Acura is shifting the 2024 Integra Kind S sport sedan into the halo place in its line, filling the big hole left by the NSX hybrid-electric supercar it retired final yr with a restricted run of Kind S variants.
It is a new product technique for Acura.
The Acura NSX Kind S pushed the boundaries of avenue efficiency for prosperous racing fans craving a factory-built, track-ready supercar. It additionally price greater than $220,000 in Canada, earlier than any choices.
Integra Kind S carries ahead that precept, however at a value level attainable to a wider set of consumers. That juxtaposition turns the idea of a halo car—usually essentially the most aspirational product — the other way up.
The souped-up, 320-hp sport sedan went on sale this month and prices $58,195, together with a $2,595 supply charge.
“Integra Kind S is de facto the piece de resistance of the Acura lineup, and is the total expression of our efficiency,” Emile Korkor, assistant vp of Acura Nationwide Gross sales, informed sibling publication Automotive Information.
The usual six-speed handbook transmission of the Integra Kind S mixed with the game sedan’s compact platform generates “that pureness of driving connectivity between the motive force and the machine, a synergy we at all times aspire to create,” Korkor mentioned.
“That provides us great energy to point out what we’d say is, pound for pound, one of the best total performing car on this section, and that’s the spirit of NSX,” Korkor mentioned.
Korkor mentioned he classifies the Integra Kind S as extra of a specialty car. However sustaining a balanced strategy for it, by way of manufacturing and gross sales, is vital to preserving its exclusivity with out making it too unattainable.
“We wish to create ample demand to fulfill fans craving for a specialty car like this with restricted manufacturing and keep away from saturating the market as a result of that takes away that specialness from the automobile,” Korkor mentioned.
The Integra A-Spec, which begins at $41,579, together with supply, has served as a brand new entry level to the Acura model, attracting a youthful purchaser inquisitive about efficiency.
The highest Elite A-Spec MT with Know-how trim that comes commonplace with the handbook transmission begins at $47,079, together with supply.
The Kind S rounds out the Integra lineup, focusing on a purchaser extra targeted on excessive efficiency.
“It simply is dependent upon their curiosity stage, however there are peaks on each ends — a older purchaser that may have had an Acura up to now in addition to a surge of youthful consumers which can be coming in experiencing handbook transmission for the primary time,” Korkor mentioned.
The handbook transmission, whether or not on the A-Spec or the Kind S, continues to provide Acura the sting towards luxurious rivals.
“We’ve an actual aggressive benefit, given the truth that Integra Kind S gives a handbook and opponents like Audi and Mercedes don’t,” Korkor mentioned. “So if a buyer is a pure fanatic, they might be focusing on Integra Kind S first within the market.”