It’s back, but not quite in the same form we remember it.
The 2022 Acura Integra concept has just been revealed in full in a live stream from Los Angeles.
Seemingly production-ready, the fifth-generation Integra will come as a five-door liftback with a sloping roofline evoking a coupe-like silhouette.
As for its chances of coming to Australia, don’t hold your breath.
The fifth-generation Integra will enter mass production in 2022 at the Honda Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, where it’ll be built on the same production line as the TLX flagship sedan.
Like the TLX and other American-built models like the Acura MDX and RDX and Honda Pilot and Ridgeline, it’s unlikely a right-hand drive version will be built.
This new Integra takes the model name back to its roots, as the original Integra made its debut in 1985 as both a three- and five-door hatch.
Powering the fifth-generation Integra is a ‘high-output’ 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with VTEC that’s more than likely nicked from the Civic.
In the US-spec Civic, it produces 134kW of power and 240Nm of torque.
The Integra will offer the option of a six-speed manual transmission along with a limited-slip differential.
We’ll also have to wait and see if a hotter Type S or Type R variant becomes available. Acura has been rolling out more Type S variants across its model range, so an Integra Type S seems likely.
Designed in Japan, the next-generation Integra features muscular rear wheel arches and dual exhaust outlets.
The Integra concept shown off is painted in Indy Yellow Pearl paint that pays homage to Phoenix Yellow that was offered on the Integra DC2 Type R.
Behind the 19-inch matte-finished split-five spoke wheels are Brembo brakes with Indy Yellow-painted calipers.
It also has high-gloss black accents on the roof, lip spoiler, mirror caps, rear diffuser and front grille. There’s also a lower-sill decal that reads ‘Integra’ on both sides of the concept.
Single-piece tail lights, as well as LED daytime running lights and headlights, showcase Acura’s ‘Chicane’ lighting signature.
Harking back to previous Integra generations, there’s an embossed Integra name under the driver’s side headlight and passenger’s side tail light.
Acura has confirmed the production Integra will start at around US$30,000 (A$41,207)
It’s expected the new Acura Integra will replace the small ILX sedan in North America, which has been on sale since 2012 and is based on the ninth-generation Civic.
More details will be revealed closer to the release date for the fifth-generation 2023 Acura Integra.
