Pheto submitted THE ACURA Integra GS-R is new for 1892. This performance-oriented coupe offers a 160-horsepower, 1.7-litre © four-cylinder engine, four-wheel disc brakes with aanti- fock brakes, and many standard luxury features such as air conditioning and power-assisted windows. Greg Wilson TEST DRIVE HONDA WAS the first Japanese automobile com- pany to offer a range of sperts and luxury cars under a separate name in North America. Acura was established in 1987, and at the time many people con- sidered this to be a bold, and even foolish move. How could a new and unfamiliar car company entice buyers in an already overcrowded car market? How could the Japa- nese expect to compete with the Americans and Europeans who Acura Integra Luxurious, easy-to-drive, entry-level car with excellent fuel economy had decades of experience and heritage behind them? Well, in just five short years, Acura has become one of Canada’s leading luxury car lines with four models: the entry-level Integra, mid-size Vigor, top-of- the-line Legend, and the exotic, mid-engined NSX sports car. _ Acura blazed a trail for Lexus (Toyota), Infiniti (Nissan), and soon, Amati (Mazda). * Acuras have a distinctly sporty character, sharing such common traits as a low hoodline, smooth, high-revving engines, front-wheel drive, four-wheel disc brakes, and independent suspensions. To drive home the sporty image, Honda’s advertising often promotes the connection beween Honda's suc- cessful Formula One racing vic- tories and Acura’s performance- oriented products. The Integra was introduced in 1987 and updated in 1989. It has a reputation for being a_ lively, easy-to-drive, sporty car with ex- cellent fuel economy, good reliability and a good resale value. Integras are priced reasonably. The base two-door coupe starts at about $15,000, and a well-equip- ped. Integra GS four-door sedan can go over $22,000. Though it’s not obvious just by looking at it, the four-door In- tegra notchback sedan is nine cen- timetres longer than the two-door -160-horsepower coupe, This translates into a roomier interior for the sedan, particulary in the rear seat. Com- bined with the convenience of four doors, the Integra sedan is more family-oriented than the coupe. However, the two-door coupe does have more cargo space because Of its lift-up hatchback design. : The Integra RS, LS and GS receive minor changes for the 1992 model year. Restyled bumpers, wraparound headlamp assemblies and redesigned taillamps are the major revisions, but the changes are so subtle, most people proba- bly won’t even notice them. New to the Integra lineup is the GS-R coupe, which offers a 1.7-litre four- cylinder engine. For improved fuel efficiency and performance, this engine makes use of Honda’s variable valve timing technology, also available in the Civic VX hatchback and EX-V sedan. nical data: Price as tested $22,595 Type two-door, four-passenger coupe Layout transverse engine/front-wheel drive Engine 1.7-litre, four-cylinder, front and 46 The GS-R is distinguished from other Integras by a rear spoiler, six-spoke alloy wheels, and an 8,000 rpm tachometer. 99 The GS-R is distinguished from other Integras by a rear spoiler, six-spoke alloy wheels, and an 8,000 rpm tachometer. Standard equipment is extensive, including air conditioning, power windows locks, and ABS anti-lock brakes. Base price is $22,000. Impressive as it sounds, the GS-R is not for everybody. The high-revving engine still lacks low-end grunt for shunting around town and revs too fasf at highway speeds for comfortable cruising. The GS-R is a car for DOHC, 16 valves, variable valve timing, electronic fuel in- jection . Transmission five-speed man- ual Curb weight 1,243 kg/2,740 Ibs Wheelbase 2, 550 mm/100.4 in. Length 4,392 mm/172.9 in. Width 1,714 mm/67.5 in Height L, 325 mm/52.2 in. enthusiasts or those who want something different. The standard Integra is better suited to the average commuter. The standard 1.8-litre four- cylinder engine still has a sporty, high-revving character but is more relaxed at highway cruising speeds. . Equipped with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cyl- inder, the engine’s horsepower has been increased from 130 to 146 See '92 page 28 Tires 195/6OR-14 radials Cargo capacity 459 litres/16.2 cu.ft. Fuel economy City 9.8 1/100 km, 29 mpg; Hwy 7.6: 17100 km, 37 mpg Warranty Basic 3-yr/60,000 km Major Components 5-yr/ 100,000 km.