The return of Acura’s revered sports sedan, the Integra, arrives with the impact of a comet. Their Type S version is the most powerful vehicle they ever produced. Thanks to its head-turning design, responsive powertrain, and long list of accessories, the Integra’s global anticipation has been rewarded.
The exterior of this four-door performance car immediately gets the adrenaline flowing. The last Acura I reviewed was a TLX trim dressed in a head-turning Tiger Eye Pearl paint here. Without skipping a beat on color radiance, this latest review model flaunted a striking Apex Blue Pearl premium paint, which is also highly recommended. Acura’s signature frameless diamond pentagon grille in black, 19-inch alloy wheels encased in high-performance summer tires, Chicane “jewel-eyed” LED lighting, and red Brembo brake calipers added to the eye candy. The Integra’s muscular frame is enhanced with the flaring fenders, strategically placed air vents, and tri-exhaust in the centered in the rear.
Of course, the best way to prove Acura has the racing enthusiast in mind is what’s under the hood. The Type S edition is rightfully labeled the most responsive and powerful, with its 2.0L VTEC four-cylinder turbo engine topping out at 320 horsepower with a*310 lb-ft of torque ideally for any passing situation—or just for the simple thrill. With the current reign of paddle shifters in the auto industry, the 6-speed manual transmission will bring the smile to those worried about today’s scarcity of stick shifts. Depending on the driver’s desired experience, there are numerous modes—Sport, Comfort, Normal, Individual, and heart-pounding Sport+. The limited-slip front differential and front dual-axis strut front suspension perfect the ride especially when cornering.
And with this Integra’s speed and power comes luxury. The “Orchid” white interior boasts hugging sport seats that are perforated and layered with Ultrasuede, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport pedals, a manual knob crowned with a titanium finish, dual climate control, wireless connection, and a 9-inch touchscreen complete with a multi-view camera to enhance the cockpit, making navigation, app access, and music activation an ease to operate. Addressing the latter, ears get blessed with the 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D sound system with subwoofers masterminded by eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner. (Scheiner’s done stellar work with the Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac, and Queen to name a few.) Other standout features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-In to answer all “Alexa” demands. To maximize cargo space, this sedan has a liftback design with 60/40-spilt rear seats to added points in the practicality department.
Regarding safety, Acura traditionally shines in this department, and the signature AcuraWatch suite provides a plethora of mind-easing applications for the driver, including the collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and traffic jam assist (which is ideal in especially Atlanta). Be sure to visit Acura’s website to research the numerous other features the 2024 Integra Type S includes.
Ultimately, if you want a sedan that is captivating, boasts a posh cabin, possesses state-of-the-art technology, and delivers the manual-shifting sports car experience but still transport multiple adults comfortably, look for the Type S emblem on the 2024 Acura Integra.
Price: $50,800 MSRP (the Apex Blue Pearl paint is an additional $600)
Fuel Economy: 21 city/28 highway/24 combined
For more information, visit Acura.com