The Acura Integra is making a comeback next year, two decades after the Japanese brand killed it off in 2001 to replace it in North America with the RSX from 2002-2006, though that car was sold as the Honda Integra everywhere else.
Acura previewed it today with the Integra Prototype pictured here and which just like any “Prototype” model from the marque or its parent company Honda, is pretty much a pre-production version of the sports compact model that we’ll see arriving in dealerships in 2022.
It Looks Like A Smaller TLX With A Liftback
Acura released a handful of teasers of the new Integra in the lead-up to its unveiling tonight and as we suspected, it has a similar design to the TLX, although it is slightly smaller being based on the latest Honda Civic.
Read Also: China’s 2022 Honda Integra Debuts As A More Stylish Civic Sedan
The front fascia of the car features striking JewelEye LED headlights with distinctive ‘Chicane’ LED daytime running lights. A subtle Integra script has also been embossed into the bodywork below the driver’s side headlight. The Integra Prototype also has a gloss black grille, a black lower grille, and round foglights.
Adorning the exterior of the car is a bright shade of yellow borrowed from the current Acura NSX and also reminiscent of the yellow used by the iconic DC2-generation Integra Type R, dubbed Indy Yellow. Acura has also equipped the Civic-based model with matte-finish 19-inch split-five spoke wheels with Brembo high-performance brakes and Indy Yellow calipers.
A number of Berlina Black accents are also found across the exterior, including the roof, decklid spoiler, wing mirror caps, rear diffuser, and front grille. Found at the rear of the Integra Protoype is a sloping roofline and sharp taillights.
What Powers The Integra
As for the all-important powertrain, Acura has confirmed the Integra is fitted with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, presumably lifted out of the Civic Si. It hasn’t said how much grunt the Integra will have, but it will probably be the same 200 hp and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) as the Civic Si. Coupled to this engine is a six-speed manual transmission with drive sent through the front wheels courtesy of a limited-slip differential.
“The Integra is one of the most iconic models in Acura’s history,” vice president and Acura brand officer Jon Ikeda said in a statement. “This new Integra, will continue to deliver on the original’s unique aspirational yet attainable market position, with emotional performance and style, combined with the versatility and utility sought after by today’s buyers.”
Priced From Around $30,000
Acura says the latest-generation Integra will be priced at “around” $30,000. It will be built exclusively at the company’s Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio on the same production line as the TLX.