- Japanese media got access to a pre-production prototype of the Honda Prelude sports coupe.
- The model is fitted with an upgraded e:HEV powertrain and features a sportier chassis setup.
- It also introduces the S+ Shift mode that simulates gear shifts despite the lack of a gearbox.
After learning that the new Honda Prelude will arrive in the US market next year with simulated gear changes, a few of our Japanese colleagues had the chance to test drive the pre-production prototypes on the track. These early drives provide an insight into the upgraded hybrid powertrain, its sound, and the revised chassis setup of the sports coupe, while also offering a first look at the interior.
Japanese media got access to camouflaged prototypes of the Honda Prelude, looking similar to the ones spotted by our spy photographers during development testing. Predictably, changes compared to the concept are minor, including slightly larger mirror caps and new ADAS sensors. More importantly, this marks our first glimpse in the four-seater cabin of the sports coupe.
More: New Honda Prelude Coming To US In Late 2025 With Simulated Gear Shifts
The design of the dashboard is largely shared with the mechanically-related Civic, although there are a few unique elements. These include a different center console that is mounted higher, housing the new controls for the gearbox and the dedicated button for the S+ Shift mode above the drive mode selector (we’ll get back to this later on).
Furthermore, there is a new pair of sports seats with integrated headrests and perforated upholstery, alongside white and blue stitching. The two seats at the back have limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline and the shorter wheelbase. Still, there should be a generous amount of luggage space, with the large tailgate adding practicality points.
Moving on to the technical specifications of the new Prelude, it will be the first model to feature the next generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system with greater efficiency, and the new S+ Shift mode promising a more engaging driving experience.
The self-charging hybrid powertrain comprises a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection engine and dual electric motors. Honda claims that fuel efficiency has been improved by over 10% compared to the current e:HEV, without compromising power output. The electric drive unit is also new, with downsized packaging and increased efficiency.
More importantly, the new Honda S+ Shift that will be installed in all future e:HEVs transforms the driving manners of the hybrid coupe, by simulating gear changes and giving more emphasis on the sound of the four-cylinder engine. This happens despite the fact that the electric motor is largely responsible for moving the front wheels and there is no mechanical transmission.
Unlike the Civic which only simulates the audio feedback from the gear changes, in the Prelude you can feel a slight shock from the downshifts thanks to tweaked torque mapping of the electric drive unit. The system controls the engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration, and responds to the gear shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. At the same time, the Active Sound Control system enhances the engine tone through the speakers, corresponding to the RPM meter on the digital instrument cluster.
In one of the reviews the tester says that Honda engineers used the same control method as the nine-speed dual clutch transmission of the discontinued Honda NSX, although the shifting effect on the fake gearbox of the Prelude doesn’t have the same intensity. In any case, this marks a significant improvement over the Linear Shift Control system that has been installed in Honda e:HEV models since 2020. Besides the Prelude, the S+ Shift
As for the chassis, the Honda Prelude is closely related to the Civic, albeit with a shorter wheelbase, wider tracks, and different settings for the suspension. According to the automaker, the platform that will be used in all future similarly-sized offerings has been upgraded with increased rigidity, a new steering stability index, and a 10% weight reduction.
The Japanese media praised the ride of the coupe, saying that it feels sportier than the Civic, while being as smooth and comfortable as a GT. One of the testers claimed that the setup of the steering wheel and the adaptive suspension felt similar to the Civic Type R hot hatch. Others noticed the Brembo brakes hiding behind the black 19-inch wheels that were shod in Continental Premium Contact 6 tires, and claimed that the braking system had a linear feel.
We expect to learn more about the Honda Prelude at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, ahead of its market launch next year.
