The new Honda Prelude hybrid coupé will feature a unique simulated gearbox when it is launched in 2026 as part of an effort to ensure it offers driving thrills.
The Japanese firm will revive the long-running model after a gap of more than 20 years – and the new version is set to serve as a halo product for its electrified technologies.
The new Prelude will be based on the Civic and have a 2.0-litre powertrain that uses Honda's e:HEV hybrid system. The complex set-up of that system effectively prohibits a manual transmission being fitted – so Honda will instead introduce a new S+ Shift system.
Honda says the new system will "simulate the sound and feel of quick automatic gearchanges". Hans De Jaeger, the firm's Europe senior-vice president, said this will "not only deliver exceptional efficiency, but also the fun-to-drive performance for which this model is known".
Honda's e:HEV system primarily uses an electric motor to propel the wheels, and while the petrol engine can drive the wheels directly at higher speeds, it serves largely as a generator to charge the battery. This removes the need for traditional gearing. The new S+ Shift builds on the Linear Shift Control system applied to Honda's current e:HEV models.
The firm says it will have the ability to maintain the "optimal engine RPM for the particular driving conditions", and fully utilise power generated by the engine as driving force, rather than to charge the motor. That, in turn, will improve the response time of the motor.
With the S+ Shift activated, Honda says drivers can then shift gears using a paddle shifter, which will offer a "sharp upshift feeling, providing feedback that resonates with all of the driver's senses". The firm added that quick gearshifts will be enabled by the coordination between the engine and electric motor.
The system will also work with Honda's Active Sound Control system to "enhance engine sound quality" by playing engine sound in sync with the engine's RPM through the speakers, which Honda claims will "stimulate all of the driver's senses".
The S+ Shift name references the "sports spirit" of Honda models including the S600, S2000 and Type S.
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I am sure with a manual this could be great fun. But if they cant or wont, just make it an EV. I have no interest in faking this, or simulating that.
Underneath the skin this is a Civic based car, and i am sure all current Civic based powertrains will fit. Than means there is no reason not to offer a Tyre R, and the 1.5 Turbo manual we no longer get
"Instead of having the petrol engine driving the wheels while being assisted by a small electric motor, this uses only the motor for propulsion, with the engine acting as a generator to charge the battery"
I think the e:HEV uses a 'Parallel Axis Arrangement' and thus has the ability for a enginge drive mode (i.e. direct drive by the engine) across 2 gears (higher and lower) - so I assume there would be a way of introducing some form of manuel which is not fully sythnthetic. Honda being Honda offer a good explanation (with diagrams) on their own website...
100% agree LP. It's an answer to a question that no one asked. Even it Ioniq 5N, I predict everyine will play with the gear feature a few times, then realise it's more work and slower than letting the car do it's own thing and never use it again! Just embrace the new technology