ACURA INTEGRA MAKES A STUNNING COMEBACK!

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com

Acura debuted globally in 1986 with the two-variant front-wheel-drive Integra hatchback generating a massive bang with motoring enthusiasts. The signature pop-up headlight design literally ‘popped’ eyes out of people’s head with astonishment. Within no time, race-inspired, high-performance versions of the compact car were on-track championship winners. The exhilarating and fun drive continued till the Japanese carmaker retired the nameplate in 2006 (by then it was called the RSX).

After a 17-year hiatus, the Integra has returned! And it is much bigger, powerful (turbocharged) and truly a blast to take for a spin. Under the hood of our 2024 Integra Type S sits a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 cylinder cranking out 320 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 310 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. Best of all, it is coupled to a 6-speed manual gear box with rev-match capabilities to delight the stick-shift crowd. Thanks to the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), the driver can choose sport, sport+ normal and comfort settings. Valve-actuated adaptive dampers ensure a smoother experience in normal or comfort settings and even more enjoyable in sport modes. A MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension absorbs the hits of potholes and broken road surfaces with ease. The dual-pinion, variable-ratio electric power steering is forthcoming with instant turn-in.

That this is an Integra, and a Type S too, is evident from their emblems in front and rear fascia. The vented aluminum hood meets up with an eye-catching diamond pentagon grille, flanked by gorgeous four-element, jewel-eye LED headlights. Triple exhaust tips and a decklid spoiler further boost the classy touch. The cabin is awash in extravagance with black perforated ultrasuede inserts on red leather seats, a black suede shifter boot and Type S imprinted on the steering wheel and front seatbacks. Audiophiles will instantly take to the incredible 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D premium sound system. The 23.4 cubic feet space behind the 60/40 rear seat leaves plenty of luggage room for a weeklong trip. The 9-inch touch infotainment and 10.2-inch digital instrument clusters are standouts. Other luxuries include dual auto a/c, 12-way power driver and four-way front-passenger seats, head-up display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, front/rear crumple zones and parking sensors, side-impact door beams, vehicle stability assist with traction control, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, road departure/collision mitigation systems, limited slip differential, multi-angle rearview camera, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.

Welcome back, Integra! We are thrilled that Acura has brought its racetrack winner into the fold once again. Like previous gens, the stylish ride delivers a sports car performance with speedy acceleration and ample power just a throttle away. Gearstick fanatics and heavy lead footers, this one’s been reintroduced specially just for you!

INTEGRA TYPE S (FWD)

Tires: 265/30R19

Wheelbase: 107.7 inches

Length: 186 inches

Width: 74.8 inches

Height: 55.4 inches

Weight: 3,219 pounds

Fuel capacity: 12.4 gallons

City: 21 mpg

Highway: 28 mpg

Base price: $50,800

Price as tested: $53,785

Web site: www.acura.com