How is a 2026 Acura Integra Type S like a Caterham 420R?

[Anaximander]

Well, for starters, on the Nürburgring, the fastest recorded lap time for the Caterham 420R is 7 minutes 22 seconds and a 3200 pound Integra Type S has to wallow around in about 7 minutes and 44 seconds (actually a Civic Type R). With tongue in cheek, other than fairly quick times, the Caterham kicks the Type S Integra in the pants due to its phenomenal cornering and excellent power to weight ratio. 

The reason that I made this comparison is that at age 77 this month, I finally decided that a specialty open cockpit super-sporty car like the Caterhams and some of the sevenesque cars I have owned (7 Stalkers and one Caterham 300R) were just too focused for my aging carcass. However, I am amazed that to this day, with all of the incredible technology incorporated in the latest iterations of the Honda Civic Type R and its close twin, the Acura Integra Type S, that they cannot outrun a car that was dreamt up so many years ago and really runs on rails on one of the most challenging race tracks in the world. 

However, what is incredible is that I was still able to buy a brand new car for $55k OTD in June 2026 that was designed and made in America (likely better parts sourcing) that has a state-of-the-art 2.0 liter turbocharged engine that puts out 320hp and 310lb-ft. of torque and uses the VTEC technology to start spooling up the turbo on the Acura to produce its maximum torque across a wide, flat powerband from 2600 to 4,000 RPM with a redline of 7k. And more surprising and fun for me is that the turbocharger makes 25.2 psi with reported rotational speeds that can range up to 160,000-180,000 rpm and the ECU tuned electronic waste gate matches seamlessly with the turbo producing very little turbo lag. Couple this little overweight powerhouse with a smooth as silk 6-speed manual transmission and I am frankly in seventh heaven to be able to drive a car in our hot Florida weather where I do not have to be concerned about the heat, humidity or lack of air conditioning. 

I miss the incredibly precise connections to the brain handling of the Caterham I owned and the brute force and pretty amazing performance of my LS3/480 1800 pound Stalkers, but I have to say that riding in more comfort with a car that can do 167mph on a long enough runway provides this old guy with enough thrills and chills to still feel in the game. Sadly, because the Civic Type R and the Integra Type S (to a slightly lesser extent) were designed for optimum performance on a track, the full capabilities of my new Integra Type S will never be fully explored. 

I will continue to stay on this site because I fondly remember being talked out of a 1962 Lotus 7 when I was a senior in high school in Southern California where we had all kinds of twisty roads and had to "settle" for a Triumph TR4

Edited Saturday at 02:36 PM by Anaximander

[Croc]

Well said Bob!  Always grow old disgracefully - its more fun!