The Acura Integra is coming back in 2022!

[CyborgGT]

For the US market at least, Acura is holding on to the NSX and seems to be readying up a special edition or two.

Uh... isn't the 2022 model year the final for NSX production? From what I read, the new Type S is even the only trim they'll be selling for this model year; base NSX is gone.

As for this "Legend" talk, that was what the Acura RLX (ended production last year) was. It was literally badged as a Honda Legend in Japan, same as Acura Legends of old.


Anyway, my thoughts:

- It seems extremely important to note that Acura is bringing back the "Integra" name and not taking the easier route of reviving "RSX" to fit in with the rest of their model range. That said, using that name comes with responsibility: a sedan variant is acceptable (really, expected), but a two-door is a must. I would hope that the two-door is even a hatchback, but maybe I'm being too hopeful there. That decklid in the drone silhouette does seem a bit short to be a normal trunk, though. Acura would be ridiculed to no end if there wasn't at least a two-door Integra that performed on the level of the current Civic Type R. I also wonder if this is the beginning of Acura moving away from the random-letter naming scheme and giving their cars proper names again.

- Being heavily based on the Civic platform would seem the obvious move. It's what the Integra/RSX always was, and it would be less expensive of an investment for Acura. That said, does this mean a Civic coupe could already be returning? The 11th gen Civic does look like it'd make for a handsome coupe. For the powertrain, I expect the same. Definitely FWD, no hybrid AWD system or remote possibility of this car competing with the likes of 400Z as has been commented. People also seem worried about the car not having a proper manual; I say there's no way Acura would launch it without one. Probably a Civic Sport engine for the base Integra, the Si engine for a GSR variant, and an updated version of the FK8's engine for the top-trim Type S.

- Yes, I said Type S and not Type R. Acura seems to be investing heavily in Type S marketing, so I really don't think they'll be giving ANY of their cars a Type R badge (see: NSX). And maybe it's just me, but saying "Type S" does just sound a bit classier, and this is Honda's premium brand. Besides, "Type R" hardly means the raw, stripped-out experience it once was, emphasizing trimming weight over adding power. But no matter how good the Type S is, the young, ignorant internets will still bitch about there not being a Type R.

 

[Keef]

Uh... isn't the 2022 model year the final for NSX production? From what I read, the new Type S is even the only trim they'll be selling for this model year; base NSX is gone.

As for this "Legend" talk, that was what the Acura RLX (ended production last year) was. It was literally badged as a Honda Legend in Japan, same as Acura Legends of old.


Anyway, my thoughts:

- It seems extremely important to note that Acura is bringing back the "Integra" name and not taking the easier route of reviving "RSX" to fit in with the rest of their model range. That said, using that name comes with responsibility: a sedan variant is acceptable (really, expected), but a two-door is a must. I would hope that the two-door is even a hatchback, but maybe I'm being too hopeful there. That decklid in the drone silhouette does seem a bit short to be a normal trunk, though. Acura would be ridiculed to no end if there wasn't at least a two-door Integra that performed on the level of the current Civic Type R. I also wonder if this is the beginning of Acura moving away from the random-letter naming scheme and giving their cars proper names again.

- Being heavily based on the Civic platform would seem the obvious move. It's what the Integra/RSX always was, and it would be less expensive of an investment for Acura. That said, does this mean a Civic coupe could already be returning? The 11th gen Civic does look like it'd make for a handsome coupe. For the powertrain, I expect the same. Definitely FWD, no hybrid AWD system or remote possibility of this car competing with the likes of 400Z as has been commented. People also seem worried about the car not having a proper manual; I say there's no way Acura would launch it without one. Probably a Civic Sport engine for the base Integra, the Si engine for a GSR variant, and an updated version of the FK8's engine for the top-trim Type S.

- Yes, I said Type S and not Type R. Acura seems to be investing heavily in Type S marketing, so I really don't think they'll be giving ANY of their cars a Type R badge (see: NSX). And maybe it's just me, but saying "Type S" does just sound a bit classier, and this is Honda's premium brand. Besides, "Type R" hardly means the raw, stripped-out experience it once was, emphasizing trimming weight over adding power. But no matter how good the Type S is, the young, ignorant internets will still bitch about there not being a Type R.

Perhaps the Type S brand implies luxury, as the TLX Type S obviously combines all the performance and luxury that Acura has to offer, while Type R implies the stripped-down pure-performance trim which Honda will specialize in.

I wonder how much sense it makes to make the Integra Type S a luxury sports car/coupe, while a Honda Something is introduced as base-model sports car and also has a Type R variant, creating a three-tier platform. Perhaps the S3000 with the Accord's 2.0 Turbo, an Integra Type S with Acura's 3.0 Turbo, and then an S3000 Type R with 400+ hp out of that 3.0 Turbo. Seems a bit obtuse and like it would cannibalize its own sales.

 

[McLaren]

Perhaps the Type S brand implies luxury, as the TLX Type S obviously combines all the performance and luxury that Acura has to offer, while Type R implies the stripped-down pure-performance trim which Honda will specialize in.

I wonder how much sense it makes to make the Integra Type S a luxury sports car/coupe, while a Honda Something is introduced as base-model sports car and also has a Type R variant, creating a three-tier platform. Perhaps the S3000 with the Accord's 2.0 Turbo, an Integra Type S with Acura's 3.0 Turbo, and then an S3000 Type R with 400+ hp out of that 3.0 Turbo. Seems a bit obtuse and like it would cannibalize its own sales.

Performance-oriented trim. It gets upgraded to a 355hp turbo V6 w/ AWD required, tweaked suspension and better brakes. The luxury aspect of it is just a normal TLX with all the lux. options ticked off. That's how it worked w/ my 3G and the formula hasn't changed. I don't know if it was that way for the CL & RSX Type-S models, but I suspect the focus was also more on the sport-side.

In Japan according to Wiki, the DC5 Integra came in iS (which became Type-S in 2004) by default and a Type-R variant of the usual flavor w/ the iS/Type-S being a base RSX. I think if Acura wanted to, they could replicate that by bringing back the Integra in the US as a Type-S model by default (since I'm assuming the idea is to market it as a performance, fun driver car first) & then bring the Type-R over.

 

[CyborgGT]

Do we know yet whether the Integra is going to be replacing the ILX, or available alongside it? To me it doesn't make sense to keep the ILX kicking around, when the Integra could just have both 2- and 4-door variants. That said, base model Integras don't need to be all that sporty. People who just want to get into a fancy-ish badge affordably certainly won't care much if it is. All a base Integra needs to do is be the nicer Civic it always has been.

 

[GranTurNismo]

Do we know yet whether the Integra is going to be replacing the ILX, or available alongside it? To me it doesn't make sense to keep the ILX kicking around, when the Integra could just have both 2- and 4-door variants. That said, base model Integras don't need to be all that sporty. People who just want to get into a fancy-ish badge affordably certainly won't care much if it is. All a base Integra needs to do is be the nicer Civic it always has been.

"The Acura Integra will make a comeback next spring as an indirect replacement for the aging ILX". Strongly suggests the ILX will be chopped, and that the Integra will be its successor. Therefore, definitely a four-door car. A coupe version is possible, but in my opinion, very unlikely.

 

[CyborgGT]

Didn't see that quote, thanks!

I don't know, I think that drone show silhouette implies we will definitely be getting a 2-door, but be it a hatch or coupe has yet to be revealed.

 

[05XR8]

Base model with wheel covers please.

 

[Keef]

Given that Honda has a manufacturing plant in Marysville where they make the TLX and Civic-based ILX, and given the fact that we don’t know what the new Integra will be but that we all want it to be traditional, and given the fact that one of Honda’s biggest proving grounds is located at TRC right next to the Marysville plant, AND given the fact that Wendy’s is an Ohio-based company, I think I might have spotted something interesting on my lunch break:

Or, idk, it could just be a handy Ohioan who totaled their coupe, kept the car, and built this. But I’ll tell you what it sure does have the proportions of an Integra and it did have a hatch like an Integra. It also meets various road regulations like bumpers and lights which custom cars aren’t required to do but testing mules definitely are. 🧐

 

[Tornado]

That's clearly a GT40.

 

[Keef]

That's clearly a GT40.

I checked to see if it was mid-engined actually lol. No dice.

 

[05XR8]

You sure it's not a baby Aston Martin? I mean, there was the AM micro car thingy. Maybe it's a Honda-AM Collab. AMs have AMG engines. Anything is possible.

 

[CodeRedR51]

No manufacturers plate.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

It's interesting alright. That does not look it came from Honda, more of a chopshop job.

Are those wheels OEM?

 

[Wiegert]

More of a DIY CRX than a DIY Integra.

 

[Keef]

Are those wheels OEM?

They're from the previous-gen Si.

The things I find interesting is that the black panel blending is done really well. They put the antenna back on top. They even made vents for the actually interior pressure vents. And I don't see any reason why they'd bother recreating a bumper or anything like that. So weird.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Welp.

 

[GranTurNismo]

People really thought it was going to it was going to be some all-out 90s-inspired sports coupe instead of an ILX successor. I know that sounds great and all, but come on.

 

[Alpha_]

If the new Integra is just an ILX with the Integra name, I won't be surprised at all.

 

[05XR8]

Well, uh, those are its roots:

 

[c172fccc]

Welp.

Looks nothing like the side profile in the fireworks show they did. I’m still hopeful. There could be a 4 doors and a coupe version.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Yeah, I'm predicting that it's going to be meh. It just looks like it's going to be a rebadged Civic and at that point, I wonder why Acura bothered to bring it back in the first place.

 

[TonyJZX]

yep. this is going to be as popular as the Honda CR-Z - a car that we all forgot, didnt miss, didnt care about.

 

[05XR8]

That's alright. Wait til RealTimeRacing(remember them?) get their mits on it.

 

[FT-1]

The Chinese-spec Honda Integra has been leaked:

Probably not representative of the US-Spec model (especially from the front end which will wear the Acura corporate face instead), but it may also give an idea of what to expect from the side profile onwards since we know there is a 4-door version on the way.

But I'm not seeing much other than a rebadged Civic

 

[Keef]

Well hell, that looks better than the Civic we're getting!

 

[05XR8]

It’s 1986 all over again. Look like they’re starting from scratch. Guess there are some that will a premium for this model.

 

[c172fccc]

That looks like a Civic with different bumpers and lights. The side profile seems to be identical to the Civic Sedan, same doors, same window shape, same hood shut line, etc. I'd bet that this is basically the Chinese Civic and has nothing to do with the Integra that is coming.

 

[c172fccc]

Noooooo! Five doors...

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I'm kinda surprised they're making it a hatchback considering how the market for those has dwindled in recent years.

I know that the Integra was always based on the Civic, but Acura in the past put the effort into differentiating it from the Civic. I don't see much effort with this one yet.

 

[c172fccc]

I know that the Integra was always based on the Civic, but Acura in the past put the effort into differentiating it from the Civic. I don't see much effort with this one yet.

They did try to differentiate it with the ILX, but the EL and CSX were pretty much just rebadged Civic. I feel like this new Integra is really just the new ILX, or maybe the sportier and 5 doors version of the ILX.