Acura Unveils Integra 40 Racer for 40th Anniversary

Acura, Honda's luxury division, marked its 40th anniversary in the United States by unveiling the Integra 40 Racer, a meticulously recreated tribute to the brand's inaugural race car that dominated early motorsport competitions. The one-off vehicle, built by Honda Racing Corporation USA, pays homage to the Comptech Integra numbered 48, which secured four consecutive IMSA International Sedan Series manufacturers and drivers championships from 1987 to 1990. The racer is scheduled to make its public debut at the 51st Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, set for April 17 to 19.

Launched on March 27, 1986, Acura entered the American market as the first Japanese luxury brand, introducing the Legend sedan and Integra hatchback simultaneously. The move predated competitors like Lexus and Infiniti, positioning Acura to blend refined luxury with sporty performance. The original Integra quickly gained acclaim for its agile handling and soon transitioned to the racetrack, where the Comptech version's successes helped establish Acura's performance credentials.

The new Integra 40 Racer faithfully replicates the first-generation model's compact hatchback design while incorporating period-correct...