The Acura Integra may be the fourth and final generation of the Honda Integra subcompact executive car, introduced in Japan on April 13, 2001, Integra 2023 and produced from July 2001 to July 2006. Acura Integra was introduced in North America for the 2002 model year as the Acura RSX.
In concordance with the introduction of the Integra’s platform mate, the seventh-generation Civic being introduced in 2000, the Integra joined the Civic in abandoning Honda’s traditional double-wishbone suspension at both ends and adopted MacPherson struts in the leading and trailing arm type suspension in the trunk combined with new K-series engine supplanting the B-series.
The K-series engine features intelligent VTEC (or i-VTEC), which electronically adjusts valve lift, valve duration, and valve timing, giving the 2.0 L engine a flatter torque curve in accordance with previous VTEC implementations which only adjusted valve lift and valve duration. The Integra DC5 received a facelift in the 2005 model year. The headlight and taillight assemblies lost the so-called ‘teardrop’ shape that made the assemblies flush with the bumpers.
Being more luxurious and sports-oriented compared to the Quint, the Integra was one of many launch models for Acura in 1986, along with the Legend. Throughout its life, the Integra was respectable for the handling and performance. The Integra came in up to five trim levels; RS, LS, GS, GS-R and Type R, Integra 2023 depending on model year and market.
Integra 2023 have exactly the same 142-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard. A four-speed automatic was optional. The performance-oriented GS-R featured a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that has been equipped with VTEC. The GS-R came exclusively with a special close-ratio five-speed manual. In road tests of the ’98 Acura Integra GS-R, our editors found it to be well-balanced when it comes to being fun to operate a vehicle and simple to use on an everyday basis.
The DC5 Type R (Japanese market only) comes standard with a K20A 220 hp (164 kW) 2.0 L DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine. The “i” in i-VTEC means intelligent VTEC, which employs VTC (Variable Timing Control) to advance or retard the intake cam timing inside a 50-degree range. The Integra Type R comes designed with Recaro seats, four-piston Brembo front brakes, a detailed ratio six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, variable back-pressure exhaust system, and a stiffer suspension.
The Integra and RSX have now been popular in automobile racing. Realtime Racing used the Integra Type R and later the RSX Type S to compete in the SCCA World Challenge Touring car class for several years. Several cars were entered into the 2009 British Touring Car Championship season, and won the 2003 Asian Touring Car Series. In 1992, the Integra was utilized in Formula One as a security car at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The racing game Need for Speed: Underground featured both a DC2 Acura Integra Type R as well as a DC5 Acura RSX. In European and Japanese versions the Acura Integra is replaced by the Honda Integra. The racing game Importance of Speed: Payback featured a DC5 Acura RSX Type-S as well.
The film The Fast and the Furious (2001) features two main characters driving a DC2 Honda Integra. The initial car is a red 1997 model driven by Edwin, played by Ja Rule. The second car is really a four-door GSR driven by Mia Toretto, played by Jordana Brewster.
Richard Hammond praised the UK spec Integra Type R for the Top Gear magazine, calling it “for the purist, the serious enthusiast” ;.Smiley Sakai, voiced by Akimitsu Takase raced a Honda Integra DC2 Type R in the anime and manga Initial D.