Tokyo, January 29, 1998 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it has made improvements to the elegant, sporty Integra 3-door coupe, its 4-door hardtop cousin and the Integra SJ. As well as improved safety features, such as ABS fitted as standard, several refinements have been made to the interior and exterior styling of both vehicles. The Type R has also had its operating performance enhanced. The new Integra and Integra SJ series will be available from January 29 at Verno dealers throughout Japan.
Principal new Integra features:
Safety features:
ABS fitted as standard across the series
Dual SRS-airbags fitted as standard across the series
Exterior styling:
Altered rear light color combinations and headlight sub-reflectors
Modified rear bumper design
Newly-designed 15-inch aluminum wheels (SiR/SiR-G)
Special UV-absorbent glass throughout (Ti/Style-S/Xi-4WD/Xi-G)
New body colors available
Interior styling:
New interior decor color options
Triple-spoke steering wheel specially designed for SRS-airbag system
Large vanity mirrors
Continued availability of special edition vehicles:
Aero edition of Style-S model still available
Integra Type R
For those seeking the ultimate in sporty performance and driving pleasure, Honda offers the Integra Type R, complete with an improved engine, new brake tuning and High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights.
Engine improvements:
The new B18C "98 Spec.R" engine features an equal-length 4-in-1 style stainless steel exhaust manifold. By modifying and enhancing the exhaust pulse, this provides extra mid-range torque during acceleration.
Adjusted final gear ratios deliver enhanced power.
Handling improvements:
Larger diameter disc brakes all round (15-inch on the front and 14-inch on the rear) for improved braking performance.
Larger diameter tires (215/45ZR16s all round) with newly designed 5-hole 16-inch aluminum wheels help raise the understeer threshold substantially, while also improving response, handling and stability.
Completely retuned suspension for a sportier, firmer driving feel.
In line with the higher performance, the body has been strengthened in four places, with the rear lower arm performance rods made thicker.
Other improvements:
SRS airbag-compatible steering wheel designed by MOMO
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with twice the brightness of halogen lamps
New wing-type rear bumper design
Special "Integra Type R "98spec.R"-engraved aluminum badge placed in the center of the cockpit
Integra 3-door Type R
Integra 4-door Style-S
Domestic monthly sales target for the Integra series (including the Type R): 1,500 units
For reference:
Integra Type R "concept" meeting
For Integra Type R drivers, from March 1995, Honda has been organizing a series of "concept" meetings that aim to show drivers the potential of their vehicles, while at the same time giving them a deeper understanding of safe driving skills. In 1997, a total of 809 drivers took part in 24 meetings. This year Honda plans to hold around 25 meetings nationwide.
Contents:
Lecture on development concept from development team engineer
Lecture on driving from professional racing driver
Wet braking and other safety driving tests
Circuit test drives led by professional instructor
