Rumors Once Again Swirling About a Turbocharged ILX

2016 Acura ILX (Credit: © Acura)

With Acura’s lineup overhaul in full swing, thanks to the new TLX, ILX, and the upcoming RDX, the future looks bright for the Japanese luxury car manufacturer. But there is still one glaring issue in its existing lineup, and that’s the fact that the ILX lacks a 300-horsepower version to compete with the big boys of the segment, like the CLA45 AMG and the Audi S3. A new report from Car and Driver, however, has relit the fuse on the rumor that the ILX may indeed get a turbo-four.

The report stems from a conversation the publication had with Acura’s product planner, Gary Robinson, who when queried about the ILX getting the 2.0-liter Earth Dreams turbocharged engine, gave us some hope. Robinson stated “Acura is always going to get the best engines Honda makes,” and that the Acura versions of these engines “will always be more powerful” than the Honda versions. He added about a gallon of gasoline to the match he lit by following that statement with “Obviously, a 2.0-liter turbo is more of a must-have in the luxury world than it is in the mainstream world, so . . .”

With rumors floating around that the Earth Dreams turbo-four will indeed make its way into a U.S.-spec Civic, I cannot help but assume that a turbocharged ILX is in the works too. Imagining that 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 300 horsepower mated to that wonderful dance partner in the Acura eight-speed dual-clutch transmission makes me want to go toss some cash at the nearest Acura sales person. Yes, I know traditionalists want a manual, but I prefer to work smarter, not harder; plus, swapping cogs and dealing with two kids in the back seat is not the easiest combination of tasks…

After all of that, Robinson pumped the brakes a bit by revealing that if a turbocharged four-cylinder does find its way under the hood of the ILX, it would not happen until the full redesign in 2018 or 2019. Talk about a buzzkill…

Despite the long wait, Robinson’s statements make it seem as if Acura is indeed set to turbocharge the ILX, but it is in no rush to force the model out before it’s ready. Hopefully the end result is half as awesome as I expect it to be.