Structure


Body Refinement

The Integra features a number of innovations that improve performance, durability and safety. For starters, the Sports Coupe provides 298.9 degrees of visibility. The Sports Sedan provides 306.3 degrees of visibility. The beneficial impact of all-around visibility on safety is self-evident.

To reduce wind noise and enhance aerodynamic efficiency, the Sports Coupe uses a pin-guide sash system for the door glass. The pin holds the window captive against the sash and forms a tighter seal than conventional designs.


Front & Rear Crumple Zone



At the front and rear the body is designed with deformable crumple zones. In a collision, these zones absorb impact energy and help prevent deformation of the passenger compartment.

In addition, all Integra models are equipped with a driver and front passenger dual air bag Supplemental Restraint System. The air bags are designed to work in conjunction with the 3-point outboard seat belts.



Chassis



Four Wheel Disc Brake & ABS

All Integra models feature 4-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front rotors to aid in rapid heat dissipation. To provide a short pedal stroke the front brake calipers are stout units that have a higher resistance to flexing and "spread" under severe brake application.

The Integra LS, GS and GS-R feature a standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) to help the driver retain steering control under maximum braking effort.


Front & Rear Suspension

To complement the advanced powertrain, Integra has an equally sophisticated suspension system. The front and rear suspension of all Integra models features an upper and lower control arm layout with stabilizer bars and a coil-over shock absorber. Like some of the key engine technology, the suspension design is derived from Formula One racing.

To add an extra measure of precision, the GS and GS-R models feature a stabilizer bar equipped with ball joints instead of rubber bushings. The GS-R model also features a shock tower bar to stiffen the lower subframe in order to enhance rigidity. This translates into sharper handling response.


Torque Sensitive Steering Gear

Rather than a conventional power steering system that uses vehicle speed to determine the amount of steering assist, the Integra system uses a combination of engine rpm and the amount of torque generated between the tire and the pavement. This provides a more linear power assist program and exercises more precise control over the amount of assist provided.



Powertrain



Engines

The core of the Integra personality lies in the engine. Like all Acura engines, this engine is all-aluminum with steel cylinder liners for durability. In the RS, LS and GS models the 1.8-liter engine produces 140 hp and 127 lbs-ft of torque and it features 4 valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts.

The GS-R engine adds the Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system to the basic DOHC architecture. In this configuration, it produces 170 hp and 128 lbs-ft of torque.


VTEC



The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system solves the age-old trade-off between tuning an engine for high speed power output or low-speed speed torque and responsiveness. Until Honda engineers developed VTEC an engine could have one or the other. But not both. But VTEC has rewritten the rules.

Using a unique arrangement of three cam lobes and three corresponding rocker arms for each pair of valves, the VTEC system can alter not just valve lift, but valve timing as well in response to engine load and driver demand. VTEC operates on intake as well as exhaust valves.

The crossover point between nominal valve lift and high valve lift occurs at 4400 rpm. As the engine continues to rev beyond that point, another system comes into operation - the dual stage intake manifold. At 5800 rpm, a second intake runner in the dual stage manifold opens to fully exploit the additional breathing potential of VTEC. Thanks to these two complementary systems, the GS-R engine has and almost flat torque curve from 2500 rpm up to 7200 rpm.

This is a truly remarkable engine. It has the highest specific output per liter of displacement than any normally aspirated engine on the market. And it also has the highest piston speed of any automobile engine in the world, even faster than the World Championship Honda Formula One engines.


Electronic Four Speed Automatic Transmittion

The optional 4-speed automatic transmission is available in RS, LS and GS models. It features an ignition retard system to reduce shift shock and a low-hold feature to enhance performance on driver demand. In addition, it features the Grade Logic Control System. This system uses a microprocessor to estimate the grade of a hill. It does this by measuring the vehicle speed and the throttle angle and compares these parameters to those stored in a "map" in the electronic control unit. The system either allows the transmission to shift to a higher gear or hold it in a lower gear to achieve the smoothest operation. On downhill grades it holds the transmission in a lower gear to enhance engine braking.