The 2024 Acura Integra Type S Is a More Luxurious Civic Type R

We're living in a new golden age for sport compacts, and the new 2024 Acura Integra Type S is yet more proof. As expected, it's Acura's twin of the new Honda Civic Type R, albeit with five more horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The Type R is already our favorite hot-hatch on the market today, so the Integra Type S should be very, very good.

Last year, we had a brief chance to sample an Integra Type S prototype, and learned that the car is somewhat more focused on road than track. Not that we expect it to be anything less than brilliant on track. The Integra Type S gets unique settings for its adaptive damping system to give it its own character, though from a hardware perspective, the chassis is basically identical to the Type R's. That means you get Honda's novel dual-axis MacPherson strut front suspension—which very effectively mitigates torque steer by reducing the steering axis offset—and a multi-link setup out back. Compared with the standard Integra, front track width is up by 3.5 inches while the rear increases by 1.9 inches.

The 19x9.5-inch wheels have an Integra-specific design, but they, along with the 265/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, are the same size as the Type R's. To accommodate the huge increase in track width, the Integra Type S gets big fender flares, which also help increase the tuner-car vibe. Up front, there are 13.8-inch two-piece rotors and Brembo-branded four-piston fixed calipers, while the rear has 12-inch rotors and single-piston sliding calipers.

Acura was able to squeeze 320 horsepower out of Honda's much-loved K20C1 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, compared with 315 hp in the Type R. The brand is currently mum on the specific engine changes that contributed to the power increase, but did say the Type S has a unique exhaust system. The Civic Type R is sold globally, whereas the Integra Type S will be a primarily North American product, and here, our emissions standards aren't as strong as, say, Europe's, so perhaps the new exhaust is the big difference-maker. Boost pressure is the same at 23.3 psi, as is the torque figure of 310 lb-ft between 2600 and 4500 rpm, and the power peak of 6500 rpm. The Type S also gets the same, excellent six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential as the Type R. There's no automatic option.

In addition to the fender flares, the exterior of the Integra Type S is distinguished by a more open front fascia and vented hood, both of which increase engine cooling compared with the base Integra. The Tiger Eye Pearl paintwork available on other Acura Type S models makes an appearance here, as does an option for bronze wheels. While the rear bumper is unique, it doesn't appear that any of the actual sheetmetal on the Type S is unique. The fender flares looked tacked on, in contrast with the Civc Type R's unique panels.