2002 Acura RSX Type-S

From the beginning of the process, as Acura began developing a replacement for the Integra, they knew they would have to go that extra distance for such an important automobile. The Integra is a car that put the spotlight on Acura, gaining the attention of young buyers. In some areas of the country, the Integra even has a cult-like following. By all appearances, Acura's designers and engineers have reached their goal.

For 2002, Acura replaces its venerable Integra with the RSX. The company expects about 35% of RSX sales to be the high-performance Type-S model.

The all-new RSX and RSX Type-S encapsulate all that the Integra personified and more. While the RSX will be the sales mainstay of the model lineup, the Type-S (which Acura figures will account for 35% of RSX sales) is the image car—the one that will bring buyers into the showroom. The Type-S has the power, the suspension and the panache to take its rightful place in the Acura lineup as the Integra bows out.


The Type-S interior is a fine blend of luxury and sportiness that we've come to expect from Acura. The perforated leather sport seats are pleasantly comfortable and as supportive as they appear. Bolsters on both the cushion and seatback keep you planted firmly in your place. Even in the passenger's seat, without the aid of the steering wheel to help keep you stable, you feel secure and firmly planted.

Sport seats supply comfort and support. Backlit, metallic-faced gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and brushed-aluminum shifter knob also exude sportiness.

The instrument cluster has a look that suggests speed and agility. The gauges are chameleon-like, changing appearance day and night. By day, they are easy to read, looking like normal automotive gauges. At night, however, they take on an entirely different attitude, one that is even more aggressive and sporty. The dash cover is made of a new, textured material that makes you want to reach out and stroke it. (Acura strongly suggests you refrain from such acts while driving.)


The body structure was engineered to excel as a compact performance vehicle with a perfect combination of luxury and comfort. By increasing bending rigidity by 35% and torsional strength by 116% over Integra, Acura has created an acutely ridged platform. This allowed engineers to equip the RSX Type-S with a suspension system that's just the right mix of superior handling and ride comfort. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised at the car's excellent handling abilities as we flogged the Type-S for a day at Roebling Road Raceway outside of Savannah, Georgia.