The Honda Prelude is again after a twenty-five-year absence, bringing with it a mix of nostalgia and efficiency. Sit down within the sixth technology Prelude and also you sense Honda’s intent to honor its legacy whereas reinventing the fashionable sports activities coupe. Modern and balanced, this isn’t only a revival of a beloved nameplate however a reminder that innovation is central to the Prelude’s DNA.
Jonathan Yu, car product planner for Honda, mentioned the group needed to make sure that this return was extra than simply sticking a well-known title on a brand new automotive. “It’s been 25 years because the final technology,” mentioned Yu. “The unique and all of the previous fashions have been all the time about innovation, expertise, and dealing with, so we’re placing that in a brand new package deal that’s nonetheless enjoyable to drive however very snug.”
Reimagining A Traditional
Honda is understood for balancing pleasure with practicality, and the brand new Prelude continues that custom. Beneath its elegant profile is a two-motor hybrid powertrain that gives an on the spot surge of torque with out sacrificing gas financial system. It’s a contemporary rethinking of the qualities that after outlined the coupe, a car made for individuals who like to drive.
“We’re bringing again a legendary nameplate and mixing our award-winning hybrid system with new Honda S+ Shift expertise and Civic Sort R suspension componentry.”
– Jonathan Yu, Car Product Planner, Honda
These components rework the Prelude from a nostalgic tribute right into a automotive that delivers real engagement. The S+ Shift system is a brand new expertise that goals to provide drivers the feeling of a dual-clutch computerized transmission regardless that it doesn’t have one. It’s an phantasm created via engine pulses that mimic the rhythm of substances modifications, and it really works. You’d by no means realize it wasn’t actual with out being advised.
The Sensation Of Driving
Yu defined that when the Prelude is in sport mode, the S+ Shift system creates the feeling of upshifts and downshifts together with a satisfying engine word. The result’s a automotive that feels alive, with every drive mode providing a definite character.
“It’s type of like a feast in your senses, regardless that there’s not a standard transmission within the automotive.”
– Jonathan Yu, Car Product Planner, Honda
The distinction between the drive modes is straight away noticeable whenever you’re behind the wheel. Change to sport and the Prelude tightens its responses, the adaptive dampers agency up, and steering beneficial properties weight for a extra partaking drive. Select consolation mode and all the things relaxes for lengthy freeway drives or day by day commutes. Yu mentioned this duality was intentional, calling the Prelude an on a regular basis grand touring car good for spirited drives or street journey adventures.
Constructed For On a regular basis Pleasure
The Prelude exhibits that efficiency can nonetheless be practical. Its liftback design gives house for baggage or golf golf equipment whereas sustaining a low athletic stance. This steadiness of type and performance echoes Honda’s broader mission to create automobiles which might be genuinely livable. Yu mentioned the group needed the brand new Prelude to seize that mix of pleasure and value that after made the automotive such a cult favourite.
“The Prelude has all the time been about innovation and expertise, however this technology additionally brings consolation and on a regular basis usability to the combo.”
– Jonathan Yu, Car Product Planner, Honda
Honda expects loyal followers to be among the many first patrons. In Japan, the mannequin offered out shortly, with many homeowners returning to the nameplate after many years. To reward that loyalty, the design group added delicate nods to Prelude historical past all through the cabin. Open the seatbelt loop, for instance, and you may see the date the very first Prelude rolled off the road, November 25, 1978. It is an Easter egg that connects the previous and current.
A Fashionable Take On Efficiency
The Prelude enters a market the place coupes are uncommon, however Honda believes the time is correct for its return. Hybrids have developed far past fuel-sipping commuter vehicles, now providing sturdy efficiency alongside spectacular effectivity. Yu mentioned this steadiness provides the brand new Prelude a bonus with 200 horsepower, 232 pound-feet of torque, and 44 mpg mixed.
“Earlier than, hybrids have been simply fuel-efficient vehicles to get from level A to level B, however now they add efficiency to the equation.”
– Jonathan Yu, Car Product Planner, Honda
That philosophy marks a shift in how Honda approaches hybrid expertise. Slightly than treating it as a compromise, the model is utilizing electrification to boost responsiveness and pleasure. The Prelude captures that spirit, providing a right away, linear really feel that echoes an EV’s clean energy supply with out sacrificing engagement.
On a regular basis Thrills
Requested to choose a favourite function, Yu couldn’t choose only one, as a substitute selecting the mix of the S+ Shift system and the Civic Sort R-inspired suspension. Collectively, they outline what makes the Prelude such a whole package deal. It is a hybrid coupe that’s enjoyable but composed, environment friendly but emotional.
“On the flip of a swap, you possibly can have the perfect of each worlds in a sports activities coupe that will get actually nice gas effectivity.”
– Jonathan Yu, Car Product Planner, Honda
That potential to change between personalities, calm and composed one second, keen and energetic the following, is what makes the Prelude so enjoyable. It doesn’t chase nostalgia; as a substitute, it reinterprets what driving pleasure means right this moment. The Prelude is as soon as once more about innovation, about making a automotive that connects driver and machine, and about proving that Honda has not forgotten the best way to make individuals smile once they get behind the wheel.