Acura first gave us a glimpse of its entry-level luxury ILX Hybrid sedan at the Detroit Auto Show in concept form. Now that the Chicago Auto Show is upon us, the vehicle is being showed in its final production trim. Keeping with Honda/Acura tradition, not much has changed visually for the concept-to-production transition.
 
The ILX Hybrid is based on the Civic platform and is destined to replace the existing TSX in Acura's lineup. When it comes to the powertrain, you won't be winning any stoplight battles with the ILX Hybrid. The vehicle comes with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a 20hp electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Total system power is pegged at a meager 111hp @ 5,000rpm and 125 lb-ft between 1,000rpm and 3,000rpm, so tread lightly.
 
Luckily, those who require more gusto can choose from traditional 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline engines.
 

 
Fuel economy is rated at 35mpg in the city and 38mpg on the highway for the ILX Hybrid. However, these numbers are well below what's possible with its sister-ship, the Civic Hybrid, which is rated at 44/44.
 
"First-time luxury buyers tend to place a high value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues, and that's what we have created with the new Acura ILX," said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. "The strategy behind this new model is to position ILX as the first opportunity for many young buyers to enter the luxury market."
 
The Acura ILX Hybrid will launch later this year; pricing has not yet been announced.