Acura confirms Integra Type S for next year
The very latest Integra is apparently not all that to drive - expect the Civic Type R engine to see to that...
It’s typically the supercar manufacturers that can get away with a press release of a couple of sentences and pics of a camouflaged vehicle. Such is the excitement around a new car, and so high the esteem in which previous models are held, that nothing much more to be said than another one is coming and this is vaguely what it’ll look like. Then watch the excitement build from there.
It's not a strategy associated with Honda, but that’s exactly what’s happened with its new car. There’s an Acura Integra coming next year, it says, powered by a ‘high-revving 2.0-litre VTEC turbocharged engine producing over 300 horsepower and paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmissions and limited-slip differential’. There’s little more announced than that for the moment, the entire Type S release comprised of fewer words (66) than the ‘About Acura’ section at the bottom (98).
Neverthless, as with the upper echelons of exotica, its fanbase need know no more to go on. Bring together the Integra badge and what can surely only by the Civic Type R powertrain and there are swathes of Type R fans who’ll already be counting down the days to summer 2023. We’re not even getting the Integra here and it’s exciting news.
Interestingly, Acura has confirmed the Type S name for this Integra, presumably to create some space between it and the Civic with which it’s going to share so much. Especially given that an Integra is now a five-door sort-of coupe anyway. It’s a plan that’s been used in the past, too; when the DC5-generation Integra spawned a Honda Type R, there was also an Acura RSX Type S equivalent, with a little less power and not quite so much focus. Perhaps similar may happen this time around.
Not that the new Integra Type S looks remotely soft, of course. Note on this prototype the trio of exhaust pipes just like a Civic, a similar design of wheel on the same Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, big brakes clamped by red calipers and the suggestion of a diffuser out back. As manufacturers seek to diversify congested lineups as much as possible, Honda appears to have made two almost identical Civic Type Rs, only with different names, a decision we can wholeheartedly get behind. Not going to be long left with six-speed manual hot Hondas for long, after all.
‘Promising ultimate street performance and driver engagement’ is the stand-out line from the Type S press release, which is hugely encouraging given how good the Civic is. Acura says to expect it for the 2024 model year, with a few more details - drip fed, presumably, just like a supercar - coming closer to launch. And we’ll be reporting every single one.
Reminds me of the Hyundai i30N, didn't they make a kinda of fastback version of that, not too different to what the Integra would be to the Civic, and I don't recall seeing many of those at all compared to the regular hatch..
With the type S badging, it makes you wonder if there might be a more potent version to follow, maybe a hybrid.
With the type S badging, it makes you wonder if there might be a more potent version to follow, maybe a hybrid.
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