After some teasing, the Acura Integra Type S made its full debut in the United States, where it goes on sale this June. If you were disappointed when the Integra nameplate was revived last March, the new Type S is here to remedy it.
That’s because the Type S borrows components from the latest Honda Civic Type R, including the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, albeit tuned to deliver a bit more power. Where the Civic Type R is rated at 315 hp in the US, the Integra Type S offers 320 hp; the torque remains the same at 420 Nm. Compared to a standard Integra, you’re looking at a 120hp and 160Nm advantage, but the Type S’s output is still low compared to the Civic Type R with Japanese specifications which has 326 hp.
According to Acura, the increase in power over the Civic Type R is due to a new high-flow exhaust system for the K20C that is unique to the Type S. To enhance the driving experience, there is also an active exhaust valve that , according to the company, allows “sensational clicks and pops” when the Sport + mode is activated.
Engine drive is sent to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission, as well as a helical-type limited-slip differential (LSD), with the former featuring short throws and an automatic rev-matching system.
Compared to the regular Integra, the Type S also comes with wider front and rear tracks, as well as a thicker front sway bar. Steering torque is also reduced thanks to a 0.75-inch decrease in steer-axle offset, and the Type S comes standard with adaptive dampers and 19-inch wheels (with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires).
Similarly, the brakes are beefier on the Type S, with 351mm discs at the front and 305mm at the rear, the former paired with four-piston aluminum monobloc Brembo calipers. You’ll also notice the sportier front fascia with larger corner air intakes that help improve brake cooling performance.
Other design changes include a wider body thanks to flared fenders to accommodate the larger wheel and tire combination. There’s also a new vented aluminum hood to improve airflow by 170%, which works with the wider lower intake to help keep the powertrain cool. As for the rear, it gets the Civic Type R’s triple tailpipes along with a black diffuser and decklid spoiler.
As for the interior, the Type S only seats four instead of five in the standard Integra, while other differences include added seat bolsters and a new gear stick. Some features that the Type S gets are that the Civic Type R does not include a head-up display and a 16-speaker ELS sound system.
Other items on the kit list include a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, LED exterior lighting, a wireless charging pad, keyless entry and start , Ultrasuede upholstery, a 12-seat power driver, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting and the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistive technologies.
