Mr.Fantastic

As most of us have heard, Honda's new Civic Type R will be powered by a Turbo motor. It is sad news for the high revving N/A power loving Honda fraternity. It cant be all that bad though, but its only fair we look into a car that defined Honda's performance cars. 

Launched in 85, the Integra (A title stolen from one of their motorcycle's) quickly became known for their good handling characteristics. The DC2 Type R was regarded as the best handling Front Wheel Drive car!

Now that is quite a reputation to live up to, which meant the new Integra had to be better. So in 2001 Honda released the new and improved  DC5, and when they meant new, they were quite serious about it. 

They abandoned Honda's traditional double-wishbone suspension at both ends and adopted MacPherson struts in the front and double-wishbone suspension in the rear along with the new K-series engine supplanting the ever so popular B-series engines!

The Integra Type R was only a JDM model. But it was so good, it caught the attention of many Honda enthusiasts around the world! 

The Integra was an amazing platform to say the least. Sadly it was the last of the epic front wheel driven coupe's from Honda. Even with consumers crying for more, which did make Honda extend production for an extra 4 months the end was inevitable with Honda's new marketing strategy!

Sadly though we only have five of these beauties in Sri Lanka. Yes you heard right, only five! 

And this is the only one in Blue that has survived on our roads....

Must Thank Duminda for taking the time off to shoot his pride and joy. As you can see he is quite the Honda fan boy! 

So its no surprise when I tell you that this car is refreshingly mint! 

And if the car could speak it would tell you some amazing stories too! 

If you were wondering what this sticker was, well its Duminda's son's name! Wonder whether he inherits the car when he is older? Lucky chap then I must say! 

More about the car then!

What a face! The DC5 had a completely different look to its predecessors. While the older gen's were lower and longer, the DC5 had a more grown up and modern look to it. It was 6 mm shorter, 30 mm wider and 80 mm taller than the outgoing model it preceded. 

Not only were the looks updated, but everything underneath its pretty frock was updated too.

The much loved B Series motor was scrapped for a more powerful K Series engine. The K20A in here produces a whopping 220 horses and 206 Nm of torque. 

With a more advanced version of Honda's VTEC, the K20 helped propel the DC5 to 60mph in a mere 6 seconds and on to a top speed of 146mph. 

Duminda has gone to the extent of giving it a few extra too. The Ultra Racing Strut brace was one of them. A Mugen ECU and a Fujitsubo exhaust have been added too! 

Blue Samco piping? Check!

And you gotta have blue Spoon socks! 

How can you not love that side profile eh? 

That is quite a substantial wing I must say. But it isn't too big, its just right and gives the side profile that extra masculinity. 

Stiffer springs and shocks were standard on the Type R. So was a pretty nifty Limited Slip Differential.

Stopping power comes from these massive Brembo's. Standard kit on the ITR. 

Shall we step inside? 

Where a sea of more Blue goodness awaits you!

Honda made sure you were reminded as to what exactly you were stepping into. 

The star attraction inside though are these....

Blue Recaro seats! 

Cant get any better than that can you? 

These were standard fitment in all Type R's. But the blue suede only came with cars painted in Arctic Blue!

Sorry but I just cant stop looking at them! 

When Honda launched the DC5, they had vastly improved their interior design and quality levels. And it showed in the Integra. Driver ergonomics is spot on, and the clear white instrumentation is easy on the eye. 

I do have a soft spot for Momo steering wheels in Honda's....

And this one was no different. The simple and sporty leather wrapped wheel was perfect! 

Gotta love those dials too! They light up in red at night if you were wondering. 

Thanks to the upgraded ECU,VTEC engages at 5500 rpm's and you can go on until 9000 rpm! Screamer much!

The bright red Engine Start button looks like a hard boiled sweet! 

There was an unlimited supply of Type R badges, both inside and outside the car!

The six speed gear box has a very nice feel to it too. Love the way it feels through the gears. 

Gotta love the patina on the gear knob!

And yes you gotta have a blue air filter too to complete the picture!

I will let a few pictures do the talking now! 

I shall sign off with this. and here's to a legendary coupe that has touched many hearts. Sad that its lineage wont continue (Or will it?), and neither will the mental screaming N/A engines that powered them! A big Thank you to Teran, Duminda and Thiwanka! 

Charith Kulasiri