Long-awaited Honda Integra replacement revealed

Acura has released pictures of a prototype that previews the all-new Honda Integra replacement that will go on sale in the US later next year.

Rumoured to be priced from $US30,000 ($A40,930) in North America, where it will be sold under the Acura banner, the 2022 Honda Integra sticks to a five-door fastback body style for the fifth generation, with a three-door not set to be offered.

The new model is claimed to have been created specifically for car enthusiasts, many of whom first became attracted to the sporty Honda Integra following its appearance in the Fast and Furious franchise.

That explains the presence of the prototype's six-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip differential and "high-output" turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC engine.

Power and torque figures have yet to be revealed, and the same goes for full performance figures, but a 0-100km/h time of less than 7.0 seconds and a 240km/h top speed is expected.

Set to be based on the same architecture as the incoming new Honda Civic, the all-new 2022 Integra is primed to be offered with a sportier suspension tune that's likely to feature stiffer springs and firmer dampers for more agile handling.

Interestingly, Honda's Acura brand hasn't released pictures of a Type R version of the Integra, suggesting a sportier version is set to come with at least 225kW.

The prototype Integra, meanwhile, could provide the basis for a Type S version since it comes with large 19-inch alloy wheels and Brembo brakes.

Expected to carry through to the production model is the Phoenix yellow paint (used on the 2001-2002 Integra Type R), the front and rear light clusters with their distinctive LED signatures, the stamped Integra lettering in the rear bumper and even the lower door graphics.

Confirmed to be the first Integra to be built in the US, we've already reported that it's unlikely the sporty Honda will be manufactured in right-hand drive. If so, a launch Down Under will be off the cards.

First introduced back in 1985, all four generations of Integra have been sold Down Under, gaining a cult following despite the fact that the last DC5 model was sold here way back in 2006.

The first-generation Integra (1985-89) was offered as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan and five-door liftback, while both the second- and third-gen models could be had in two-door coupe or four-door sedan body styles.

To help make up for the disappointment of Australians potentially missing out on the Integra, the Japanese brand has already announced that the next-gen Honda Civic Type R is locked in for local launch next year.

When it arrives, the new Civic Type R expected to carry over its existing 228kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, upgrade it or even add some form of hybrid assistance.