Acura is heading back to the future. The luxury brand is finally listening to critics and phasing out the awkward alphanumerics it’s used for its products in recent decades — marking the start of that switch with the debut of the Acura Integra Prototype.
Integra was one of the marque’s most popular models in its early years and Acura is hoping it will gain traction even in an era when SUVs dominate the road. The production version of the coupe-like five-door will roll out next year as a 2023 model.
“The Integra is one of the most iconic models in Acura’s history,” Jon Ikeda, vice president and Acura Brand Officer, said during a debut of prototype. “This new Integra will continue to deliver on the original’s unique aspirational yet attainable market position with emotional performance and style, combined with the versatility and utility sought after by today’s buyers.”
An icon returns
Integra has a significant place in Acura history. It was one of the first products launched by the brand back in 1986, along with the Legend sedan and coupe models. The Integra name was abandoned in 2006, the brand making what analysts have called an ill-conceived switch to alphanumeric names.
While the new Integra has been designed in Japan, it will be built in the U.S., a first for any Integra. It will be assembled on the same line as the larger Acura TLX at a plant in Marysville, Ohio.
For the moment, Acura isn’t offering much in the way of details, though it does bring a number of firsts for the Integra line. That includes the use of a turbocharged engine, a 1.5-liter inline-4 offered with a choice of either an automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. It also will offer a limited-slip differential.
Performance electric version may be in the works
There are expectations an electrified version of the new 2023 Acura Integra will follow, whether as a conventional or plug-in hybrid. The automaker’s parent, Honda Motor Co., expects more than half of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. will use some sort of battery technology by the end of the decade. Much like rival Toyota, Honda corporate leaders have signaled hybrids will be offered on essentially all future models sticking with internal combustion engines.
There is a possibility that a hybridized package could take a different course this time, perhaps being used to develop additional performance, while also boosting mileage. If so, there is speculation it could show up as a new Acura Integra Type-R. That badge was particularly popular with performance fans in the past.
In terms of design, the Integra Prototype borrows heavily from the Acura Type S Concept of a few years back. It adopts a coupe-like, five-door body, with a frameless Diamond Pentagon grille up front enhancing its overall sporty feel. New “chicane” LED running lamps rise above the “Jewel Eye” LED headlights that have become an Acura staple.
Lest we forget
Flared rear arches add a sense of muscle, enveloping matte-finish 19-inch split-five spoke wheels. The prototype gets high-performance Brembo brakes with yellow calipers. They match the hatchback’s Yellow Pearl paint — which harkens back to the popular Integra Type-R of 2000-2001. The exterior package is completed by black accents on the roof, grille, decklid spoiler and mirror caps.
The “Integra” name is decaled along the rocker panels to make obvious the return of the once-familiar nameplate.
Though Acura is holding off on the details, the new Integra is expected to start at around $30,000 when it debuts in production form next year.
Civic+!
Having driven the original late 80’s Integra, I think the new one is most likely going with the same formula. Taking the Honda Civic platform and giving it a slightly more upscale design. The only difference I see now is this. When the Integra came out originally and virtually every other Integra up to the RSX you always felt that it was an Integra built by Acura. This new car is really an Acura with an Integra name on it.
Why do I feel this way? Because it looks like it is a corporate car with grill, headlights and taillights from other Acura products. Previous Integras were Integras with their own styling to them. And Integra did not look like an Acura Legend or any of the other luxury sedans from the Acura catalogue. This car clearly does. Perhaps a cut down TLX hatchback. Or is it a sleeker version of the new Civic Hatchback. Well its supposed to be because that’s how all Integras were born. Specifically Honda Civics. Curious why this new prototype looks nothing like the lighted billboard Integra of just a few months ago. That cars profile was more of 3 box coupe. Saying all this, I don’t really have a problem with this car. While it does have clear Civic cues in profile, its a sleek sporty design. The engine of course is from the SI. This car now explains why the SI was not offered in a hatchback. It should have a nicer interior than the Civic SI. At 30k its a decent value.