Acura Integra was one of the prime cars that helped kick-start Honda's luxury vehicle division in the US in 1986. A screaming V-TEC motor, balanced dynamics, and clever components gave the Integra "the best FWD sports coupe" tag throughout its timeline. It was the Type-R and GS-R models that shot the Integra nameplate to fame.
And while things were cooling down, BOOM came the dynamite in the form of "The Fast And Furious" movie. There were 2 Integras features in the movie but Edwin's GS-R stood out with this loud paint job. The Integra was sort of a gaming superstar as well with a presence in the Initial D manga series and the Need For Speed series. And now, the all-new 5th Generation Acura Integra is making a comeback as a 2023 model. Acura has given us a peek at the resurrection of the Integra with a prototype model.
Just like its predecessors, the 2023 Acura Integra will be a sportier and more luxurious version of the Honda Civic, the Civic Si to be precise. And that also makes it the first-ever Integra to come with a turbocharged engine. While the Integra is yet to fully materialize, we are too stroked and impatient on the return of the drool-worthy Integra Type R!
After 22 long years, the iconic Integra nameplate is making a comeback as a 5-door liftback and we are adrenaline-pumped teens again!
Rewind On What Makes The Integra Nameplate So Special
The Integra played a very crucial role in the 1980s to give a jump-start to Acura in the US. Honda was in full form back then which made it even tougher for Acura (Honda's premium division) to make a mark. While the first-gen Integra was so-so in terms of sales, it was from the second-gen model, that people understood what a smashing gem of a car the Acura Integra was.
A high-revving NA motor with a redline of over 7,000 RPM and impressive driving dynamics made it the best FWD sports coupe of the time. But it was with the 3rd generation that "Integra" became an adrenaline junkie's dream. The iconic bug-eye came along and so did the pumped-up GS-R and Type-R high-performance models.
An FWD sports-coupe with close to 200 HP in the 1990s was mental! Need For Speed made it famous, and the first Fast and Furious movie nailed at glorifying this underrated gem at the time. We always say of Ferraris and Lamborghinis being the poster cars in the 1990s. Well, those remained a poster for many, but the Acura Integra Type Rs made that poster dream very real.
Acura Integra Prototype Prepares You For Nostalgia
Acura is tapping on the nostalgic value of the Integra nameplate. And it is evident at first sight with the loud Indy Yellow Pearl paint that is shared with the current-gen NSX. And it also pays homage to the Pheonix Yellow that was offered on the iconic Integra Type R from the 2000s. Acura has showcased a dramatic sloping roofline integrating into a liftback tailgate on the 2023 Integra Prototype
The silhouette is reminiscent of the OG Integra and kudos to Acura for retaining its essence there. Subtle cues like the embossed "Integra" under the driver's side headlamps and passenger side taillamp is an ode to the icon from yesteryears. The front fascia is more in line with Acura's current design philosophy and has the Chicane LED DRLs layered above the Integra's JewelEye LED headlamps.
The frameless diamond pentagon grille is taken straight from the Acura Type S Concept. The prototype also flaunts sizable 19-inch wheels with equally enticing Brembo brakes with yellow calipers. The rear fascia has a more aggressive stance with dual-exhaust tips and a sharp-looking LED taillamp design.
The liftback design is complemented by a subtle lip spoiler, but a full-sized spoiler would have been a cooler throwback to the iconic legend. The 2023 Acura Integra will be bold, sharp, and wickedly fast; just like its predecessors!
V-TEC Power And A Stick Shift: The Good Old Days Are Back
The 2023 Integra will be the first of its kind to pack a turbocharged engine. While details are scarce at this time, it is confirmed on being a 1.5-Litre Turbo V-TEC motor coupled to a now-rare 6-Speed manual gearbox along with an automatic option. As it is based on the Honda Civic (just like its elders!), we expect it to pack a beefed-up version of the 1.5-liter turbo.
This will most likely be the same as the one found in the Honda Civic Si and expect well over 200 horses to play around with. Acura will surely tweak the suspension setup to make it more fun to drive. It will come as an FWD model with a standard limited-slip differential. And if this doesn't tickle you yet, then wait for the even-madder Acura Integra Type S (the Type R successor) to arrive!
2023 Acura Integra Will Be More Practical & Start From Around $30,000
The Integra Prototype gives us a pretty clear picture of what to expect from the production model and we are stroked. Yes, it would have been better to have the bug-eyes or a chunky rear spoiler or even a 2-door sportier version.
But those times are long gone and it is wise not to fiddle with the design that made the Integra an icon as we know it today. The 2023 Acura Integra will arrive next year and will start from around the $30,000 mark. That's a cheap price to pay for the resurrection of an icon.
Sources: Acuranews.com, Autoblog.com, Motortrend.com, Caranddriver.com