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Honda Integra Type - R (1997 - 2000)

TYPE-R FOR RESPECT (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 161

If you've ever watched the British Touring Car Championship on television and thought it looked like fun, a used Honda Integra Type-R is the closest road going approximation to a proper touring car. Although Integras only campaigned in the less prestigious Class B, much of the important stuff under the skin has a lot of similarities with the mechanicals used in the company's racing Accords. Just be prepared for some racing car-like compromises. Therefore, you'd expect a used Integra Type-R to be noisy, frenetic and incredible fun on the road and there are no disappointments on this score. Still reckoned to be the finest handling front-wheel drive car ever built, the Type-R has come to symbolise the screaming performance of Honda's VTEC valve technology. The Integra Type-R is like the first BMW M3, Nissan Skyline GT-R32 and Peugeot 306 Rallye; whilst not being the most beautiful cars around, they nonetheless receive nods of respect from those who know about serious performance.

Modelsword count: 7

Models Covered: (3 dr coupe 1.8 petrol)

Historyword count: 186

The Integra Type-R had a rather strange birth in the UK. Introduced in 1997, it revitalised the Integra name that most associated with blue-rinsed pensioners but which had disappeared in 1989. The appeal of the Type-R branding was anything but geriatric. Available initially in one colour only - Japanese Racing White - the lightweight Type-R was an instant hit and with a retail price just below £20,000, the order book of 400 cars that Honda had planned to import to the UK filled rapidly. The car has changed little since its launch. The key change that has been made was to widen the choice of colours to include red and black. Still hardly kaleidoscopic, but enough to attract new buyers dissuaded by the gleaming white version. UK sales of the Integra were helped by a lukewarm public reaction to the Prelude, although sales tapered off due to Honda's sporting range being augmented by the introduction of the Accord Type-R and the S2000 roadster. The Integra Type-R was finally axed in late 2000 as Honda looked to spread the Type-R brand across newer cars in the range.

What You Getword count: 296

If you travel on motorways, a stress migraine. You'll struggle to recall a coupe with higher internal noise levels than an Integra Type-R. This is due to a lot of the sound deadening material being stripped away, especially around the engine bulkhead and transmission in order to save weight. The lightweight windscreen has been known to 'sing' at certain harmonic frequencies as well, adding to the racket. Don't try to drown it out with a stereo either. Not only was one never fitted as standard, it probably wouldn't be audible anyway. If this sounds like fun, you'll love the Type-R; if not, take a test drive first. Whilst there may not be a long list of standard equipment, there are electric windows and you do get a couple of rather cramped rear seats, but that's about it. Still, a wonderful set of grippy Recaro racing seats makes up for the lack of gadgetry, although those who are slightly, ahem, broad in the beam, will definitely need to try before they buy. Besides, who wants to listen to a stereo when you've got an engine like that anyway? The car itself is based around a three-door version of the Integra. You get a skirts n' spoilers kit of course, with an obligatory mirror-filling hoop spoiler reminiscent of an Impreza or a Toyota Supra. And twin peek-a-boo headlamps like an Alfa GTV. But this car isn't about looks any more than it's about gadgets. Honda describes the Integra R as a kind of four-wheeled motorbike. Indeed, the importers think that the car will appeal to buyers with upper range superbikes who want a car for when the weather gets nasty. You wouldn't expect a spare wheel on a Honda Fireblade, so why expect one in an Integra Type-R?

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Scoring (subset of scores)

Category: Coupes

Performance
80%
Handling
90%
Comfort
40%
Space
70%
Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

This is an excerpt from our full review.
To access the full content library please contact us on 0330 0020 227 or click here

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