The new Prelude is something of an enigma. The Honda that rolled out all-wheel
steering in the late 1980s, and a decade later, the Insight, one of the first to bring
electric power to the production automobile, has just come on to the market as if
standing still, for after 25 years, innovation is sparing in the MY26 generation sports
coupe.
The Prelude e:HEV rolls on a Civic Hybrid platform with the same 135kW powertrain
and rides on a Type R-based suspension and Brembo brakes. More Civic than savage,
at $65,000 driveaway the stand-alone model does seem extravagant, but with no direct
competitor, a closer look does justify the figure to some extent.
Warranty is the standard Honda fare, with five years unlimited kilometres, eight years
battery, plus five years roadside assist.
STYLING AND INTERIOR
There was no denying the original Insight was ahead of its time not only in electrification
but in design features which made it stand out on any crowded street. The Prelude e:
HEV continues the tradition of innovation, design leadership and outstanding driving
dynamics.
Cabin comfort comes via supportive heated front seats . . . and that s about it. Manual
seat adjustment is far below what s expected in a $65k car. It s a serious 2+2 with little
leg and head room in the rear.
Grown-ups need not apply. However, a pair of hyper inquisitive family pre-teens cracked
it by folding the rear seatbacks, flipping the lid and climbing through from the spacious
boot. Job done. Boot storage space is 264 litres (rear seats up), 760 litres (rear seats
folded, measured to roof)
LED lighting, eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless phone charger and auto
dimming rearview mirror go somewhere to appease the stratospheric selling price.
INFOTAINMENT
A 9-inch infotainment screen serves up wireless smartphone projection, embedded
satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and Bluetooth. A 10.2-inch digital instrument
cluster can check fuel range directly with a location finder giving immediate access to
vehicle location. A trip log supplies a recent trip history – access to driving history, trip
distance, travel time and geofence alert.
Honda Connect is a mobile application and server that allows customers to access
vehicle information and interact with their vehicle via a Telematics Control Unit. This
includes climate control, lights on/off to help locate the car in a crowd or at night, plus
remote lock and unlock.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The newly developed e:HEV powertrain combines a lithium-ion battery and two
compact, powerful electric motors with a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, the latter
acting mainly as a generator for the motor and battery pack. It chips in only at mid- or
high speeds, sending power to the front axle via the twin motors.
The result is a combined maximum motor output of 135kW of power and 315Nm of
torque, with a claimed fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined
urban/highway cycle. The test car recorded an average of 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres
over a week of mixed work.
SAFETY
The new Prelude incorporates the latest generation Sensing suite of advanced driver-
assist and safety technologies, which employs a new 100-degree front wide-view
camera and enhanced recognition of road lines, boundaries, pedestrians and other
vehicles, including motorcycles and cyclists.
Additional features include Traffic Sign Recognition by automatically recognising and
displaying the signs via the 10.2-inch LCD display. An Intelligent Speed Limiter
recognises traffic speed signs and sets the speed limit.
With automatic collision detection, in the event of airbag deployment, a notification will
be sent to the device logged in to Honda Connect. The app will also alert a Honda
Connect Customer Care agent and if a voice call is not answered, emergency services
can be dispatched to the accident location.
A total of 10 airbags driver, front passenger, front side, rear side, front knee, full-length
curtain – airbags are fitted to the Prelude as standard equipment.
DRIVING
The new Prelude e:HEV has been engineered to ensure that its e:HEV powertrain,
steering and suspension deliver levels of performance, response and feedback that,
over the years, have been central to the car s appeal.
The result is a vehicle that does not quite come up with the most comfortable ride over
uneven road surfaces. May be this has something to do with the 19-inch alloy wheels
and low-profile tyres.
This advanced powertrain shifts far from noticeably between electric drive, hybrid drive
and engine drive to ensure optimum performance in both urban and highway driving.
Four drive modes Eco, Normal, Sport and a new Individual mode, which allow
separate control of the engine, transmission and cluster gauge display can be
selected by the driver via a centre console button.
Central to the e:HEV system is the fixed-gear transmission (eCVT), which has been
designed to minimise mechanical friction and is controlled by an intelligent power
control unit that optimises the vehicle to each driving situation.
However, there is something in store for the enthusiast. Debuting in the Prelude is S+
Shift, which simulates gear shifts akin to a dual-clutch transmission from the car’s
continuously variable automatic, a system that uses adjustable bands in place of
traditional gear ratios.
It uses software to control electric motor speed cutting torque briefly during upshifts to
simulate a gear shunt or reducing power in high gears and low revs to ape an engine
approaching its limits overlaid with amplified engine accompaniment piped into the
cabin. Smiles all round.
SUMMARY
The Honda Prelude e:HEV disappoints by strictly failing to live up to its sports coupe
cachet. And $65k is too much to pay for a Civic . But don t wait for a piping hot Prelude.
There won t be one, we are told.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 6
Safety – 8
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 5
Comfort – 6
Tech – 8
Value – 6
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Honda Prelude e:HEV $65,000 driveaway
SPECIFICATIONS (Honda Civic e:HEV 2-litre 4-cyl petrol, 6sp auto, FWD, coupe)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Capacity: 1993cc
Maximum power 102kW @ 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 186Nm @ 4500rpm
Fuel type: Unleaded petrol 91 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 4.3 L/100km
CO2 emissions 98g/km
ELECTRIC MOTOR
Power: 135kW
Torque: 315Nm @ 4500rpm
Combined power: 135kW
BATTERY PACK
Permanent magnet lithium ion
DRIVELINE: Single speed automatic, FWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4522mm
Width: 1880mm
Height: 1355mm
Wheelbase: 2605mm:
Turning circle: 12.0m
Kerb weight: 1468kg
Fuel tank: 40L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres (vehicle)
Eight years battery
Five years roadside assist
