Acura Created a 1986 Integra Race Car to Celebrate Its 40th Anniversary, and It’s Absolutely Remarkable.

      Acura

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      It's time to celebrate Acura's 40th birthday. Honda's luxury division made its debut in the United States on March 27, 1986, with the launch of the Legend and Integra. Instead of a stereotypical “you’re getting old” card, Acura is honoring this milestone with a nod to its inaugural race car.

      Revealed on the brand's official anniversary, the Acura Integra 40 Racer pays homage to the Comptech number 48 car, which won back-to-back IMSA International Sedan Series championships for manufacturers and drivers from 1987 to 1990. Constructed by Honda Racing Corporation, it will be publicly showcased at the Acura-sponsored Long Beach Grand Prix during the weekend of April 19.

      The hatchback, finished in Rio Red Metallic, is powered by the authentic D16A1 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, upgraded with a Monsoon ECU and coil-on-plug conversion, and utilizing a stainless steel 4-2-1 long-tube header along with a Borla exhaust system. It is connected to a five-speed manual transmission and features a Torsen limited-slip differential.

      The suspension system includes Tein coilovers and an adjustable panhard bar, with manual steering and brakes. In stark contrast to modern performance vehicles, this replica race car is equipped with 14-inch wheels fitted with Yokohama Advan-A050 semi-slick tires. The interior boasts a roll cage and racing seats with six-point harnesses.

      Internally referred to as Channel 2, Acura was announced to the public on April 1, 1984. However, Honda’s decision to establish a luxury brand for North America was no April Fool's joke. Acura was ahead of rivals Infiniti and Lexus and while those brands focused solely on conventional luxury, Acura adopted a dual approach with the Legend and Integra.

      Compact and sporty, with racing numbers almost from the start, the Integra established a precedent. The 1990s Integra Type R and NSX became performance icons, endowing Acura with a more distinct and less formal image compared to its Japanese luxury competitors. The current Integra remains one of the few highlights in a shrinking market for enjoyable yet practical vehicles, while Acura continues to participate at the highest levels of IMSA racing.

      Currently, however, Acura is experiencing a stagnation. Honda has canceled its next-generation electric vehicles, including an Acura crossover that would have revived the RSX name. Prior to that, Acura had been tempering its EV aspirations, but it is now suspending RDX production, with a replacement years away, resulting in significant lost sales opportunities. This isn’t the most promising beginning for Acura’s next 40 years.