Japanese automakers are on a roll and we already know what the next car to make a return is. Acura already confirmed that it’s bringing back the Integra sometime in 2022 as a 2023 model. Although the name has achieved iconic status, the competition is tough, especially when it comes to revived Japanese names. With this in mind, here’s what the new Integra needs to have in order to be a proper contender.
The engine
Although most hardcore fans of the Integra would love to have a naturally-aspirated, high-revving, inline-four engine, the most obvious choice would be the 2.0-liter turbo-four unit found in the current Honda Civic Type-R. This means 316 horsepower (235 kilowatts) at 6,500 RPM and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) at 2,500 to 4,500 RPM.
That said, the 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 found in the TLX Type S is not out of the question either, as we have no idea how the car is even going to look like at this point.
On the other hand, the Integra also needs to be relatively affordable, so shoving a 3.0-liter V-6 engine in something that will supposedly be based on the Civic platform could make things expensive.
Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
The original Integra was front-wheel-drive only. However, more and more carmakers are switching to all-wheel drive, since it allows for better power delivery. With this in mind, the next Integra can feature Acura’s SH-AWD system, which is able to send up to 70 percent power to the rear axle and up to 100 percent to each rear wheel.
Fun fact: a while back, footage of a rally-prepped all-wheel-drive Civic popped up on the internet. This turned out to be a Rallycross car, based on the current Civic. With this in mind, Honda and in turn Acura may choose to utilize the SH-AWD system on a road-going car smaller than the TLX. In addition, Acura’s SH-AWD system is one of the features that sets Acura apart from Honda, so it would make sense for the new Integra to feature all-wheel drive.
It needs to have the option of a manual gearbox
It almost goes without saying that the 2023 Integra will be offered as an automatic too. It will either be the eight-speed DCT or the 10-speed automatic.
A coupe and a sedan option
Most people remember the high-performance variants based on the coupe version of the Integra. With this in mind, there definitely needs to be a coupe version. However, compact performance sedans are, once again, becoming a thing and Acura would be wise to capitalize on that. Moreover, it would be a proper homage to the original Integra, which also came in both sedan and coupe forms.
Competitive pricing
The Integra was Acura’s entry-level model since it first came out in 1986. As such, it needs to be priced accordingly. It would make sense for a base version to start at around $27,000, while the top-of-the-line performance model should not exceed the $40,000 mark.
Conclusion
At the moment of writing this article, we only know that there will be a new Integra sometime in 2022. What little we’ve seen of the car suggests that it will have the new signature headlight design, as well as the grille, we’ve seen on the Acura TLX. At this point, we are not even sure, which platform it will be based on, although a compact sports coupe/sedan from Acura would make sense to share a platform with the current Honda Civic and Acura ILX, respectively.