The 2023 Integra has generally unsuccessful to build the stir from extended-time enthusiasts that Acura had hoped it would. On the other hand, all is not misplaced Acura could maybe regain some avenue cred if they took the Integra racing, like they did with the Integras of the 80s and 90s. Manufacturer head Jon Ikeda desires to consider the ‘Teg to the track, but it all is dependent on whether the leadership at the American Honda mothership permits it.
“We want to race this point, but perhaps the Honda PR and internet marketing men may have different thoughts,” Ikeda instructed Road & Monitor. Which is for the reason that the Integra is mainly a 2022 Civic Si with a hatchback kind aspect and new sheetmetal. Honda already sells a Civic Variety R race automobile in several tunes for many courses in the TC The us touring car or truck series. That was primarily based on preceding-technology Civic, but in all probability will continue the plan with the most up-to-date gen. A racing Integra, then, would appear to be redundant.
On the other hand, Acura has been really active in motorsports, from 24 Hours of Daytona-profitable IMSA DPi prototypes to NSX GT3 race vehicles to Pikes Peak hill-climbers. Even Honda’s F1 cars had been re-branded with Acura livery at last month’s U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.
And it really is not like the Integra isn’t going to have a extensive record in motorsports. The nameplate as competed in different North American series from SCCA Pro Rally to IMSA sedan to the Import Drag Racing Championships. Most likely the most well-identified Acura Integras to race, though, were being Peter Cunningham’s white and neon orange RealTime Racing Sort Rs that dominated the SpeedVision World Problem championships all over Y2K.
Ikeda has claimed right before that he desires Acura to be the functionality brand name of Honda, and a rumored Integra Kind S is in the will work with a extra potent motor, perhaps a version of the approaching Civic Form R’s mill. “We are the general performance division of Honda,” Ikeda emphasised to R&T, “So we are not heading to shy absent from Honda, you know? We are going to just have a small bit far more pleasurable.”
Although an admirable goal, the model will struggle if it’s simply the functionality arm of Honda. It has to be about performance cars, period. That was portion of Acura’s magic in the 90s it presented merchandise that, even though sharing elements with Honda, have been distinct and had their possess personalities. The Integra was Civic-primarily based, but it experienced significantly greater handling, more energy, and exceptional design and style. With the NSX driving off into the sunset quickly the Integra will be asked to have a weighty load, but if Acura can uncover a way to ship the Integra into battle without stepping on the Civic’s toes, perhaps it has a shot.