2023 Acura Integra launched, no plans for Honda Australia

UPDATE, March 11, 2022: Honda's American offshoot Acura has officially launched the new Integra in the United States, bringing life to the nameplate which hasn't been used in 15 years.

First teased last year and revealed in November, the Integra is now on sale to North American buyers, but despite its underpinnings from the new Honda Civic, don't expect it to come to Australia any time soon as the manufacturer only has plans to produce the liftback for left-hand-drive markets.

Although it uses the same 1.5-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the Civic, Acura has fettled the motor slightly, now producing 149kW and 260Nm (up 15kW and 20Nm) with power sent to the front wheels.

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While Australian buyers of the Civic have to make do with the sole offering of a continuously variable automatic transmission, US buyers are treated to the option of a six-speed manual in the Integra's A-Spec variant, also fitted with a limited-slip differential and rev matching tech.

The A-Spec grade gains other sporty upgrades too, such as; black exterior highlights, stainless steel pedals, red gauge needles and 18-inch wheels – up from the 17-inch alloys on the base spec.

Standard equipment fitted across the line-up includes; a 10.2-inch digital dash, eight-speaker sound system and a seven-inch touchscreen, while the optional Technology Package adds; a head-up display, Amazon Alexa built-in and a 16-speaker ELS STUDIO 3D audio system.

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Despite the full features being laid out, Acura still hasn't put an exact price tag on the Integra, saying only it will start at "about US$30,000 (AU$40,900)", with no details yet given on how much the extras will set buyers back.

Acura has said the first 500 customers to reserve an Integra with a deposit will also score an Integra NFT.

The story to here

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November 12, 2021: Acura has finally pulled the covers off the 2023 Integra, showing off its prototype which will largely influence the production model.

First teased in August, the return of the Integra nameplate for Western markets marks the end of a 15-year absence, with the previous generation DC5 coupe going off sale at the end of 2006 – all but killing the badge which was used by parent company, Honda.

It's important to note this is not the first time the Integra name has returned since 2006, as only last week Honda's Chinese operations announced it would be producing a tweaked version of the Civic which would adopt the Integra badge.

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Leading into today's reveal, we already knew the 2023 'Teg would be a five-door liftback and could be ordered as a three-pedal, six-speed manual, basing itself on the 11th-generation Honda Civic's platform.

Set to be powered by the 1.5-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine powering the Civic, it's expected Acura will tweak the existing 134kW and 240Nm unit to push out slightly more impressive figures.

Paying homage to the iconic Phoenix Yellow DC2 Integra Type R, the 2023 prototype was presented in Indy yellow, allowing Acura to show off some of its Berlina black highlights, such as the lower and upper grilles, rear lip spoiler and diffuser.

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While its front and rear portions reflect Acura's design language, the side view is quintessentially Honda Civic – with the middle section of the body showing little change over its cross-engineered cousin.

Performance parts include; a limited-slip differential to control the power, which is sent exclusively to the front wheels, a set of 19-inch five-spoke wheels and Brembo brake calipers – colour matched to the Indy yellow body.

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Planning to launch the car to the American market in the first half of next year, Acura said the model could start around US$30,000 (AU$41,200) when it lands in showrooms, although it has not been confirmed as to how many levels or options will be available.

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