}} Honda debuted the third-generation model in 1993 in Japan at
Honda Verno locations. It had a new four headlight front end design which was dubbed "spider eyes" by some enthusiasts. Standard horsepower (in Japan) from the 1.6 single cam ZC engine increased to . In the U.S., a then new B18B1 DOHC engine became standard, and produced . The top model was known in Japan as "Si", and it was powered by a B18C VTEC engine that produced . The four headlight front end design, or "spider eye" headlights, proved controversial in Japan, so all JDM Integras were given a minor facelift in late 1994, with more conventional elongated flat headlights and a revised front bumper. The top model was rebadged as the Integra SiR. Shortly after that, in 1995, a Type R version of the Integra was released to the Japanese market. This generation Integra was generally not available in Europe, although some markets such as Greece did receive this model. Those cars were fitted with a version of the 1590 cc
ZC engine. From 1998 onward, non-JDM Integras (including Type R models) received a facelift to the front bumper which gave the car a more aggressive style, where it moved the embossed "INTEGRA" label to below the left headlights, eliminated the horizontal strut across the radiator grille and reshaped the headlight housing, turn signal housing and lower bumper. Dealer-installed options for the third-generation Integra included: security system, 15-inch alloy wheels, trunk mat, splash guards, fog lights, rear-wing spoiler, moonroof (liftback only), CD changer, leather seats, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel.
USEM trim levels RS: Rally Sport was available in both liftback and sedan. There was no sedan available in 1998. Model dropped in 1999 (due to the Type R models introduced in 1997). In 1994 for the 1995 model year, this model was equipped with the 1.8-liter DOHC (
B18B1) 4-cylinder engine producing and of torque. RS models were replaced by the Type R model that was released in 1997, as the lightest weight and least optioned Integra model.. Standard features were a cassette player, rear-window defroster, and tilt steering wheel. The cassette player was replaced with a CD player in 1997. The RS models as well as Type Rs did not come with moonroofs or cruise control as options, while the LS, SE, GS, and GS-R sub-models did.
LS: Luxury Sport, was available in both liftback and sedan a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
SE: Special Edition, was available in both liftback and sedan starting from 1995. This trim package was only available in 1995 and 1996 model years until the older GS trim name was re-instated back in 1997. From the LS, it added leather seats, alloy wheels on all years, and a rear-wing spoiler (optional).
Integra Type R In 1995, Honda introduced the Integra Type R to the Japanese domestic market. The Japanese specification Type R came standard with a factory-tuned variant of the
B18C engine. Power figures varied slightly between markets, with USEM cars putting out and UK-spec cars making . Equipped with a close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission and a
helical-type limited-slip differential, the Integra Type R had significantly improved performance and handling relative to the GS-R/Si/SiR-G Integra. These were the result of extensive changes, including a strengthened chassis with extra spot welds and thicker metal around the rear shock towers and lower subframe, weight reduction (reduced sound insulation, 10 percent thinner windscreen, lighter wheels), more power, rev limiter set at 8,600 rpm JDM (8,500 rpm USEM, 8,700 rpm UKEM), hand-built engine featuring hand-polished and ported intake ports, high-compression pistons, undercut valves and revised intake and exhaust systems, and suspension upgrades. The result was a capable sports liftback which was acclaimed by motoring journalists worldwide. The JDM version was significantly lighter than the SiR Integra (The 96–97 spec model could delete the air bags, air conditioning, rear wiper, radio, center console, clock, power steering and anti-lock brakes), However, there is only a 33 lb (15 kg) net weight difference between the USEM Integra Type R and the Integra GS-R because the extra metal and cross bracing in the Type R negate much of the 98 lb of weight reductions. The Type R was the only Type R ever sold in North America with the Acura badge. For the European, Australian and New Zealand market, the Integra was sold as a Honda with the four headlight front-end design. The JDM Type R received significant upgrades in 1998 and is known as the '98 Spec R. Some of the main changes were a redesigned rear bumper, 16-inch wheels with 215/45R16 tires, 5-lug nut wheel hubs and bigger brakes. Gear ratios for the final drive were higher, making 1st to 3rd gears closer, while 4th and 5th were longer to maintain the '96 Spec cruising comfort. The engine power remained the same, but use of a new 4–1 long tube header brought torque lower down to 6,200 rpm. A final revision of the JDM Type R known as the '00 Spec R included a revised intake camshaft, and more finely balanced drive shafts. A final trim version offered in mid-2000 onwards for the JDM market (known as the "Type Rx") came factory fitted with motorized folding mirrors, dashboard clock, blue-hue carbon trim interiors, and an audio system as part of the standard package.
Type R performance and reviews • Edmund's Insideline tested a 12-year-old stock Type R: 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.9 seconds at 95.2 mph. •
Motor Trend clocked the Type R at: 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.8 at 96.3 mph. •
Sport Compact Car clocked the Type R at: 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.5 at 96 mph. In Japan, the Integra is revered as one of the best sports cars of the '90s. On Japanese car review show “Best Motoring” the Integra Type R punched well above its weight competing with the fastest
4WD turbocharged cars of the time, the
Nissan Skyline GTR and the
Subaru WRX STI. It has been acclaimed by motoring journalists worldwide, including
Evo magazine, which named the Type R 'the greatest front-wheel-drive performance car ever', and TheAutoChannel.com, which similarly called it 'the best handling front-wheel drive car ever'.
Four-wheel Drive Integra (DB9) The third generation also saw the production of a four-wheel drive option. Available only in the four-door sedan, the ZXi4WD (93–95) and Xi4WD (95-00) had 1.6L SOHC ZC engines coupled to a version of Honda's Real Time 4WD.
Integra SJ (EK3) (1996) The
Integra SJ (standing for "
Sedan Joyful") was a rebadged
Civic Ferio (a
Honda Primo product) with modified headlamps and grille similar to the
Orthia's and slightly larger rear lights that were also utilized on the Japanese market Civic LEV sedan. The Integra SJ was sold in Japan at
Honda Verno dealerships. It originated from the
Honda Domani, another derivative of this vehicle sold at
Honda Clio locations. It was made from 1996 to 2001, and used the 1493 cc D15B engine. Honda's press material of the time indicated that the SJ was intended to provide a "formal sedan" for the Integra range; another reason may have been to sell Ferios using a more sporting model name at
Honda Verno dealerships in Japan, as was the case with the
Nissan Laurel Spirit. In Thailand, the Integra SJ was sold as the
Isuzu Vertex, the last Isuzu passenger car ever for that market. It followed Isuzu's practice of selling Honda models as Isuzus which started with the
Gemini; with Honda also selling Isuzu's sport utility vehicles in Japan and North America (some as Acuras in the latter market), and pickup trucks in Thailand.
Theft in the United States According to a 2002 Highway Loss Data Institute study, the Integra "accounts for 21.7 [theft] claims per 1,000 vehicles", compared to a contemporary
Jeep Wrangler, the second most-stolen car model of that period, at just 8.5 claims per 1,000 vehicles. In 2004, CCC Information Services named the 1999 Integra as the most stolen car in the United States, with the 1998 model year of the car listed as the third-most stolen model for that year. In 2014,
LoJack named the Integra as the sixth most stolen car among vehicles equipped with their car tracking service. ==Fourth generation (2001)==