THE Integra Type R even today it reminds us of a Honda different from today, when we associated the mere mention of the Japanese brand name with some of the most desirable vehicles on the market — and possible for many of us to reach — with the letters VTEC that translated into many rotations and sharp driving.
One of the highlights of that era was even the Integra Type R, a front-wheel-drive sports coupe that matched a featherweight of just over 1100 kg (DIN) with the B18C, a 1.8 l and 192 atmospheric inline four-cylinder. bhp, hitting a surreal (at the time) 8000 rpm and with the redline only hitting 8800 rpm — a stark contrast to today's turbo-dependence.
All of this, combined with a rigorously improved chassis, quickly earned him the title of “best front wheel drive ever”, a title that many say still belongs to him today.
No wonder it has become a cult model and today we are witnessing the sale of some of its best preserved specimens for “absurd” sums, such as a 1997 specimen that we reported a couple of years ago that sold for 75,000 euros !
There's nothing quite like the Integra Type R in Honda's catalog these days, and even the Type R abbreviation, which we only see on the Civic today, has swapped stratospheric revs for a turbocharger — we're not complaining. It remains the hitting reference among hot hatches.
A Honda Integra Type R for today
In the past we've published a vision — quite stylized and progressive — of a designer for a new Honda Integra Type R. Now we have another, more realistic one, from the well-known TheSketchMonkey, who took the new generation Honda Civic and digitally transformed it to be a hypothetical Integra Type R.
Taking into account the starting point, the Civic, it is easy to make the visual connection between the two models. Designer Marouane Bembi (the “face” behind TheSketchMonkey) reduced the height of the familiar, eliminated the rear doors and, in general, narrowed a series of visual elements, such as the optics, grille. or air intakes.
The end result is much more aggressive due to its proportions, slimmer elements and larger wheels. Would it convince as a new Integra Type R?