AUSTIN, Texas — Getting caught up within the hype machine of retired automobile names pulling a Tom Brady is straightforward to do lately — there are such a lot of examples to level at, they usually simply hold coming. The 2023 Acura Integra provides to this rising checklist. Expectations are excessive; unreasonably excessive should you take heed to web commenters.
A complete era grew up, received 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 yr. And whereas Acura likes to consider the 2002-2006 RSX because the “fourth era” because it was referred to as Integra abroad, it’s significant that it was not referred to as that right here in the USA. You may inform how significant it’s by observing how massive of a deal Acura is treating the revival of the “Integra” identify right this moment — at this level, you’ve certainly seen one among its quite a few ads. Briefly, it symbolizes Acura’s critical 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 pale 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 kind 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. In contrast to some new Acura fashions that had 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 finished in Tochigi. In the meantime, manufacturing is completely going down in Marysville, Ohio, on the identical line because the TLX. Lots of these concerned within the growth of the brand new Integra additionally labored on earlier generations of the automobile, so you possibly can belief that Acura/Honda developed the brand new one with its historical past being top-of-mind.
Identical to Integras of the previous, every thing begins with the Civic. It shares a 107.7-inch wheelbase with the Civic, as each automobiles journey on the corporate’s World Small Automobile Structure. Nonetheless, 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 general 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 facet for the Integra is its stiffness. The brand new construction and design simply occur to make the automobile 5% extra inflexible general versus a Civic Hatchback and a pair of% extra inflexible than the Sedan.
After all, the Civic that the majority shall 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 inexpensive 6,500 rpm. The VTEC scream of yesteryear isn’t any extra, however Acura continues to be utilizing VTEC for the exhaust valves, and in contrast to many small displacement turbo engines, this one sprints by means of the ultimate 1,000 rpm with addicting eagerness. There isn’t any lack of accelerative power on the high of the tach, which makes utilizing the whole rev vary all of the extra satisfying.
If this new Integra is handled something like earlier generations, the inventory exhaust is probably not lengthy for the world. Nonetheless, Acura developed a novel “coil-type” exhaust for the Integra to offer it a bit additional growl at higher rpm. In apply, the noise is fairly quiet and understated, and it gained’t flip many heads under 5,000 rpm. Inside, the exhaust combines with Acura’s “Energetic Sound Management” system (supplemental pretend noise by means of the audio system) to offer sufficient quantity to maintain one entertained, however it might nonetheless use extra drama.
The one greatest characteristic to speak about right here is the Integra’s six-speed handbook transmission, which is completely an choice on Integras with the range-topping A-Spec Know-how bundle. In typical Honda vogue, there may be merely no higher handbook transmission to shift at its value 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 by means of the infotainment system should you’d fairly 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 definitely’re going to like this.
If you happen to haven’t heard already, the controversial different shifting (or fairly, 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 facet. It additionally gives one thing the manual-only Civic Si doesn’t. Alternatively, “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 notice that the ILX really had an eight-speed dual-clutch and surprise 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 price, at the least it’s one of many higher CVTs available on the market. Acura programmed in “steps” to imitate shifting by means of 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 means to bounce the revs up larger as you decelerate or go downhill, a lot as a extra performance-oriented computerized would. Preliminary begins with the CVT are a bit sluggish, however as soon as in control, it responds shortly to throttle functions and paddle pulls.
So these are explanation why the CVT’s not so dangerous, now listed below are extra explanation why it is best to nonetheless stick to the stick. A helical limited-slip differential is a manual-exclusive that pays massive 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 apart from it being the one method 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 capabilities Acura permits you to change.
The place the Integra goes above and past the Civic Si is the addition of these adaptive dampers to the choice checklist. The previous-generation Civic Si made adaptive dampers normal tools, however they’re totally lacking from the present mannequin. Coincidence? We predict not.
Acura solely had “A-Spec with Know-how Bundle” automobiles accessible to check out (each handbook and CVT), so I received 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 also be a wonderful driving machine. Flip in from the Integra’s variable-ratio electrical steering rack is fast, and the lengthy hatchback feels gentle 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 outdated Integra by permitting for a bit lift-throttle oversteer. It by no means feels harmful, however the playfulness is there should you go in search of it. Engineers additionally restrained themselves when it got here to tuning the adaptive dampers. Even choosing 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 gained’t unsettle the automobile over dicey bits of pavement. The Integra, even in its spiciest kind, isn’t any observe 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 gained’t result in eye-popping skidpad numbers. The brake pedal is sufficiently stiff and responsive, however 15 to twenty minutes of laborious 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 vital to do not forget that this automobile will not be solely extra luxurious than a Civic Si, however gives extra utility as properly because of its hatchback physique fashion. Though the second- and third-generation four-door Integras had 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 an identical to the RSX’s liftback notch. The odd design makes lifting heavier objects up and over the rear bumper annoying, however your whole area is a win. Cargo room behind the foldable seats is 24.3 cubic-feet, which is sort of an identical 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 accessible head-up show, a lot nicer Acura seats and higher-class inside trim are just some different key causes to go for the Integra over the Civic. Additionally price noting are all of the options that carry over, together with the accessible 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 ordinary driver help programs that even work with the handbook.
My solely gripe in regards to the Integra’s styling is the dearth of Indy Yellow paint within the palette of paint choices. It’s lengthy, extensive, smooth and purposeful. And no, it’s not a coupe, however c’mon, what number of of you’d’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 strictly what it ought to be, and it begins at a a lot larger 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 value of $28,315 (the bottom Integra begins at $31,895). In my guide, although, that’s cash properly spent on professional upgrades over the Honda. The brand new Integra is each trustworthy to the unique and, because of the inevitable march of progress, higher than ever earlier than.
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