2024 Acura Integra Kind S performs properly with youngsters and adults

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 assume Acura is promoting the 2024 Integra Kind S brief on this primary drive program. I shouldn’t be annoyed by slowpokes. I must 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 an alternative of a monitor drive as a result of Acura is touting the Integra Kind S as a extra mature avenue automotive than the associated Honda Civic Kind R, which is billed as a monitor machine. The Civic Kind R could also be barely sharper, however the Integra Kind S is not any much less succesful and extra inviting as well.

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 right down to the dimensions and model.

The engine is the one aspect 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 unimaginable 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 also 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 site visitors. It’s a torque-rich engine with robust responses from a cease. It’s additionally responsive within the mid-range and all the way in which 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 out there right here.

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

I attempt a few laborious 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 once 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 laborious pull to at least one aspect 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, at the very least from the skin of the automotive. It has basically the identical exhaust system because the Honda with a single exhaust valve and three center-mounted 4.3-inch shops, nevertheless it lacks the Honda’s entrance resonator and thus the louder sound. That sound is available in two levels, because the valve opens at greater rpm with the automotive within the Consolation drive mode, decrease rpm in Sport mode, and all the time 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 driving 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 brief throws, optimistic engagement, and a terrific 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 number of shifts to get used to.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: Entrance-drive marvel

The Integra Kind S’s front-wheel-drive format additionally isn’t very best for dealing with, however you wouldn’t comprehend it by driving the automotive. It takes its place with the Civic Kind R as the perfect dealing with front-wheel-drive automobiles in the marketplace.

Acura upgrades the usual Integra to get there. In becoming the totally different suspension parts from the Civic Kind R below the Integra, Acura engineers widened the entrance monitor 3.5 inches and the rear monitor 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 constituted of a fabric 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 larger 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 larger 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 middle. 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 should handle the acceleration and steering, and carry many 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 companies up much more at freeway speeds to enhance high-speed stability. The automotive turns in to corners shortly, 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 vast tires and limited-slip diff.

These tires can solely accomplish that a lot, although, so balancing the burden for turning, accelerating, and braking is vital. When an excessive amount of pace 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 should run vast, however rather less throttle will get it again on monitor.

That is all simple to really feel because of a little bit 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 trip on damaged pavement. Consolation gives an on a regular basis comfy trip high quality, Sport+ borders on laborious over bumps, and Sport is the candy spot for twisty roads.

Total, 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 monitor like Laguna Seca, nevertheless it’s extra comfy on the road. That matches with the automotive’s extra grown-up character, which can also be mirrored in its appears and gear.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: The grown-up alternative

The Integra Kind S sports activities a wide range of exterior modifications 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 automotive 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 modifications give the Integra Kind S a purposeful stance that doesn’t stray too far into boy racer territory thanks largely to the shortage of a Civic Kind R-like rear wing. Which will imply the Acura has barely much less downforce on a monitor than the Honda, nevertheless it’s a good worth to pay to drive a automotive with a design that workouts sensible restraint.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

The inside modifications 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. Greater of us will respect that, however smaller individuals might not; I like them. The rear seat is formed for 2 passengers as an alternative of the usual three of different Integras.

The inside additionally includes 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 customer’s alternative of Pink, Ebony, or Orchid inside colours.

Acura additionally outfits the Kind S with luxurious automotive ranges of normal gear, 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 site 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 received the Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2023 award. Nonetheless, the Integra Kind S is extra civil than the Civic and higher geared up. It might additionally seemingly carry out simply as properly so long as a slow-moving dump trunk isn’t blocking the way in which. We’ll goal to make that occur throughout our Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2024 testing later this yr.

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