The Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype takes parts from the race car, combined with bespoke high performance parts to create this prototype that we need to see built!
Acura recently revealed this one-of-one prototype in California. But I recently got the chance to take a close look at it in a studio outside of Detroit Michigan. It’s mega! The U.S. division of Honda Racing Corporation, or HRC U.S., developed it to showcase parts available for the Type S. But I desperately want to see this one-off become a special edition Integra model for Honda’s performance brand.
Acura started with a 2024 Integra Type S, plucked parts from the Type S TCX race car and then built and bought several more parts to create a street-legal track day monster with four-doors, but only two-seats, legit downforce, and carbon fiber strewn about throughout.
Starting under the hood, the prototype starts with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder of the Integra Type S. From the factory, you get 320 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque. But HRC added a larger intercooler to feed the turbo, twin oil coolers on either side to keep operating temps in check, and a lightweight cat-back exhaust system.
Acura kept mum about outputs with the modifications, but I have a feeling someone played with the engine tune a bit as well, given the larger intercooler feeding cooler air to the cylinders. Call it a hunch, I bet 350 horsepower is a good starting place.
But it’s also the least impressive change. Engineers replaced the stock suspension with a new setup that rides 0.6-in lower to the ground and includes adjustable ride heights front and rear, as well as adjustable camber plates to help dial in a setup. HRC threw in an adjustable rear anti-roll bar to help further. Finally, the track widened by 1.2-inches for both the front and rear axle.
That new suspension aids a set of Pirelli Trofeo R tires, measuring 265/30R19 to grip the surface like a race tire with a token amount of tread pattern. These tires alone will take seconds off your lap time. And Acura mounted them on a set of lightweight, forged aluminum wheels for good measure.
Through the wheel, you see a set of 15.0-in slotted rotors with six-piston brembo brakes up front. Much smaller, but still slotted rotors handle stopping duty in the rear.
Engineers also removed weight from the Type S HRC, nearly 200 lbs. in total. First of all, they yanked out the A/C unit and rear seats. From there, they swapped the stock hood and rear door panels and replaced them with carbon fiber. Finally, the front seats headed to the bin to make room for one-piece Recaro buckets, made from…you guessed it, carbon fiber.
Acura added some weight back, largely in the from of additional chassis bracing. The most obvious and fun being the X-brace, painted in Indy Yellow Pearl, the brace mounts right behind where the second row would lie. It includes tie downs at the base to easily secure a set of tires behind the driver. And a set of shoulder straps for a four- or five-piece belts, conveniently loop around the top bar, should you choose to mount a set.
HRC coated the body with the same Indy Pearl yellow, which pairs nicely with the bold new front fascia, replete with a front-lip spoiler, splitter, and massive cooling openings. Oh, and that Formula1 sized rear wing mounted in back. Acura did not specify downforce figures, but assures me they are positive.
The stock Acura Integra Type S drives brilliantly well. It engages the driver and provides crystal clear communication about available grip available through a corner. If this HRC prototype maintains the feel, but raises grip to near race car levels of performance, it would be absolute track Nirvana. Acura, build this car!
Acura also showed me a killer new EV in the studio, the Performance EV Concept
