Acura Integra Type S: More luxurious Civic Type R revealed

Honda’s premium brand Acura has revealed the sporty flagship of its recently revived Integra line.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S liftback features a turbocharged 2.0-litre VTEC four-cylinder engine producing 239kW of power at 6500rpm and 420Nm of torque between 2600-4000rpm.

That’s 4kW more than a Honda Civic Type R, and 89kW and 160Nm more than the standard Integra’s turbo 1.5-litre four.

It goes on sale in the US in June, but Australians shouldn’t hold their breath: like the rest of Acura’s current line-up, the Integra is produced only in left-hand drive.

Drive is sent to the front wheels via six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching.

Acura says the Integra Type S is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a manual transmission, with rivals like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA being auto-only.

As with the standard Integra, there are adaptive dampers and MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.

A helical-type limited-slip differential is standard in the Type S, which also gets a 2mm thicker front stabiliser bar.

There’s a new high-flow exhaust system exclusive to the Type S, with a “stirring” exhaust note thanks to an active exhaust valve. In Sport+ mode, Acura promises there will be “show stopping pops and bangs”.

Acura says every body panel forward of the A-pillars is unique to the Type S, with a larger grille and front air intakes and a new, vented aluminium bonnet that’s said to improve airflow by 170 per cent.

It’s 71mm wider than the regular Integra, with a 89mm wider front and 48mm wider rear track.

There are also flared fenders to accommodate the new, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, styled to look like those on the departed NSX Type S, in 265/30 R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Behind the front wheels are Brembo four-piston monobloc aluminium calipers, with larger rotors employed all-round.

Down back, there are three centre-mounted exhaust outlets and a gloss black diffuser at the rear.

In a nod to the third-generation Integra, the car’s name is embossed in the front and rear fasciae.

Acura is also offering a range of accessories to make it look more distinctive, including a carbon-fibre rear lip spoiler and mirror caps, an illuminated grille badge, a titanium shift knob and copper metallic-finished 19-inch wheels.

Inside, the front sport seats have Ultrasuede inserts and firmer bolsters. Ultrasuede is also found on the shift boot, with coloured stitching and Type S logos featuring throughout the front of the cabin.

A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D sound system are all standard.

There are only two seats in the rear.

The Type S is available in seven colours, including an exclusive finish called Tiger Eye Pearl. Red, Black and Orchid interiors are available.

The new Integra flagship joins fellow Type S versions of the mid-sized TLX sedan and large MDX crossover, both of which pack turbocharged V6 engines.

Only the mid-sized RDX crossover has yet to get a Type S variant.

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