THIS `S' STANDS FOR SMOOTH
Two laps around the track provide valuable information on Honda's loudest ride yet
Even before it arrived it was announcing its presence — the 2024 Acura Integra Type S, which is a prototype at this point, is the loudest Honda yet. Driving the highbanked oval at Honda's Tochigi proving grounds in Japan, foot hard to the floor and the Type S pulling 201 kilometres an hour, the triple mid-mounted tailpipes were singing a sweet siren.
This speaks to the manner in which the Integra Type S production car will drive when it finally arrives. Yes, this first drive experience was limited to two flying laps around said banked oval, but it proved to be two very insightful laps.
The Type S mule, which was wrapped in a less-than-flattering camouflage package, featured a 2.0-litre turbo-four that was good for “300-plus” horsepower. The tester's free-revving engine worked with a six-speed manual gearbox with a limited-slip differential to drive the front wheels. The combination proved to be a slick affair.
The engine has power to spare and it pulls strongly across the entirety of its torque plateau. Even when short-shifted, it still pulls strongly. Likewise, the gear shifter's gate is tight and refined so it snicks through the cogs quickly. It reminded me of the S2000's delightful gearbox. The other interesting tidbit is the Type S mule rev-matched when shifting up and down through the gears. Most only do so on a downshift. The best bit of news, however, came after pulling redline in first and second gear. The Type S did not tug at the steering wheel — there's no sign of torque steer, which is a common trait with many torquey front-drivers.
At this point, Acura says the Type S will only be offered with a manual transmission.
Once up to speed on the banked oval, the Type S tracked a true line. The P265/30R19 Michelin Pilot tires deliver a ton of grip and the steering's feel and feedback is bang on. It has a positive on-centre feel and it turns off centre in a linear fashion.
When asked about the suspension and if it was adaptive, the engineer riding shotgun explained this is a “secret.” Let's just say it will be adaptive, as the tester felt firmer when “Sport” mode was activated. As with the current A-spec, the adaptive suspension's calibration will likely be tied into the throttle response and steering feel. What came through loud and clear is the Type S has a more compliant ride than the Civic Type R without allowing the body to roll into a corner. The Type S also features a large Brembo brake package.
The obvious question after the short drive is what separates the upcoming 2024 Acura Integra Type S from the Honda Civic Type R? The answer, Honda says, is the Type R has an extreme track-based focus; the Type S is designed to deliver refined street performance.
Of course, it's inevitable there will be comparisons drawn between the two. After all, they share a common platform and many of the mechanical bits. However, as the brief first drive proved, there are differences. The linear steering response and the taut-but-smooth ride characteristics make the Type S less hard-edged than the Type R, which puts some needed space between the two.