Acura Integra Type S Revealed: A Performance Sport Sedan for the Mature

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

If the Honda Civic Type R strikes your fancy mechanically but its looks are a bit too juvenile for your aesthetic, enter the Acura Integra Type S.


The Integra Type S is mechanically similar to the Honda, but it avoids styling details like a large wing. It does, though, have a hood scoop and unique front fascia -- and of course, the Integra's styling is divisive on its own.

Similar doesn't mean same, and the Integra Type S rings five more horsepower out of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to make 320. Torque is the same at 310 lb-ft.

That power gets to the ground via a six-speed manual transmission that has rev-matching, and the car has a limited-slip differential.

Out back, the high-flow exhaust exits the car via three pipes located in a unique rear fascia. "Integra" is stamped on both fascias.

What goes fast must eventually stop and Acura has equipped the Integra Type S with four-piston Brembo brakes -- the front rotors get cooled via functional air ducts.

Acura has widened this car by 2.8 inches compared to a standard Integra, and it has 19-inch wheels and summer rubber. Both the front and rear tracks are widened compared to the standard car -- 3.5 inches up front, and 1.9 inches in the rear. The front stabilizer bar is thickened by 2 mm, and torque steer is reduced via a dual-axis front suspension and the suspension comes standard with adaptive damping.

The Type S has several drive modes, including Sport and Sport+, with that last one offering up what Acura calls "pops and bangs" from the exhaust.

Inside, the car gets suede seat inserts and firmer bolstering, and a suede shift boot. There are also special logos marking the car as a Type S -- your three passengers will not mistake the Type S for anything else. Yes, three -- the car has only four seating positions.

Comfort features will include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, premium audio, digital gauges, and a head-up display.

Not that most of you care about safety on a performance car, but it does come standard with the AcuraWatch suite of advanced driver-assist systems.

Oh, and if you miss the wing -- Acura will happily sell you a carbon-fiber lip spoiler as an accessory.

The Acura Integra Type S goes on sale in June.

[Images: Acura]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by  subscribing to our newsletter.

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

More by Tim Healey

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 33 comments
  • Rover Sig 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, like my previous JGC's cheap to keep (essentially just oil, tires) until recent episode of clunking in front suspension at 50K miles led to $3000 of parts replaced over fives visits to two Jeep dealers which finally bought a quiet front end. Most expensive repair on any vehicle I've owned in the last 56 years.
  • Bob Hey Tassos, have you seen it with top down. It's a permanent roll bar so if it flips no problem. It's the only car with one permanently there. So shoots down your issue. I had a 1998 for 10 years it was perfect, but yes slow. Hardly ever see any of them anymore.
  • 3-On-The-Tree 2007 Toyota Sienna bedsides new plugs, flat tire on I-10 in van Horn Tx on the way to Fort Huachuca.2021 Tundra Crewmax no issues2021 Rav 4 no issues2010 Corolla I put in a alternator in Mar1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 280,000mi I put in a new radiator back in 08 before I deployed, did a valve job, new fuel and oil pump. Leaky rear main seal, transmission, transfer case. Rebuild carb twice, had a recall on the gas tank surprisingly in 2010 at 25 years later.2014 Ford F159 Ecoboost 3.5L by 80,000mi went through both turbos, driver side leaking, passenger side completely replaced. Rear min seal leak once at 50,000 second at 80,000. And last was a timing chain cover leak.2009 C6 Corvette LS3 Base, I put in a new radiator in 2021.
  • ChristianWimmer 2018 Mercedes A250 AMG Line (W177) - no issues or unscheduled dealer visits. Regular maintenance at the dealer once a year costs between 400,- Euros (standard service) to 1200,- Euros (major service, new spark plugs, brake pads + TÜV). Had one recall where they had to fix an A/C hose which might become loose. Great car and fun to drive and very economical but also fast. Recently gave it an “Italian tune up” on the Autobahn.
  • Bd2 Lexus is just a higher trim package Toyota. ^^
Next