For those who have been anticipating the 2024 Acura Integra Kind S to be a extra comfy, better-equipped and less-aggressive Honda Civic Kind R, nicely, have we obtained information for you. Because it seems, that’s precisely what it’s. You just about nailed it on the top.
The Integra Kind S is precisely the automotive all of us anticipated after trying on the specs, seeing how intently its enhanced componentry mirrored that of Honda’s halo automotive, after which extrapolating what a little bit of polish, a bunch of kit and barely cushier suspension tuning may imply. If the newest Kind R has been hailed for rising up in simply the precise methods, the Kind S takes that idea additional, sacrificing some go-fast potential for on a regular basis drivability. For those who just like the Honda, there’s an opportunity you’ll just like the Acura much more. There’s additionally an opportunity you’ll prefer it much less.
Now, not surprisingly, the parents at Acura would relatively shine the highlight on how the Kind S differs from the Integra A-Spec, which was beforehand the very best rung on the Integra ladder and the one technique to get one with a six-speed guide transmission. Very nicely. In some way, the visible bounce between A-Spec and Kind S appears a lot larger than Civic Si and Kind R. When put side-by-side, the A-Spec Integra seems to be virtually bare and a bit pedestrian.
The three.5-inch-wider entrance observe wrapped in muscular fender flares stamped straight into the sheetmetal up entrance is the largest distinction. The rear observe is 1.9 inches wider, and though it too will get widebody fenders, they’re a shmish-shmosh of plastic items on the door, fender and bumper. However again to the entrance. The face is extra aggressive in look, however the adjustments are as a lot useful as aesthetic. The protect grille is bigger and absolutely open (versus partially sealed) to permit 170% extra air to go via on its method up a brand new vent within the aluminum hood that creates downforce. The massive intake-looking areas ahead of the wheels don’t truly absorb something, however hidden openings on their inboard sides adjoining to the decrease airdam channel air via three canards situated behind these dud intakes. Air then exits behind these flared fenders, creating air curtains across the wheels. There’s additionally a singular splitter up entrance, an almost-smooth ground and an enlarged diffuser, plus a lip spoiler that fairly clearly received’t be creating as a lot downforce because the Kind R’s wing. That might be performance-oriented demerit No. 1, but additionally, grown-up level No. 1.
The engine is identical K20C 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four discovered within the Kind R, although the removing of a resonance chamber within the in any other case equal triple-outlet exhaust leads to a rise of 5 horsepower. Whole output is 320 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. That might even be 120 hp and 118 lb-ft greater than the Integra A-Spec. Enjoyable reality: That distinction is greater than the entire output of the unique 1986 Acura Integra.
As within the Kind R, the Integra Kind S engine is all about its mid-range punch. As soon as the revs construct progressively previous 3,500 rpm or so, they all of a sudden zing northward to the 7,000-rpm redline, and within the course of, flatten you within the entrance seats that commerce some lateral help relative the Kind R for eight-way energy operation, heating and a barely greater H level for general improved consolation. The acceleration profile of this engine actually is the happy-medium/best-of-both-worlds marriage of turbocharged engines and Honda’s high-revving VTEC again catalog – as a result of, , it has each a turbo and VTEC.
Controlling that engine is a CVT. Simply kidding, there’s solely the identical six-speed guide gearbox as within the Civic Kind R, or when you want, a gearbox that has a extra inflexible exterior case, higher-strength bearing system and stronger gears than the A-Spec’s. After rowing them back-to-back, the Kind S guide has just a bit extra heft and mechanical really feel to it, however stays a sterling instance of why we love manuals a lot. It’s simply such a pleasure to make use of, full with its delicate shifter ball wrapped in leather-based and topped with actual steel. There’s additionally a titanium full-metal knob out there for many who wish to singe their complete hand on a scorching day as a substitute of simply the palm. That apart (convey a glove), the Kind S guide couldn’t be friendlier to make use of – when you’re hesitant to make the leap since you by no means realized to drive a guide, concern not. It’ll be straightforward.
Now, there might be those that will nonetheless refuse to take that plunge, and it’ll undoubtedly restrict the Integra Kind S’ enchantment relative the high-performance small luxurious sedans with which it competes: Audi S3, Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and BMW M235i Gran Coupe. The manual-equipped A-Spec has so far represented 19% of whole Integra gross sales, which isn’t unhealthy for a guide take price, however nonetheless solely 19%. The Kind S will subsequently have a ceiling of potential clients, and based on Acura product planner Jonathon Rivers, the model has made peace with that. An automated possibility was by no means within the playing cards when he and his staff made the case for an Integra Kind S to the top honchos in Japan.
By way of chassis upgrades, the Kind S will get precisely the identical componentry because the Kind R. This contains the dual-axis entrance suspension to attenuate torque steer, although just like the Kind R, it’s nonetheless mildly current when powering out of a nook. There are thicker stabilizer bars, that aforementioned wider observe and three-mode adaptive dampers. Tuning differs, nevertheless, particularly in regard to these dampers with a view to create a much less aggressive or, when you want, comfier driving expertise. Honda chassis engineer Kohei Akamine described the Kind S as having much less rebound – “it sinks into the highway” – versus the stiffer Kind R that’s extra more likely to jostle you about. Kind S Overal Growth Chief Yoshiaki Akimoto adopted that up by holding out three fingers on every hand and placing them collectively like two interlaced Ws: Mainly, every of the Kind S Consolation, Sport and Sport+ modes are just a little softer than their Kind R counterparts.
Relaxation assured; this doesn’t make the Kind S a Lincoln. We’re speaking subtlety right here, which is nice, as a result of we’ve constantly discovered the Kind R to be shockingly comfy as-is. The Acura’s suspension continues to be on the agency facet, even in Consolation, and choppier pavement nonetheless leads to some bobbing about. Sport and Sport+ do noticeably have extra compliance, which isn’t a nasty factor in the true world the place mid-corner bumps and undulations exist. The truth is, I constantly set the Kind R’s Particular person mode to have each ingredient in Sport+ besides the suspension throughout our GR Corolla comparability check. In contrast, I truly drove with full Sport+ engaged within the Integra. This in the end goes to Akimoto’s repeated stance that the Kind S is meant extra for road use than the “time assault circuit automotive” of the Kind R.
So, between the softer(ish) suspension and lowered downforce, most highway holding is certainly lowered. Once more, although, we’re speaking subtlety. The Integra Kind S is well the second-most rewarding and wildly succesful front-driver out there on this nation, boasting an implacable composure and gorgeous quantity of grip. I by no means heard a peep from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber and reveled within the really feel of the again finish well rotating via tighter corners whereas the limited-slip diff did its job in stopping understeer. The whole lot is simply so neat and tidy, and its capabilities so nice, that it truly doesn’t really feel as quick as it’s. The Kind R is identical method, making it harking back to a German efficiency automotive. With its added refinement, the Kind S is much more so.
Extra refined, perhaps, but it surely’s additionally paradoxically louder. The exhaust’s eradicated resonator could release some further ponies, but it surely additionally provides some decibels – not essentially for the higher. There’s a good quantity of booming drone added at low rpm within the Sport and Sport+ settings (there’s an lively exhaust valve throughout the heart pipe that opens and closes primarily based on drive mode), plus some delicate pops and crackles in Sport+ (that’s the one mode, by the way in which, the place the automotive subtly enhances the engine observe via the speaks, although I can’t say I observed it). In whole, I may see the exhaust being annoying for some and grossly inadequate for others.
The largest inside change relative to each the Integra A-Spec and Kind R are the seats. They’re mainly A-Spec seats with firmer bolsters, however meaning they’re additionally heated and eight-way power-adjustable, in contrast to these within the Honda. The driving place is outstanding, probably even higher than the Kind R due to the additional adjustment vary afforded by the ability operation. Lateral help was additionally greater than adequate whereas driving via the mountains. To that finish, the Kind S entrance seats characteristic grippy black Ultrasuede inserts inside a selection of black, purple or white-ish simulated leather-based that completely covers the again seat. The pleather additionally will get added to the passenger facet of the sprint, although sadly, the driver-side tunnel may use it extra as I discovered my leg resting (and banging) in opposition to laborious plastic.
That might be the one grievance in regards to the inside, and probably your complete automotive, except “the gauges could possibly be extra attention-grabbing” counts as a grievance. On the very least, Iwai made a degree to say that his staff tweaked these gauges’ all-digital readout to raised react and align with the superb automated rev-match downshifting system. The “needles” are yellow, too, in homage to these discovered within the Japanese-market DC2 Integra Kind R.
The Kind S represents a single, loaded trim degree, so choices are completely of the dealer-installed selection. The heated energy seats, head-up show and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D sound system could be the usual options not out there in any respect on the Civic Kind R. That brings us to the value tag of $51,995. Potential patrons weighing which Honda-family high-performance masterwork to purchase should determine if all of the above additions and variations are value an additional $7,610. Frankly, that appears questionable. It’s a really totally different state of affairs when evaluating it to these aforementioned German luxurious opponents, nevertheless, plus the equally priced Volkswagen Golf R. The Kind S is cheaper, but is the stronger efficiency machine and significantly extra sensible due to its massive again seat and large, hatchbacked trunk.
Personally, I’d discover a technique to spring for the Acura (and skip all these Germans). The Kind S seems to be terrific; the added consolation looks as if simply the correct quantity, and any degradation in efficiency is probably going solely to be observed on a racetrack. So, , precisely what we anticipated.
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