Acura has unveiled the Integra Type S Hrc Prototype, signaling a bold step into the realm of street and track-focused performance parts. Developed by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) engineers, renowned for their championship-winning expertise, this prototype hints at a new line of performance enhancements for Acura enthusiasts. The Integra Type S HRC Prototype made its debut during Monterey Car Week, showcasing its advanced aerodynamics, engine, and suspension components fine-tuned on the racetrack, drawing heavily from the Integra Type S TCX racecar. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between Acura’s racing pedigree and the desires of performance-driven customers seeking to elevate their driving experience.
Jon Ikeda, Senior Vice President, Honda Racing Corporation USA, emphasized the vision behind this project: “HRC performance parts is an exciting concept focused on building a stronger connection with Acura and Honda enthusiasts eager to access exclusive HRC race engineering to augment their performance driving experience. Every spec of the Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype screams performance. Everything is functional – if it doesn’t add performance it isn’t on the car.” The prototype, spearheaded by HRC US in Southern California, is a comprehensive upgrade, targeting improvements across engine, suspension, and braking systems, alongside significant weight reduction. This holistic approach underscores the performance potential of the Integra Type S, promising enhanced capabilities for both street and track environments. The public can witness the Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype firsthand at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, on Friday, August 16.
Optimized Aerodynamics for Track Domination
The Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype boasts an aggressive aesthetic, conceived at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, with dynamic lines visible from every angle. Drawing directly from the aerodynamic development of the Integra Type S TCX racecar, the prototype incorporates functional elements designed to maximize downforce and high-speed stability. Key aerodynamic enhancements include a redesigned front fascia featuring a larger front splitter and integrated cooling ducts, enlarged hood vents for improved heat extraction, side splitters to manage airflow along the body, and a prominent adjustable carbon fiber rear wing mounted on lightweight aluminum uprights. These components work in harmony to optimize aerodynamic performance at track speeds, ensuring the Integra Type S HRC Prototype remains planted and responsive.
The prototype’s striking appearance is further accentuated by its Indy Yellow Pearl paint, a vibrant color first introduced on the second-generation NSX supercar, signifying Acura’s high-performance lineage. Custom milled aluminum HRC badges, proudly displayed on the grille, front fenders, and decklid, reinforce the vehicle’s racing DNA, bearing the same logo seen on winning Honda and Acura race machines in prestigious series like IndyCar, IMSA, and Formula 1.
Weight Reduction Through Advanced Materials
A core focus of the Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype’s development is a significant reduction in weight to amplify overall performance. Extensive use of carbon fiber components plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. The prototype features a lightweight carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber rear door panels, and aggressively bolstered one-piece Recaro bucket seats constructed from carbon fiber. Further shedding weight, the rear seats have been removed and replaced with a meticulously engineered carbon fiber shelf. This innovative addition caters to track-day enthusiasts by providing a secure and stylish solution for transporting four mounted wheels and tires.
Combined with an optional air conditioning delete, these weight-saving measures contribute to an overall reduction of approximately 200 lbs compared to the standard Integra Type S. This substantial decrease in mass translates directly to improved acceleration, braking, and handling agility, enhancing the vehicle’s dynamic capabilities on both the street and track.
Enhanced Engine Performance and Optimized Handling Dynamics
The Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype elevates performance through targeted enhancements to its powertrain and chassis. The high-revving turbocharged 2.0-liter VTEC engine, already potent in its stock form, receives upgrades inspired by the Integra Type S HRC TCX race car. These include a larger intercooler to improve intake charge cooling, twin oil coolers to maintain optimal engine temperatures under demanding conditions, and a specially tuned, lightweight cat-back exhaust system designed for reduced backpressure and enhanced sound. These modifications collectively improve engine output, throttle response, and cooling efficiency, ensuring consistent performance during rigorous driving.
Handling prowess is further refined with a track-ready suspension system that lowers the ride height by 15mm, sharpening turn-in and reducing body roll. The suspension features tuned coilovers for precise damping control, an adjustable rear anti-roll bar to fine-tune handling balance, and adjustable front and rear camber plates for optimized wheel alignment. Mirroring the specifications of the Integra Type S HRC TCX race car, these suspension upgrades deliver track-focused handling dynamics. Forged lightweight 19 x 9.5-inch wheels with an increased negative offset widen the front and rear track by 30mm, contributing to enhanced stability and a more aggressive stance.
To maximize grip and exploit the chassis upgrades, the prototype is equipped with track-oriented Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R ultra-high-performance tires (265/30ZR19) featuring a 60 Treadwear rating. These tires offer exceptional levels of traction and feedback, crucial for confident track driving and spirited road performance.
Superior Braking System for Uncompromising Stopping Power
Braking performance is paramount for a track-focused vehicle, and the Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype delivers with a significantly upgraded system. Massive 15-inch two-piece front rotors, 1.4 inches larger than those on the standard Integra Type S, are paired with Brembo 6-piston aluminum calipers, providing substantial increases in braking force and thermal capacity. Two-piece rear rotors further reduce unsprung weight, contributing to improved suspension responsiveness. Larger ducts integrated into the front fascia optimize brake cooling by channeling more airflow directly to the front rotors, maintaining consistent braking performance even under sustained heavy use.
Reinforcing the chassis and providing secure attachment points for multipoint harnesses, a robust X-Brace is installed in the rear bulkhead. Finished in the same striking Indy Yellow Pearl paint as the exterior, the X-Brace not only enhances structural rigidity but also adds a visual flourish to the interior. The cabin experience is further elevated with black Alcantara accents and color-matched yellow seatbelts, stitching, and trim, creating a premium and performance-oriented environment.
Honda Racing Corporation USA: Expertise Born from Racing Heritage
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) spearheads all of Honda and Acura’s high-performance racing initiatives in North America. This includes involvement in pinnacle racing series such as IndyCar and IMSA sports cars, as well as supporting commercial racing programs and contributing to Honda’s Formula One endeavors. Notably, HRC will partner with the Aston Martin Aramco F1 team as the official engine supplier starting in 2026. With Formula 1’s growing presence in the U.S., HRC USA will play a significant role in Formula One power unit development and race support from 2026 onwards.
HRC’s roots trace back to its establishment in Japan in 1982 as Honda’s motorcycle racing division. Over four decades, HRC has accumulated a remarkable legacy of championship victories in premier global racing categories, including WGP/MotoGP, Superbike, Motocross, World Trial, and the Paris Dakar rally. In 2022, HRC expanded its scope to include auto racing, incorporating the Honda F1 program into its responsibilities. This rich racing heritage and engineering expertise are now being channeled into the development of performance parts for Acura vehicles, starting with the Integra Type S HRC Prototype.
The Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype represents a compelling vision for the future of Acura performance enhancements. By leveraging the vast knowledge and experience of Honda Racing Corporation, Acura aims to offer enthusiasts a new avenue to personalize and elevate their vehicles with track-proven technology. The debut of the Integra Type S HRC Prototype signals the beginning of an exciting chapter for Acura performance, promising a closer connection between the brand’s racing achievements and the driving experiences of its passionate customers.
