Honda Integra Type R rendered – what could have been if the two-door returned

Last year saw Honda introduce two all-new Integras, revamping the nameplate which was last seen in 2006.

For the United States, the Integra will return for 2023 as an Acura, now as a five-door liftback only with underpinnings shared between it and the recently released 11th generation Honda Civic.

The Integra name is too going to be found closer to home as Honda's Chinese division adopts the moniker, also on a Civic-based sedan with production to be completed by Honda and its joint venture partner GAC.

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Photo from Sugar Design

However, there's one thing missing from both cars – Type R credentials.

Plastered on to all of Honda's hottest cars, the Type R badge signified something special, with the DC2 and DC5 Integra Type Rs regarded as some of the best front-wheel drive performance cars of the era.

Although there aren't official plans to bring back the Integra Type R, Sugar Design has reimagined the current-gen 'Tegs with some Type R-inspired go-fast parts.

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Photo from Sugar Design

Starting off with the most obvious change, the four-door design of the new Chinese-market Integra has been dramatically changed to create a two-door coupe, bringing it back to its sportier roots.

Rather than the yellow paint both Intergras were finished in at launch, the rendered model has been given a lick of Honda's iconic 'championship white' paint – something which has been available on every Type R model since the beginning.

The white seven-spoke wheels look to be borrowed from the FK2 Civic Type R, while its rear wing is inspired by that of the outgoing FK8 Civic, with its lower fins protruding out from the bottom of the endplate.

It's a shame we may never see an Integra Type R on Australian roads again, but if recent testing shots are anything to go by, the upcoming Civic Type R is set to raise the bar for Honda's hot tail-draggers.