Shortly after Honda confirmed that the new Prelude will go into series production, Japanese journalists got their hands on a prototype of the sports coupé. Their first impressions make the car sound very promising. It is not just a Civic Hybrid with a two-door body.
In a video from YouTube channel Ride Now, it is reported that the Prelude will receive the unique front suspension of the Civic Type R, which is supposed to reduce steering torque, as well as the adaptive dampers of the Hot Hatch. Unlike all the other Civic models, the Prelude has a GT driving mode, which is sandwiched between the expected "Comfort" and "Sport" modes, and is said to offer a good balance between the two modes.
Honda confirmed today that the Prelude will have a new S+ shift mode, and now we have a better idea of how it will work. Most of the time, Honda's twin-motor hybrid cars drive the wheels directly with one of their electric motors, and the motor works as a generator for the battery.
When S+ Shift is activated, Honda revs the engine up and down and reduces the torque of the drive motor to simulate the feel of an internal combustion engine running through an eight-speed gearbox. There are even paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel that allow the driver to shift gears virtually.
Image gallery: Honda Prelude (2026) Teaser
That's about what Hyundai does with the Ioniq 5 N's N Grin Shift feature, with the difference that Honda uses the actual engine instead of completely simulated engine sounds. This is an interesting approach to make a hybrid vehicle more attractive and at the same time take advantage of the efficiency advantages of a dual-motor system like the one Honda uses here.
In the video from Enthusiast Car Guide, we can see and hear the system in action, and the driver is obviously very impressed. We really like what Hyundai has done with the Ioniq 5 N, and if Honda calibrates the S+ Shift similarly well, we'll like it too.
Journalists who have tested the new Prelude report that the coupe has a shorter wheelbase than the Civic, but a wider track at the front and rear. All this together results in a car that feels distinctly different. The interior of the Prelude is identical to that of the Civic, but that's not a bad thing, as the current Civic feels a lot nicer than much else in this class.
The new Honda Prelude will be launched in the USA at the end of next year and in Europe at the beginning of 2026. We are very excited to try it out