The 2023 Integra has mostly failed to produce the stir from prolonged-time lovers that Acura had hoped it would. Even so, all is not dropped Acura could potentially regain some road cred if they took the Integra racing, like they did with the Integras of the 80s and 90s. Model head Jon Ikeda wishes to get the ‘Teg to the monitor, but it all depends on no matter whether the management at the American Honda mothership permits it.
“We want to race this detail, but probably the Honda PR and internet marketing guys may well have unique tips,” Ikeda instructed Highway & Keep track of. Which is for the reason that the Integra is largely a 2022 Civic Si with a hatchback form issue and new sheetmetal. Honda by now sells a Civic Form R race motor vehicle in a number of tunes for a variety of lessons in the TC The us touring motor vehicle collection. That was primarily based on preceding-generation Civic, but in all probability will go on the application with the most current gen. A racing Integra, then, would feel redundant.
On the other hand, Acura has been highly energetic in motorsports, from 24 Hours of Daytona-profitable IMSA DPi prototypes to NSX GT3 race cars and trucks to Pikes Peak hill-climbers. Even Honda’s F1 cars and trucks were being re-branded with Acura livery at final month’s U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.
And it is really not like the Integra doesn’t have a prolonged history in motorsports. The nameplate as competed in a variety of North American collection from SCCA Pro Rally to IMSA sedan to the Import Drag Racing Championships. Most likely the most perfectly-identified Acura Integras to race, although, were being Peter Cunningham’s white and neon orange RealTime Racing Form Rs that dominated the SpeedVision Planet Problem championships all over Y2K.
Ikeda has reported just before that he wishes Acura to be the general performance brand of Honda, and a rumored Integra Form S is in the will work with a a lot more powerful engine, possibly a model of the impending Civic Form R’s mill. “We’re the general performance division of Honda,” Ikeda emphasized to R&T, “So we’re not heading to shy absent from Honda, you know? We’re heading to just have a small little bit a lot more entertaining.”
While an admirable target, the brand will battle if it is really basically the general performance arm of Honda. It has to be about general performance cars and trucks, period. That was element of Acura’s magic in the 90s it presented merchandise that, when sharing components with Honda, were being distinctive and had their very own personalities. The Integra was Civic-primarily based, but it had noticeably better managing, a lot more electric power, and unique layout. With the NSX driving off into the sunset shortly the Integra will be requested to have a significant load, but if Acura can obtain a way to mail the Integra into fight devoid of stepping on the Civic’s toes, probably it has a shot.
