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Test drive 1
Do you classify yourself as a typical Honda buyer? If so,
run, do not walk to the nearest exit if anyone offers you
a test drive in an Integra Type R. This is to normal Hondas
what a Rhodesian Ridgeback is to slow cats.
Honda obviously decided it had heard enough boasting by those
who think the Subaru Impreza WRX is some sort of cheap F1
car. It went for the jugular, pulling 27 kilograms of weight
out of the normal Integra - thinner glass, less sound-proofing
and lighter seats mainly - stiffening the
body with three cross-braces, lowering it 15 millimetres
and bolting-on bigger wheels, tyres and brakes and finally
waving the savagery stick over the engine. Starting with its
terrific VTEC technoloogy, it wound-up the rubber band to
produce a raucuous 141 kilowatts from 1.8-litres and stuffed
a close-ratio five-speed gearbox and very short (4.4:1) final
drive into it.
The result is a real road chomper that will embarrass almost
everything else over a standing 400 metres. It screams to
7900 rpm, where lies the power peak, but despite torque climaxing
at 6300 the variable valve-timing technology gives it muscular
pulling power mid-range. It does all this to the tune of a
wonderful exhaust howl. But while you have fun slapping the
stubby titanium knob-tipped gearshift to and fro the car can
become tiresome, because at 100 km/h on the freeway you're
on a coarse, throbbing 4000 rpm. As well, tyre noise is annoying
and the steering - while giving great information through
the thick red-stitched black leather Momo wheel - is too heavy
at town speeds.
The ride, however, is surprisingly good. I hammered the car
over several hundred kilometres of deserted back roads and
because it has such amazing grip (a limited-slip differential
helps) I gave it no mercy, no matter what the surface. The
Recaro seats literally Araldite you into place. However, the
red-and-black interior on the test car was a bit loud, and
the fake carbon-fibre on the dash somewhat naff. And it doesn't
have airconditioning, remote central locking or driving lights,
although standard kit does include electric windows and mirrors,
immobiliser security system, rear wipe-wash, dual front airbags
and split-fold rear seat.
And it's a real head-turner. The spider-type alloy wheels
look good, as does the quad-lamp front and the big rear wing
- although the latter can be a bit annoying in the rear-view
mirror, particularly when you're watching for C ommodores
or Falcons moving unusually quickly through the traffic behind
you.
It's a brilliant car, great buying at the price. The annoying
noise, low final drive gearing and heavy steering might annoy
you trundling around the 'burbs but all this is instantly
washed away the moment you find the right road and rattle
the bars of its cage. I didn't get it to the Great Ocean Road,
but with its awesome acceleration and grip it would gobble-up
those short straights and Velcro every corner - and do it
all at legal speeds while sounding like you're doubling the
limit. A negative for some might be that its required diet
is premium unleaded, but if you have to worry about the cost
you don't deserve this car.
Bring on your WRXexes. The Type R has the sort of street
cred a gentleman wants, not the hoon-kid image.....
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