The new Prelude will share its bones with the Civic, hybrid powertrain included, which makes the CVT the obvious choice. However, Japanese publication Best Car Web stirred the pot by suggesting that Honda was considering a six-speed manual lifted from the ICE-only Civic RS. A few weeks later, MotorTrend spoke with Shinji Aoyama, Honda’s Global Executive Vice President, who clarified that the Prelude won’t be getting a conventional manual. But here’s where it gets interesting: Aoyama also hinted that the Prelude is “engineered to shift differently” from the Civic, with drivers expected to feel and hear downshifts. There’s also speculation Honda might beef up the e:HEV system with a more potent electric motor, hinting at improved performance over the Civic hybrid.
Chief Engineer and project leader Tomoyuki
Yamagami later told Autocar that the “joy of driving” is a top priority for the
team behind the new Prelude, as the public has high expectations from a coupe.
When asked about the three-pedal rumors, Yamagami replied, “It’s very hard to
answer that”. However, he did reveal his personal affection for manual
transmissions, admitting it’s something he’d love to see in the Prelude, which
would make it “a very fun vehicle to be with.” Yet, the combination of these
semi-contradictory statements and facts suggests that Honda might be exploring
ways to sneak in some manual-like driving feel without all the engineering
headaches. A simulated manual could allow Honda to keep the hybrid’s core
mechanics intact, while offering a driving experience that’s more engaging than
your run-of-the-mill CVT.
Simulated manuals are quickly becoming a
trend, especially for automakers trying to keep driving enthusiasts on their
side as EVs take over. Take the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, for example, which mimics
manual gear shifts with fake noises and artificial gear changes. Toyota and
Lexus are also dabbling in this territorry. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if
Honda hopped on board with their own flavor of simulated driving fun.
Interestingly, a Reddit post suggests the idea of a simulated manual was
floated by Australian publication Wheels Magazine over five months ago,
although the published article doesn’t appear to cite a source.
In an interview with CarsGuide last year,
Yamagami admitted that the Honda Prelude “isn’t going to be the sportiest,
zippiest car that’s going to be tossed into the circuits.” But don’t let that
downplay the intrigue. Based on all this info, it’s clear we’re not looking at
some humdrum two-door Civic e:HEV. The Prelude’s sharper looks and promises of
a more engaging driving experience suggest Honda is trying to make it appealing
to a more discerning, enthusiast-driven audience. All our burning questions
will be answered sometime in 2025, when the production version of the Honda
Prelude is expected to be revealed. Judging by the spy shots, the final version
will stick closely to the concepts that teased it, which isn’t a bad thing at
all.
