Now after
7 years in the current generation the Integra name has deferred to an
alphanumeric name, the RSX.
For sale now as a 2002 model, the RSX picks up where the Integra left
off. The RSX will feature a base model with a 160 hp VTEC, a Type-S with
200 hp (VTEC-i), and in 2003 the return of a Type-R with 220 hp.
(Go
to the Type-R page)
The philosophy
has been modified somewhat along with the name change as the RSX is more
refined than its predesesor. The noise and vibration have been reduced
and the interior is more luxurious than the Integra's. Both the base RSX
and the Type-S come pretty well optioned out as with all of the other
Acuras. Acura expects to sell about 30,000 RSX's per year which is less
than the peak sales of the Integra but it costs a little bit more. Acura
sees the car competing with the BMW 325Ci, Mercedes C230 Coupe, and Audi
TT (according to Edmunds.com but that seems a bit misguided considering
those cars are quite a bit more expensive and are closer in philosophy
to the Acura TL/CL).
Suspension
Unfortunately Honda decided to switch from the highly effective double
wishbone suspension setup to the slightly more unsophisticated Macpherson
strut design but then again the new Toyota Celica has Mac-Struts and it
handles fine and all of the BMW's have strut-type suspensions. The reason
for the switch was mostly packaging, to increase interior room and apparently
the struts help in frontal crash-worthiness. All initial reviews of the
RSX report that the handling has not been hurt and that the RSX Type-S's
suspension is better than the Integra GS-R that it replaces.
Engine
The RSX will debut Honda's new VTEC-i engine (2.0 liter), which along
with variable valve timing and variable lift, will feature infinitely
variable cam-timing which will substantially augment the torque and midrange
performance of the engine. As many Honda lovers and haters will attest,
the previous VTECs are pretty low on torque (except for the NSX and CRV).
Peak horsepower and torque are 160 hp/141 ft-lbs. for the base RSX and
200 hp/142 ft-lbs. for the Type-S.
Interior In
an effort to move the RSX upscale and make it more luxurious, the RSX
has a much higher quality interior than the Integra. The seats are deeply
bolstered and in the Type-S leather is standard. A Bose sound system with
CD player is standard as well. The gauge faces are silver with red backlighting
and the dashboard is tastefully adorned with silver accents and quality
plastic.
