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 Pioneer kicked down this mind-numbing...  Pioneer kicked down this mind-numbing sound kit that includes two 12-inch subs, two Premier amps, and an in-dash CD/DVD player. The system's sonic punch is capable of shattering teeth. |
 Custom headlight assemblies...  Custom headlight assemblies rest atop the one-off fascia that makes a feeble attempt at hiding the massive HKS intercooler. This creation also required a custom hood to accommodate the headlight buckets. |
 The Bouret Designs rear valance...  The Bouret Designs rear valance shows off the unique exhaust cut-outs that leads down to the attractive ground effects. On the street, downforce takes the back seat to style. |
 Sure, the roof line might...  Sure, the roof line might look vaguely like an Integra, but the rest of the Meguiar's Type R benefits from one of the show car scene's most extensive makeovers. |
 The driver side of this Integra...  The driver side of this Integra rides on Advan five-spokes. The passenger side rides on Racing Harts. This is the best way to go if you can't make up your mind between two wheel styles. |
 Every tactile inch of the...  Every tactile inch of the cabin seems to be covered in Italian charcoal black suede. Spilling a Slurpee inside here would amount to a tragedy equivalent to an 'N Sync exercise video. |
 An HKS 2835 turbo and a roots-type...  An HKS 2835 turbo and a roots-type compressor gang up on this stock B18C with 20 pounds of boost. An HKS F-Con system keeps this high compression beast from nuking itself. |
The Acura Integra Type R is the Gisele Bundchen of the import scene-an unblemished, all-natural beauty devoid of bolt-ons. The Type R badge suggests that it's the sauciest, most desirable front-wheel-drive coupe roaming the showroom circuit. Brazilian supermodel Gisele is undoubtedly the sauciest, most desirable, embodiment of female form on the planet. (We'll never know what she saw in Leo.-DM) Those who have driven the R are left spouting hyperbole describing this vivacious coupe's high-winding bravado and cornering heroics. Those who have driven Gisele are the luckiest bastards on earth who, no doubt, delve deeply into hyperbole describing the experience.
Blame the folks at Meguiar's for not being content at leaving "well enough" alone. Unwilling to content themselves with a near perfect Type R, the Gisele of front-drivers was transformed into the Jessica Rabbit of imports; a machine that is endowed the appropriate visual "vavoom." The Meguiar's version of the Type R slaps you upside the head with enough raw sex appeal to make you feel guilty about staring at it.
The interior of this bewitching car is the product of the fusion of the blood, sweat, and tears of Car Craft, Wet Works, and Traffic Jamz efforts-each agency adding its own hallmark spice. Open the R's door and one is introduced to Car Craft's cozy cabin handcrafted of imported charcoal-black Italian suede that covers the Sparco seats, the dashboard, center console, door panels-heck, there's suede everywhere; enough to upholster a Parisian bordello. A custom gauge panel resides in the suede-covered dash space that an airbag once occupied. Handmade fiberglass dash trim pieces are painted to match the exterior color.
The man hours required to create this cabin are best estimated simply by the term "months," as the suede material was hard to come by. As for the ICE, with the removal of the rearview mirror, Pioneer cameras and monitors take up the chores for the side mirrors as well. Pioneer is also responsible for the sound system that includes two Premier amps, a video player, and monitors; and Traffic Jamz is responsible for making sure it all works without debasing the fuses. Improving upon the stock Type R's high-output engine required forced induction. Meguiar's and HKS wanted to do something different. These days, it seems as though turbocharged Integras are about as common as bad reality-based TV shows. This Integra's S2000-inspired starter button lights the wick on a 1.8L motor that's supercharged and turbocharged. Jon Kuroyama of HKS borrowed from the company's now defunct twin-charger MR-2 product to inspire the engine development of this Meguiar's Integra project. Using a small, pulley-driven, roots-type compressor that's pumping about 4.5 pounds of boost, the blower minimizes lag and improves the engine's low-speed response.
Meanwhile, on the exhaust end, an HKS 2835 turbo is tucked under a stainless steel exhaust manifold, delivering about 16 pounds of intercooled boost to the supercharger. So, we're toying with about 20 pounds of boost on what's still a stone stock Type R B18C motor with 11:1 static compression. RC Engineering injectors help supply additional fuel, but that's only half the story. The HKS F-Con ignition/fuel computer is the lynch pin that makes it all work without melting the cast slugs. We'll actually get up close with this ultimate bolt-on modified motor next month as it flirts with the dyno for the first time. HKS also contributed the 30-way adjustable Hiper dampers responsible for the car's slammed stance.
But, it's the wildly re-invented exterior that really puts some distance between this R and all other mortal Type Rs. The Meguiar's car is treated to a one-off body kit that was first fashioned in clay, at great expense (read: incalculable man hours) by Bouret design. The model is then molded in fiberglass by IPS, an agency better known for its work on GM and Chrysler concept vehicles. The fenders, hood, fascia, and side moldings are all based on the one-off design. The body kit market for Integras will be a better place thanks to the Meguiar's effort. The kit will most likely be put into mass production and you'll be able to lay your mitts on one through Versus Motorsports. Meanwhile, the custom parabola headlight assemblies beat on the cash register to the tune of 10K! An APR high-mount decklid wing adds some definite flair to the Integra's profile.
Jessica Rabbit on wheels? Why not? We can thank the guys at Meguiar's and the fine work of a few of the import scene's finest suppliers for the eye-candy. Now, if they could only come up with some special depleted-uranium-wax or polish formula that could do this to all Integras.