| In 1986, Honda launched Acura to create a | | | | |
| separate luxury brand to appeal to the | | | | In 1997, the limited-edition Acura Integra |
| upscale automotive market outside Japan, | | | | Type R debuted. Available only as a coupe, |
| especially in the US. Acura's first model, | | | | the Type R focused purely on performance , |
| the Integra, was a sporty hatchback that | | | | featuring a high-revving 195-hp version of |
| highlighted Acura's focus on engineering | | | | the 1.8-liter engine. Lighter parts and body |
| excellence and build quality. Integra's | | | | panels lowered the Type R's weight by nearly |
| balance between reliability and performance | | | | 100 pounds. It included tweaked Acura Integra |
| gave it a quick headstart, aside from making | | | | parts such as a tuned suspension system, |
| it an instant worthy competitor for the more | | | | better brakes, a limited-slip differential, |
| expensive German imports like the Volkswagen | | | | and a specially designed close-ratio |
| Golf Gti. Shortly after its introduction, | | | | five-speed manual transmission. In 2001, the |
| Integra immediately stamped its mark in the | | | | Acura Integra Type-R won an Editors' Most |
| automotive market. In fact, it was included | | | | Wanted award for Best Sports Coupe (FWD/AWD) |
| by Car and Driver magazine on its annual Ten | | | | Under $30,000. It was also named as the best |
| Best list (1987) - the first of six more | | | | front-wheel-drive drivers' car ever by Evo |
| citations in just a span of 10 years. | | | | Magazine in 2006. |
| | | | |
| The Acura Integra amassed considerable | | | | Integra showed that Acura - and Honda for |
| following in the coming years of its | | | | that matter - has enough muscles to compete |
| existence. Because of its 'modifiable' Acura | | | | with the global luxury car manufacturers in |
| Integra parts, the car has been widely | | | | terms of design, quality, and comforts inside |
| popular among custom car enthusiasts. Acura | | | | the cabin. As Acura solidified its place in |
| introduced its variable valve timing system | | | | the near-luxury market, however, the company |
| (VTEC) for Integra's use in the early '90s. | | | | adjusted its marketing strategies. It opted |
| The Integra was the first car (after the NSX) | | | | for alphanumeric names. In 2001, Acura |
| to carry a VTEC engine. This system, along | | | | changed Integra's name to RSX, marking the |
| with the base Acura Integra parts, helped the | | | | end of Integra's tenure in the US. Despite |
| car utilize every single drop of power out of | | | | this, Integra's earlier generations remained |
| its small 4-cylinder engine, while | | | | the favorite among young enthusiasts. |
| maintaining excellent fuel efficiency. | | | | |