hughbroome2

Has anyone heard of any speculations/rumors about the full model change of the ILX for 2018 MY? I did not see a thread on here about this, so I decided to start one.

Here are my thoughts:

Obviously, the new ILX will ride on the new Civic, Accord, and CR-V architecture. It will probably feature the new Precision Concept exterior design; perhaps, it might have the Precision interior that we just saw. I think the Precision interior won't be in a production car for another 3-5 years, though. As far as a powertrain, I think we will get a base model with the Civic Si engine: 1.5T with about 210-230 hp mated to the 8 speed DCT. Honda/Acura has already mated the 8 speed DCT to the 1.5T engine in the CDX in China. Do you all think this speculation is reasonable? The two main questions that I have are SH-AWD and a Type-S model.

Let's talk SH-AWD, first. Do you guys think the FMC of the ILX will get AWD? Acura has already acknowledged that it will try to carve out a niche and try to establish an identity with its SH-AWD. They seem to be doing this with the Sport Hybrid AWD, instead of the Super-Handling AWD. This is evident with the introduction of the MDX Sport-Hybrid AWD, featuring the 3.0L V6. In addition to the MDX and RLX, will we see more Sport-Hybrid AWD models, like the TLX, RDX, or the new ILX? Or do you guys think the new ILX will get the Super Handling AWD system from the current TLX?

In regards to a possible Type-S model, do you all think that a Type-S model will be introduced? I have read plenty of speculation or hope about a Type-S model. I think it would be quite easy to use the Civic Type R engine (2.0T with ~305 hp), 6 speed manual, and Super Handling AWD. Even using the 1.5T Civic Si engine with another 100 hp and 100 lb-ft of electric motors (an ILX Sport-Hybrid AWD) would make a nice Type-S model.

Let me know what you all think.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Sounds good, but I'd be surprised if Acura does something like that given their recent history

weather

I am eager to see what they'll pull off but I have been disappointed time after time lately with Acura so I have decided to just getting all excited only to be deflated over and over. I can't take another moment of John Mandel getting all giddy about a bland reveal and a neutered design and engine/tranny combo not to mention hideous wheel designs which is a given I am sure.

So now, I don't even bother speculating anymore and will just wait and come back with a "I told you they would let us down again" in a few months.....Happy winter everyone!

hughbroome2

Well, I hope they do something like that, but I am skeptical like you guys. The new ILX needs to be a home run for Acura; it needs to makeup for the sluggish sales of the last one. I only hope the new Civic architecture can help it be great. I will be quite satisfied if they give us the Civic SI powertrain; anything beyond that will be icing on the cake.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

well, thats what we've been saying for the past 10 years....

aksilx

Dreaming but I'd love to see a rwd ilx some day

kipsy

the new civic si is supposed to be 50k, I think it wont sell and there will be high theft rates and high insurance quotes.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

no way.
the Si slots in between the EX and the Type-R
and the EX is not $40k

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i just did a quick google search and the EX starts at $21k.
so, just speculating another 10k for Si and another 10k for Type-R

the Si will be around $30K

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

my bad, the Touring model is the top model and starts at $26k

TacoBello

The Si pricing isn't going to change drastically from before. They have to maintain their spot in the market. No one is going to pay 40k for a Civic Si even if it has a turbo and is OMG fun.

I think spaceman is right about the Type R though. I can see it hitting around the 40k mark. Optioned out at the 45k mark. However, Honda will sell 26 Si's for every one Type R. And Honda knows that.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Type-R has to compete with the Ford boys and their $45k hatch machine!!!

Nedmundo

I agree with the OP that the base powertrain will be the Civic Si's engine with the 8DCT. I'd like to see 6MT, but Acura has abandoned MT so we'll probably need to go with the Civic Si to get it.

I do expect AWD will be offered, because Acura did state it was moving in that direction. I would expect the AWD version to have a different engine, possibly a detuned version of the Civic Type-R's 2.0T. As I recall, when Acura announced the AWD focus, they also said they would use Honda's best engines, which suggests the 2.0T, but who knows? When it comes to engines, Honda usually disappoints the hopeful enthusiast.

My 2010 TSX has 103k miles, so I can't help but think about what comes next, and I'd like to stay with Honda/Acura. I fear, however, that they'll make me choose between 6MT (Civic Si, maybe Accord Sport) and luxury/AWD/best safety tech (ILX). Ugh. On the bright side, that will probably keep me in the TSX for a few more years, and save me a few bucks.

schen72

No way the new ILX will have MT. Nobody wants MT anymore, including me. DCT is more than sufficient as a replacement, as far as I'm concerned.

Nedmundo

Last night at the Philly auto show, I asked an Acura rep about the possibility of MT, and she said it's one of the most common requests and has thus been considered. So yes, some folks do want it, but probably not enough for it to return. I think modern safety technology, specifically automatic braking, may kill off MT entirely. Those systems work better with automated transmissions, and they'll soon be mandatory.

I do like Acura's 8DCT, but not as much as a good MT.

schen72

I don't mind MT personally, and in fact used to drive one in my younger days, but traffic just sucks all the fun out of it. DCT at least gives you the "performance" of MT without the pain. It just doesn't seem like Acura has enough volume to warrant a niche MT trim.

There is also the issue that lots of people on the internet always "say" they want MT, wagons, etc. but when asked to put their money where their mouth is, nothing happens.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Acura is dead in the water anyway.

dealers are complaining of model gaps....and Acura wants to solve that by throwing more incentives instead of bringing the CDX here....

2016 SUCKED for acura sedan sales...and a face lift and incentives will not sell.

So, No! there will not be any 6MT's any time soon

nothome17

Less demand great lease deals. Win win for dealers and consumers.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

LOL not so great for Acura

GrafZeppelin127

Glad I kept mine.

schen72

The low demand for the ILX definitely contributed to the low price I got for mine. Once I saw the upgrades for the MMC, I was happy to get one. I was a little surprised when the salesman's first offer to me was below invoice. So I just adjusted my strategy and went even lower.

DaIll1

I love my DCT (lumbar spinal cord damage) but it needs LSD.

nothome17

Anyone with PhotoShop skills, remove the unibrow and slap on the Diamond grill on the Civic.

rocket354

Man, if Acura had made the sportwagon in an MT I would have gotten that over the ILX in a heartbeat. As time passes, the chances of ever getting a Honda-made MT, naturally-aspirated wagon gets more and more remote, unfortunately.

But, yeah, I agree. A good DCT is about 90% of the way there to being an MT without the hassle in gridlock traffic.

hughbroome2

I have no PhotoShop skills, but someone has already drawn the redesigned ILX. I'm not sure who to credit, though.

phishfood

My guess is they'll stuff a 3.7L in there with dual superchargers!