Acura Integra is a car model that debuted the market in the mid-80s in a bid to offer competition to the sporty Volkswagen Golf GTI. You might probably know it at Honda. It was small and sporty. The sedan version of this vehicle was available until it was abandoned in favor of a fourth-generation DC5, which you probably know as RSX.
Acura Integra had an illustrious history. It dates back to 1986 until 2001. Let us sample this duration.
Integra 2-door
The vehicle was available straight from ’86 through to ’89. Its original engine had a capacity of 1.6 liters. Also, it had a horsepower of 113 at 6250rpm and 99lbs-ft at 5500rpm. It had a 16-valve, 4-cylinder DOHC.
The car remained the same in 1987. However, the engine output was increased from 113 to 118 horsepower, and 103 lb-ft torque
The rear and front bumpers were redesigned, and the interior was equally restyled. Additionally, the LS special Edition had body-color wheels and special badges. The original Acura model maintained its 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Integra 5-door
This version was released alongside the 3-door model. It also existed from its debut in 1986 through to 1989. Here are the specifications.
- 1.6 l engine
- 16-valve, 4-cylinder DOHC
- 113 hp at 6250 rpm and 99lbs-ft torque at 5500rpm.
- 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.
The same changes done on the original 3-door model were also effected on this vehicle in 1989.
The second release was in 1990 when a new version of the 3-door model was created and remained available for only three years until 1993.
The original engine was 1.8 liters’ capacity with 130 hp at 6000rpmand 131 lbs-ft torque at 50000rpm. The transmission and the DOHC remained the same as the other older versions of Integra. Additional changes were the introduction of a double-wishbone suspension and antilock brakes.
In 1991, the company produced a leather interior with a black exterior. It also had standard moonroof as the door locked on GS and windows on LS.
The year 19932 saw the introduction of GS-R with 160 Horse powers. It had 1.7-liter VTEC and increased its output.
Integra 4-door
This model was available from 1990 to 1993. Its original engine had a capacity of 1.8 liters. And 16-valve, 4-cylinder DHOC.
Horsepower was at 130 at 6000rpm and 121 lb-ft torque at 5000rpm. The transmission remained at 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic.
2G Integra sedan replaced the 5-door hatchback, and anti-lock brakes were also available on GS and standard power windows on LS.
The standard 4-cylinder output was increased to 140 hp at 6300 rpm and 126 lbs-ft at 5000rpm. It also featured a 4-spoke steering wheel with revised rear and front bumpers. There were no changes in 1993.
Integra sports coupe
This model debuted in 1994 and was recalled in 2001. It had;
1.8 L engine capacity
16 valves
4 cylinders
142 horsepower with 6300rpm.
Torque was 127 lbs-ft at 5200rpm.
VTEC had 4-cylinder, 16 valves, 170hp at 7600rpm. Torque stood at 128lbd-ft at 6200rpm, GS-R.
This was the 3-G Integra with all-new chassis and interior. The following changes were made from 1995 to 2001.
In 1995, the following features were added: sports suspension, leather upholstery, rear spoiler, and special badges. GS-R featured optional leather upholstery.
The year 1996 saw a complete redesigning of the GS-R and the special edition with the introduction of 6-spoke alloy wheels, the introduction of wheel covers, green tints on windows, and side moldings.
Integra Type-R was introduced in 1997 with a 195 hp4 –cylinder. It had larger brakes, and it was a lightweight, base output of 140hp, 127 lbs-ft. The same year saw the special edition being dropped, and the GS model added a host of features such as 16-spoke alloy wheels, 140 hp 4-cylinder leather upholstery and sport suspension like Type-R.
In 1998, the light clusters and bumpers were revised. Tilt and height-adjustable driver’s seats were introduced. GS-R and LS received new 15 and 14-inch alloy wheels.
The RS model was dropped in 1999. In the same year, Type-R was suspended. Then, LS got a shift knob alongside a steering wheel wrapped in leather.
In 2000, Type-R returned with air conditioning, fiber panel, shift knob, and upholstery. The other models were improved to comply with the TLEV ratings. Finally, platinum-tipped spark plugs were used for 100,000-mile tune-up intervals.
Standard floor mats were introduced in all car models in 2001.
Acura RSX
2002 – 2005
Introduced in 2002 as a direct replacement for Acura Integra Type-R. It debuted on the US market as a desirable luxury sports car. Here are some of the base specifications;
- 2-door, double seater.
- 5-speed manual transmission
- 2.0 L engine capacity.
- McPherson struts in place for wishbone suspension.
The RSX Type-S featured a 2.0 L 4-cylinder, i-VTEC engine with 200hp, and 142 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, it comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. This allowed it to rival the Ford Mustang GT on these levels.
2005 – 2006
New developments in the RSX, including raising the base power output to 155 horsepower. It also came with revised suspension; the stabilizer bar was recreated, the introduction of side mirror gaps, bumpers were designed a-new, the grille, headlights, and exterior lines were also redesigned.
The car came with low-cushion integrated headrests, automated climate control, dual-threshold airbag system, supportive side bolsters, and a new look that made it an aggressive sporty machine.
RSX 2005 is available in Taffeta white, Nighthawk Black, Satin Silver< metallic, Premium White Pearl, Vivid Blue Pearl, and Milano Red colors.
The Acura RSX model of 2001 to 2006 – one that you may know as DC5 has undergone many improvements since its launch. It comes in two versions, and since 2006 a lot has changed with the car brand being sold as Honda outside the USA and maintaining the Acura RSX in the United States. Read about the history and developments of the RSX, Acura here.
