Tokyo, July 2, 2001 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a full model change for its Integra automobile, popular for its sporty, stylish design and high performance. The new Integra will go on sale from July 2, 2001 at Honda Verno dealers nationwide in Japan.
The Integra is an exciting new coupe that integrates the most important fundamental elements of driving-running, cornering and braking-with a highly refined, stylish design, developed around the three principle concepts of "sharp and solid styling," "exciting driving" and "excellent safety and ecological performance".
Two new versions of the Integra, developed simultaneously, include the basic "iS" model and the more sporty "Type R" model. Both feature a new high-rigidity body designed to support high-performance driving better than ever.
The Type R is powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine developed specifically for excellent intake and exhaust efficiency and a maximum power output of 220PS, coupled with a new close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Powerplant and transmission combine with a new suspension to offer extremely linear response to driver input. Other features including front brakes jointly developed with Brembo, Recaro bucket front seats, and a MOMO genuine leather-covered steering wheel help round out the new Integra Type R's excellent driving performance in such a way that it would be right at home even on the racing circuit.
The iS stands as a stylish yet functional coupe, powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine with a maximum power output of 160PS, ideal for drivers desiring sporty, fun-to-drive performance.
Integra Type R
Primary Features of the New Integra
<Exterior>
- Based on the key design concept of "sharp and solid", the new Integra's exterior design features a highly aerodynamic "aero-cabin" styling with a distinctive personality, and an unusual kind of solidity that skillfully integrates a sense of jaunty nimbleness with a strong presence.
- Body design with arrowhead-shaped styling lines lends the new Integra a sense of youthful, energetic vigor and offers excellent aerodynamic performance.
- Four multi-reflector headlights set in pairs into the sides of the V-shaped nose lend sharpness and novelty to the new Integra's front view.
- Cylindrical taillights lend a sporty, progressive look to the new Integra's rear view.
- The new Integra Type R includes numerous special aerodynamics fittings including front spoiler, side sill trim rear underskirt, and tailgate spoiler.
<Interior>
- Cabin interior has been designed to be dynamic yet also snug and cockpit-like, a sporty, personal interior space that gives priority to the driver.
- The various control switches, shifter knob, and the steering wheel have been optimally shaped to match driver movement and actions for improved ease of operability while driving.
- Dashboard meter array with 4 independent dials features red illuminated characters for better visibility at night.
- Front bucket seats feature a sporty one-piece design with integrated head rests.
- The Type R features Recaro front bucket seats and a leather-covered, small-diameter MOMO steering wheel. Pedal pads, foot rest, shifter knob, side-brake lever, and decorative console paneling are made of weight-saving aluminum materials. Other interior design features include specially designed meters, console, and step trim.
<Packaging>
- Packaging designed for high efficiency features a spacious cabin interior and short overhang while also achieving collision safety performance, meeting the world's highest safety standards.
- Rear seat area is spacious enough to comfortably fit two adults.
- Compact rear suspension design contributes to a flat trunk floor.
<Engines>
Type R
- The Integra Type R's 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine combines the high-rev intake/exhaust valve timing and lift variability of Honda's VTEC1 technology with VTC (Variable Timing Control) to achieve a maximum power output of 220PS.
- Short single-passage isometric intake manifold ensures excellent intake inertia even at high engine speeds.
- Dual exhaust manifolds, larger port diameter, variable-valve silencer, and other measures contribute to reduced exhaust resistance.
- Engine is approximately 10 kilograms lighter than the 1.8-liter engine used in the previous Integra Type R.
- Connecting rods and high-rigidity crankshaft are fashioned from high-strength materials for high durability at high engine speeds.
iS
- 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine uses Honda's VTEC*1 technology to keep one intake valve nearly closed during low speed operation, combined with VTC (Variable Timing Control) to achieve a maximum power output of 160PS.
- Rotary valve-equipped isometric intake manifold constantly maintains optimum intake inertia.
- *1VTEC: Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control
<Transmissions>
Type R
- A newly developed close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission takes good advantage of the engine's high-rpm and high-torque zones.
- The Integra Type R features the world's first transmission in the 2.0-liter class to use multiple synchronizing cones for all gears, including a triple-cone synchronizer in 1st and 2nd gears and a double-cone synchronizer in 3rd through 6th gears, resulting in lighter, faster shifting. Combined with a reverse gear gate closing control mechanism that responds to vehicle speed, the result is improved shift feel and missed shift prevention.
- An ultra-lightweight forged chrome-molybdenum steel flywheel reduces inertial mass by 30% compared to the previous-generation Integra, resulting in sharper response and improved acceleration performance.
- Clutch features a torsion mechanism that reduces the speed change occurring when rotary power is transferred from the engine into the transmission.
- Torque induction-type helical LSD
- A more compact transmission design reduces overall transmission length by 20 millimeters and weight by 2.5 kilograms compared to the 5-speed manual transmission used in the previous-generation Integra Type R.
iS
- A newly developed 5-speed manual transmission gives excellent performance ideal for enjoying sportier driving. In 1st and 2nd gear the transmission uses a triple-cone synchronizer, resulting in comfortable operability and good shift feel. The clutch system has also been redesigned to include newly developed clutch lining materials.
- Direct-control S-Matic-equipped 5-speed automatic transmission contributes to driving that is refined and stylish but that still retains an agreeably sporty edge.
<Body>
- Integration of high-rigidity elements throughout the body improves responsiveness and raises performance limits for sportier driving.
- Bending rigidity has been improved by 35% and torsional rigidity by 116% compared to the previous-generation Integra Type R.
- The body of the Type R adds a rear aluminum bumper beam, front strut tower bar, and rear damper cassette for even greater body strength. The front bumper beam and other parts have been replaced with aluminum versions to lighten weight as much as possible.
- The iS uses sound-blocking and sound-absorbing materials around the trunk and other methods to reduce noise for a quieter, more comfortable cabin interior.
Chassis
Type R
- Chassis design includes Front Toe Control Link Strut Suspension and Rear Reactive Link Double Wishbone Suspension. Special settings including greater front knuckle rigidity, larger rear stabilizers, harder damper mounts and bushing parts, higher steering system rigidity and larger, higher-performance tires all combine to improve the new Integra Type R's linearity of response and cornering performance.
- Front lower arms and rear brake calipers fashioned from aluminum and special lightweight wheels contribute to lightened unspring mass, resulting in lighter handling and response.
- Front brakes have been jointly developed with Brembo. Aluminum opposed 4-piston caliper brakes and large-diameter pillar-type discs with excellent heat dissipation properties help reduce brake fade. Brake cooling performance has been improved through the addition of a brake cooling duct and a ventilated splash guard.
iS
- Chassis settings befitting a sporty coupe include Front Toe Control Link Strut Suspension and Rear Reactive Link Double Wishbone Suspension. Damper and bearings have been redesigned to increase grounding point rigidity.
<Safety Performance >
- The new Integra's body incorporates Honda's G-CON impact-absorption technology to put its collision safety performance on par with the highest standards in the world. Crash testing included frontal full-wrap collision at 55 km/h, frontal offset collision at 64 km/h, side collision at 55 km/h, and rear collision at 50 km/h.
- Further, Honda's collision safety testing for the Integra also included car-to-car collision testing*2 using independently set target values. Throughout these car-to-car crash tests (which were designed to simulate conditions considerably harsher than those found in conventional stationary-barrier testing) the Integra was able to clear all target values, assuring the highest levels of enhanced safety performance.
- Body-design measures to reduce pedestrian injury were expanded to offer lower body and leg protection in addition to head protection, further advancing pedestrian safety.
- Low-impact head-protecting interior is designed to reduce collision-related passenger injuries.
- Driver and front-passenger SRS airbags are included as standard equipment on both types, with front i-side airbags available as a manufacturer's option.
- ISOFIX child seat restraint anchor bars for both the left and right rear seats are included as standard equipment on all types.
- *2Collision vehicle: up to 2-ton class passenger car; mutual collision speed: 50km/h; offset: 50%
<Environmental Performance>
- Polluting exhaust gas components (HC, NOx) have been reduced significantly on both types, resulting in emissions values 50% lower than levels stipulated by 2000 regulations. This extremely clean-running performance has been recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Transport's "Low Emissions Excellence" award.
- Highly recyclable olefin-based materials have been used for nearly all injection-molded interior parts, contributing to an overall recyclability rate of 90% or higher*3 for the car as a whole.
- *3Based on Honda calculations