Latest News
Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car
The Acura Integra Type R provided drivers the chance to enjoy a fast car without compromising on practicality, reliability, or style.
A 90s JDM Classic
Flipping through the pages of an automotive magazine in the mid-90s, many skipped right over photographs of the Acura Integra Type R. That’s easy to understand when one remembers that in 1995, when the Type R was introduced in Japan, Acura sold just two other cars in America. One was the Acura Legend, a sedan that was the genesis of the Acura we know today. The other was the otherworldly NSX. The Integra was a bit of an odd fit in the eyes of many. Younger buyers connected with it though. The Integra was sleek, sharp, and speedy. As we patiently await the release of an all-new generation for 2022, we thought that we’d take a stroll back in time to when the Integra took over the tuner scene.
The Integra Type R Exterior
On its face, the Acura Integra wasn’t a shockingly sporty sports car. Its NSX sibling was far more Ferrariesque compared to the Integra’s subtle styling. Rivals like the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Ford Probe were curvaceous and organic. Still, the Integra was dapper enough that it made an impact where it mattered.
Elegant simplicity might be the Integra design theme. Unlike its down-market cousin the Honda Civic, the Integra Type R looked athletic. That wasn’t just down to the gigantic-for-its-day spoiler on the rear decklid either. The front chin spoiler was shockingly low for the time, the wheels were bright and bold, and even the headlights and taillights looked futuristic for their day.
A Racing Inspired Interior
Inside the original Integra, the experience doesn’t disappoint. Well, maybe that’s possible if the one you’re in doesn’t have the optional air-conditioning. Beyond that, the Acura Integra Type R was a lovely little coupe from the cockpit. The seats were far more deeply bolstered than even most modern cars. The dash layout was easy to understand and frankly, the materials were outstanding, especially for their period.
The Integra’s gauges were big and clear. That’s great since the RPM gauge is so vital in there. More on that later. Then there’s the x-factor that made the Integra Type R such a sneaky good sports car. It’s practical too. There was more than enough space for the average person to tote just about anything one or two people could need. If you were on your own, the passenger seat and the rears could fold flat to provide space for a few longer objects.
Under the Hood of the Integra Type R
What made the Integra so special though has very little to do with its cool exterior or its practical yet sporty interior. The Integra Type R trim was all about the engine. Under the hood was a 200 horsepower inline-four-cylinder sending power to the front wheels only. That might not sound like a winning recipe, but now add a 5-speed manual and a limited-slip differential and the picture gets clearer. Now consider this, that engine revs to 8,000 RPM. In fact, this engine is unique to the Type R in more than just power and revs alone.
Every bit of it is designed for efficient reliable power. The valve stems, exhaust, and camshafts are all updated and improved for more power. The connecting rods are hand-torqued to ensure better quality control. The intake manifold uses individual hand-polished ports for each cylinder to increase gas velocities. More air equals more power and frankly, 200 is just about right in a car like the Integra Type R.
Driving This Acura Sports Car
Like most Honda and Acura products imbued with VTEC, driving the Integra Type R is a trip of two sorts. Around town, it’s as calm and reserved as any other econo-coupe. It’s almost boring. The shifter action is sedate and easy to place, while steering is above average, but not particularly noteworthy. The only hint that one gets about this car’s true nature comes at the very top end of conventional gear changes in the neighborhood of 3,500 RPM. In that range, the shell of the Integra lets in a bit more engine noise than lower trimmed Acura models. Go beyond that 3,500 RPM range and the car changes around you.
First, the sound is audibly different once VTEC is activated. That’s something modern cars with VTEC don’t exhibit in the same raw way. Next, additional power is noticeably present too. No, it’s nothing like a turbocharger, unless that turbocharger was the size of an actual snail, but it’s hard to miss at the same time. As the revs climb, it’s easier and easier to see why the Integra Type R was held up in such high esteem. It’s actually too much car for the average driver. As it spins up to its 8,000 RPM redline, it climbs quickly enough that missing a shift and tapping the rev-limited isn’t rare for the uninitiated.
Swap cogs at the right time though and this car doesn’t skip a beat. Now the car feels alive. The shifter action is precise and melodious. The lighter flywheel exclusive to the Type R no doubt plays a role. Heel/toe shifting is so easy that it’s almost child’s play in the Integra. The whole car responds immediately to inputs to the pedals and the steering wheel as well. The larger Type R brakes do a great job of setting the Integra up for each corner with linear feedback and progression. Dart into a corner at the right speed and the nose dips happily and the front tires hold the line well. This small sleek sports car is a revelation. It provided an experience that drivers typically had to spend twice and much for.
It’s Clear Why We Missed This Car
Looking back on the Integra Type R, it’s hard to appreciate just how fun, fast, and functional it is without driving it. At the time of its release in America, cars like the Dodge Viper, the Lamborghini Diablo, and the Acura NSX dominated headlines. They were all completely out of reach for the young enthusiast. With a base price of around $20,000, the Acura Integra wasn’t cheap, but it was attainable. Moreover, it wasn’t just a pretty car with decent power. It was bespoke. It was built with extreme care and attention, but most importantly, it drove like it.
The Integra Type R provided drivers the chance to enjoy a fast car without compromising on practicality, reliability, or style. As we come upon the dawn of an all-new four-door liftback Acura Integra, we can only hope that it will provide the same things and the same incredible driving experience that the first one did.
Most Popular
