Last night was a big one for Acura Integra nostalgics. That’s because the luxury brand took the veils off what they call the Integra Prototype. This is basically the concept prefacing the upcoming production model and, by the looks of things, we should expect the real deal to look a lot like this.
We’re still some months away from seeing a proper Acura Integra revival but things are already looking good. The car maker showed us what to expect, in the shape of a five-door liftback model dressed in an eye-catching shade of Indy yellow, which is a throwback to the Phoenix Yellow of the Integra Type R. The design of the car follows the current Acura trends and you can see that just about everywhere.
The front end is dominated by a typical Acura grille, with headlights that follow the same rulebook, the LED elements and DRL shape reminding you instantly of other models in the range. Round the back, the sweeping taillights look good and are sporting an actually fresh design too. Both bumpers get retro-inspired ‘Integra’ logos embossed into the plastic, a detail that might not find itself on the production model.
For now, the interior of the car remains a mystery. Acura didn’t show anything past the exterior and we’re guessing that will happen at a later date, before the official unveiling of the production model makes its debut. However, since the Integra is based on same platform as the Honda Civic, expect it to up the game a bit on the inside, especially in terms of the materials used.
That shared platform will most likely also translate into shared engines and gearboxes. Even though we don’t have any official confirmation yet, it’s quite likely to see the Integra using the same 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine as the Civic Si which is developing some 200 HP. There’s a chance to see it pushed past that power output but it’s all speculation at this point. As for the transmission choices, the manual 6-speed will be standard while an automatic CVT might also be on offer later on.
The new Acura Integra should arrive at dealers somewhere in the summer of 2022, as a 2023 model. Pricing is yet to be announced but the manufacturer did say that it will be around the $30,000 mark.
