2002 Honda Integra Type R 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Noisy, Bumpy, Brilliance

Faults:

None.

The car has been modified with a ARC Induction Kit and Spoon Sports progressive springs.

General Comments:

The car is a Japan new DC5 Integra Type R with the K20A engine in it.

The car is noisy, it has a rough ride at legal speeds, the white is very difficult to keep clean, The Recaro seats are difficult to get in and out of especially with the height of the vehicle, hard to get in and out, visibility behind and around you is horrible, and at 100kph/60mph in sixth gear the engine is spinning at a high 3500rpm...

But my word, the moment the accelerator is floored, the variable exhaust opens up, the variable intake opens up, and as the i-VTEC progresses through its stages, an intoxicating aural soundtrack surrounds you.

Speed just appears on the speedometer as the engine revs toward its 8300rpm redline. Although there is not really an abundance of torque, most of it can be attained at just over 3000rpm. The car is absolutely fantastic for a naturally aspirated 2000cc FWD car. Dyno’d with 225hp at the flywheel and 21 kg/m of torque, there is ample power to drive the 1180kg car.

The steering is relatively heavy and cornering is precise, the car resists under-steer very well and corners beautifully if proper weight transfer is achieved. However, this is a car to which a lot of attention must be given as a lot of things can happen very quickly. Corners appear much quicker then they seem, straights seem to disappear... a lapse of concentration can result in unfortunate circumstances.

It truly is an exceptional car, with Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel as standard equipment the car truly is something special to drive. It never fails to bring a smile to my face every time I open the garage door.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 2005