2024 Acura Integra Sort S Is Extra Like What We Had been Hoping For

What’s the easiest way for Acura to enhance upon its new Integra? Give it extra energy, higher tires, and an upgraded chassis. So we’re happy that the Integra’s upcoming efficiency variant, the Sort S, takes its powertrain from the pleasant new Honda Civic Sort R and contains quite a few dealing with upgrades. We drove a prototype of the Sort S at Honda’s proving grounds in Tochigi, Japan. Slated to reach this summer season, the brand new mannequin ought to supply the 40-plus crowd a substitute for the raucous Sort R.

Mechanical particulars are slim at this level, however we all know that the Integra shares the Sort R’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, six-speed guide transmission, limited-slip differential, and front-wheel-drive format. Within the Integra, this engine ought to not less than match, if not exceed, the Civic’s 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Had been you hoping Acura would introduce an all-wheel-drive system or a dual-clutch computerized transmission for faster acceleration? Powerful luck. (However we’ll gladly take the guide, thanks.) As a result of the bottom Integra is inexpensive and complicated than its German entry-lux opponents, the Sort S will seemingly slot in under the Mercedes-AMG CLA35 and the BMW M235i Gran Coupe, for instance, when it comes to efficiency and worth.

After all, that doesn’t imply it is going to be any much less enjoyable to drive than its rivals. Our transient expertise behind the wheel suggests the Sort S therapy goes a great distance towards livening up the Integra’s dynamics, which had been already energetic. The steering is heavier whereas remaining responsive and exact, and the broader tires lend a planted really feel. By the way in which, these 265-series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are of the grippy high-performance summer season selection (a notable omission on the common Integra, which is simply accessible with all-season rubber). They are going to vastly enhance skidpad and braking figures and assist sharpen turn-in and steering really feel too.

We’ll have to attend to drive the Sort S on public roads to evaluate its trip high quality subsequent to the agency Sort R, however the turbo 4 on this package deal impressed us. It revs eagerly, pulls onerous to triple-digit speeds, and even makes loads of character-adding exhaust pops and crackles.

As a result of it is a Sort S and never a Sort R, the styling is much less extroverted. The Integra lacks the Civic’s large wing and aggressive-looking vents and scoops, which might be good or dangerous, relying in your perspective. We just like the subtly meaner stance of the Integra Sort S, which has bigger 19-inch wheels and wider fenders than the usual automotive, with completely different entrance and rear fascias. The inside of the prototype didn’t show any apparent variations, though the entrance seats have a bit of additional bolstering.

With a splash extra sophistication than the Honda, the Integra Sort S may show attractive. If it’s priced inside a couple of thousand {dollars} of the Civic Sort R’s $43,990 base, there must be loads of curiosity on this various Honda sizzling hatch. We’re keen to search out out extra and spend extra time behind the wheel when the Integra Sort S comes nearer to actuality.