2024 Acura Integra Type S & 2023 GMC Canyon

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

We're gassing up a premium hot hatch, the Acura Integra Type S... Then, "Your Drive" stops at a shop putting the freeze on unseen grime... We'll go behind the scenes of a premier auto auction... Hauling back home in GMC Canyon midsize pickup...

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

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Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

JOHN: We were very happy when we heard that Acura was bringing back the Integra, and even happier after we drove it.

We really feel that their new effort fully lived up to the Integra reputation.

Well, the good news just keeps on coming, as Acura has just released the new Integra Type S. Could we possibly be any happier?

Well, let's hit the road and find out.

♪ ♪ After a hiatus of more than 20 years, the Acura Integra returned for 2023.

And like ungrateful kids, we quickly began nagging for a heightened performance Type S variant.

Well, Acura has no problem keeping us spoiled, and has indeed delivered this Acura Integra Type S for 2024.

The simple approach would be to say the Type S is just a comfier version of the Honda Civic Type R that we tested just a few weeks ago, but the reality is far more complex.

A better way to get into it would be that this Type S has everything we love about the standard Integra, just a ton more of it.

Though, even Honda doesn't try to hide its kinship to the Type R, featuring a similar 3-tip exhaust setup, but Acura's is arguably even more aggressive looking than Honda's version.

Add in a carbon fiber decklid spoiler, and the rear is where the Type S's credentials are most prominently displayed as the face appears more intelligent than aggressive.

The stance is noticeably wider, with extended fender flares over 19 inch wheels wrapped with 265/30 summer performance tires; ride height is lowered by about an inch.

Too bad they couldn't have trotted out some red Acura badges, but they did at least attempt to pay some homage to 1997s Type R with some red on the engine topper.

That cover is hiding a 2.0 liter I4 turbo delivering 320 horsepower, five more than the current Civic Type R and 120 over other Integra's.

Impressive enough, but the 118 additional pound-feet of torque is definitely what we appreciate more.

Rated at 310 pound-feet, this engine does love to rev, and just when you think torque is tapering off, there's a little more on tap.

Forget an automatic transmission as the Type S is strictly 6-speed manual, and throttle response feels a little less hyper here compared to the Civic Type R. One thing that remains consistent with high performance Acura's, is despite how agile they can be, they're very forgiving of bad driving habits.

And after spending extended time in both the Civic Type R and this Integra Type S, most of us prefer the more polished performance of the Type S. Inside, there are plenty of screens and all the tech you expect, but they seem to be playing supporting roles, not the main attraction.

And again, subtlety to the extreme is the approach here with just some unique materials and colors to set it apart from the already sporty Integra.

There's an added Sport+ Drive mode, but there's plenty of performance in all other modes too, plus a smooth family car feeling when you want it.

So, we were geared up for a slightly different experience at our Mason Dixon test track.

And it was definitely a handful off the line, trying to transfer all of that torque to the pavement through wheels that wanted to hop like crazy.

It wasn't until we were in 2nd gear that we could really start laying some power down.

We hit 60 in 5.5 seconds, which is a few tenths slower than what we got in the Type R. And power delivery stayed strong the whole way down the track; while it was a mostly quiet trip, the exhaust note that Acura does allow to seep into the cabin sounded fantastic.

Our best quarter-mile time was 13.8 seconds at 104 miles per hour.

As expected, the Type S felt right at home in our handling course; instantaneous response to steering inputs, and a well-balanced chassis that delivered high levels of grip through the twisties, plus great feedback through the wheel to easily stay on top of it all.

And Brembo brakes brought us to quick stops, only 107 feet from 60.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 21-City, 28-Highway, and 24-Combined; we averaged a good 26.6 miles per gallon of Premium.

That's an average Energy Impact Score, using 12.4 Barrels of Oil Yearly, with CO2 Emissions of 6.1 Tons.

Type S pricing comes in at $51,995, about a 14-grand walk from the Integra A Spec Technology.

Steep, but well worth it for a car this special.

The original Integra arrived at a time when amazingly capable front-wheel-drive cars just didn't exist, then Acura took it to a new level with the Type R. The 2024 Acura Integra Type S may have a couple more doors than that game-changing Integra, but definitely continues to push the boundaries for what a luxury-minded front-wheel-drive car can master.

♪ ♪ If you're a car fan, chances are you've wasted many-a-weekend watching live auto auction coverage on TV.

It's ok, we have too.

Well, our "Over the Edge" guy Greg Carloss was recently invited by one of the premier purveyors, Mecum Auctions, to take our cameras behind the scenes to see all that goes on before the gavel comes down.

♪ ♪ AUCTIONEER: Yellow bat.

23,24...23,24.

And sold...29 pounds.

Sold...49 pounds... GREG CARLOSS: When I watch a live auto auction on TV, as a car guy I'm admiring the merchandise.

But, as a TV guy I'm curious what's going on behind the scenes.

So, I'm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to see what exactly goes into making the Mecum Auction Experience!

(auctioneer bid calling) People go to auto auctions for a variety of reasons.

To buy a car they want, to sell a car they don't want, and in some cases, to buy a car they don't want after succumbing to the inherent thrill of a bidding war.

It all adds up to an exciting affair.

And not just for those involved, but for everyone watching too.

My name is Dave Magers and I'm the CEO of Mecum Auctions.

We're a unique auction company in that we pride ourselves on being the collector car auction company for everybody.

You can come to an auction, a Mecum Auction, and buy a $5,000 car; you can come to a Mecum Auction and buy a 10-million-dollar car.

GREG: Here at the Harrisburg auction, over 1,300 vehicles roll across the block in just 4-day's time.

Not only that, Mecum produces its own live television broadcast.

And trust me, that is no small feat.

DAVE: Well, we jokingly call ourselves "The Circus," and those that move with the auctions are "circus folk."

We we travel today in, somewhere between 18 and 20 equipment semis from one event to the next.

GREG: Mecum holds more than a dozen auctions each year, offering roughly 15,000 vehicles and resulting in 800-million dollars in sales.

But before any of those cars or trucks can be auctioned off, each one must go through a meticulous check-in process.

JIM GUCK: So, what we do here at vehicle check-in is-- the cars roll in off the trucks in the unloading lot.

They come in here and we actually check their vin number to make sure everything is good and proper.

Uh, we have inspectors that are ex-law enforcement.

They'll take a look at that.

They verify the mileage that is inside on the dashboard.

GREG: Do you have any warning as to what's coming up here?

It could be anything that comes up into this line?

JIM GUCK: It could be anything at all from a uh, Mercedes to a Lamborghini to this beautiful GTX.

We could have just about anything at a Mecum Auction.

GREG: With everything in order, a sea of cars await their chance to roll under the bright lights of the auction block as Mecum's lead auctioneer, Jimmy Landis, riles up the crowd with his iconic chant.

JIMMY LANDIS: Buy 19...

I don't have a fast chant, I have a clear chant.

People can hear me and understand me and...

I get to ridiculing people sometimes and the crowd loves it, and so far I haven't had anybody get really upset with me.

"Well, we're not gonna make dinner reservations tonight, this guy taking as long as he's takin'..." Well, nobody runs more; nobody sells more.

Us compared to other companies, we're gonna have fun.

GREG: And speaking of fun... CHICKEN GEORGE: My name is George Boswell; I'm a bidder's assistant for the world's biggest collector car auction, Mecum Auctions!

I'm the gentleman that stands out in the crowd...

I say the world famous, the one and only words, sold!

Sold!

Sold!!

And that's how it works.

Sold, sold... GREG: Getting to see a Mecum auction from this vantage point; it's like a finely tuned engine.

What looks like a nice, polished operation is really hundreds of fast-moving parts seamlessly working in unison.

And as a car guy who works in television, [Sold!]

I can watch it all day long.

JOHN: Keeping your car clean topside is easy; but it's the undercarriage that takes the most abuse, and though you can't readily see it, over time it will take its toll on reliability.

Well, Logan McCombs visited a local shop that is using a clever and eco-friendly technique to clean up that grime on MotorWeek's "Your Drive!"

♪ ♪ LOGAN MCCOMBS: Cleaning the underside of your car is one of the hardest things to do on your own.

And I'm sure you've heard of this new thing called dry ice cleaning, or maybe you haven't.

And I'm here with Brian today, from "Polished 2 Perfection."

Brian, can you tell us a little bit about what your business does?

BRIAN RICE: Yeah, so um, we're a veteran-owned small business.

We uh, we do dry ice cleaning.

Um, it's a relatively new process, um, it's been up and coming the last two years.

You know, it's nice, because a lot of people now are-- you see car auctions, you know, on TV and online, Bringatrailer, Barrett-Jackson, those sorts of places.

And, you know the people want to see the underside of the cars, and a clean undercarriage is always going to bring more money.

You know, the nice thing about the dry ice cleaning is, you know, it's environmentally friendly.

We don't use chemicals, there's no secondary waste.

You know, it's really good for the underside of the car, it's not abrasive, we don't remove any chalk marks, paint marks, stickers, anything.

It just removes the dirt and leaves a pristine finish.

The dry ice hits the dirt, the dirt hits the floor and carbon dioxide is in the- the atmosphere.

And when dry ice is created from carbon dioxide that's in the atmosphere.

So again, it's great for the environment.

LOGAN: So, like something we may know is like media blasting, where there's a lot of leftover debris and things like that.

So, that's great that it's much better for the environment.

What is that process like on dry ice cleaning a car?

BRIAN: So on dry ice cleaning, you have three things that happen: You have the speed of the pellet that comes out of the machine, that hits the dirt and it kinda breaks it apart.

The dry ice is negative 109 Fahrenheit, and it super freezes it and it shrinks it.

The dry ice pellet going from solid to gas creates a little explosion and blows the dirt apart.

LOGAN: Well thank you for having us here, Brian, thank you for showing us the process of dry ice cleaning.

It was very interesting.

BRIAN: Well, it was my pleasure to have MotorWeek in my shop and be able to showcase what we're doing here.

LOGAN: If you have a question or comment, reach out to us, right here, at MotorWeek .

JOHN: It's a good time not to waste time hopping into this week's QuickSpin!

♪ ♪ GREG: The Toyota Tacoma is a truly legendary midsize pickup, revered in the working and overlanding worlds.

And 2024 brings us a new generation Tacoma, defending its title as a best seller with plenty of options for buyers of all kinds.

We touched down in Southern California, where Toyota brought out an entire platter of Tacos for us to sample.

All 4th gen Tacoma's are built on the TNGA-F platform, shared with the full-size Tundra.

Here for this midsize pickup, the frame allows for various body configurations.

There's the XtraCab, an extended cab-like 2-door, two-seater with a six-foot bed and the DoubleCab, a 4-door five-seater with a five or six-foot bed.

Although, a performance-geared i-FORCE Max powertrain will be available later, the Tacoma launches with a non-hybrid powertrain.

In either case, there is a turbocharged 2.4 liter inline-4 under the hood.

The base SR outputs 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque; other grades output 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque with the new 8-speed automatic.

Go for the 6-speed manual and you'll get up to 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet.

Another major update regards suspension; leaf springs are still standard on certain grades, but a new coil spring multi-link rear setup is available.

Both have their pros and cons, the leafs being more rugged and the coils being smoother.

For ultimate comfort, the Limited comes with a new Adaptive Variable Suspension.

ALEXANDER KELLUM: So, needless to say, the new Tacoma is still a very configurable truck.

So, with the different beds, with the different cabs, and with the different powertrains.

For example, I'm in the PreRunner right now.

What's interesting about the PreRunner- so, it's got that 4-cylinder and it's got the extra power out of it mated to an 8-speed automatic; but, instead of going with the new suspension, it still has the leaf springs in the back.

On top of that, it's two-wheel-drive only.

So, if you wanna try and find something that's not quite, you know, all the way at the top, you don't want all the, uh, all the new stuff; you can probably find a grade of the Tacoma that'll work for you.

GREG: The Tacoma's interior is equally next-gen, including an available 14 inch head unit and 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster.

Pricing has also veered into next-gen territory.

Though, the 2024 Tacoma does start near $33,000 for an entry-level SR, it shoots up to nearly $54-grand for the Limited.

New Tacoma's are arriving at Toyota dealers now.

JESSICA RAY: Volvo is looking to eliminate some of the financial strain of EV ownership with their new EX30.

If we can spoil that now, the 2025 Volvo EX30 will start at $36,200 with destination.

And our destination was Barcelona, Spain, to see how this entry-EV stacks up.

It's the smallest EV in Volvo's lineup at 166.7 inches, about 8.0 inches shorter than the XC40.

Under the rounded exterior is one of two powertrains; a 268 horsepower single rear motor setup or a 422 horsepower dual-motor design.

The former gets up to 275 miles of range; the latter, 265 miles.

I'm now driving the single motor EX30, and I have to say, I'm really not noticing a huge difference in the powertrain.

Yes, if you really accelerate this vehicle, you'll notice that the dual-motor is a little bit quicker.

But for 99 percent of driving, there is almost no perceptible difference.

So, if I didn't need all-wheel-drive, I'd take the 10 extra miles that the rear-wheel-drive version gets.

They both use a 69 kilowatt-hour nickel manganese cobalt battery pack.

The NMC design provides longer range and 153 kilowatt peak charging, allowing for a 10 to 80 percent top off in about 27 minutes.

There are three trims to choose from, but all models come with wireless Apple CarPlay, Adaptive Cruise Control and Volvo's Safe Space Technology.

The 2025 Volvo EX30 will be made in China, so no federal tax credits apply and there is a hefty federal import tariff.

However, the $36,000 starting price should still attract plenty of buyers when they arrive stateside early next year.

And we'll have more QuickSpins...soon!

JOHN: Most people know the GMC Canyon as the Chevrolet Colorado's professional grade cousin.

And while that sounds like just marketing speak, with an all-new design of GM's midsize truck platform comes more genuine brand separation.

So, let's see what the 3rd gen GMC Canyon delivers in real time!

♪ ♪ Small trucks are once again a big deal, and part of the reason is that they are no longer small.

There's not much about this 2023 GMC Canyon that resembles the quarter-ton Sonomas, S-10s, Rangers, and Datsun trucks that were wildly popular in the 1980s.

Of course, then, people were willing to sacrifice certain "big-truck" things for an easier to use and more economical pickup experience.

Well, we don't seem to be big on compromise for much of anything these days, and the current midsize crop of trucks delivers more than ever.

So fittingly, the 2023 Canyon will be available as a Crew Cab only with a 5-foot bed.

No more extended cab or long bed options.

Wheelbase is about 3.0 inches longer than before, with the front wheels pushed more towards the front.

It definitely looks tougher, and they've even eliminated the much-hated front air dam that protruded well below the front bumper.

The Canyon also comes exclusively with the high-output version of GM's 2.7 liter turbocharged I4, with a stout 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.

At times it feels even more powerful than those numbers would indicate, with its diesel-like torque delivery enabling a best-in-class max tow rating of 7,700 pounds.

No choice of transmission either, strictly 8-speed automatic, but you can still decide whether you want rear or 4-wheel-drive.

At minimum, ground clearance is 9.6 inches, which is more than an inch taller than last year, and almost 2.0 inches over Chevy's base Colorado.

And since it's all about the off-road packages these days, our AT4 tester comes with 4-wheel drive, off-road suspension, locking rear diff, 2-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and 18 inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

And that's just where things get started, as at the top of the heap, there's a new AT4X with 10.7 inches of ground clearance, enhanced front and rear e-locking differentials, 33 inch mud terrain tires, Multimatic dampers, and an additional Baja Drive Mode.

We'll have more on the AT4X real soon.

But for all Canyons, including this AT4, GMC went tech-heavy, as all get 11 inch infotainment screens and a fully digital driver display in either 8.0 or 11 inches.

Plus, an available head up display comes with most trims, and there are even optional underbody cameras.

Unique AT4 features include a Jet Black and Timber interior motif with stitched logos on the leather front seats.

Those seats are definitely comfortable, and it feels maybe a tad roomier than before, but still well shy of the sprawling space in a full-size truck.

It's even more noticeable in the rear, though there are more practical storage options back here.

The AT4 gets a sliding rear window, along with a tailgate storage system to complement the integrated ruler, and bed side-mounted 120 volt power outlet.

The Canyon already delivered one of the best rides in the midsize class, and the taller suspension seems to only improve on that; it's not quite crossover plush, but certainly great for a body on frame truck.

Though the higher ground clearance and off-road emphasis kept it from being a track star.

Indeed, healthy amounts of understeer and body roll greeted us in our handling course.

It was a little hesitant off the line in speed runs, but once rolling, power poured on steadily.

0-60 in only 7.5 seconds, and through the quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds at 91 miles per hour.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the AT4 are... 17-City, 21-Highway, and 19-Combined; we averaged an acceptable 18.2 miles per gallon of Regular.

Pricing starts with a 2-wheel drive Elevation at $38,395.

That puts it at midlevel Chevrolet Colorado, which is consistent with the mission of the new Canyon.

All other trims come with 4-wheel-drive, this AT4 starting at $45,395, and the AT4X now eclipsing Denali as the highest offering at $56,995.

So, as small trucks have grown, so has the price of entry.

But if that doesn't scare you off, there is no denying the 2023 GMC Canyon is yes...bigger, but also bolder and badder than before.

Does that necessarily make it better?

We say positively...yes!

Well, that's our show, I hope you enjoyed it.

Now, for more MotorWeek , including daily news updates, podcasts, and even complete episodes, cruise on over to PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

And I hope you'll join us next time...

When we head out in the updated Ford Escape.

Then, it's quality time in a fun to drive compact, the Mazda 3.

We'll revive an old-school find with some new-school help, and cross the pond for an annual speed lover's paradise.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

ANNOUNCER: To learn more about MotorWeek , Television's Original Automotive Magazine, visit... To order a DVD of this program... MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper, a nationwide network of stores and shops providing major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast, and in your local community.

Learn more at AutoValue.Com and BumperToBumper.Com.

TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek !

First, there was the wheel.

Then, the tire.

"We'll call it TireRack."

Forty years later, we're not slowing down.

♪ ♪ This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.

(engine revving) ♪ ♪ You're watching PBS.