Whereas Acura’s big-ticket Monterey debut has come and gone, lovers are getting a nice shock within the type of the Integra Sort S HRC Prototype. Brief for “Honda Racing Company,” HRC is a byproduct of the corporate’s manufacturing unit racing efforts, and it needs to supply a number of the fruits of these efforts to Integra homeowners. This may increasingly appear to be a mere dress-up package deal, however do not be fooled. There’s extra to this prototype than meets the attention.
“Every thing is practical,” HRC Senior VP Jon Ikeda says. “If it would not add efficiency, it is not on the automobile.”
Daring phrases. Let’s break it down, we could? Acura says the HRC prototype touches on “all components of the driving expertise.” Additionally they positioned an emphasis on weight discount. In case you hadn’t seen, there is not any again seat. Acura additionally strategically changed a number of inside items with carbon fiber.
In case you actually need to save each pound doable, the HRC package deal gives what Acura describes (curiously, for a “prototype” that may’t be ordered) an “elective” air-con delete package deal. Each time we level out how faithfully Honda and Acura translate their prototypes to manufacturing, suppose again to this second. The runway has already been cleared. That mentioned, deleting air-con appears decidedly less-than-luxurious, however then your writer has been identified to make use of his heated steering wheel throughout early morning observe periods.
However I digress. Let’s get again to the go-fast bits, of which there are a number of. when Acura mentioned “all components” of the expertise had been touched, they clarified by particularly citing the engine, suspension and brakes. The two.0-liter turbo-four now advantages from a bigger intercooler on the induction aspect and a brand new, light-weight cat-back on the exhaust aspect. It now sports activities twin oil coolers as properly; mixed with the beefier intercooler, that ought to assist hold warmth soak in verify throughout extended observe periods. And sure, Acura mentioned the engine’s output was improved, however didn’t supply any specific horsepower or torque figures. Engine: Verify.
The chassis sits 15mm decrease on a brand new set of coilovers. The entrance and rear sway bars and rear camber plates are all adjustable — inherited from Acura’s Integra Sort S HRC TCX race automobile together with the aforementioned engine upgrades. It additionally will get six-piston Brembos up entrance and two-piece rotors in any respect 4 corners (for lowered unsprung mass as a lot as any cool issue, Acura says). The wheels are 19 x 9.5 inches and include a set of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo Rs in 265/30ZR19. Suspension and brakes? Verify and verify.
The aforementioned efforts to drag weight out of the cabin solely inform a part of the HRC’s inside story. Kitted out prefer it’s able to deal with an SCCA hill climb, it comes with an enormous rear cross brace with attachment options for multipoint racing harnesses. The inside bits are color-matched to the prototype’s Indy Yellow exterior. The seen upgrades on the outside are practical too. The revised entrance fascia improves downforce on the nostril and incorporates cooling ducts for the entrance brakes. The hood vent is a practical warmth extractor, and each the aspect splitters and adjustable rear wing contribute to the HRC’s aerodynamic enchancment.
Acura could have the Integra Sort S HRC on show alongside the EV Efficiency Idea at The Quail after its debut at 10:36 p.m. native time.