The new Honda Integra is DEFINITELY a performance car

Fears the Honda Integra wouldn't be deemed a performance car seem wide of the mark, with the Japanese brand confirming the reborn icon will be offered with a six-speed manual in the USA.

Now in Australia, that doesn't quite mean as much as it does in the USA, where self-shifting options are few and far between and are usually only offered on vehicles with a performance bent.

And just to hammer the point home, Honda's teaser video doesn't just show the six-speed manual shifter, but a driver rapidly charging cogs with their foot pinned firmly to the floor.

The news follows a Honda (well, Acura in the USA) announcement – via a skywriter, no less – that the well-known nameplate was making a comeback.

"The Integra is back," said Acura North America vice president, Jon Ikeda.

"I’m thrilled to say Integra is returning to the Acura line-up with the same fun-to-drive spirit and DNA of the original, fulfilling our commitment to ‘Precision Crafted Performance’ in every way ­­design, performance and the overall driving experience."

Unfortunately that's all we officially know so far, but that hasn't stopped the speculation. The biggest question, of course, is what could power it, with a couple of candidates on offer.

Option one is Acura's 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, which spits out 265kW and 480Nm. Or it could be fitted with the 2.0-litre turbo from the Civic Type R, which is good for 228kW and 400Nm.

Either engine would look plenty fine fitted in an Integra Type R that looked anything like the render you see before you.

The bad news? The Integra is ruled out for Australia... But still, hold onto hope.