Track Tested: 2013 Acura ILX

In our First Drive of the 2013 Acura ILX we wrote, "The 2013 Acura ILX is the smallest sedan in Acura's lineup since the Integra, but it's not a spiritual successor to that car." So it's not, but the ILX 2.4L model is a kissing cousin to the 2012 Honda Civic, complete with the Civic Si's 201-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 and slick six-speed manual transmission.

Acura may be excited about the prospect of having a high-volume car that returns good fuel economy while still offering Acura levels of luxury, but we're excited to see what the new ILX does on our track when equipped with the hottest of its three engines.

Follow the jump for the results of the world's first test of the 2013 Acura ILX.

Vehicle: 2013 Acura ILX 2.4L

Odometer:
Date: 5/8/2012
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $30,095 (base price)

Specifications:
Drive Type: Front engine, front-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed manual
Engine Type: Naturally aspirated, port-injected inline-4
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 2,354/144
Redline (rpm): 7,000 (fuel cutoff at 7,200)
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 201 @ 7,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 170 @ 4,400
Brake Type (front): 11.8-inch ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers
Brake Type (rear): 10.2-inch solid discs with single-piston sliding calipers
Suspension Type(front): Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): P215/45R17 (87V)
Tire Size (rear): P21545R17 (87V)
Tire Brand: Michelin
Tire Model: Pilot HX MXM4
Tire Type: All-season
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 2,954

Test Results:

Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.7 (2.8 w/ TC on)
0-45 (sec): 4.6 (4.9 w/ TC on)
0-60 (sec): 7.1 (7.7 w/ TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.8 (7.4 w/ TC on)
0-75 (sec): 10.5 (11.2 w/ TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 15.3 @ 91.6 (15.7 @ 88.5 w/ TC on)

Braking
30-0 (ft): 30
60-0 (ft): 130

Handling
Slalom (mph): 65.5 (63.1 w/TC off)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.83 (0.82 w/TC on)

Db @ Idle: 42.5
Db @ Full Throttle: 77.5
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.6

Comments:

Acceleration: There's a sweet spot of wheelspin the ILX enjoys that is good for more than a half second in acceleration. Engine sounds sweet and there's no audible/visceral cam phase. Shifter is excellent, accurate, short and well-oiled. Clutch uptake is intuitive and smooth throughout pedal travel.

Braking: Very little initial bite and meaningful slowing begins from +/-40 mph to zero. Pedal is firm, but there's no power here. Linear fade in distance, yet pedal feel remained constant.

Handling:
Skid pad: With ESC off, the ILX goes into gentle yet stubborn understeer. Steering feedback changes very little with waning grip, and effort remains light-ish. With ESC on, it chopped throttle lightly below the car's true limit (prior to tire howl).

Slalom: I really like the steering: Friction free, just enough weight and good yaw reaction. Turns in predictably, tracks well, but the suspension is just a little reluctant in transitions and I end up "late" at the next cone(s) if I enter too hot. Best run is slow-in-fast-out with a small slide at exit and unweighted tire spinning free.