2024 Acura Integra Type S

Nobody was complaining when Acura's legendary Type S nomenclature returned recently with the TLX Type S, and the brand is set to bring the performance badge in reach of a wider audience with the new Integra Type S hatchback. With 320 horsepower from its turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder engine, the Type S also comes with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox, widened tracks, and a dual-axis front suspension that should make it much more entertaining to drive than the base Integra. It also has a very sporty appearance thanks to changes like a wider body and triple exhaust tailpipes.

However, like the base Integra, comparisons to a presumably cheaper Honda product - in this case, the Civic Type R - will be inevitable. Should that stop you from waiting for the hottest Integra, which will join the lineup from the 2024 model year? Let's try to answer that burning question.

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The release date for the Acura Integra Type S is in June, which is when it will be coming out in the USA.

This is the first area of contention. With Honda's superb new Civic, many questioned whether it was worth spending more on the new Integra, especially since the Acura no longer comes in sporty coupe form. The Integra Type S is likely to be compared to the new Civic Type R, which starts at an MSRP of $43,295 in the USA. We don't know what the price of the 2024 Acura Integra Type S will be just yet, but we highly doubt it will be anything less than $45,000.

Premium-badged rivals will include the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe at $47,600 (2023 model) and the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe, which will cost $47,500 (2023 model). Both are expected to be quicker than the Integra Type S and have all-wheel-drive systems. Then again, the Acura is the only one with a manual gearbox.

It may not be a traditional two-door coupe like older Integras, but the Type S treatment introduces some welcome spiciness to the new Integra's design.

The additional muscle of the Acura Integra Type S exterior design comes from a body that is wider by 2.8 inches over the standard Integra. And, in fact, all body panels ahead of the A-pillars are exclusive to the Type S. A bolder front fascia comes with an open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille with is also larger, while the vented aluminum hood boosts airflow by 170%. As a nod to the third-generation Integra, the model name is embossed in both the front and rear fascias. Jewel Eye LED headlights and Chicane LED daytime running lights are standard.

Replacing the smaller 18-inch wheels of the standard model are lightweight 19-inch wheels here with an NSX-inspired design. They're covered in high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires and partially conceal a new Brembo front braking system. 19-inch wheels with a copper metallic finish are available via the Genuine Acura Accessories catalog. The flared body fenders also provide this sporty Integra with more attitude.

At the back, it's impossible to miss the trio of exhaust outlets mounted in the center, the first time this has been done for any Type S model. It's a look that mirrors that of the latest Honda Civic Type R, but the Acura does without its cousin's large rear wing. Instead, the Integra Type S comes with a more subtle decklid spoiler, but the gloss black diffuser lower down is surprisingly large.

Seven colors make up the Acura Integra Type S's palette, including the golden Tiger Eye Pearl hue that is unique to this model. Blue and white will also be on the menu. Optional accessories extend to a carbon fiber finish for the lip spoiler and mirror caps, and the Acurage badge on the nose can be had in a black finish with illumination.

To accommodate wider tracks and more aggressive body styling, the dimensions of the Acura Integra Type S have been altered somewhat. The increased 2.8-inch width is the largest change, with the body now being 74.8 inches wide. Length is up by 0.2 inches to 186 inches, and the height drops by just 0.1 inches to 55.4 inches. The wheelbase stays the same at 107.7 inches, but the front (64 inches) and rear (63.5 inches) tracks are wider by 3.5 and 1.9 inches, respectively.

A curb weight of 3,219 pounds makes the new Type S 146 lbs heavier than the normal Integra with the manual gearbox. Compared to the Civic Type R, which is slightly less powerful, the Integra Type S is 31 lbs heavier, which isn't bad at all considering that the Acura is a larger, more luxurious vehicle.

The engine in the new Acura Integra Type S hatch sounds more than a little familiar. This 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit with VTEC technology is essentially the same mill you'll find in the Honda Civic Type R. Producing 320 hp, it is the most powerful Integra ever, and it has a 5-hp advantage over the Civic Type R. Both cars have the same torque peak of 310 lb-ft. Acura also says that the power-to-weight ratio of the new Typs S is class-leading at 10.1 lbs/hp.

Weighing only 31 lbs more than a Civic Type R, the Integra Type S will also use just one transmission choice: a six-speed manual. We expect a 0-60 mph time in the region of 5.5 seconds, and if it gets anywhere close to the Civic Type R's level of dynamism, the Integra Type S should be a superb driver's car.

Acura has worked hard to make sure that the front-wheel-drive Type S puts its power down cleanly without compromising handling or overwhelming the front tires. A new dual-axis front suspension contributes to a significant reduction in torque steer, there is a thicker front stabilizer bar, and the tracks are wider. A standard Adaptive Damper System is specially tuned for the Type S with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes. The car also comes with a helical-type limited-slip differential, and the manual gearbox has an automatic rev-matching system.

Acknowledging that an engaging car is not just what you feel but also what you hear, Acura promises that the straight-through exhaust design is less restrictive and delivers eager "pops and bangs" in Sport+ mode.

With much more power than the base Integra, it comes as no surprise that the brakes are larger, too. The Type S has Brembo four-piston monoblock aluminum calipers in front with 13.8-inch two-piece front rotors, 1.5 inches up on the standard Integra. The rear rotors come in at 12 inches, up by nearly an inch.

As with many of the car's other specs, EPA ratings have not been published at this stage. However, it's fair to anticipate that the Integra Type S will get close to the Civic Type R's 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined.

Assuming the same gas tank size as other Integras, the Type S will be able to carry 12.4 gallons. That would equate to a range of approximately 297 miles if it matches the Type R's efficiency.

Racier materials and even more standard equipment make the interior of the Acura Integra Type S even better. The overall design is still logical and uncluttered, and even the digital gauge cluster has gauges with a straightforward, traditional rounded design that makes them easy to read at a glance.

Perforated upholstery with Ultrasuede inserts covers the seats in the Acura Integra Type S, and customers can choose from Red, Black, and Orchid color schemes. The front seats are heated and have firmer bolsters, but it's what's happening in the second row that's most interesting. Acura specifies that the rear seating is configured for two passengers, leading us to believe that there are two tailored seats back there with some kind of central storage space. However, we can't confirm this visually as the company shared no images of the rear seat.

Other sporty touches include a black Ultrasuede finish for the shift boot, a unique shift knob with a dark anodized finish, and a perforated leather steering wheel with colored stitching. Type S logos are also dotted around the inside of this sporty hatch.

To go with the 10.2-inch digital driver's display, there is also a nine-inch touchscreen interface and a 5.3-inch head-up display. An ELS Studio 3D sound system is standard and boasts 530 watts of power and 16 speakers. Charging of one's mobile phone, along with connecting to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, can be done wirelessly.

Cargo space in the Acura Integra Type S matches the standard Integra's, and that's a very good thing as there are 24.3 cubic feet behind the second row. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks can fold to further expand packing space. Then again, the Honda Civic Type R is just as practical.