Caught behind a dump truck going 14 mph by one of many cities that dot Hwy 154 in Southern California, I can’t assist however suppose Acura is promoting the 2024 Integra Kind S quick on this primary drive program. I shouldn’t be pissed off by slowpokes. I needs to be negotiating the corkscrew at Laguna Seca

Not all of this route is so tame—it opens up into some enjoyable canyon roads later—however this can be a avenue drive as a substitute of a observe drive as a result of Acura is touting the Integra Kind S as a extra mature avenue automobile than the associated Honda Civic Kind R, which is billed as a observe machine. The Civic Kind R could also be barely sharper, however the Integra Kind S is not any much less succesful and extra inviting in addition.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: Rowdy energy

The Integra Kind S and Civic Kind R share a fundamental construction, a powertrain, and suspension. Even the tires are the identical proper all the way down to the dimensions and model.

The engine is the one factor of the Integra Kind S that has a sharper edge than the Civic Kind R, however solely barely. It’s the identical 2.0-liter turbo-4 with the identical 25.2 psi of increase that offers it unbelievable energy. Right here, it makes 320 hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque from 2,600-4,000 rpm. That beats the Civic Kind R by 5 hp, however Acura says the Integra Kind S can be programmed for higher mid-range torque.

The Integra Kind S can launch from 0-60 mph in a tad over 5 seconds, and right here it’s chomping on the bit to run free and unfettered from visitors. It’s a torque-rich engine with sturdy responses from a cease. It’s additionally responsive within the mid-range and all the best way as much as its 7,000-rpm redline, although any distinction between the Kind S and Kind R would require back-to-back drives that aren’t obtainable right here.

Just like the Civic Kind R, getting the Integra Kind S to launch arduous is hard, as energy goes solely by a 6-speed guide transmission to the entrance wheels and Acura gives no launch management perform.

I strive a few arduous begins and discover it’s finest to launch at about 2,000 rpm with about three-quarter throttle. Revving a lot greater than that causes the wheels to spin if you come off the clutch, and Acura has an rpm cut-off at 3,400 rpm that retards the facility. The entrance finish reacts admirably, too, giving solely the trace of torque steer and not using a arduous pull to at least one facet or the opposite. Acura limits torque steer with equal-length half shafts, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and a dual-axis MacPherson strut entrance suspension that separates the knuckles and dampers.

The engine is even chattier than within the Kind R, a minimum of from the skin of the automobile. It has primarily the identical exhaust system because the Honda with a single exhaust valve and three center-mounted 4.3-inch retailers, nevertheless it lacks the Honda’s entrance resonator and thus the louder sound. That sound is available in two phases, because the valve opens at greater rpm with the automobile within the Consolation drive mode, decrease rpm in Sport mode, and at all times stays open in Sport Plus. Sport Plus additionally triggers some pops and bangs from the exhaust on downshifts, upshifts, deceleration, or when revving the engine.

From the motive force seat, the engine actually makes its offended beehive noises heard, however they don’t intrude with dialog as a result of the Integra has extra sound deadener than the Civic. I didn’t even discover the pops and bangs, or the sound of the blow-off valve, till I rolled down the home windows.

The guide transmission is a typical Honda/Acura delight, with quick throws, optimistic engagement, and an important really feel by its metallic and leather-based shift knob. My solely grievance is a lightweight clutch with a excessive engagement level that requires a couple of shifts to get used to.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: Entrance-drive marvel

The Integra Kind S’s front-wheel-drive structure additionally isn’t ultimate for dealing with, however you wouldn’t understand it by driving the automobile. It takes its place with the Civic Kind R as the very best dealing with front-wheel-drive vehicles available on the market.

Acura upgrades the usual Integra to get there. In becoming the totally different suspension elements from the Civic Kind R beneath the Integra, Acura engineers widened the entrance observe 3.5 inches and the rear observe 1.9 inches. The tubular entrance stabilizer bar is 2 mm wider at 29 mm, and the strong rear bar is 2 mm wider than the one on the A-Spec Integra at 20.5 mm. The multilink rear suspension additionally has high-rigidity knuckles and distinctive bushings produced from a cloth Acura wouldn’t disclose. All of it reacts by a sport-tuned model of the Integra’s three-way adjustable dampers. The physique construction hasn’t modified, however Acura provides extra bonding materials.

The suspension makes room for greater wheels and tires because the Kind S rolls on 265/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss mounted on 19×9.5-inch wheels at every nook. The wheels could also be greater than the A-Spec mannequin’s 18s, however they’re 6.5% lighter.

Whereas the variable steering ratio is definitely barely slower than on different Integras, it’s nonetheless very fast with a ratio that ranges from 11.62:1 at full lock to 14.9:1 on heart. The brakes additionally develop 1.5 inches up entrance to 13.8 inches with Brembo 4-piston calipers and 0.9 inch within the rear to 12.0 inches with single-slot calipers.

With energy despatched solely by the entrance wheels, these Michelins must handle the acceleration and steering, and carry a lot of the braking power, and so they do all of it properly.

The open canyon roads I expertise later within the day reveal a lot however not all the hatchback’s dealing with prowess.

Like different Integras, the Kind S has weighty, direct steering that corporations up much more at freeway speeds to enhance high-speed stability. The automobile turns in to corners rapidly, and the rear finish follows alongside dutifully. It waterbugs by ess turns, and places its energy down effectively when accelerating out of corners because of the broad tires and limited-slip diff.  

These tires can solely achieve this a lot, although, so balancing the load for turning, accelerating, and braking is vital. When an excessive amount of velocity makes it push in a nook, letting off the throttle or a small dab of brake tucks the nostril in properly to carve by the flip. When exiting a nook too quick, it’ll run broad, however rather less throttle will get it again on observe.

That is all simple to really feel because of a bit of little bit of physique lean, regardless of the damper setting, by the well-tuned suspension. In every of the three damper modes—Consolation, Sport, and Sport+—the Integra Kind S is a half step softer than the Civic Kind R’s suspension, which we discovered created a too-busy journey on damaged pavement. Consolation gives an on a regular basis comfy journey high quality, Sport+ borders on arduous over bumps, and Sport is the candy spot for twisty roads.

General, the Kind S feels prefer it has all of the efficiency of the Kind R. It will most likely put up about the identical time round a observe like Laguna Seca, nevertheless it’s extra comfy on the road. That matches with the automobile’s extra grown-up character, which can be mirrored in its appears to be like and tools.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: The grown-up alternative

The Integra Kind S sports activities a wide range of exterior adjustments to enhance efficiency.

Up entrance, it wears a bigger, extra open grille with a diamond-pattern mesh and 170% extra airflow than different Integras. This air cools the engine and flows by a vent within the aluminum hood for raise discount. The decrease fascia has bigger air intakes with areas for brake cooling and canards that assist create air curtains across the entrance wheels.

Wider decrease sills match wheel flares that make the automobile 2.8 inches wider than different Integras, and the rear finish has an built-in lip spoiler and a gloss-black diffuser with triple center-exit exhaust finishers.

The adjustments give the Integra Kind S a purposeful stance that doesn’t stray too far into boy racer territory thanks principally to the dearth of a Civic Kind R-like rear wing. That will imply the Acura has barely much less downforce on a observe than the Honda, nevertheless it’s a good worth to pay to drive a automobile with a design that workouts sensible restraint.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

The inside adjustments a lot much less. The seats have the identical design as in different Integras however they get firmer bolsters, artificial suede inserts, and distinction stitching. Heated and with 8-way energy changes and 4-way energy lumbar changes, they’re sporty and comfy seats, however they aren’t as aggressive because the Recaros and extra excessive sport seats provided by different producers. Larger people will admire that, however smaller individuals could not; I like them. The rear seat is formed for 2 passengers as a substitute of the usual three of different Integras.

The inside additionally encompasses a perforated leather-based steering wheel and shift knob, an artificial suede shift boot with coloured stitching, and a decrease sprint that’s color-matched to the client’s alternative of Pink, Ebony, or Orchid inside colours.

Acura additionally outfits the Kind S with luxurious automobile ranges of ordinary tools, together with a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, a head-up show, 16-speaker ELS audio, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wi-fi smartphone charging.

Normal security options encompass blind-spot screens, rear cross-traffic alerts, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lively lane management, adaptive cruise management, entrance and rear parking sensors, and visitors signal recognition.

This all comes for a worth of $51,995 together with an $1,195 vacation spot payment. That’s about $10,000 greater than the Civic Kind R, which gained the Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2023 award. Nonetheless, the Integra Kind S is extra civil than the Civic and higher outfitted. It could actually additionally seemingly carry out simply as properly so long as a slow-moving dump trunk isn’t blocking the best way. We’ll goal to make that occur throughout our Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2024 testing later this yr.

Acura paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.