Last month, production of the all-new 2023 Acura Integra finally kicked off. The long-awaited return of the iconic nameplate is finally underway, and while we've been waiting, we took a close look at the model's finer details through a dealer information bulletin that started circulating last week. This informed us that the car would come with a number of sought-after features, including the option of carbon trim. Lots to look forward to, then.
Sadly, it appeared that we wouldn't get to enjoy the car and its new features for too long, as a new report from Automotive News outlined an interview with Emile Korkor, assistant vice president of Acura national sales, which suggested that the Integra would be the last gas-powered new Acura to launch. That has, thankfully, now been refuted by a brand spokesperson.
Andrew Quillin, a spokesman for Acura, specifically explained that this report was not too honest: "The AutoNews article referenced is speculative, and not based on confirmed plans or statements. While we can't comment on future product plans, the recently introduced 2023 Integra will not be the last new ICE vehicle from Acura. Acura will play a critical role in Honda's transition to electrified vehicles. In fact, as we announced last fall, Acura will lead American Honda's transition to electrification and digitalization. This begins with an all-new full-electric Acura SUV coming in 2024."
It appears that Korkor's words to AutoNews may have been taken out of context, but the facts of the matter are these: Yes, Acura is going electric. No, the Integra won't be the last new car Acura offers with a combustion engine.
As for that electric SUV scheduled for 2024, we know that it will be built by General Motors using the highly capable Ultium platform that underpins the upcoming GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. Honda will also make use of this platform but will go its own way with its e:Architecture EV platform from 2026, which Acura will almost certainly use too.
We expect that the next Acura NSX will go electric too, assuming the car survives. Comments made by the company's brand officer to MotorTrend in August 2021 give us hope that the supercar will live on: "[T]here will be a next one, at some point, I am sure." Hopefully, it can change the game and give us something unique; after all, pretty much everything is expected to be electric by the end of this decade.