The Acura Integra Type S is officially here, promising Civic Type R performance in a business-class package.
When the reborn Acura Integra was launched in 2022, the initial reaction was certainly a noisy one – and not in a good way. Of course, the disappointment surrounding the new car was understandable. When you think of the Integra nameplate, usually it’ll be the Championship White DC2 & DC5 Type Rs that spring to mind. However, it’s worth remembering that even those modern classics had their own humdrum counterparts.
Sure, Acura didn’t help its cause with the New York taxi-spec launch colors, but with hindsight, I think it’s fair to say that the internet outrage over the *base model* was a little premature. Quelle surprise…
Introducing the Acura Integra Type S
Predictably, a sporty offshoot that echoes the Type R hero cars of yesteryear has now joined the party, fashionably late.
On the surface, it appears to offer exactly what you’d hope for. The body styling is more aggressive than the standard Integra, though less outwardly sporty compared to the new Honda Civic Type R. Its rear wing, for example, is only a little ducktail. The rims are also wider and more striking than the ones you’ll find on the standard Integra. Oh, and it would be amiss of us to not mention the triple-exit central exhaust, identical to that of the Civic Type R.
Of course, the Civic similarities shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Honda and Acura are ultimately the same company, as I’m sure you know. So, no prizes for guessing where this five-door sporty hatchback/coupe thing borrows its running gear from.
Tech Specs
The new Acura Integra Type S is powered by a 320hp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot, hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential. So, it should make for an enticing drive, and early prototype test runs appear to back that theory up. After all, this all sounds very familiar to the recipe that you’ll find under the skin of the spritely FL5-gen Civic Type R, but notably, the Integra’s power output is five horsepower greater than the US-spec Civic. Mind you, that’s still 4hp down on the brawnier EU & JDM FL5s, and the Integra is marginally heavier than its Civic cousins too. About 31lbs heavier, or 14kg, to be precise.
As far as the structure of the car goes, the Type S is 2.8-inches wider than the standard Integra, thanks to its flared fenders which house uprated wheels and tires. Its rims (which come wrapped in 265/30 R19 tires) are 19 inches in diameter, yet lighter than the 18s found on the base model. There should be no concerns about whether those wheels will fill their arches either, as the car’s track width is increased by 3.5 inches at the front, and 1.9 at the back.
Adding to the solid stance and extra grip, the Type S’ aggressive facelift works in tandem with its new vented aluminum hood to create more downforce – a whopping 170% more downforce than the regular model. So overall, it should be pretty planted.
Acura Integra Type S Pricing
“So, how much will this hot hatch for grown-ups cost?”, you ask. Well, the official answer is that the Integra Type S range starts at an MSRP of $51,995, a few grand more than the Civic Type R which starts at $44,890 in the States. However, like the Civic, expect the Integra to be subject to some notable dealer mark-ups – it’ll be worth shopping around a bit!
Upon first impressions, the new 2024 Acura Integra Type S should be worth the price tag. We already know that the latest Civic Type R is a hoot to drive, which bodes well for its higher-brow, platform-sharing cousin. And, if the revised styling of the FL5 is still too ‘boy racer’ for you, the Integra certainly blends aggression with sensibility very nicely (in our eyes, at least).
That said, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the Type S might end up being a bit bland. If you need any convincing, check out this fruity exhaust note clip that Acura dropped recently. Not bad, eh?
