- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
154kW, 194Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 9.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Honda Integra Type-S
For: Sensational engine, superb gearbox, entertaining handling, improved ride, roomy and comfortable up front, decent value.
Against: Unchanged styling, lots of engine noise when pushed, tight back seat, not spectacularly well equipped.
Score: 4 stars (out out 5)
The sub-$50,000 coupe market used to be a favourite indulgence for car manufacturers but four-wheel-drives are now laying the golden eggs. Today, only three brands fight it out for the attentions of coupe buyers.
Honda obviously reckons the segment still has legs because it has just unveiled the updated 2005 version of its fourth-generation Integra, originally launched here in 2001.
At first glance it seems nothing has really changed, because the crisply chunky styling and mechanicals are all but identical - new lights, colours and wheels are the most obvious visual changes - to the outgoing model.
Dig deeper, though, and you'll find there are changes to the suspension, steering and noise suppression - areas in which the old model stood to benefit most.
The base Luxury model kicks off the line-up at $38,490, a handy $2000 or so less than before. It's powered by the same 118 kW 2.0-litre four hooked up to a sweet-shifting five-speed manual, or a slick five-speed auto. With climate-control air-conditioning, leather pews, power sunroof, CD player, four airbags and anti-lock brakes, it's well equipped but hardly luxurious, as the lack of cruise control, trip computer and side curtain airbags show.
Much more enticing is the $42,990 Type-S, which replaces the Type-R at the top of the tree. Don't be fooled by the less racy badge. While the S is more luxurious than the R, featuring all the Luxury's equipment as well as a six-stack CD player, it's no less well endowed. The full-caffeine version of the variable valve timing-equipped (VTEC in Honda speak) 2.0-litre four-cylinder now sends a heady 154 kW (7 kW more) to the front wheels through the standard six-speed manual gearbox, and Honda has also beefed up the suspension and added bigger 17-inch wheels and tyres for better handling.
It only takes a short while with the Type-S around town or on a poor road to realise it's much more comfortable. While it pitches noticeably over sustained undulations, there's none of the grimacing and flinching over sharp bumps that accompanied stints in an R. Noise suppression, however, is still average, with tyre, wind and mechanical din all noticeable at highway speeds.
No such issues with the steering, which suffers from none of the old car's ropey feel and inconsistent weighting. If anything, it's too lacking in feel, but drivers now can explore the capable chassis without feeling like a secondary player.
The improved steering goes a long way to highlighting the Type-S's entertaining handling. The Honda's keen turn-in, lack of body roll and stout resistance to front-end push allow it to slice up corners with impressive precision, and its good balance, predictable nature and strong, fade-free brakes mean it's also very forgiving.
The Type-S's crowning glory, though, is its engine, which seamlessly switches from pussycat to roaring lion. Around town it's smooth, refined and happy to pull high gears from absurdly low revs, and very economical. But put the foot down and the performance just keeps on building until the screaming 8000 rpm rev limit. It's intoxicatingly rapid, and the superb six-speed manual shift means another burst of that VTEC blast is just a satisfying snick away.
The rest of the Integra package treads no new ground.
The sparse but attractive and well-built cabin flaunts minor trim changes but little else, meaning good space and comfort up front (though the steering's lack of telescopic adjustment will hinder some) but limited head and foot space in the back. The boot's high lip, too, makes loading heavy objects a chore.
Typical coupe buyers, however, tend not to worry about such matters. The real news is the Type-S is much more comfortable than the Type-R yet better to drive. It's what the Integra should have been back in 2001, but buyers will have to delve beneath the same-as appearance to find out.
Nuts 'n' bolts - Honda Integra Type-S
How much? $42,990(man only), plus options and on-road costs.
Insurance Premium: $1077(RACV wholly owned, driver 40-plus, rating one, medium-risk suburb, $450 excess).
Warranty: 3 years/100,000 km.
Engine: 2.0-litre, double overhead cam, 16-valve four. 154 kW at 7800 rpm and 194 Nm at 7000 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel-drive.
Steering: Rack and pinion, 2.6 turns lock to lock. Turning circle 11.6 m.
Brakes: Ventilated discs (f); discs (r), ABS.
Suspension: Independent by MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabiliser bar (f); Independent by double wishbones, coil springs and stabiliser bar (r).
Wheels/Tyres: Alloy, 17 x 7.0-inch. Tyres 215/45.Space-saver spare.
How big?
Length 4400 mm
Width 1725 mm
Height 1395 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm.
How heavy? 1230 kg.
How thirsty? 9.4 L/100 km, premium unleaded.
Fuel tank: 50 litres.
Equipment: Airbags - yes, four (twin front and side); traction control - no; air-conditioning - yes, climate control; cruise control - no; trip computer - no; power windows - yes; sound system - radio, six-stack CD player; security - immobiliser; cup holders - yes, two.
Competitors
Hyundai Tiburon V6
3.5 stars
Toyota Celica ZR
3 stars
Prices and details correct at publication