With a new generation of luxury buyers now in their 20s, Honda's Acura division is taking aim with a new entry-level sedan that it hopes will introduce them to the brand -- and keep them.
Acura unveiled the ILX concept at the North American International Auto Show in advance of the production version next spring. It will include Acura's first hybrid car.
"First-time luxury buyers place the highest value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues -- and that's a virtual definition of what we have created with the new Acura ILX," said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. Honda has tried to "position ILX as the first opportunity for many young buyers to enter the luxury market."
Because younger buyers are often technology nerds, Acura is giving ILX features such as text messaging from the car and a Pandora Internet radio interface.
The entry-level model will be powered by a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine. There will be a high-performance model with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. And then there will be a 1.5-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, Acura's first-ever hybrid offering.
The ILX will be made in Greensburg, Ind.
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