Acura put smiles on a lot of faces this summer when it announced the return of the Integra. Nostalgia in car dealer showrooms is nothing new, of course. But a new Integra was the first sign that the automotive world might play affectionately with our memories of the 1990s. And a sporty compact luxury car could have a lot of appeal in today’s world if done right.
“Done right,” in this case, meaning built as a 5-door.
Acura has released the second image teasing the Integra’s return, and it’s just right. “Just like the original Integra, which helped launch the Acura brand in 1986, the fifth-generation Integra will be a premium sport compact with striking 5-door design,” the company says.
The images show a sleek, curvy rear roofline with an angular hatch closure. Last month, the company released a tight detail image showing a headlight and part of the grille. Together, they suggest a sporty profile slightly curvier than Acura’s sleek modern design language.
No one outside Acura knows what mechanical details to expect. The Integras of the ’80s and ’90s rode on the Honda Civic’s chassis. Honda debuted an all-new Civic this year, which reviewers have found sportier and more upscale than prior Civics. A (relatively) cheap performance 5-door built on that chassis would keep to the spirit of the original Integra.
We don’t expect to know more this year. Acura says, “more details about the all-new Acura Integra will be available closer to its 2022 introduction.”
Stay tuned.
