AUSTIN, Texas — Getting caught up within the hype machine of retired automobile names pulling a Tom Brady is simple to do lately — there are so many examples to level at, they usually simply hold coming. The 2023 Acura Integra provides to this rising listing. Expectations are excessive; unreasonably excessive if you happen to hearken to web commenters.
A complete technology grew up, obtained their driver’s licenses and graduated highschool in what we’ll name the Integra Drought that started when the final Acura Integra rolled off the road for the 2001 mannequin 12 months. And whereas Acura likes to consider the 2002-2006 RSX because the “fourth technology” because it was known as Integra abroad, it’s significant that it was not known as that right here in the USA. You possibly can inform how significant it’s by observing how large of a deal Acura is treating the revival of the “Integra” identify in the present day — at this level, you’ve absolutely seen one in every of its quite a few commercials. Briefly, it symbolizes Acura’s severe return to a small, sporty and enthusiast-focused compact automobile. The outgoing ILX by no means captured the zeitgeist of sport compacts within the 2010s, and it light into the background of a a lot bigger and higher small luxurious automobile scene. It wasn’t an Integra, and Acura by no means pretended that it was.
To type out what the brand new 2023 Integra is and isn’t, Autoblog despatched me (a longtime and present 2001 Acura Integra GS-R proprietor) to Austin, Texas, the place I used to be in a position to drive it within the metropolis, on wide-open Texas highways and thru winding switchbacks. Not like some new Acura fashions that have been largely developed within the U.S., the Integra was developed in Japan. The design was dealt with on the Wako Studio outdoors of Tokyo, engineering work was achieved in Tochigi. In the meantime, manufacturing is solely happening in Marysville, Ohio, on the identical line because the TLX. A lot of these concerned within the growth of the brand new Integra additionally labored on earlier generations of the automobile, so you’ll be able to belief that Acura/Honda developed the brand new one with its historical past being top-of-mind.
Similar to Integras of the previous, all the pieces begins with the Civic. It shares a 107.7-inch wheelbase with the Civic, as each automobiles journey on the corporate’s International Small Automobile Structure. Nevertheless, don’t assume that the Integra is only a Civic Hatchback with an Acura badge on it. Each single physique panel on the automobile is 100% unique to the Integra, and the automobile’s total size and width are bigger than any Civic — it’s 6.8 inches longer than the Civic Hatchback and 1.8 inches longer than the Sedan. Additionally on the plus aspect for the Integra is its stiffness. The brand new construction and design simply occur to make the automobile 5% extra inflexible total versus a Civic Hatchback and a couple of% extra inflexible than the Sedan.
After all, the Civic that almost all might be evaluating the Integra to is the Si mannequin on account of the 2 sharing a powertrain: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It has a fats torque curve, producing most twist from 1,800-5,000 rpm, and redline is an affordable 6,500 rpm. The VTEC scream of yesteryear is not any extra, however Acura remains to be utilizing VTEC for the exhaust valves, and in contrast to many small displacement turbo engines, this one sprints via the ultimate 1,000 rpm with addicting eagerness. There isn’t any lack of accelerative pressure on the prime of the tach, which makes utilizing all the rev vary all of the extra satisfying.
If this new Integra is handled something like earlier generations, the inventory exhaust will not be lengthy for the world. Nonetheless, Acura developed a novel “coil-type” exhaust for the Integra to offer it somewhat additional growl at higher rpm. In observe, the noise is quite quiet and understated, and it received’t flip many heads under 5,000 rpm. Inside, the exhaust combines with Acura’s “Energetic Sound Management” system (supplemental faux noise via the audio system) to offer sufficient quantity to maintain one entertained, however it may nonetheless use extra drama.
The only greatest characteristic to speak about right here is the Integra’s six-speed handbook transmission, which is solely an choice on Integras with the range-topping A-Spec Know-how package deal. In typical Honda style, there may be merely no higher handbook transmission to shift at its worth level. From the second my hand fell to the small, exact shift knob, my mind traveled again in time to the excellent shifter of the RSX Sort S. Acura up to date the expertise for 2022 with auto rev-matching that conveniently blips the throttle for you on downshifts. That is simply turned off via the infotainment system if you happen to’d quite rev-match your self. Assuming you respect an distinctive handbook transmission shifting expertise — and two-thirds of Integra pre-orders are for the handbook — then you definately’re going to like this.
In case you haven’t heard already, the controversial different shifting (or quite, lack of shifting) expertise is through a constantly variable transmission. In Acura’s protection, the automated Integra has at all times been a bore versus the handbook, so historical past is at the least on its aspect. It additionally offers one thing the manual-only Civic Si doesn’t. However, “historical past” and “at the least it exists” are fairly awful excuses for providing the Civic’s CVT as a solution to the VW GTI/GLI’s dual-clutch DSG. Of us will rightfully be aware that the ILX really had an eight-speed dual-clutch and marvel why the extra enthusiast-oriented Integra doesn’t get such an enthusiast-oriented computerized?
Acura says the CVT meets the efficiency targets for what it wished out of the automated, and for what it’s value, at the least it’s one of many higher CVTs available on the market. Acura programmed in “steps” to imitate shifting via seven gears, and also you’re in a position to “manually” choose these steps through paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Neither operate is exclusive, however they’re appreciated. So is the CVT’s potential to bounce the revs up increased as you decelerate or go downhill, a lot as a extra performance-oriented computerized would. Preliminary begins with the CVT are somewhat sluggish, however as soon as in control, it responds rapidly to throttle purposes and paddle pulls.
So these are explanation why the CVT’s not so unhealthy, now listed below are extra explanation why you need to nonetheless stick to the stick. A helical limited-slip differential is a manual-exclusive that pays large dealing with dividends. You additionally get a novel light-weight flywheel that improves throttle response.
The performance-minded must also instill “A-Spec” into their minds for different causes moreover it being the one option to row your personal gears. In comparison with the bottom “Integra” trim, the A-Spec nets you a barely bigger rear stabilizer bar (18 mm versus 17.5 mm), a barely revised steering ratio and bigger 18-inch wheels and 235-section-width tires — the bottom Integra comes with 17-inch wheels and 215-section-width tires. Pony up for the “A-Spec with Know-how Bundle,” and also you get the selection of transmission, the highly-desirable adaptive dampers, the aforementioned Energetic Sound Management system and a customizable “Particular person” mode that means that you can program a personalised mode setup throughout the assorted features Acura allows you to change.
The place the Integra goes above and past the Civic Si is the addition of these adaptive dampers to the choice listing. The previous-generation Civic Si made adaptive dampers commonplace tools, however they’re fully lacking from the present mannequin. Coincidence? We expect not.
Acura solely had “A-Spec with Know-how Bundle” automobiles obtainable to check out (each handbook and CVT), so I obtained to drive the Integra in its most aggressive kind. Having been supremely impressed with the brand new base Civic and Si already, it got here as no shock that the Integra can be a wonderful driving machine. Flip in from the Integra’s variable-ratio electrical steering rack is fast, and the lengthy hatchback feels mild on its toes. Curb weight for the handbook A-Spec fashions is barely 3,073 kilos, which is 121 kilos greater than the Civic Si — not a horrible penalty for all the additional luxuries and utility.
Chassis engineers remained trustworthy to the previous Integra by permitting for somewhat lift-throttle oversteer. It by no means feels harmful, however the playfulness is there if you happen to go searching for it. Engineers additionally restrained themselves when it got here to tuning the adaptive dampers. Even deciding on the stiffest “Sport” setting leaves you with a pleasantly compliant journey. There’s larger composure and rather less physique lean in Sport, however its rigidity received’t unsettle the automobile over dicey bits of pavement. The Integra, even in its spiciest kind, is not any monitor automobile out of the field. As a substitute, it’s set as much as excel at spirited backroad carving. The all-season tires supply loads of grip and stability to make the automobile really feel sporty on the street, however they received’t result in eye-popping skidpad numbers. The brake pedal is sufficiently stiff and responsive, however 15 to twenty minutes of onerous on-road use was its restrict earlier than the primary trace of fade arrived.
And whereas it’s straightforward to get caught up in efficiency, it’s necessary to keep in mind that this automobile is just not solely extra luxurious than a Civic Si, however affords extra utility as nicely due to its hatchback physique type. Though the second- and third-generation four-door Integras have been conventional sedans, the 2022 Integra takes after the original-generation 4 door and each two-door (together with the RSX) with its sloping liftback-style trunk. Eagle eyes will discover the notch you stick your hand in is actually equivalent to the RSX’s liftback notch. The odd design makes lifting heavier objects up and over the rear bumper annoying, however your complete area is a win. Cargo room behind the foldable seats is 24.3 cubic-feet, which is sort of equivalent to the Civic Hatchback and similar to many small SUVs.
Audio fiends would possibly discover the improve to the Integra over a comparable Civic worthwhile only for the 16-speaker ELS Studio sound system. For a compact luxurious automobile, it’s astounding how good this technique sounds. The obtainable head-up show, a lot nicer Acura seats and higher-class inside trim are only a few different key causes to go for the Integra over the Civic. Additionally value noting are all of the options that carry over, together with the obtainable 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system – versus the controversial True Touchpad system present in different Acuras. Becoming a member of it are wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wi-fi Android Auto, a ten.2-inch digital instrument panel, a big selection of USB ports (each in back and front) and a full suite of normal driver help techniques that even work with the handbook.
My solely gripe concerning the Integra’s styling is the dearth of Indy Yellow paint within the palette of paint choices. It’s lengthy, large, glossy and purposeful. And no, it’s not a coupe, however c’mon, what number of of you’ll’ve purchased a coupe? There’s a cause Honda discontinued the Civic Si coupe this time round – nobody was shopping for them. The brand new Integra is precisely what it must be, and it begins at a a lot increased efficiency level than any earlier Integra did. Asking $36,895 for the handbook A-Spec mannequin you need is an enormous bump over the Civic Si’s worth of $28,315 (the bottom Integra begins at $31,895). In my ebook, although, that’s cash nicely spent on respectable upgrades over the Honda. The brand new Integra is each trustworthy to the unique and, due to the inevitable march of progress, higher than ever earlier than.
Associated video:
