Integra Type S HRC Prototype Bows in Monterey

Acura just rolled out a hotted-up version of its Integra Type S sports car full of prototype performance parts for the street and the track. The Integra Type S HRC Prototype looks lean, mean, and, frankly, like a whole bucket of fun to drive.

Ostensibly, this car is a rolling catalog for future performance parts, possibly coming under the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) brand. "HRC performance parts is an exciting concept focused on building a stronger connection with Acura and Honda enthusiasts eager to access exclusive HRC race engineering to augment their performance driving experience," said Jon Ikeda, senior vice president of Honda Racing Corporation USA. "Every spec of the Integra Type S HRC Ptorotype screams performance. Everything is functional - if it doesn't add performance it isn't on the car."

Lovely idea, that. If it's still a little hazy, think of HRC as Honda's version of something like Ford Performance.

Every element of the driving experience-engine, suspension, braking, weight, and aerodynamics-has been touched by these prototype parts. Aerodynamically, the Integra Type S HRC Prototype sports a new front fascia with a larger front splitter and cooling ducts, larger hood vents, side splitters, and a massive adjustable carbon fiber rear wing with aluminum uprights. Acura says that the bodywork was heavily influenced by the Integra Type S TCX race car, and should improve high speed stability as well as downforce.

HRC engineers threw this prototype on a diet. The hood, rear door panels, and the Recaro bucket seats are all carbon fiber. The entire rear seat was removed in favor of a carbon fiber shelf that can help track day nuts transport four mounted wheels and tires. (Of all the things here, engineering a means for the Integra Type S HRC Prototype to carry an extra set of wheels and tires to the track might be our favorite.) There's even an option to delete the air conditioning system. Opt for all the carbon fiber and the A/C delete, and Acura says you could drop nearly 200 lbs from the 3219-lb curb weight of a standard Integra Type S.

Of course, HRC engineers also worked their magic on the powertrain. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the Integra Type S HRC Prototype features a larger intercooler, twin oil coolers, and a tuned, lightweight cat-back exhaust system, all of which were first developed for the Integra Type S TCX race car.

Ride height drops 15 mm thanks to new coilovers. The prototype features an adjustable rear anti-roll bar and adjustable front and rear camber plates, similar to those in the Integra Type S TCX race car. No good track car is complete without a good set of running shoes, and the Integra Type S HRC Prototype is no exception; it wears forged, lightweight 19 x 9.5-inch wheels with gnarly Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R high-performance tires. The front and rear tracks are both 30 mm wider, giving it quite the curb presence.

All that added pace needs to be hauled in somehow, so the HRC engineers fitted the car with 15-inch two-piece front brake rotors (up 1.4 inches from the stock discs) and Brembo six-piston calipers.

It goes without saying, but, what you're looking at here would ring the register for a serious upcharge relative to the $53,795 MSRP of a normal Integra Type S. But remember, this car is showing off a family of performance parts that, if we're lucky, Acura will sell piecemeal to those looking to add a little extra fizz to their 'Teggy. When viewed through that lens, we really, really like what's going on here.

And of course, when we zoom out and look at this thing in all its Indy Yellow Pearl glory as-is, we also really, really like what's going on here.