10. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S

Whether you’re heading to the Chicago Auto Show and want to know what to check out, or your trip is a bit more virtual, AutoGuide editors have compiled a list of the must-sees at this year’s event.

Head into McCormick Place and hang a left. You can’t miss the all-new 2012 Porsche 911. It might not be a world premiere, or even a North American debut, but the beautifully blue Carrera S is a piece of art. Four inches longer than the outgoing model it’s more substantial and a much sleeker design.

Powered by a 400 hp 3.8-liter flat-six engine the Carrera S can hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds when paired with Porsche’s PDK 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the optional Sport Chrono Package. It’ll also lap the Nurburgring as fast as the previous generation GT3!

Enthusiasts may not like the fact that the 2013 RDX no longer has Honda’s Super Handling AWD system, or its impressive turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. But enthusiasts don’t buy cars like the Acura RDX… not enough of them anyway.

As a result, Acura has revamped the RDX with a softer approach, with added utility and a new V6 that gets more power and better fuel economy.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura RDX

Unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, find out all the details in our first look video below:

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First shown in concept form a month ago at the Detroit Auto Show, Acura has revealed its new entry-level ILX sports sedan at the Chicago Auto Show today.

Based on the Civic platform it certainly doesn’t look it, though it does share some very familiar powertrains. With a base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, there’s also a 2.4-liter performance version and a 1.5-liter hybrid for the greenies.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX

Get all the details on the 2013 Acura ILX in our first look video below:

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Revealing the all-new second generation RDX compact luxury crossover on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show, Acura admitted it made some mistakes in the past.

The previous generation RDX was targeted at your urban males, putting the focus on performance. It should come as no surprise that it was then a big hit with auto journalists, who loved its turbocharged 2.3-liter engine that made 240 hp and a serious 280 lb-ft of torque. It also had Acura’s amazing Super Handling All Wheel Drive system, which made its cornering capabilities spectacular.

As it turns out, however, buyers in this segment are actually couples, young and old, and they’re more interested in utility than performance. As a result, the RDX was never the success Acura hoped, especially as sales of the MDX soared.

Now Acura is launching a second-generation model, with a softer approach all around. Gone is the hi-tech and expensive SH-AWD in favor of a more conventional system. Also gone is the immensely fun, but equally fuel thirsty turbocharged engine in favor of a new 3.5-liter V6. The new unit produces 33 more horsepower for a total of 273. Torque numbers haven’t been announced, but expect them to drop.

Mated to a new 6-speed automatic Acura says it expects the RDX to receive a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 20/28 mpg (city/highway) for front-drive models and 19/27 for AWD versions.

Improving both ride quality and handling is a longer wheelbase, as well as a wider track and a lower center of gravity. Plus, the RDX gets standard “Amplitude Reactive Dampers”, an adaptive electric power steering system and 18-inch wheels.

Other standard and available goodies include an active noise cancellation system, keyless access and a push-button ignition, a three-view back-up screen, Pandora internet radio and an SMS text messaging feature that lets you reply to text with one of roughly 10 pre-selected responses.

Interior room is up on the RDX, though Acura hasn’t said by exactly how much. The cargo area does use its space more effectively and Acura says it has expanded the rear opening by up to six inches.

A watered down RDX? Yes. But will the new model find a home with more buyers? Most likely.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura RDX

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Coverage Here

Watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the 2013 RDX below:

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On the eve of the Chicago Auto Show, Acura has revealed the newest addition to its lineup, the ILX. A compact premium model, it shares its chassis and powertrains with the Civic, though little else.

Looking nothing like a Civic, with a sleek Acura design, it’s actually significantly larger, measuring 2-inches more end-to-end and almost half a foot more in width. The wheelbase, however, remains the same.

Powering the ILX are a choice of three engines, starting with an entry-level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder – essentially an up-sized version of the 1.8-liter found in the Civic. It makes a total of 150 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque and with a 5-speed automatic will get modest, but not exactly shocking, 24 city and 32 highway mpg rating.

Those in search of fuel economy can opt for the ILX Hybrid – the first time Acura has even offered a hybrid model. Using a similar setup to that found in the Civic Hybrid it makes 111 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque using a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. A rudimentary hybrid setup, it does make use of a lithium-ion battery pack and gets 35/38 mpg, significantly less than the 44/44 mpg rating in the Civic Hybrid.

Performance aficionados will appreciate the 2.4-liter model, available with a six-speed manual transmission. Borrowing the engine from the Civic Si, it makes 201 hp.

Notable standard featured include a dynamic suspension system, “motion adaptive” electric power steering and a keyless access system with push-button ignition.

Available options include a Premium Package with leather, heated front seats, a rear view camera, an active noise cancellation system and an upgraded 360 watt audio system. A Technology Package then adds Acura’s ELS surround sound audio system and navigation with voice recognition.

Acura has confirmed the ILX will not replace the TSX, but will be the brand’s new entry-level offering, starting at “well below” $30,000.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX Reveal

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Coverage here

Watch our first look Video of the ILX below:

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For decades, the design of the Honda NSX remained mostly untouched, save for a headlight/front-end refresh. But for the most part, the NSX was highly regarded as Japan’s answer to the Italian supercars from Ferrari and Lamborghini, that is until Lexus introduced the LFA and Nissan made its GT-R available worldwide.

But now that we have seen the new Acura NSX Concept (Shown above) it appears that the Japanese automaker is getting back into the supercar game even though it won’t hit the market until 2015. Nonetheless, Honda found it fitting to give us a video looking back into the NSX’s past as we head towards its new future. The retrospective video highlights previous models such as the NSX-R, the 24 Heures de Le Mans version, some footage of the new NSX in Gran Turismo 5 and of course, the concept that we saw.

Though the powertrain could change by the time it is released, it’s widely believed that the new NSX will feature at least 400-hp with a Sports Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain.

Check out the video after the break.

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Did you think that every automaker’s secrets were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit? Think again.

At least ten new models will debut at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, which kicks-off this Wednesday, February 8th. Here’s a quick round up of what to expect:

Acura

The ILX Sports Sedan will debut, and replace the TSX. The new ILX will be based on Honda’s Civic platform, and share the powertrain choices. Additionally, the ILX will show off three engines, including a Hybrid. The ILX will be targeted towards a younger crowd, and is being called a “gateway” to the luxury brand lineup.

Joining the ILX will be a new RDX. The popular SUV will be redesigned and will show off a wider track, a longer wheelbase and a new V6 engine. The RDX will be showing off some new technologies as well, including Pandora Internet Radio, and a Text-to-Speech SMS voice texting.

See the rest of our Chicago Auto Show preview below:

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The star of the Honda booth at this year’s Geneva Motor Show will undoubtedly be the new NSX Concept. Unveiled as the Acura NSX Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, it will be rebranded for display in other markets, like Europe.

But the mid-engine V6 hybrid drive Japanese exotic won’t be the only new product, with Honda also set to reveal the first of its Earth Dreams Technology engines – a new 1.6-liter diesel that will find its way under the hood of the European Civic. The new engine makes 120 hp at 4000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm, but perhaps its biggest advantage comes in its light weight, with Honda saying it will be the lightest engine in its class, weighing even less than a 1.6-liter gasoline engine. Honda has not announced any plans to offer this new diesel engine in North America.

With it’s Earth Dreams Technology lineup of engines Honda is aiming to reclaim leadership in the fuel economy race, offering not only the most fuel efficient engines, but also the most powerful.

In addition to these products, Honda will also showcase a prototype of the European CR-V, as well as the EV-STER electric sports car.

GALLERY: Honda NSX Concept

Oh Hollywood has such an imagination, and it appears that Acura can be just as creative as the best of them. The Japanese automaker has been assisting in the upcoming The Avengers film by creating a completely fictional, one-off super car for Iron Man Tony Starks.

This $9.2-million super car was spotted at the Sundance Film Festival sporting a Monroney sticker that you’d be used to seeing at any dealership lot. The vehicle is Pallidium-powered with an 80,000 TOHC 32-valve engine with titanium-forged block and nitrous (Hollywood has to have nitrous) fuel-injection system mated to a nine-speed HYPER-shift transmission. The brake calipers are diamond quartz while the steering wheel has a palm-scan ID.

The list of high-tech features continues on with advanced radar-deflecting capabilities with wave modifier, bulletproof hyper-traction tires, night-vision HUD windshield, and anti-ballistic shielding body panels.

What’s most interesting about all of this is Audi had formerly collaborated heavily with the Iron Man movies, including their own contest back in 2010 but now it’s Acura’s turn in the Hollywood spotlight. How fickle you are Tony, how fickle you are.

Hit the source for more photos of the Stark Industries super car.

[Source: GT Spirit]

As though the reveal of the NSX Concept at the Detroit Auto Show didn’t garner enough buzz, Acura is looking to reach an even wider audience by showcasing the new hybrid sports car during this weekend’s Super Bowl. And to help out they’ve employed the help of two of the word’s best known comedians, both of whom just also happen to be well-known car buffs: Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno.

The spot pits the two against each other to be the very first to own the new NSX, which isn’t set to go on sale for another three years.

How does it pan out? Watch the video below and see for yourself:

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