As you already know, The Acura Integra is making a comeback. And based on the very first teaser, we know it’ll feature a unique blend of Civic Type R, Acura NSX, and typical Acura DNA. More recently we learned that it’s going to be a real-life hatchback as the universe intended, but outside of this, the bulk of what makes up the new Acura Integra is a bit of a mystery. Now, thanks to Acura’s most recent teaser (and tribute to previous models, including the RSX) we know it’ll feature a six-speed manual transmission, again, as the universe intended.

#savethemanuals just took a whole new direction thanks to the Acura Integra

After previously owning a third-gen and a fourth-gen Acura Integra,, I am beyond excited to get behind the wheel of the new 2022 Acura Integra. That feeling of nostalgia climbed even higher as I watched that latest teaser video that starts off with the first-gen model’s shifter, then progresses to second-gear and the second-generation, all the way up to the newest design. That newest design, by the way, and if you didn’t catch it, is actually crazy similar to shifter and center console layout of the current Honda Civic. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise – the Integra has shared DNA with the Civic in the past. The Acura RSX, for example, was so similar to the seventh-gen Civic that it actually hurt, and there’s a good chance that the Acura Integra is going to be largely based on the current Honda Civic Type R.

It’s more than just the gear shifter and console that leads me to this premonition, though. Honda doesn’t exactly offer a full range of manual transmissions like it used to, so for the new Integra to feature a six-speed manual, it has have either the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Civic engine, the 1.5-liter turbo engine from the Civic, or the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger from the Accord – you know, the engine and trans combo you can’t have anymore.

The current Civic Type R has that turbocharged 2.0-liter, and it’s good for around 306 horsepower and just shy of 300 pound-feet of torque. With the next-gen Civic Type R on the way, this engine would be a perfect fit for the new Integra. It has enough power, the engine response is beyond sporty, and it’s an easy move to make since it’ll bolt right into the Acura’s Integra’s new body – it should be the same platform that underpins the Civic anyway.

However, does this mean that the new Acura Integra will just be a rebodied Civic Type R? It could, but I highly doubt it. Acura wouldn’t go quite so far. The Integra will have finer and more luxurious materials inside and there’s a good chance it might not be quite as track capable as the Civic Type R. They are designed for two different purposes, after all. The Type R will continue to be the street-prowling car that’s designed for the track, while the Integra should be more of a sporty coupe that’s designed to perform on the road first and foremost.

All I can say is that in this day and age, I’m super stoked to see the Integra name come back in the right way.