acura NSX concept. The rebirth of the NSX brings a type of excitement that hasn’t been felt in recent years by Honda and Acura enthusiasts.

Automotive journalists, reporters and photographers crammed the Acura booth to get the first glimpse of a trio of new Acura models. After an introduction by Vice President and General Manager Jeff Conrad, taking turns on stage to present the three vehicles were Assistant Vice President of Product Planning Vicki Poponi, Head of the Acura Design Studio Jon Ikeda, and finally Honda CEO Takanobu. Full press conference remarks are available for viewing at www.acuranews.com

Covered up for most of the day, the NSX sat centre stage with its sharp edges creasing the sheets. The full mid-engine concept was later revealed with aggressive futuristic styling and sharp angles. While Acura’s hybrid halo car was the definite show stopper and received most of the attention, we can’t ignore the debut of the next generation RDX prototype and the all-new ILX Concept. The upcoming RDX gains a 6-speed automatic transmission, V6 engine, and looks “grown up” with bold new exterior styling. The ILX Concept was revealed as a luxury compact sedan, with nice proportions and a sleek, “jet-like” front end. It will be offered with a 2.0-liter I4 engine, a 2.4-liter I4 engine, and a 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid power train. More details should be coming in the next few months.

The RDX and ILX are scheduled to be released this year, but NSX fans will have to wait another 2-3 years to see a production model. Acura is not done with concepts quite yet though, watch for a new flagship possibly at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.

[Source: Acura Connected]