Acura will be launching a new upmarket sedan later this year dubbed the ILX and has used this week’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show to preview the car with a new concept.

These live photos show the ILX concept at its debut in Detroit, revealing a somewhat handsome sedan that does a remarkable job of hiding its humble Honda Civic underpinnings.

Yes, the new ILX will share its running gear with the Civic, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder as its base engine and utilizing the Civic Si’s 2.4-liter four as the sporty alternative. A hybrid will also make the cut, sharing the Civic Hybrid’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder and IMA technology.

Acura has ambitious plans for the ILX, and hopes to sell some 40,000 units annually. To put that number in perspective, Acura has sold some less than 30,000 TSX models last year but the ILX does have some advantages.

Namely, it will be the cheapest model in Acura’s lineup, with most estimates putting its pricetag below the $30,000 mark. Additionally, the ILX will also be the most fuel-efficient Acura, thanks to its hybrid option, which incidentally makes this the first Acura to feature a gasoline-electric drivetrain.

For more on the 2013 Acura ILX, click here for our previous report. And for our full coverage of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, click here.