Honda Integra

The Integra arrived in Australia in 1986 as a step up from the Civic, positioned as a sporty-luxury compact. The first-generation DA model was available as a three-door liftback and four-door sedan with a 1.6-litre DOHC engine. It established the Integra as Honda's premium compact offering, bridging the gap between the Civic and the Accord in the local lineup. While not a huge seller, it attracted buyers who wanted something more engaging than a Corolla but didn't need the size of an Accord.

The second generation (DB/DC2) launched in Australia in 1993 and was the Integra that truly mattered. The standard GSi used a 1.8-litre B18B DOHC engine producing 105kW - not a VTEC unit, but smooth and willing to rev. What set it apart from rivals was the chassis: double-wishbone suspension at all four corners gave it handling precision that was genuinely unusual at this price point. The distinctive four-headlight 'spider eye' front end was unique to Australian and European markets, giving it a different look to the single-headlight JDM cars. A 1998 facelift brought a more aggressive front bumper and revised headlight housings. The GSi sold steadily throughout the 1990s as a premium alternative to the Civic, popular with buyers who wanted a sporty coupe without the insurance premiums of a turbo car.

The DC2 Integra Type R arrived in Australia in 1999 at $39,950 and was an instant sensation. Its hand-ported B18C7 engine - unique to Australian-delivered cars - produced 141kW at 7,900rpm with VTEC engagement at 5,800rpm and a screaming 8,400rpm redline. Each engine was hand-finished, with individually weighed pistons matched to connecting rods. The chassis received extra spot welds for rigidity, thinner glass to save weight, and a reinforced rear subframe. A Torsen limited-slip differential and close-ratio 5-speed manual completed the drivetrain. At the time, a Holden Commodore SS cost $44,160 and a Subaru WRX was $39,990 - the Integra Type R matched them for thrills with a fraction of the displacement. It was the tier-two apex predator of Japanese sports cars in Australia, and clean examples in Championship White now command $50,000-$80,000 or more.

The DC5 Integra arrived in 2001 with four trim levels for Australia: the base Integra (identical to the Japanese iS), Luxury, Type R, and from 2005, the Type S. Australian DC5 Type Rs used the K20A2 engine producing 150kW rather than the slightly more powerful JDM K20A. They also lacked the Brembo brakes and 17-inch wheels of the Japanese model, but retained the helical LSD, Recaro seats, MOMO steering wheel, and full Type R aero kit. After the 2004 facelift, the Type R was dropped and replaced by the Type S, which used the K20Z1 engine producing 154kW with a 6-speed manual. The Type S added leather seats, a sunroof, and 17-inch alloy wheels. For the final 2006 model year, only the Luxury and Type S remained in the range.

The Integra nameplate holds legendary status among Australian Honda enthusiasts. The DC2 Type R is the crown jewel - a car where Honda's engineers were given free rein to create the ultimate front-wheel-drive machine. The DC5 Type S, while less celebrated, developed its own following as a reliable and engaging daily driver with bulletproof reliability. The Integra's combination of VTEC power, precise handling, and Honda build quality created a devoted following that persists decades after the car left Australian showrooms. While the nameplate was revived in the US market in 2023 as an Acura, it has not returned to Australia.