Here’s something a little left field. Scouting for new debuts at the recent Auto Guangzhou, this writer found little of note on the GAC Honda stand, with the P7 still front and centre of the booth. Tucked away in a corner, however, was something that caught my eye straight away – a new Honda sports car, wearing an Integra badge? Could this really be the rebirth of the H brand’s iconic coupé?
A closer look at the targa-topped two-door poured cold water on my enthusiast hopes. This was very clearly a hastily-made show car, with the most obvious clue through the body-coloured roll hoop that led straight into what would’ve been the rear hatch, without any shut lines separating the two. Still, it was a very cool concept, made even cooler by the sight of a manual shifter through the opened top and windows.
The actual Integra is, of course, GAC Honda’s mildly-restyled version of the current 11th-generation Civic, which itself is built and sold in China by Dongfeng Honda (and entirely separate from the also Civic-based Acura Integra for the North American market). Both are offered with a hatchback as an option, powered by a 182 PS/240 Nm 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder – although only the Integra can be had with a six-speed row-your-own gearbox.
No details about the Style concept, as it’s so called, have been released just yet, but it does appear the car’s wheelbase has been shortened considerably for a more pert look. That much is evident in the almost complete lack of legroom for the rear seats, which look to have been custom made, suggesting that at least some thought has been put into its creation.
Red door mirror caps and interior trim against a white exterior and black suede interior provide a racy appearance, finished off with a set of 18-inch white Artka alloy wheels. The overall look is very much reminiscent of a new-age CR-X, and with a turbo engine and a manual ‘box, it could very much be the sporty, affordable coupé/roadster that fans have been clamouring for if put into production. Hint hint, Honda?
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