ACURA Integra Coupe Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Acura introduced the second generation of the Integra in 1994 and pushed the car's limits even farther, resulting in one of the best front-wheel drive vehicles ever made.

This second generation of the Integra featured a sports-oriented chassis, rigid bodywork, and powerful engines for their displacements. But things went even wilder later with the small, two-door Integra when the carmaker introduced the GS-R and the Type R versions.

Its design was simple yet easy to recognize. Its dual round headlamps design of the front end replaced the pop-up headlights used on its predecessor. The badge was mounted between them, while the grille was moved lower, in the apron. From its sides, the ascending beltline and the sloped-down greenhouse created the image of a sporty vehicle. Finally, the back of the car sported wide taillights.

Depending on the version, the car featured bolstered front seats and a small split-folding bench for two in the back. The dashboard sported a big tachometer and speedometer flanked on the sides by the fuel and temperature gauges. At the same time, the center stack hosted the stereo and the HVAC control system if the car was fitted with that. When the Integra Type R came on the market in 1997, the AC unit was eliminated to save some weight. Moreover, that version didn't have a sunroof or a manual transmission in the options list.

Under the hood, Honda installed a choice of three 1.8-liter engines. The base model was mainly tuned for fuel efficiency and was available with a four-speed automatic transmission. The other two were only fitted with a five-speed manual. All of them featured disc brakes in all corners, double-wishbone suspension up front, and multi-link out back.

The second generation of the Acura Integra was bigger and heavier than its predecessor and that brought some disappointment from its buyers. But its good handling and sporty engines brought them back.

With an increase in the sport-compact market, Honda tried to stay on top with the little Acura Integra. It shared some components with the Honda Civic, but it was the styling and some particular engines that made it more desirable than the popular Civic, despite its higher sticker price. In terms of volumes, it didn't count when compared to its Honda sibling. In terms of smiles/miles, it was way ahead.

The wedged-shaped exterior, with windows almost flush to the body panels, the Integra was a coupe with a liftback. The slim and wide headlights were different than other cars on the market. In the back, the squared taillights were integrated into the rear panel.

Inside, the low-mounted dashboard allowed a better view of the road. The four-spoke steering wheel looked carried away from the Civic. The gauges definitely were, but the shape of the instrument cluster was slightly different. The seats were bolstered for better side support during high-speed cornering, a chapter where the Integra excelled.

Under the hood, the Japanese engineers installed several gasoline engine versions, including a 1.7-liter unit that offered 160 hp on the GSR model. The basic version was the 1.8-liter unit with 20 hp less than the GSR. Both versions were mated to a 5-speed manual, but the GSR featured shorter gear ratios, for a better quarter-mile run.

The first generation of the Honda/Acura Integra came on the Japanese market in 1985, followed by the international launch in 1986.

By the mid-'80s, Honda tried to get more traction in several markets, especially on U.S. soil. Its previous cars, such as the Civic and the Accord, were appreciated in terms of reliability but lacked the styling or the performance offered by other competitors. But Honda changed that with the Integra.

With its pop-up headlights and two-door fastback design, the Integra became a hit for the Japanese carmaker. An apron that incorporated the fog lights on the lower side continued the narrow front end. The flat and low hood and raked windshield with slim A-pillars offered excellent visibility for the driver. In addition, the tall and wide side windows and even bigger rear windscreen created a bright interior. On top of that, the available sunroof made things even better.

The interior was designed for four adults, yet the rear seats were not that spacious. On the other hand, the front seats offered good side support thanks to their bolstered areas. A low center console sported the gear stick and the handbrake. The driver benefited from the low-mounted dashboard that didn't limit the visibility. At the same time, the small and squared instrument cluster provided the most essential information. In Europe, on the other hand, the car was not available with an AC unit or other modern features. Yet, a tape player was on the options list.

Under the hood, Honda installed low-displacement engines that provided a mere 113 ponies for the most potent version. In Europe, the base unit provided even less than that: 85 hp. Fortunately, the car was light, which led to decent acceleration times.