Acura Integra: an automobile sold in North America
The Acura Integra, sold as a Honda in most of the world, was a small, sporty vehicle sold primarily as a hatchback. It was Acura's 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 1980s when the Integra was introduced. Although a sedan was available for the 1986-1989, 1990-1993 and 1994-2001 generations, it was dropped when the vehicle transitioned to its current fourth-generation "DC5" platform, sold as the RSX in North America. Enthusiasts refer to the Acura TSX as the second coming of the Integra GS-R sedan.
1. First generation (1986–1989)
2. Second generation (1990–1993)
3. Third generation (1994–2001)
3.1. Zenki (former) (1994–1997)
3.2. Kouki (latter) (1998–2001)
3.3. Type R
4. Replacement
Also called:
Honda Integra
Manufacturer:
Honda
Production:
1986–2001
Successor:
Acura RSX
Class:
Compact car
The vehicle debuted in Japan in 1985 as the Honda Integra before going on sale a year later in North America as part of the then-new Acura lineup. Three and five-door hatchback bodies as well as a traditional four-door sedan were available, with a 1.6 L DOHC 16-valve engine powering all three. The engine was the vehicle's most publicized feature, as DOHC, multi-valve engines were anything but commonplace in entry-level models at the time.
The Integra shared its platform with 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, 90 hp unit from the CRX Si. Combined with sleeker styling and a nicer interior, buyers were effectivly 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 model was not without its shortcomings though; despite having 113 hp and a reachable 7000 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.
First generation
Production:
1986–1989
Body style:
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
5-door hatchback
Engine:
1.6L 118 hp I4
Transmission:
4-Speed Automatic
5-Speed Manual
Wheelbase:
96.50 in. (coupe)
99.20 in. (sedan)
Length:
168.70 in. (coupe)
171.50 in. (sedan)
Width:
65.60 in.
Height:
50.80 in.
Fuel capacity:
13.2 gal.
Related:
Honda Civic
Honda CR-X
Acura debuted the second generation Integra in 1990, now powered by a new 1.8 L engine making 130 hp, giving the model a necessary boost in performance. The three-door hatchback and 4-door sedan body styles continued to be available, but the 5-door hatchback was discontinued due to poor market reception.
Trim levels for 1990 and 1991 included the RS (base model), LS, and GS. The 1991 GS could also be had with a leather interior, which made it a sort of "deluxe" model, and featured its own model number.
For 1992, Acura added the GS-R trim level, powered by a stroked 1.7 L version of the very successful B16a engine already in use in the Japanese-market Integra. It featured a VTEC system, as found in the then-new NSX, bumping output to 160 hp. 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 in 6-spoke aluminum wheels came standard as well.
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, chromed interior door handles and an increase in power to 140 hp for the non-VTEC engine.
The second generation was the last Integra to be sold without airbags in the United States. Motorized passive seat belts were used instead. Canada and the rest of the world got regular active seat belts.
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.
Second generation
Production:
1990–1993
Body style:
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
Engine:
1.8L 140 hp I4 (RS/LS/GS)
1.7L 160 hp I4 (GS-R)
Transmission:
4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:
100.40 in. (coupe)
102.40 in. (sedan)
Length:
172.90 in. (coupe)
176.50 in. (sedan)
Width:
67.50 in.
Height:
50 in.
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Related:
Honda Civic
Honda CR-X
Honda CRX Del Sol
