Acura Automobiles: 2016 Acura ILX

Specifications:

Inspired Handling
A 105.1-inch wheelbase, wide front and rear track dimensions, advanced suspension design along with features such as VSA® with Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) help give the ILX inspired handling. Specially tuned independent front and rear suspension provides quick and smooth steering response, along with agile and linear handling.

Suspension Systems
The Acura ILX uses MacPherson struts on the front with a rear multi-link suspension system at the rear. The strut-style front suspension is a space-efficient design that provides excellent handling characteristics with sophisticated ride quality, while also making room available for crash reinforcement at the front of the vehicle. Likewise, the multi-link rear suspension provides outstanding ride and handling characteristics, while also helping to maximize second-row seating and cargo space. Suspension geometry is also optimized for nimble handling.

Acura suspension technologies employed in the 2016 ILX include:

• Amplitude Reactive Dampers (reduces damping forces over small-amplitude road imperfections)
• Rebound springs (for both front and rear suspensions)
• Low-friction bushings (further improves ride quality in small-amplitude impacts)

MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
The MacPherson strut front suspension provides precise and engaging handling performance, a responsive feel for the driver, and luxurious ride quality. Specially tuned bushings along with performance-calibrated geometry ensure optimal wheel alignment while turning for confident handling. A 20-mm diameter tubular front stabilizer bar helps reduce body roll for less body lean in corners.

Multi-Link Rear Suspension
The ILX uses a multi-link rear suspension that features stamped-steel upper A-arms, cast-aluminum knuckles, double lower tubular lateral links, tubular-steel toe-control links, coil-over dampers and a stabilizer bar. The system provides excellent handling, a flat ride and excellent control of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). A solid rear stabilizer bar, increased in diameter from 14 to 15 mm for 2016, helps reduce understeer and improve steering response.

Amplitude-Reactive Dampers
Acura’s Amplitude-Reactive Dampers provide a superior level of ride comfort together with linear, agile handling. The dampers operate in two distinct performance parameters: a Ride Zone and a Handling Zone. Each zone has a unique set of compression and rebound damping forces tailored to provide the desired ride and handling attributes. In essence, the amplitude-reactive dampers operate as two separate damper systems combined in one. These dampers are entirely mechanical in operation with no electronic systems or driver involvement required.

Ride Zone
On smooth and relatively smooth road surfaces, where the vertical suspension travel is short, the dampers provide a reduced damping effect to deliver an extremely comfortable ride.

Handling Zone
On rough or uneven road surfaces or during spirited cornering, where the vertical suspension travel is greater, a second damping circuit is engaged. Here the damping effect is maximized for enhanced steering feel, improved body-roll control and more secure handling.

With the Amplitude-Reactive Dampers, by adding a second spring floating valve above a conventional main piston valve, the ILX is able to maintain the superior driving dynamics.

Low-Friction Bushings
Reducing the hysteresis of the lower front and rear suspension bushings helps improve ride quality during small-amplitude road imperfections without sacrificing steering precision, handling response or ride quality under strenuous cornering or rough road conditions. The front lower control-arm bushings are sleeved on 2016 models to further reduce compliance and improve steering response. Front and rear stabilizer bars utilize friction-reducing Teflon bushings for smooth and effective operation.

Stiffer Body Structure and Front Subframe
The Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure provides a solid foundation for the ILX’s suspension and steering systems to operate. For 2016, stiffeners, braces and patches added to the roof pillars, floorpan, sills, rear wheelhouses and rear package tray further enhance body rigidity. The front subframe is also stiffened in key areas to improve steering response.

Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS)
The Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) works with the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) to offer a direct feeling and efficient steering performance, together with improved active safety. Using vehicle speed and steering angle data, Motion-Adaptive EPS works with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Electric Power Steering to detect instability in low traction conditions (both during cornering and under braking) and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed at prompting the driver to steer in the correct direction. This new advanced technology supports the driver’s action in operating the vehicle more safely and comfortably.

Noted below are three examples of how Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) works as part of VSA®:

Mitigates Understeer: Helps correct the steering inputs to mitigate understeer and help the driver trace the intended curve of the road

Mitigates Oversteer: Helps correct the steering inputs to mitigate oversteer and help the driver trace the intended curve of the road

Stabilizes Braking: Helps correct the driver’s steering input to reduce vehicle instability when the driver is braking hard on road surfaces with different friction coefficients (such as pavement that is only partially covered with dirt or snow)

With Electric Power Steering (EPS), a sophisticated electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system takes the place of a conventional hydraulic power steering system. EPS responds instantly to steering input and automatically changes the amount of power assist appropriate to the vehicle’s speed.

The Motion-Adaptive EPS system consists of a rack-and-pinion steering gear with an electric motor installed concentrically around the steering rack. To control the level of assist the Powertrain Control Module receives signals from a speed sensor and, coupled with a steering sensor for torque and rotation, then calculates the optimal amount of assist and sends a signal to the electric motor.

When compared to the operation of a conventional hydraulic pump power steering system, the simpler Motion-Adaptive EPS increases efficiency because it does not draw a continuous amount of power directly from the engine. Other advantages of electric power-assisted steering include its lower power consumption (which helps improve fuel efficiency), and its compactness (and resulting lower overall weight).

New Angular Acceleration Control Logic for EPS
For 2016, angular acceleration control logic is applied to the Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering to improve steering feel. This refinement helps to deliver a natural feeling effort buildup in response to steering turn-in.

4-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
All Acura ILX models are equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

ABS independently modulates braking power at each wheel to help the driver retain steering control during heavy deceleration. EBD automatically optimizes braking force between the front and rear wheels, adjusting for the weight and loading of passengers and cargo, to provide stable and confident braking performance. EBD also provides excellent pedal feel and reduced brake fade under strenuous driving conditions. Brake Assist recognizes emergency braking situations and assists the driver by helping apply full braking force when appropriate.

The ILX is equipped with larger brakes: 12.3-inch ventilated brake rotors clamped by single-piston calipers in front; 11.1-inch diameter solid rotors clamped by single-piston calipers in the rear.

The servo ratio is idealized for improved braking response with initial pedal force, while high-strength calipers add stiffness for improved pedal feel and braking effectiveness. The result is a secure, effective and confidence-inspiring braking system.

Hill Start Assist
Standard on all 2016 ILX models is hill start assist. This feature holds brake pressure when stopped on an incline or descent for a brief period of time, allowing the driver’s foot to move from the brake pedal to accelerator without the vehicle moving.

Wheels and Tires
P215/45R17 all-season tires mounted on 17×7-inch 10-spoke painted aluminum wheels offer an excellent blend of ride quality, handling and fuel efficiency. Premium and Tech Plus models equipped with the new-for-2016 A-SPEC Package roll on lower-aspect-ratio P225/40R18 all-season tires wrapping 18×7.5-inch 10-spoke black-painted, machined-face aluminum wheels for enhanced handling and even crisper steering response.

Space– and Weight-Saving Tire Repair Kit
The ILX uses a space- and weight-saving tire repair kit that is stored under the carpeted floor in the trunk.

Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
A standard Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps the driver maintain proper air pressure to improve driving safety and fuel efficiency, as well as reduce wear and tear on the vehicle’s tires. A TPMS icon illuminates to alert the driver whenever any of the tires has a significantly low-pressure reading that requires the driver’s attention. A color TPMS display in Premium and above grades, shows real-time pressure readouts for all four tires.