While from Acura big ticket Monterey debut has come and goneenthusiasts will receive a pleasant surprise in the form of the Integrate Type S HRC Prototype. Abbreviation for “Honda Racing Corporation, HRC is a byproduct of the company’s factory racing efforts, and it wants to offer some of the fruits of that effort to Integra owners. This may seem like a dress-up package, but don’t be fooled. There’s more to this prototype than meets the eye.
“Everything is functional,” says HRC Senior VP Jon Ikeda. “If it doesn’t add performance, it’s not on the car.”
Bold words. Let’s break it down, shall we? Acura says the HRC prototype touches “all elements of the driving experience.” They’ve also put a focus on weight reduction. In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s no back seat. Acura has also strategically replaced several interior pieces with carbon fiber.
If you really want to save every possible pound, the HRC package offers what Acura describes (oddly enough for a “prototype” that can’t be ordered) as an “optional” air conditioning deletion package. When we point out how faithfully Honda and Acura translate their prototypes to production, think back to this moment. The runway has already been cleared. That said, deleting the air conditioning certainly seems less than luxurious, but your author has been known to use its heated steering wheel during early-morning track sessions.
But I digress. Let’s get back to the go-fast bits, of which there are several. When Acura said “all elements” of the experience had been touched, they clarified that by specifically mentioning the engine, suspension, and brakesThe 2.0-liter turbo-four now benefits from a larger intake intercooler and a new, lightweight exhaust-side cat-back. It also now has dual oil coolers; combined with the beefier intercooler, that should help keep heat gain in check during prolonged track sessions. And yes, Acura said the engine’s power is up, but didn’t provide explicit horsepower or torque figures. Engine: Check.
The chassis sits 15mm lower on a new set of coilovers. The front and rear anti-roll bars and rear camber plates are all adjustable — taken from The Integra from Acura Type S HRC TCX race car, along with the aforementioned engine upgrades. It also gets six-piston Brembos up front and two-piece rotors at all four corners (for lower unsprung mass and cool factor, says Acura). Wheels are 19×9.5-inch and come wrapped in a set of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo Rs, measuring 265/30ZR19. Suspension and brakes? Check and check.
The aforementioned efforts to shave weight from the cabin only tell part of the HRC’s interior story. Outfitted as if it’s ready to tackle an SCCA hill climb, it comes with a massive rear crossmember that houses mounting solutions for multipoint racing harnesses. Interior components are color-matched to the prototype’s Indy Yellow exterior. The visible upgrades on the outside are functional, too. The revised front fascia improves nose downforce and incorporates front brake cooling ducts. The hood vent is a functional heat extractor, and both side splitters and the adjustable rear wing contribute to the HRC’s aerodynamic gains.
Acura will display the Integra Type S HRC along with the EV Performance Concept at The Quail following the premiere at 10:36 p.m. local time.