At the recent annual Hot Wheels convention in Los Angeles, a new model was quietly revealed for 2016. It’s not quite nostalgic yet, but the Acura Integra was a long time coming.
The reveal came at an autograph session with Hot Wheels designers, including Ryu Asada, Mattel’s resident Honda head. Ryu was responsible for the 1990 Acura NSX that debuted in the lineup this year. It’s one of his favorite cars of all time, and thus he chose an illustration of that model as the featured car for his signing sheet.
In front of Ryu was a tray of cars that he’s designed, including the EF Honda Civic, the upcoming Chevy LUV, Tesla Model S, Porsche 934 Turbo, Honda S2000, and 1967 Chevy C10.
Surprisingly, this will be the Integra’s first time in the Hot Wheels regular lineup. Even during the height of the sport compact era, it only wore the Hot Wheels badge in 1:18 and 1:56 scale (now discontinued) Tunerz lines. Ironically, it’s the success of the classic Japanese cars that have now opened the doors to this 1990s icon.
Other than hitting up Toys R Us, any recommendations on where to find these/when they will come out?
This is a must-buy for a friend.
Thanks!
well jac target wall mart and the odd grocery store are good places to look
Nice work guys! Keep ’em bombarding the Yanks with JDM yo!
hells yeah, i gonna pick one up if i can find it
it would have been nice if it were a JDM honda integ type R but who am i to pick nits? i like it and im buyin one when it hits the stores
I definitely think VTEC just kicked in…
This was bound to happen. As yet another generation ages…they begin to long for their youth.
Triumphant while simultaneously depressing.
Get out and enjoy life while you still can!
Mortality is a reality.