New Honda Prelude concept

[Integra23]

Well if Honda doesn't offer a future EV manual looks like Toyota will.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/toyota-manual-gearbox-electric-cars

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[ckone2030]

Well if Honda doesn't offer a future EV manual looks like Toyota will.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/toyota-manual-gearbox-electric-cars

The most recent information on the Prelude that it will be a hybrid and not a full EV. And since there has been no additional information on the specs, we can always dream that Honda will have a manual version for this car.

 

[Integra23]

The most recent information on the Prelude that it will be a hybrid and not a full EV. And since there has been no additional information on the specs, we can always dream that Honda will have a manual version for this car.

Did the CRZ come in a manual? I know the insight did.
I just checked and the CRZ was offered in a manual and CVT. So there's hope for this hybrid as long as they give it enough go juice.

 

[ender_ong]

Did the CRZ come in a manual? I know the insight did.
I just checked and the CRZ was offered in a manual and CBT. So there's hope for this hybrid as long as they give it enough go juice.

Honda was down to play back in the day—CRZ had an optional HPD package that included a supercharger (!!). Link below

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/hpd-honda-cr-z-at-the-track/

 

[Integra23]

Honda was down to play back in the day—CRZ had an optional HPD package that included a supercharger (!!). Link below

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/hpd-honda-cr-z-at-the-track/

Lol. HPD parts totaled $15k on a 20k vehicle.

 

[RobbJK]

Did the CRZ come in a manual? I know the insight did.
I just checked and the CRZ was offered in a manual and CVT. So there's hope for this hybrid as long as they give it enough go juice.

The only issue with a manual for the Prelude is that Honda's current hybrid setup is far different from the IMA system the CRZ used where the hybrid component acted as more of a secondary boost to the gas engine, with the engine still doing the majority of the work, allowing for stepped gears.

The new honda hybrid system acts more like an EV with a built in generator. The electric motors drive the wheels 100% with the gas engine keeping the battery charged. They only run together during freeway speeds and under heavy acceleration to give the most power.

If honda wants to implement a manual (and honestly if anyone would, it would be Honda), they would need to use a different hybrid setup where the electric motors would be secondary to the main gas engine driving the wheels. Not impossible, but not sure honda will be willing to put that much new R&D money into what will assumedly be a fairly affordable but very niche vehicle with low sales.

Assuming they want to keep this car attainable to the widest audience possible, much like the integra, they'll want to keep prices under $40k, hence probably using mostly parts they have on hand in terms of the tech, platform, powertrain, suspension, etc. The only thing really 100% unique will be the sheet metal. Just my guess however. I think Prelude will be much more successful as a $30-$35k Toyobaru competitor than it would a $50-60k supra/Z competitor.

 

[optronix]

The only issue with a manual for the Prelude is that Honda's current hybrid setup is far different from the IMA system the CRZ used where the hybrid component acted as more of a secondary boost to the gas engine, with the engine still doing the majority of the work, allowing for stepped gears.

The new honda hybrid system acts more like an EV with a built in generator. The electric motors drive the wheels 100% with the gas engine keeping the battery charged. They only run together during freeway speeds and under heavy acceleration to give the most power.

If honda wants to implement a manual (and honestly if anyone would, it would be Honda), they would need to use a different hybrid setup where the electric motors would be secondary to the main gas engine driving the wheels. Not impossible, but not sure honda will be willing to put that much new R&D money into what will assumedly be a fairly affordable but very niche vehicle with low sales.

Assuming they want to keep this car attainable to the widest audience possible, much like the integra, they'll want to keep prices under $40k, hence probably using mostly parts they have on hand in terms of the tech, platform, powertrain, suspension, etc. The only thing really 100% unique will be the sheet metal. Just my guess however. I think Prelude will be much more successful as a $30-$35k Toyobaru competitor than it would a $50-60k supra/Z competitor.

This is really good insight.

I think there may be some thinly veiled suggestion in some of the marketing dialogue that the "Prelude" is a taste of what's to come. In this sense it would make total sense for Honda to get out ahead of the next generation of enthusiast-oriented vehicles and use the Prelude as a test bed for engineering a new hybrid system geared towards a more sports-inclined customer base.

One can dream at least. If Honda doesn't do it, someone has to, right? That's just too much addressable market leaving ignored, especially considering Honda's built-in enthusiast fanbase... a manual transmission HEV would be a HUGE step forward in that regard...

 

[RobbJK]

This is really good insight.

I think there may be some thinly veiled suggestion in some of the marketing dialogue that the "Prelude" is a taste of what's to come. In this sense it would make total sense for Honda to get out ahead of the next generation of enthusiast-oriented vehicles and use the Prelude as a test bed for engineering a new hybrid system geared towards a more sports-inclined customer base.

One can dream at least. If Honda doesn't do it, someone has to, right? That's just too much addressable market leaving ignored, especially considering Honda's built-in enthusiast fanbase... a manual transmission HEV would be a HUGE step forward in that regard...

As I said, if anyone will do it, Honda will. They've also stated that they won't go the route toyota/lexus is planning with totally faked manuals. So there is always a chance this could be the introduction of new hybrid tech that could trickle into next gen CTR etc in offering a manual (or something akin to a manual).

Honda's CEO said to keep expectation high for the prelude, definitely marketing speak, but in my mind high expectations would include the following:

- affordable price point
- competitive performance (we know honda can nail handling, can they get the power right too?)
- Next gen tech (Honda is one of the makers slated to adopt Apple Carplay 2.0 plus they have the new google infotainment system in the accord they could put in too)
- offering a manual or something akin to a manual
- entering the market late next year as a 2025 model 98% same as the "concept" in appearance

 

[nawfoo]

No love for the Prologue?

 

[RobbJK]

No love for the Prologue?

The Prologue / ZDX are just Honda/Acura versions of the Chevy Blazer EV.

Not that they're bad, but not exactly as exciting as a new sports coupe, heavy EV crossovers are becoming a dime a dozen. GM's effect on future reliability for the Prologue/ZDX will be interesting to see.

Once Honda starts working on their own EV platforms I'd be more interested, but given that they already backed out of the deal with GM to co-develop affordable EV platforms for the near future tells me Honda isn't going to be going all in on EV's quite yet due to EV sales slumping recently.

 

[RobbJK]

Here's some possibly new info via Burlapper and images caught of the interior of the prelude concept, as well as the potential that it will be a liftback.

https://burlappcar.com/2023/10/new-honda-prelude-secrets.html

I sort of suspected the prelude *might* possibly be a liftback given the small and high trunk opening (like the integra). The shots on Burlapper of the back window show what looks like thick support pillars behind the rear glass.

Another shot through the driver side window shows a very civic-like interior (granted this could be just placeholder materials and not the final version of the interior).

But the possibility that the prelude might be a liftback coupe, for me, makes it an even more attractive prospect as my future vehicle as I always wished my civic coupe had had a liftback as it would make the rear storage so much easier to use/access when needed, and truly could make the prelude an ideal option for those that had hoped for an Integra coupe, this will be the closest we will probably get. I know on a couple of youtube videos they had mentioned that they *could* in theory repurpose the Prelude as an integra coupe, but I don't see honda/acura selling two low volume niche coupes.

 

[Administrator]

Honda Prelude Concept Returns With Fresh Paint, Tantalizing New Details

https://www.motortrend.com/news/honda-prelude-concept-returns-long-beach-grand-prix/

 

[mopar_man]

Maybe it’s me, but I don’t think I can see myself ever owning an electric car. A hybrid, maybe. I’ve driven and or ridden in teslas and the new lightning and I feel there is such a lack of “emotion” when driving them. I also think EV’s and this massive push towards them is one of the biggest farces to ever be pushed on mankind, but that’s a discussion for another time and place.

 

[Midnight_VTEC]

EV’s aren’t sustainable, if anything the hybrid model makes far more sense in the long run and blend best of both worlds.

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