Fans of high-performance JDM cars from the ’90s will remember the glory days of the Acura Integra Type R with its high-revving in-line-four. With a factory-tuned variant of the B18C engine, it had high-compression pistons and hand-polished and ported intake ports, and its 8,600rpm redline allowed peak output of 197hp—heady figures for that era.

With the current, fifth-generation Integra, Acura is tapping into the spirit of the Type R with this “Type S HRC Prototype.” Unveiled during Monterey Car Week in the US, it is a showcase of new street and track-focused Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) performance parts that could potentially become available someday, whether as a complete car or as a catalog.

Development of the car was led by Southern California-based HRC US, which leads all Honda and Acura high-performance racing programs in North America. This includes racing programs in IndyCar and IMSA sports cars and commercial racing programs. It even participates in the company’s Formula 1 program, which will see it supply engines to the Aston Martin Aramco F1 team in 2026.

“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 Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype screams performance. Everything is functional—if it doesn’t add performance, it isn’t on the car.”

The car features significant upgrades to the suspension, the engine, and the brakes, while also being much lighter than the stock Integra. Lessons learned from the Integra Type S TCX race car have been applied to the prototype.

Functional aerodynamic elements include a new front fascia with a larger front splitter and cooling ducts, larger hood vents, side splitters, and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing with aluminum uprights.

The body is slathered with Indy Yellow Pearl paint, a color first seen on the second-generation NSX supercar. Custom-milled aluminum HRC badges on the grille, front fenders, and decklid add a little more spice.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line-four VTEC engine gains a larger intercooler, twin oil coolers, and a tuned, lightweight cat-back system. No information has been shared on whether the turbo has been tweaked for more boost, or how much more power the engine makes. A stock Type S makes 320hp, so the upgrades should allow even more.

Carbon fiber is used for the hood, the rear door panels, and the one-piece Recaro bucket seats. The rear seat has also been replaced with a carbon shelf to make it easier for enthusiasts to bring along their track-specific wheels and tires. Along with an optional air-conditioning deletion, the car loses nearly 200lb (90kg) compared to a standard Integra Type S.

For the underpinnings, the suspension is lowered 15mm and uses tuned coilovers, an adjustable rear anti-roll bar, and adjustable front and rear camber plates similar to those on the Type S HRC TCX race car.

The track is wider by 30mm thanks to forged lightweight, 19×9.5-inch wheels with an increased negative offset. Those wheels are shod with track-ready Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R ultra-high-performance tires measuring 265/30 with a 60 treadwear rating.

The brakes have also been upgraded with 15-inch, two-piece front rotors (1.4 inches larger than the standard Integra) and Brembo six-piston aluminum calipers. Two-piece rear rotors further reduce unsprung weight. The front brakes are also cooled via larger ducts in the front fascia.

An X-brace has been fitted to the rear bulkhead to help stiffen the chassis, as well as providing an attachment location for multipoint harnesses. Finally, the cabin is spruced up with black Alcantara and color-matched yellow seatbelts, stitching, and trim.

Might we see a production-ready Type S HRC soon? That will all depend on how the market responds to this screaming yellow track weapon.