Easily one of the biggest and most influential sport compact automobiles to date, the 3rd generation took the Integra to new heights. The dramatic change in body style was not accepted immediately by Integra loyalists from the 2nd generation. To some, actually, it still hasn't. However there is no arguing that in 1994, the Integra was to become a different car. The 1.8L 142HP, 127 ft-lbs. torque engine from the previous year's GS model found it's way into the 1994 RS and LS models. The highly praised GS-R model was given a new, more powerful 1.8L DOHC VTEC engine outputting 170HP and 128 ft-lbs. of torque.
In 1995, the Integra Special Edition was added to the line-up and was praised to be the most luxurious Integra and more closely resembled the image Acura had been wanting to portray. It was the first Integra to offer leather seats as a standard feature. The Special Edition was originally going to be offered for only a limited time however Acura chose otherwise.
OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics II) was implemented into the computer system of the 1996 model Integras. The new computer system now added more sensors as well as changing the chip's programming to meet stricter emissions guidelines and to better diagnose engine problems. While the introduction of the new system sounds good to most practical people (obviously not the type of people we are), this change was extremely looked down upon by the performance enthusiasts as the ECM (Engine Control Module, also referred to as ECU) would no longer accept reprogramming. If anyone wanted to modify their engine computer they would have to buy an entirely new aftermarket unit which can only be programmed once. This added a large expense and hassle to those who wanted to keep their engine computer system running at optimum performance with whatever modifications they might have done to their Integra. However companies like A'PEXi and Fields have come to the rescue and offered ECM "piggy-back" systems that do give a slight amount of reprogramability however still nothing can beat a fully aftermarket customized ECM. There is speculation concerning the performance of OBD-II. Alot of Integra owners will testify that OBD-I Integras perform better because of less restrictive emissions equipment. This has not been thoroughly tested nor has it been done in an equal and fair manner so there's really no telling which is better.
It's pretty fair to say that in 1997, the largest and most notable point in Integra history took place. It was the year the Integra would truly make it's mark in automotive history for years to come. The 1997 model year Integras had already arrived at the dealerships, however in July, Acura received Integras in a new never before seen trim level. After nearly two years of rumors and speculation, the highly talked about limited edition Integra Type R showed that it was, in fact, a reality. The Type R was an instant hit and sent car enthusiasts scrambling for the dealers hoping to find one of these rare items. The Type R uses a refined version of the GS-R's DOHC VTEC engine, and is able to crank out an astonishing 195HP and 130 ft-lbs. torque. The new engine could safely rev up to a heavenly 8400 RPMs, pushing piston speeds past that of any production car as well as most Formula 1 race engines. The suspension and unibody have also been upgraded and a torque-sensitive (Torsen) Limited Slip Differential had been added to the transmission to create what alot of experts have called the "best handling FWD car in the world". Only 750 Type R's were imported to North America (U.S. and Canada) that year and the number has slowly increased to 1500 for the final 2001 model year. That year Honda showed the automotive industry what engineering was all about, as the engine in the Type R had the highest specific output of any naturally aspirated, consumer available engine in the world. Currently, it stands 2nd place to the Honda S2000 in specific engine output. The Integra Type R has since become the standard in how all new sport compacts are judged. Even cars ranked in a higher class have been pitted against the Type R and they have often found themselves having their egos cut in half after the $25,000 Honda carrying the little 1.8L naturally aspirated engine just gave them a lesson in Ass-Kicking 101 at the track. There is no doubt that the Type R's home is at the race track, most of the street-minded luxury power cruisers have tried and failed when competing with the R on it's home turf. No joke, this car can run the 100ft slalom in the same time as a Ferrari. Of course I have only begun to scratch the surface of what has been put into this car. Check out our Type R special for the real deal.
As if there wasn't enough to do with the Type R hype flying about, Acura decided to make some other changes to their lineup by changing the name of the Special Edition (SE) to a the more permanent and traditional name of the GS. They had decided the SE would be a permanent part of the Integra line-up to show that the Integra was indeed an Acura sophisticated luxury car that belonged in Acura's line-up. Cassette players were upgraded to CD players on all model Integras. Also in 1997, the horsepower ratings for the RS, LS, and GS went down to 140HP and torque lowered to 124 ft-lbs caused by stricter emissions guidelines
Rumors and fake computer images were flying around for the 1998 model year as an exterior change was announced. However just about all of them turned out to be nothing more than false ways to get attention and money to the information hungry car magazines (as are most car rumors). The change in styling was only slight, as you can see from the pictures above however the change did help keep the current model Integra running stronger than it would have if there were no changes for the entire 94-2001 run. The front bumper changed to a slightly more angled shape and the painted bar across the mouth of the bumper was removed. The headlights were angled more inward in order to fit the new bumper. The rear bumper stayed basically the same shape however a lower bar-like shape was added to the bottom. The tail lights were also altered and the orange-colored turn signal reflector was replaced with a red reflector. This blended the turn signal in with the brake light and gave a higher quality "one piece" look. Alloy wheels were also added to the LS model.
Acura had some intense competition from the other luxury "names" such as Lexus (Toyota), Infinity (Nissan), and Audi (Volkswagon), as well as the European tried and true companies like BMW and Mercedes. To better compete, Acura had decided they wanted to go more upscale and hit a more mature demographic and they felt the Integra was bringing them down. In 1999, Acura killed the RS from the Integra line-up and put standard leather seats into the GS-R. The Type R was also not offered in the U.S. for 1999 because Acura felt it's lack of luxury features was not helping the upscale image standard that had been set. This caused a tremendous outcry as enthusiasts thought Acura was not going to allow Type R's to ever see U.S. shores again. However the death threats...uh, I mean voices, from automotive enthusiasts all over the country were heard and the Type R was brought back for the 2000 model year. Oh did I say death threats? I wouldn't know anything about that of course because that would be, well, bad. You believe me right? Of course you do ;-)
After the world-wide display of Y2K stupidity, the world realized it was still alive, computers were still working, and Acura was still selling Integras, hooray! OBD-II Ver.2 was introduced for the 2000 models and more closely resembled the OBD-I system in sensor placement however the ECM was still as un programmable as ever. The GS-R's exhaust manifold was shortened, causing 2000 GS-R owners to be out of luck if they had their eye an a special cat-back exhaust system made for up to the '99 models because now it wouldn't fit, doh!
Nothing known changed in 2001, except now all Acuras get floormats as a standard feature. This year signifies the final run of the 3rd generation Integra. For Acura, the Integra dies this year and will be replaced by what they have called the RS-X. In order to look more upscale, Acura wanted to incorporate the luxury-car requirement of random patterns of alphanumeric symbols in place of a name for Integra replacement. Whatever happens with the RS-X, the Integra will always have a place in Honda enthusiasts' hearts and will undoubtedly hold it's ground for years to come as being one of Honda's most desired sports coupes. We'll miss you Integra!
