spdandpwr

Their research partner suggested that the target audience cares more about fuel economy, than power and performance. Maybe Acura's on to something...give people less power and more mpgs -- makes sense. Every manufacturer seems to be thinking otherwise and is jamming serious power into their motors, so they may, in fact, have an edge...but, wait...hold on, they (the competitors) are getting better mpgs too...

The bottom line, whether people refuse to admit it or not, power is a big deal, as is fuel ecomony. Honda/Acura, once at the top of efficient high hp / high mpg vehicles has lost its way and is in need of some serious rethinking before the brand derails. I don't see Honda going away, but I see them losing significant market share.

dom

2013 BMW 328

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 240 @ 5000
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 255 @ 1250 - 4800
Weight - 3406 (3461) lbs

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy 34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City 23 MPG

I don't think there's any question people care more about FE more today more than they ever have, but other's seem to offer a far better FE/performance balance than the ILX does.

spdandpwr

Yep, my point exactly. And this 3-series serves as a nice example as it weighs more, offers more power, more features, and is significantly bigger than the outgoing model. Goes to show what a little bit of engineering can do.

dom

To offer 90 more HP and a whopping 115 more lb-ft yet get better FE than a 2.0L that likely weighs 200+ lbs less is simply embarrassing for Honda IMO.

I get that these aren't the Earth Dreams engines but those FE figures on all models are comical with that kind of HP and torque.

iamitman

3 Series with the similar options is closer to 40K.. So you decide?

Nedmundo

Exactly. I understand that people care more about fuel economy, but it doesn't need to come at the expense of decent power, and Honda really hasn't delivered in this area. The new 3 Series is an excellent example, as was my 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero. That car, with 1990's technology, weighed 3,600 pounds and had 230 hp with 258 lb.-ft. of torque, and simply blew the TSX away for performance -- yet its highway mileage was a few mpg better than the TSX. This blend of power and economy is easier to achieve with turbocharging, as BMW has obviously figured out.

On The Run

They have said that this is priced "well below $30k" so I'm willing to bet that it will be priced anywhere between $22-$25k base. So if the TSX and the ILX are sharing the market for a year or two I'm wondering if people will be drawn more to the smaller car because it's small or will get the "I'm going to get more for my money" feeling for the few thousand extra it will cost for a TSX. If dealerships are willing to part with base TSX's for $26k range then they'd have to be willing to part with base ILX's for less than $20k IMO.

Also - now that I've seen the ILX interior I'm not as worried about what it will do to the second-hand TSX market. I think it will bolster it.

spdandpwr

true, but what about a hyundai, they too give you similar options and power, but with better mpg.

Acura_Dude

If this car comes in under invoice for a TSX it'll definitely sell, power or not. I give Acura some serious credit for their value. You get so much for your money. Acura so far is the only manufacturer that offers HIDs standard across the board w/out you having to add them on as an option or their bundled with a pkg.

Mr. NC

That is one busy interior IMO

iamitman

But hyundai is, well hyundai! There is not much status difference between Acura and BMW other than those who believe there is. My roommate got a 328xi base and he has no options on the and drools over mine. I can live with my car stock, he already dropped 4k in his car for wheels, and sound system that were just terrible. You get what you pay for, and with Acura you get a little bit more!

Acura_Dude

LOL @ your friends BMW. BMW rips people off so bad. But it is making BMW money and people would rather pay for that badge. IMO Acura gives you a lot more bang for your buck. BMW, Audi, MB you have to "option" up a lot of the features pushing the prices well over $40K for just their entry-level models.

Iceman

One thing the Civic has over the TSX (um, can we say the ONLY thing the Civic has over the TSX) is a back seat that adults can actually fit in.

iamitman

And I would buy a Mazda 3 (my previous car), because there are options that are not even available on TSX. Adaptive front headlights, and rain sensing wipes. Oh I so miss the rain sensing wipers!

TSXy Luster

The future of car exhausts:

hiding them for aesthetics.

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

are you serious? i find the backseat of the tsx plenty big. what are you trying to haul around in the back of a civic that you can't fit in a tsx??

mihink

+1. I hate not having the exhaust pipes exposed. It adds such presence to any car (including a lowly 150 hp Acura). The ILX and now the RDX have 'hidden' exhaust tips..why? Isn't Acura supposed to be the 'sport/luxury' arm of Honda??

There will be a huge aftermarket of retrofitted rear bumpers and 'exhuast tips' and people who don't have the $$ for all that will resort to cutting up rear bumpers and sticking a pep boys 'mega tip' on their luxury car!!!

TSXy Luster

Sadly, it's happening not just with Acura but across most automotive brands as well

HondoGermany

This exhaust isn´t hidden. The Pic must be from a European car. Its a Diesel, the exhaust goes down because the bumper would get black from the gas comes out of a Diesel car. We have a lot of Dieselcars in Euro and almost 100% of them had such an hidden exhaust.

mihink

I think you failed to understand my point. The ILX, RDX, new Lexus RX350 and even the new ML Mercedes SUV have the rear bumper/fascia really low and the exhaust is 'hidden' so you don't see the tips. Looks like S*it in my opinion. The 'tips' make the car stand out..after all you are paying $$$ for the premium brand.

Hell..the $19K Kia Optima has STANDARD dual oval exhaust tips that are exposed! Gives the car the extra oomph

TSXy Luster

The picture is NOT from a European car. It is from a Japanese car.
It is NOT a diesel.
It is also from a 2012 car.

This I know, since I took the picture.

Civic2TSX

What happened to the LED daytime lights???

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

It was only in the concept car...

the_razor

oh man if TSX leaves I am gona miss it. I think this ILX is not even close to the design of the TSX both in and out. That just shows the designers in Japan are true car designers. Any ways the way Acura is going I hope they don't mess up with TL any more.