2026 Honda Prelude will simulate ‘sound and feel’ of quick automatic gear changes
- The iconic Honda Prelude is set to make a return
- This time around it will feature a hybrid powertrain
- There’s also a system that mimics the ‘sound and feel’ of gear changes
Published on Dec 20, 2024 at 4:32 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Dec 20, 2024 at 3:48 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The iconic Honda Prelude is making its return and will come with new technology that replicates ‘the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes’.
Honda launched the Prelude back in 1978 and it went on to enjoy a lengthy production run which wrapped up in 2001.
However, at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda announced that the Prelude would be making a return while unveiling a near-production concept.
This time around the car would come with a hybrid powertrain and it seems the Japanese carmaker has a little something up its sleeve to make driving feel more ‘fun’.
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The Honda Prelude will have new tech to mimic the feel of a gearbox
The Honda Prelude coupe will feature a hybrid powertrain, but – as yet – the carmaker is keeping tight-lipped on the details.
However, it is widely believed that it may be a variation of the hybrid setup in the Civic e:Hev, which comes without a transmission system.
But rather than have drivers miss out on the ‘fun’ of having a gearbox to use, Honda is introducing its S+ Shift system that will simulate a rapid automatic transmission. Smart.
The marque says this will not only help the Prelude’s efficiency but the replicated automatic gearbox will also add a splash of fun to the car.
“The Honda Prelude is an iconic nameplate, and this latest model promises to build on that heritage with our trademark hybrid performance and the latest dynamic technology,” Honda Europe’s senior VP, Hans de Jaeger said in a statement.
“All with a view to not only delivering exceptional efficiency but also the fun-to-drive performance for which this model is known. We are excited for its arrival in Europe following a very positive reception so far.”
Reviving a classic comes with some ‘expectations’
Tomoyuki Yamagami – the man heading up the project – has admitted that he ‘loves’ manual vehicles.
“I really love manual vehicles, and I can only say that it would be something I’d like [for the Prelude],” he said earlier this year.
“With a manual transmission, it would be a very fun vehicle to be with.”
And if that’s not possible then maybe this S+ Shift system is the next best thing, right?
Yamagami went on to say that reviving such a well–known and well-liked vehicle came with a bit of pressure.
“When you’re in charge of developing the Prelude, you understand everyone has a lot of expectations of a coupé,” he said.
So it looks like it will be all eyes on Honda when the new Prelude drops next year.
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Across her career she's covered a wide variety of topics, including celebrity, cryptocurrency, politics, true crime and just about everything in between.
