Born-again Acura Integra revealed with optional manual

The long-awaited 2023 Acura Integra has finally been revealed in the US, where the headline act is the inclusion of an optional six-speed manual transmission and a fizzy 147kW/260Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre engine.

Those outputs put the reborn icon squarely on par with other warm compact offerings like the Kia Cerato GT and Hyundai i30 Sedan N-Line, both of which churn out 150kW/265Nm.

Despite the presence of a turbocharger, Honda and Acura purists will be buoyed to learn that the Integra’s force-fed four-cylinder VTEC engine doesn’t develop maximum power until a 6000rpm.

Helping things progress along below the top of the clock is a usefully wide torque band, with all 260Nm on tap between 1800-5000rpm.

A lot like the latest-generation Honda Civic it shares some of its DNA with, the standard transmission choice in the new Integra is a continuously variable unit that’s been specifically tuned to match the uprated engine, however, a close-ratio six-speed manual with rev-matching is optionally available on the higher-grade A-Spec trim.

Opting for the manual comes with the added bonus of a limited-slip differential.

In a giant step away from tradition, this is the first Integra ever to be offered – let alone exclusively – as a four-door, but the last-gen DC5’s lineage is clear to see with the inclusion of a lift-back tailgate rather than just a boot as per a regular sedan.

Under the skin the Integra rides on MacPherson struts up front with a multi-link arrangement at the rear while adaptive dampers are included in the A-Spec’s available ‘Technology package’.

Technology was clearly a driving influence behind the new Integra’s development given it offers a heap of segment-leading or segment-first features like the standard 10.2-inch digital cockpit, LED headlights and tail-lights, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, powered moon roof and an eight-speaker premium sound system.

Infotainment duties on the base model are taken care of by a 7.0-inch touch-screen system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – the top spec A-Spec ups that to a 9.2-inch interface and wireless smartphone mirroring when fitted with the Technology package.

Compared to the base model, the A-Spec adds a sportier body kit, ditches the standard 17-inch alloys for 18s and adds LED front foglights, not to mention the option of the six-speed manual transmission.

Opting for the A-Spec’s Technology pack brings a heap of upgrades including parking sensors, LED puddle lamps, a configurable ‘Individual’ drive mode, adaptive dampers, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, a head-up display, Alexa voice control and a 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-stage memory function among other features.

According to Acura National Sales assistance vice president Emile Korkor, the new Integra will serve the same role in the Acura and Honda line-ups as the original did 30 years ago and attract “host of new buyers” to the brand.

In terms of a local introduction, Honda Australia wasn’t able to shed any light on the subject given the Integra’s development and status as an Acura-branded model rather than a Honda-branded one.

As a result of Acura’s identity as an exclusively North American brand, it’s unlikely we’ll see the swoopy five-door here anytime soon.

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