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The Acura Integra, a car sold as Honda Integra outside North America, was a sporty front-wheel drive vehicle sold both as a sedan and hatchback. In the Acura lineup it was the smallest, least expensive model, designed to offer a competitor to vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which was the most well known and popular "hot hatch" of the 1990s when the Integra was introduced. Although a sedan was available for the first three generations of the Integra, it was dropped when the vehicle transitioned to its fourth generation "DC5" platform, sold as the RSX in North America. The Acura TSX now takes the Integra sedan's spot in the line up. Under the Honda line up, the Integra was near the middle, slotting above smaller cars such as the Honda City, the Honda Civic, and the Honda Logo. The Honda Integra was considered to be mid-sized car by Japanese standards. As of 2007, the fourth-generation Integra has been discontinued in North America and Australia, but is still sold in its home market of Japan. First generation (1986–1989) The Integra was based on the less-sporty Civic, although it featured a small list of key upgrades over its lesser stablemate to help merit a price increase over the CRX Si, which was otherwise the sportiest compact vehicle being offered by Honda/Acura; enlarged 4-wheel disc brakes replaced the small front-disc/rear-drum setup used by the Civic and CRX, suspension calibration was re-worked, better tires were used and a 113 hp DOHC fuel injected 16-valve engine was used in place of the SOHC unit from the CRX Si. Combined with sleeker styling and a nicer interior, buyers were effectively convinced that the Integra was worth the extra money, and nearly 228,000 units were sold during the four year run of the first generation model. The first generation Integras actually came with two different engines. Although they shared the same engine code (D16A1), there were a few differences. The engine differed in the years 1986 to 1987 and 1988 to 1989. The two engines are commonly called the "Browntop" and "Blacktop" due to the color of their valve covers. The "browntop" came in 1986 and 1987 Integras while the "blacktop" came in 1988 and 1989 models. The improvements in the "blacktop" engine included lighter rods, domed pistons for slightly higher compression, and an electric advance distributor (the "browntop" came with a vacuum advance distributor). The overall gain in performance was about 5 hp (3.7 kW) for 118 hp (88.0 kW). The original Integra was not without its shortcomings though; despite having 113 hp (84.3 kW) and a reachable 7100 rpm redline, the new DOHC engine had little torque and needed to be wound up quite a bit to make full power, leading to criticism that the model wasn't well-suited for day to day driving on surface streets, but was better tuned for spirited driving down tight, windy roads.[citation needed] Second generation (1989–1993) Trim levels for 1989 and 1991 included the RS (base model), LS, and a new GS trim level that featured anti-lock brakes, a first for the Integra. The 1991 GS had the option of leather interior. For 1992, Acura added the GS-R trim level (DB2 chassis code), powered by a similar version of the very successful B16A engine, called the B17A1, which was only available in USDM (United States Domestic Market) models. The difference between the B16A and B17A1 is the deck height and compression ratio. The B17A1 is NOT a 1.7L motor but rather the same 1595cc as the B16A It featured a VTEC system, as found in the then-new NSX, bumping output to 160 hp (119.3 kW). Other features exclusive to the GS-R include the charcoal grey cloth interior (leather as a rare option), body-colored trim and front lip, and the third brake light mounted in the spoiler. Sunroof, power everything, and 14 inch 6-spoke aluminum wheels came standard as well. The 92-93 Acura Integra GSR is the rarest Integra to date because of its B17A engine, low production numbers, and unavailability in the used car market. This model Integra holds its retail value extremely well because of its rarity. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 were manufactured in 1992, and around 3,500 in 1993, for a total of around 5,000 ever produced. The 92-93 USDM GSR was available in only three colors: red, white, and teal. The Canadian GSR's came in black, red and teal. Other small updates came on to all trim levels in 1992, namely new front and rear bumpers, a new steering wheel, new taillights, new ECU, new camshafts, and chromed interior door handles. This generation also saw Acura make a bit of a marketing shift. Prior to the 1991 model year, Acura had made a minor point of the supposed understated elegance of minimal exterior badging. Therefore, from 1986 to 1990, the only external clues to any Integra's identity came at the rear, where badges for "Acura" "Integra", and the trim level appeared. For the 1991 model year however, Acura's "A" logo appeared for the very first time on the front of the hood, as well as between the taillights. Every Integra made since then has had the "A" badges. 262,285 units were sold from 1990 to 1993. Third generation (1994–2001) In 1998, Honda redesigned the Integra after the new Integra Type-R was released. In Japan the redesign had two more conventional looking headlights as the bug eye look had proven unpopular, outside Japan it had a slightly revised version of the four headlight front. A Type R model was added for the 1995 model year in Japan and in 1997 in other markets, powered by a highly tuned, hand-finished variant of the GS-R's engine. The JDM B18C Spec-R (B18C5 for USDM) equipped Type-R produced 195 hp (145.4 kW). Although impressive RPM, the Type R was still hampered by some criticism; its maximum torque output of only 130 ft·lbf at 7000 rpm meant that the engine would have to be revved high to achieve the best performance. Although the engine's "split personality" and unusually high capability to rev made it popular among hardcore enthusiasts, it cost the vehicle points in comparison tests where drivers noted that the vehicle was too hard-edged, loud and rev-hungry to be an easy daily driver. Third-generation Mid-Model Change (1998–2001) It is easy to quickly differentiate a 1998-2001 Integra from an older model in which the headlights are set slightly deeper within their respective cavities. With the 1998 model, the headlights became flush with the shape of the bumper, completely filling the cavities. These models are still popular among racing enthusiasts all around the continental US and Puerto Rico. For 1998, Honda also manufactured the more affordable LS and GS trim levels. The RS was no longer available. All models, (Excluding the GS-R and Type R) came out sporting a B18B1 Honda engine with a five speed manual transmission or its automatic version. As far as the Integra engine goes, the high revving VTEC powered engines like the B16, B18C1 and the B18C5, are respected in the street car enthusiasts circle. Most Honda enthusiasts prefer the VTEC engines but in an increasing race sub-culture, the non-VTEC engines are getting noted. The non-VTEC engines like B18B1 or the B18A1 are 1.8L, 1834cc's. They are a popular choice for forced induction because they have lower compression making them more suitable for high boost applications. The Acura Integra was recently cataloged as one of the most thief-friendly cars in America. The Acura Integra featured six times in the top ten list, the 1998 model being the thieves' favourite. Type R Trim Level and GSR(1996–2001 Excluding 1999) The Type R's B18C5 engine contained more key differences than just some manual assembly steps and an increased redline. The B16A's cylinder head returned, with differently shaped combustion chambers and intake ports compared to the regular B18C in the GS-R. Molybdenum-coated, high compression pistons and stronger-but-lighter connecting rods strengthened the reciprocating assembly. Extra counterweighting on the crankshaft altered its vibration modes to enhance durability at high RPM. The intake valves were reshaped with a thinner stem and crown that reduced weight and improved flow. The intake ports were given a minor port and polish. Stiffer valve springs resisted float on more aggressive camshafts. Intake air was now drawn from inside the fender well, for a colder, denser charge. That intake fed a short-runner intake manifold with a larger throttle body for better breathing. An improved stainless steel exhaust collector with more gentle merge angles, a change to a larger, consistent piping diameter, flared internal piping in the muffler allowed easier exit of gases. A retuned engine computer also contributed to improved power output, which allowed the Type R to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 6.2 seconds(as apposed to the gs-r's 7.0). The transmission was upgraded with lower and closer gear ratios in second through fifth gears, in order to take advantage of the additional rev range. The North American version retained the same 4.4 final drive throughout the Type R's production run, unlike the Japanese version, which in 1998 changed to a 4.785 final drive along with revised gearing. The Type R's open differential was replaced with a torque-sensing limited slip type. The chassis received enhancements in the form of reinforcements to the rear wheel wells, roof rail, and other key areas. "Performance rods", chassis braces that were bolted in place, were added to the rear trunk wall and subframe. The front strut tower bar was replaced with a stronger aluminum piece, and the R also received the addition of a rear strut tower bar. Camber rigidity was improved at the rear by increasing wheel bearing span by 10 mm. The Type R's body also received a new functional rear spoiler, body-colored rocker panels and front lip, and 5-bolt hubs with special lightweight Type-R wheels. Under those wheels was a much larger set of disc brakes, front and back. The tires were upgraded to Bridgestone RE010 "summer" tires. The Type R received very aggressive tuning in its suspension settings. All soft rubber bushings were replaced with much stiffer versions, as much as 5.3 times higher in durometer readings. The springs and dampers were much stiffer, with a 10 mm (0.4 in) reduction in ride height. The rear anti-roll bar diameter was increased to 22 mm (0.9 in) in diameter. The front anti-roll bar retained the same size, although the end links were changed to a more responsive sealed ball joint as opposed to a rubber bushing on the lesser models. The result was a chassis with very responsive, racetrack-ready handling that ably absorbed mid-corner bumps. Mild oversteer was easy to induce with a lift of the throttle, and during steady-state cornering the car maintained a slight tail-out stance. The interior was stripped down to reduce weight. The air conditioning system was removed in early models and nearly all the sound-dampening material was eliminated. This provided for a much noisier ride, but since the Type-R was marketed as a race car for the street, most owners didn't mind. The seats were also unique to the Type-R. Standard were weight saving Recaro racing seats. Integra SJ 301,103 Integras were sold from 1994 to 2001. Fourth generation (2002-2006) 2006 marked the final model year for the RSX, and in May 2006, Honda discontinued the RSX. As of May 2007, the Honda Integra is still offered for sale in Japan, but was discontinued for sale in Australia, its other market. Integra Sedan Awards |
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Honda_Integra".