Honda Integra Type R

Introduced in '97 the Integra Type R is a track racer with all the practicalities of a normal car such as 4 seats, a usable boot and reasonable miles per gallon.

The Integra model had not been seen in the UK since '87. With the R denoting 'racing', the Integra Type R is lightened even down to the windscreen, stripped and strengthened, and some red badges.

The main feature this car has is the engine - a hand finished 1.8 litre, 100bhp per litre naturally aspirated VTEC engine. The B18 VTEC engine urging your to rev to the redline peaking 190bhp @ 7900rpm.

The UK car gets the Japanese Recaro interior - Red in the Championship White models and Black in the Black or Red variants. The US quad lamp front end was installed from the launch. The Japanese did not switch to this design until later so same year JDM imports may have the large rectangular lights.

As with many of Hondas cars build quaility remains high. A stainless steel exhaust is standard equipment, and is hard to improve on. A helical Limited Slip Differential is alkso standard fare to increase road holding - a great asset where so many manufacturers use computers to cut the fun.

The Integra Type R has gained a reputation as one of the best handling front wheel drive cars, thanks to impressive structural rigidity and double wishbone suspension front and rear.

Thanks to its ability both on road and on track the ITR is a great one car solution to having an everyday car and one for the weekend. Use on track can lead to the path of upgrades - though often at the expense of everyday ride or power delivery. It is worth noting that Honda put a great deal of research into attaining 100bhp per litre and into see gains on this will require careful selection of parts and a reasobale amount of money.

The ITR begs to be driven and is rewarding to do so. It does require dedication, with little low down torque, and VTEC not even engaging until around 6000rpm but put the effort in and the rewards are there. A lack of sound proofing adds to the experience as the VTEC switch over turns the engine note into an F1 howl all the way upto 140mph. The dash to 60mph comes up in 6.7 seconds, but it's not just about the raw acceleration. The whole package works so well together and even though it pushes the boundaries in technology it remains reliable.

The DC2 Integra Type R will no doubt claim a space in classic motoring in the future.