Founded in 1986 as the first Japanese luxury division in the United States, the brand celebrates its history with a tribute to the racing version of the Integra that has shaped its heritage on the track.
On March 27, 2026, Acura celebrated the 40th anniversary of its debut in the North American market, establishing itself as the first Japanese luxury brand launched in the United States. To mark the occasion, the manufacturer presented the Acura Integra 40 Racer, a special project inspired by the model’s first generation and created as a tribute to the brand’s first racing car project.
Acura was officially launched on March 27, 1986 with two models that would define its identity: the Legend sedan and the sporty Integra. The aim was to offer a new standard of luxury with a focus on innovation, quality, reliability and driving pleasure at a time when the premium segment was largely dominated by European manufacturers.
As part of the celebration, the brand chose to revisit its motorsport history with Integra 40 Racera modern interpretation of Comptech Integra number 48. The original car played an important role in building Acura’s sporting image by winning back-to-back manufacturer and driver championships in the IMSA International Sedan Series between 1987 and 1990.
The anniversary model was developed by Honda Racing Corporation US (HRC US) and will make its public debut at the 51st Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, a symbolic race for the brand in its hometown.
According to Mike Langel, assistant vice president of national sales at Acura, the 40th anniversary represents not only a look back at the past, but also a strengthening of the brand’s commitment to innovation, performance and the relationship with customers.
The Acura Integra 40 Racer has undergone a complete rebuild with a focus on track driving. The powertrain includes the rebuilt original D16A1 engine, a five-speed manual transmission, Monsoon ECU, coil-on-plug conversion, stainless steel 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, custom Borla exhaust, and a Torsen limited-slip differential.
On the suspension and braking side, the project uses Tein coilovers, an adjustable panhard rod, manual steering, conversion to manual brakes, Carbotech brake pads, braided steel-reinforced brake hoses, 14-inch Mugen rims and Yokohama ADVAN A050 semi-slick tires.
The interior is also tuned for competition use with a custom-built roll bar system from Blackbird Fabworx, OMP racing seats and six-point harnesses.
The exterior of the car is painted in Rio Red Metallic, while the lightened interior and engine compartment are finished in Quartz Silver.
Acura’s history
Acura’s story began to take shape in the early 1980s when American Honda identified an opportunity among American consumers seeking more sophisticated and performance-oriented products. Since such vehicles did not fit Honda’s traditional image, the company created a new division focused on luxury and sportiness.
Internally known as Channel 2, the initiative took official shape on April 1, 1984, when Honda announced that they would market luxury cars. That same year, consulting firm NameLab from San Francisco was hired to create a name that reflected the brand’s core values: precision and quality. The result was the name Acura, derived from the Latin root “acu”, which is associated with the idea of precision.
The strategy proved to be a success. In its first year, Acura expanded its dealer network from 60 to 150 sales locations in the United States. Just 12 months later, the brand was already the best-selling sports luxury importer in the country, helping to redefine the premium segment and paving the way for other Japanese manufacturers in the following years.
Four decades after its debut, Acura uses the legacy of its first models and its motorsport history to strengthen the identity it has built in the market: a combination of luxury, technology and performance that marked its entry into the United States and continues to drive the brand’s future development.
+ Fastport eQuad: Honda launches a solution for city deliveries
Source and images: Acura. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors
