2013 Acura ILX Sedan revealed in production form

The 2013 Acura ILX makes its debut at the Chicago Auto Show today and here are the first pictures and details of the model. The new sedan has been designed to be both sleek and sporty and is intended for a younger consumers looking to make their first foray in the luxury market.

"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."

There are a choice of three powertrains for the ILX. It begins with the entry level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 150 hp ( 112 kW / 152 PS ) and 190 Nm ( 140 lb-ft ) of torque and delivers city/highway fuel economy of 24/32 mpg. The range topper is a 2.4-liter engine generating 201 hp ( 150 kW / 204 PS ) and 230 Nm ( 170 lb-ft ) torque which gets fuel economy of 20/29 mpg.

For those looking for economy over performance, Acura has launched its first ever gas-electric hybrid powertrain. This couples the same 1.5-liter engine with an Integrated Motor Assist electric motor from the Honda Civic Hybrid to generate a total of 111 hp ( 83 kW / 113 PS ) and 172 Nm (127 lb-ft) torque. It results in respectable fuel economy figures of 35mpg city / 38mpg highway.