Acura, the luxury vehicle division of Honda, actually produces quite affordable vehicles. When the Integra was introduced in 1993, it turned heads because of its sleek coupe design and punchy performance. The Type R version was even more performance-oriented. The Integra’s direct descendant, the RSX, was equally popular. However, these two models were eventually discontinued.
The reason was simple. Acura wasn’t interested in keeping a performance coupe as part of the model lineup. Instead, the focus was now on family-friendly sedans and crossovers. These two models are unlikely to be resurrected because Honda already has a couple of new compact sedans that fill the void.
Why Were The Integra And RSX Bestsellers?
The Integra proved that a front-wheel drive performance coupe wasn’t a silly idea. This model zipped and zoomed, and the Type R became almost legendary because of the incredible amount of pop that the 1.8L turbocharged engine produced.
The five-speed manual transmission was given extremely short gear ratios, and the result was quick acceleration. The RSX model took many of these ideas to new heights, with a sleek coupe styling set on a truly fine chassis design.
These models outperformed competitors from European automakers. Their demise wasn’t because of a dip in sales but rather because of a new direction in compact and coupe design. The focus was on safety and security, interior refinements, and high-tech advancements.
The RSX Isn’t Coming Back
Acura doesn’t currently produce a coupe other than the new NSX Supercar. However, there’s lots to choose from in terms of sedans. The rather compact ILX is already a bestseller, and it appeals to a wider audience than would a performance coupe.
The recent addition of the Honda Civic Si and Type R variants give buyers something to think about as well. The Civic is considered an economical compact, but these two variants offer plenty of punch and sporty performance.
Neither Is The Integra
The Integra is fondly remembered, but Acura feels that there’s no need to compete with the parent company Honda in terms of a sporty, high-performance compact or coupe. The Civic Type R is on a performance level with the old Integra Type R, so it’s only prudent to leave things the way they are.
The Civic Si is available both as a sedan and a coupe, so the gap is filled anyway. It doesn’t make much sense to bring a coupe back into the Acura fold.
New Cars To Look At
To summarize, the Integra and RSX enjoyed a lot of success, but sometimes it’s the right thing to cancel a rather highly-rated primetime drama TV series and go in a new direction. This is also true throughout the automotive world. The new Acura designs are appealing to all age groups, and most of them are more affordable than one might think.
Come see the new Acura models today at Pohanka Acura. You may remember the Integra and RSX, but you’ll love the new ILX and other sedan models. Call the dealership today to set up an inspection and test drive.
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