I am willing to bet this thing flops harder then the CRZ.
Photography courtesy Honda
The new Honda Prelude? It’s has virtually the same power output as a Civic Si, but you don’t get a manual gearbox, you lose two doors and it costs $10,000 extra.
Okay, so maybe the all-new, $42,000 Prelude is a bit of a hard sell at first glance, but it does borrow a few trick components from the Civic Type R, like the front suspension and beefier brakes, that should positively impact handling.
Rated at a combined 200 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque, Honda boasts that the Prelude “is not equipped with a traditional transmission or CVT," but a setup designed to blend the power output from the 2.0-liter gas engine and two electric motors:
Rather than use a torque converter and multiple gear ratios, or mechanical pulleys and drive belt, drive force from the traction motor is sent to the wheels directly through a fixed ratio, while engine power is blended seamlessly through a simple lock-up clutch.
If this setup sounds familiar, that’s because it’s closely related to the two-motor hybrid powertrain that Honda also uses in the Civic, Accord and CR-V. Here in the Prelude, the setup is rated at 46 mpg city, 41 mpg highway and 44 mpg combined.
And, speaking of the “transmission,” the Prelude marks the introduction of Honda’s S+ Shift, a drive mode that, like other hybrids and EVs, simulates a quick-shifting gearbox. (Look for S+ Shift to appear on future Hondas as well, notes the press release.)
Also of note? Aside from the 19-inch wheels, 235/40R19 all-season tires and brakes–consisting of two-piece, 13.8-inch discs paired with four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers up front with 13-inch discs out back–the Prelude will be available in Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Rallye Red, Boost Blue and an all-new shade called Winter Frost Pearl over one of two interior choices: Black or two-tone White and Blue.
Honda also plans to roll out a collection of Genuine Accessories for the Prelude that consists of unique 19-inch wheels, black emblems and the all-important decklid and front underbody spoilers.
In the end, I wouldn’t look at the new Prelude as a hybrid version of the Type R or Si, but more of a performance-oriented version of the Civic Hybrid hatchback–at least, that’s how it looks on paper.
I am willing to bet this thing flops harder then the CRZ.
Exactly what I expected for pricing and I agree with 93EXCivic. Just like all of their "different" vehicles in the past, Honda is 5-7 years early to the party and they'll leave right as the party gets going (see Element, Ridgeline (rumors of impending death), and CrossTour shaped crossovers). I like the concept, but it needs 250-280hp to compete for enthusiasts money. My prediction is annual sales under 10k.
Yeah, I have to agree with the first two chaps…..Honda just sometimes does things just because it can, not because it’s a good idea.
Agree with all the above. I mean, who is the target market for this notta* product? What’s the sales goal for years 2-4 that makes this notta* offering viable, you know, after those who want the “new shiny thing” have made their purchase and it’s no longer the “new shiny thing.”
*it’s notta Civic, it’s notta SI, it’s notta CTR, it’s notta EV, it’s notta performance car, it’s notta luxury car, etc.
Maybe simply being nice will be enough.
But at $42K+ ?
”I want to believe.” -The X Files
In reply to DougNuts :
I see one of those CrossTours every now and again, but when's the last time you saw the Acura version, the ZDX?
(TBH, I don't think I've ever seen the Acura in person.)
In reply to Colin Wood :
I've seen a few, but they only sold 7,191 of them - over 3 model years!
10 years later and coupe shaped SUVs are a bit of a thing. Typical Honda.
300zxfreak said:Honda just sometimes does things just because it can, not because it’s a good idea.
And that's not always bad...but as a Prelude owner since 1984, I'm not planning to rush out and lay money down on this one.
I would LOVE to own this, but the whole transmission thing, or rather, lack of a transmission, turns me off completely. It’s such a gorgeous design, with great suspension and braking components, that probably handles incredibly well (as most Hondas are wont to do) but I’d never buy one simply for the transmission weirdness. Either make it an EV or give it some more traditional shifters!
I like the idea, am extremely "meh" on the execution, and hate the price. It's basically a Civic Hybrid coupe with the Type R suspension and brakes, no power upgrades, less storage space, and costs $10k more. Who exactly is this for?
This is at least $7k too expensive to start; it should be priced right around what a loaded Civic Hybrid Hatch costs, which is around $35k (which is also kinda nuts, but alas...). You trade the utility/space for some braking/handling goodies. Maybe if they did something to make it more distinctive, like offering AWD using CR-V bits, then it might stand out a little. But as it is, this is DOA.
No one is buying this thing. There's better competition on the same lot, let alone across the street, for far less.
The more I'm seeing it, the more I like it.
Like, maybe enough to actually go buy one. I'll have to drive it to see how I like the powertrain, but the whole traction motor thing seems pretty neat to me with potential.
The whole, 'it's an overpriced, underpowered turd" isn't really the Prelude legacy that I was hoping they'd channel into this new one, but I suppose it's worked for all the old ones, so why not this one too?
Displaying 1-10 of 68 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
