Chapters
Introduction – the Honda Prelude
Exterior – graceful and sporty design
Interior – the joy of travel
Hybrid powertrain – power, efficiency and Honda S+ Shift
Dynamic driving experience – enjoy the glide
Safety and Honda SENSING
Connectivity and immersive Bose audio quality
1. Sixth generation Honda Prelude brings iconic nameplate into the era of electrification
Elevating the ‘joy of driving’ through sophisticated design and an advanced hybrid powertrain with its innovative new Honda S+ Shift, the new Prelude marks the return of the brand’s iconic sports coupe. Inspired by the timeless elegance and purity of gliders, this latest iteration promises an exhilarating and comfortable experience for the driver and their passengers – whatever the journey.
Since its arrival in 1978, the ‘Prelude’ name has always embodied Honda’s cutting edge and innovative engineering, introducing the world to new technologies and features. Returning after a 25-year absence, this sixth generation represents a modern evolution of the model’s pioneering spirit, featuring a graceful, noiseless and elegant design that showcases the latest in hybrid technology.
By following Honda’s ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ (M/M) development approach – ensuring that technology and design serve the needs of the driver and passengers – the new Prelude is built around the concept of ‘unlimited glide’, where those inside do not want the journey to end. This is thanks to an ideal combination of engaging handling and dynamics, graceful design, and a premium interior that seamlessly combines comfort and practicality, ensuring the latest Prelude elevates the driving experience to new levels.
It also debuts the innovative Honda S+ Shift, which simulates the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes. Delivering an extra layer of immersive driving involvement to a new generation of Prelude drivers, it has been developed to integrate perfectly with the latest evolution of Honda’s proven e:HEV powertrain technology.
Featuring a lithium-ion battery, two compact electric motors (an engine-driven generator and a propulsion motor) and a highly efficient 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine combined with the Honda S+ Shift, the e:HEV offers the stunning all-round performance, driver engagement, and response expected from a sports coupe, allied with impressive modern-day efficiency and refinement.
Alongside this, Honda’s engineers have worked tirelessly on the chassis, steering, and suspension, to ensure superior levels of performance, dynamic response, and involvement. This has seen it use components and engineering principles from the legendary Civic Type R – including adaptive dampers. Allowing the Prelude to provide the perfect balance of agile handling and effortless comfort, encouraging users to experience the joy of driving – whether on their daily commute or driving for pleasure alone.
This feeling is further enhanced by bespoke drive modes, which include ‘Comfort’ ‘GT’ ‘Sport’ and ‘Individual’. In the case of GT mode specifically, this has been carefully tuned to deliver a memorable and dynamic driving experience that perfectly matches the new car’s character. Other advances include the evolution of Honda’s Agile Handling Assist (AHA), which helps deliver great agility, control and composure during cornering.
Inside, the new Prelude offers a sophisticated and seductive design that enhances the joy of travel and entices users to their destination, with attention to specific details evident throughout the cabin. This includes the use of subtly different front seats that more closely meet the needs of their occupants – offering the driver greater support when driving more dynamically, while the passenger benefits from enhanced comfort. Further practicality is evident with the vehicle’s large hatchback tailgate and a versatile, configurable luggage area.
Convenience and comfort also underline the new Prelude’s infotainment system, which is easier to operate than ever, featuring Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto as standard. The driver also has a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument panel that offers a wide range of customisable displays to relay relevant information to them.
Finally, the new Prelude also features an expanded suite of Honda SENSING advanced safety features and driver aids, which work with structural components designed for improved collision protection to ensure optimum safety for both driver and passengers.
2. Exterior: Classic sports coupe style inspired by the grace and simplicity of a glider
When designing the new Prelude, Honda engineers wanted to emulate the grace and simplicity of modern gliders, offering clean surfaces that blend with carefully considered proportions to echo the light and flowing aesthetics of these aircraft.
The result is a sleek silhouette featuring both simple and refined design elements that contribute to a uniquely thrilling driving experience, encouraging the driver and passengers to ‘enjoy the glide’.
At the front, the Prelude’s low, sharp nose immediately highlights its sporting credentials, which are further enhanced by the thin LED headlamps, slim black chromed grille, dark coloured lower bumper, and gently flared wheelarches. All of which emphasise its sports car stability.
This effect is also apparent at the rear, with a bar stretching across the back of the car that, in combination with the low 1,355mm roofline, creates the perfect height-to-width ratio for a dynamic and sporty coupe. While set low into the front and rear bumpers is a vertical blue trim insert, designed to create a sense of flow along the length of the vehicle.
Viewed in profile, the Prelude therefore presents a flowing and contemporary aesthetic, aided by its carefully sculpted flanks that feature neatly integrated vents behind the front wheels to smooth airflow over the car. This simple, clean design approach is also evident in the flush and backlit door handles with touch sensors that eliminate the need for a locking button.
As with the Civic, the side mirrors are mounted directly to the front doors, below the belt line, instead of to the forward edge of the front door windows, helping reduce unnecessary blind spots and creating a greater sense of airiness for those inside.
On top, there is an eye-catching ‘double bubble’ panel that evokes classic high-performance cars, suggesting the flowing exterior panels are ‘shrink-wrapped’ around the new Prelude’s structure. Advanced laser brazing has been used here, allowing the roof to be mounted near-flush with the side panels, increasing the premium look and feel of the vehicle. This state-of-the-art welding technique eliminates the need for a moulding strip along the roof length.
Further attention to detail can be found in the smooth flow from the roof panel into the tailgate – with the uninterrupted profile made possible with a glass print radio antenna that is bonded onto the rear glass. The wheelarches also benefit from a slim and clean appearance thanks to a hemming technique that rolls the arch lips up and under, creating greater clearance for the wheel and so reducing the visible gap between body and tyre.
LED lighting
The sleek adaptive LED headlights have been integrated to complement the vehicle’s smooth side profile, emphasising the new Prelude’s width, low centre of gravity and dynamic styling. In addition, the daytime running lights feature a novel design that mimics the wide and spreading wingspan of a glider that, when illuminated from behind onto a V-grooved lens, creates a sharp and uniform spread of light when viewed from all angles.
At the rear, the full width LED taillight have been designed to enhance the vehicle’s stance and feature a special reflector that creates a sharp horizontal line, day or night. Utilising a two layered, white trimmed hollow light tube behind the lens, Honda’s engineers have created a distinctive double red pinstripe across the rear that is visible during the day.
After dark, the tube is downlit with red LEDs to create a single, crisp light signature that makes the new Prelude easy to identify from behind.
Aerodynamic efficiency
Form does not come at the expense of function, delivering a near perfect aerodynamic balance for superior stability and efficiency. By carefully managing airflow over the car, Honda’s engineers have managed to reduce overall lift and deliver a minimal difference in aerodynamic pressure on the front and rear at all speeds, leading to a consistent vehicle posture and a faithful dynamic performance.
At the front of the new Prelude, particular attention has been paid to both the flow of air under the car and ways in which to create downforce. A large under spoiler with a ribbed cross section located beneath the front bumper helps accurately guide and control the air beneath the car and through the wheel housings, generating negative pressure that reduces lift.
A different approach is used at the rear, where the flat surface at the base of the tailgate has been precisely shaped to deliver an area of positive aerodynamic pressure, helping push the back of the car onto the road across a wide range of speeds. As a result, the vehicle reduces lift equally across front and rear axles, providing exceptional stability, grip and dynamic precision.
Signature finishes
Customers can choose from four exterior colours, including a new rich Moonlit White Pearl that uses an advanced paint application technique to create a vividly deep finish that perfectly complements the new Prelude’s elegant form. Customers can also choose from Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Racing Blue Pearl.
Smart 19-inch alloy wheels are standard, with a multi-spoke design that evokes a sense of gliding-like serenity and dynamic performance. The wheels are set in front of a final striking exterior design feature – bold blue brake calipers finished with a Prelude and Brembo script that draws the eye.
3. Interior: Sophisticated and seductive design with premium comfort and usability
Taking further inspiration from a glider – this time from the cockpit – the new Prelude’s interior features a sophisticated and seductive design that enhances the joy of travel and entices users to their destination.
Promising exceptional comfort, visibility and spaciousness, in addition to enhanced safety and greater driver engagement, it promises to offer both drivers and passengers a more refreshing in-car experience during long drives, cross-country adventures, and morning commutes.
Honda’s unique approach to creating an exhilarating driving experience through both dynamics and design has resulted in a cabin with greater visibility and airiness – exemplified by the low horizontal dashboard design that takes its inspiration from a glider’s wingspan. The interior therefore embodies the same clean, modern design philosophy of the exterior, while boasting an exceptionally clear view for the driver and front seat passenger.
The low scuttle allows the driver to easily identify the tops of the front wings, allowing them to confidently place the new Prelude on the road, while the carefully profiled A-Pillars help reduce blind spots. For the driver, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster clearly provides all the information they require, while also reducing the time needed to take their eyes off the road.
Created to deliver a driver-focused feeling of control, the interior also features high quality materials and an uncluttered layout that allows occupants to enjoy the vehicle’s careful craftsmanship. Tactile touch points feature throughout, with thickly padded materials for the centre console, door trims and dashboard tops, plus switchgear that has been engineered with a moderated action to emulate the feel of operating high-end domestic audio equipment.
Drivers will benefit from an elegant, leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel that has been designed to offer enhanced ease-of-use and highlight the car’s sporty credentials.
Featuring a sports driving grip with thumb rests, a prominent 12 o’clock marker stitched into the top of the rim and gearchange paddles for Honda S+ Shift, it offers the ultimate in control and comfort. In addition, buttons on the spokes allow for convenient fingertip control of the infotainment and several driver assistance systems.
Customers can choose between a pair of exclusive two-tone material finishes that feature either a White-and-Blue or Black-and-Blue theme. Luxurious touches include the neatly embroidered Prelude script in the dashboard ahead of the front seat passenger, finished in white or blue depending on the overall interior colourway, while the availability of a striking Houndstooth Check material for the seat trim provides a playful nod to the original 1978 Prelude.
The best seats in the house
Further highlighting the scope of the new Prelude’s offer are the front seats, which feature subtly different characteristics for both the driver and passenger.
In the case of the former, the seat base has side bolsters that feature extra structural support and firmer cushioning, ensuring the driver receives enhanced support during dynamic driving on winding roads. For passengers, the focus has been on everyday usability with side bolsters that are a little lower and softer, offering even greater comfort and allowing for easier entry and exit.
Both front seats feature the latest version of Honda’s Body Stabilising Seat technology, which incorporates a planar resin mat structure to support the passenger’s entire lower body – from the pelvis through the lumbar region – for greater stabilisation and support. The high-backed design has been tailored to deliver a snug fit for the upper body and exceptional posture control, while also allowing for free movement of the arms and shoulders.
Sitting between the front seats is a stylish, yet practical centre console design featuring a wide layout that builds expectation of driving enjoyment. Housing the gear selector buttons, Drive Mode selector and Honda S+ Shift button, it places all the major powertrain functions within easy reach of the driver.
Other features include a useful wireless smartphone charging pad housing a number of connectivity options, including USB-C sockets and a large capacity central storage box, as well as two cupholders.
Practicality and performance
Despite its sleek silhouette, the new Prelude has been engineered with both the space and usability to make it a viable alternative to larger vehicles. There is seating for four occupants, with easy access to the rear, thanks to front seats that smoothly tilt and slide forward, while the rear seats have been carefully sculpted to maximise head, leg and shoulder room.
This versatility is further enhanced by a hatchback tailgate with a large aperture that allows for easy loading and unloading of luggage and other items. In addition, there is a tonneau cover to keep items in the load area hidden and secure, while a clever folding boot floor can be turned into a handy load divider to stop items rolling around when on the move.
Furthermore, the rear seats can be folded flat, creating up to 663-litres of space and allowing for a large variety of bulky items to be easily accommodated, including two golf bags, two surfboards, a full-size bicycle, and even a set of four road wheels.
4. Powertrain: Exceptional response and efficiency from advanced e:HEV hybrid
The new Prelude features the latest iteration of Honda’s award-winning e:HEV full-hybrid powertrain, with a petrol engine pairing seamlessly with the company’s lightweight dual electric motor automatic transmission – including the innovative Honda S+ Shift system. Meaning users can revel in an exhilarating driving experience with responsive power delivery, excellent efficiency and superb refinement.
The full-hybrid powertrain combines a power-dense 72 cell lithium-ion battery and two compact, powerful electric motors, with a 2.0-litre direct-injection Atkinson-cycle petrol engine to deliver a power output of 135kW (184PS) and allowing the Prelude to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 8.2 seconds – meaning the model offers a perfect blend of exhilaration and efficiency.
Benefitting from more than 25-years of hybrid expertise, the model’s e:HEV powertrain is a sophisticated yet compact and efficient unit. Blending the responsiveness and power of an electric motor, with the long-range refinement of a petrol engine, to impress in both urban and rural driving. This not only provides instant response when accelerating at low speeds, but also when at high speeds on the motorway.
The petrol engine features the enhancements already seen on the current generation Civic, including a high-pressure, multistage direct-injection fuel system and low-temperature activating, plus a high-performance catalyst for excellent environmental performance. The exhaust port surface area has also been optimised for power output, while an all-urethane engine cover, noise and vibration insulation, and increased rigidity of the crankshaft, all help deliver exceptional refinement.
Smooth and responsive i-MMD
This latest iteration of Honda’s i-MMD (intelligent Multi Mode Drive) unit houses the propulsion motor and generator on the same axis for a more compact design that delivers an impressive torque figure of 315Nm.
The i-MMD provides three different modes – a purely electric EV Drive Mode powered by the battery, a Hybrid Drive Mode where the engine driven generator directly supplies the propulsion motor and Engine Drive Mode where the internal combustion unit is directly connected to the wheels with a lock-up clutch.
Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system is unique in providing these three drive modes in one system, automatically selecting the most fuel efficient drive mode according to each driving situation at all times.
In addition, the Prelude has seven levels of regenerative braking available through the selector paddles on the steering wheel. This allows dramatically improved deceleration rates when using the paddles, with the multiple levels also providing greater freedom of control when slowing down.
In a first for Honda, the Prelude also features a ‘coasting’ mode for enhanced comfort and efficiency. When the selector lever is positioned in ‘0’ the regenerative braking function is disengaged, allowing the vehicle to effectively glide under its own momentum when the throttle pedal is released, resulting in reduced fuel use and even lower noise levels.
Advanced Drive Modes
The new Prelude features a drive mode selector, which can be used to seamlessly switch between four options: ‘Comfort’, ‘GT’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Individual’. These can be accessed using the rocker switch, conveniently located behind the Honda S+ Shift button on the centre console.
Unique to this model, ‘GT’ mode offers a balanced driving experience for everyday use, with a carefully calibrated throttle response for quick and effortless performance, alongside an adaptive damper setting that perfectly combines comfort and control.
‘Sport’ sharpens throttle response further, stiffens the adaptive dampers, adds a more invigorating engine note through Active Sound Control, brings even greater urgency to the accelerator pedal and adds weight to the steering for a more direct driving experience. It also alters the digital instrument cluster colour theme, switching from the grey of the GT to a racy red.
While ‘Comfort’ delivers strong relaxation and refinement with softer suspension, smoother power delivery, a more subtle sound from the powertrain, and lighter steering response. In this mode, the driver display theme is switched to a cool, relaxing blue.
And finally, ‘Individual’ mode allows users to tailor the Prelude’s characteristics to suit their driving style, including steering weight, throttle response, damping control and engine sound.
Honda S+ Shift
The Prelude debuts the innovative Honda S+ Shift that further enhances the ‘joy of driving’ by simulating the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes.
Controlled via the steering wheel paddles, which change from determining the level of deceleration to become gear levers when Honda S+ Shift is engaged, this helps deliver the model’s perfect balance of exhilarating driving pleasure to a new generation of drivers.
This is achieved by giving the driver access to a virtual eight-speed transmission that precisely mimics the characteristics of a manual vehicle – even though the Prelude’s e:HEV has no traditional multi-ratio gearbox or CVT (continuously variable transmission).
Working in combination with Active Sound Control (ASC) to accurately align engine sound, revs and road speed, this creates a more natural feel when accelerating and is a development of Honda’s Linear Shift Control, which was first seen on the Jazz.
In addition, once engaged, Honda S+ Shift can use the e:HEV powertrain’s traction motor to precisely recreate both the throttle response and ‘kick’ felt during gear changes of a manual transmission. This is done by monitoring numerous parameters, including throttle pedal angle, brake operation, vehicle speed, road gradient, and battery state of charge.
When coupled with the model’s evocative engine note, created thanks to careful calibration of the Prelude’s e:HEV powertrain and ASC, this delivers authentic sports coupe driving performance. As does changing down through the gears, where the driver will experience both engine braking and a rev-matching throttle ‘blip’ for even greater authenticity.
Finally, when Honda S+ Shift is engaged, the vehicle’s digital instrument cluster graphics change to feature a large rev counter with gear position indicator. Precisely calibrated to the e:HEV powertrain, this adds an extra layer of driver involvement and further demonstrates Honda’s commitment to delivering the ‘joy of driving’.
5. Dynamics: Engaging handling and effortless comfort, whatever the journey
The new Prelude has been developed to ensure that its chassis, steering, and suspension deliver superior levels of performance, dynamic response, and feedback in all driving situations. Using suspension technology from the legendary Civic Type R, it has been engineered to provide a perfect balance of agile handling and effortless comfort that encourages users to experience the joy of driving – whatever the journey.
With a particular focus on precise steering feedback, a planted ride and an unrivalled sense of connection with the car, the new Prelude features a relatively short 2,604mm wheelbase, with a width of 1,880mm and height of just 1,349mm. Together, these measurements not only give the vehicle a low centre of gravity, they also deliver the unique blend of precision and composure for which classic sports coupes are known.
Furthermore, the new Prelude’s structure and body have been carefully engineered to meet the exacting demands of a grand tourer, featuring rigid and supple elements that work together to achieve a balance of dynamic precision and ride comfort.
A strong body side, including stiff sills, pillars and roof frame, promotes exceptionally accurate suspension location, leading to quick steering response and precise handling. The specially formed roof panel has also been designed to absorb harsh vibrations over rough road surfaces for both a flat and smooth ride.
The dual-axis strut front suspension set-up and optimised geometry minimise torque steer and enables precise tracking, particularly at corner exit when under lateral load. Using driveshafts of equal rigidity, it also minimises torque steer and promotes excellent steering feel and feedback. The rigidity of the front suspension also provides high camber stability, which delivers exceptional tyre grip under all cornering loads, plus balanced steering response and precise tracking.
Similarly, at the rear of the vehicle, a multi-link setup helps deliver optimal geometrical stability for exceptional high-speed stability and enhanced ride comfort, as well as more linear handling.
The new Prelude features a bespoke Brembo system that uses an electric servo for unrivalled stopping power and pedal feel. In addition, its unique 19-inch alloy wheels use a strong and lightweight design that has been specially tuned to reduce road noise by absorbing intrusive cavity resonances.
Furthermore, Honda-specific Continental PremiumContact 6 tyres provide exceptional grip and comfort as well as contributing to low noise levels.
Adaptive damping
The suspension set-up works in harmony with a four-wheel Adaptive Damper System that delivers superior ride quality and exceptional road holding performance. Using feedback from a suite of three G-sensors and four stroke sensors set around the car, this allows continuous independent control of the damping force by adjusting the current sent to electromagnetic coils housed inside the unit.
Balancing the transient dynamic wheel load between all four wheels under any driving condition, the dampers optimise the grip of each single wheel to enhance cornering speed. The adaptive dampers also reduce total roll and pitch movement under load transfer, delivering strong performance and grip level when braking into and accelerating out of a corner
The driver can tailor the damper characteristics using the Drive Modes controller, with each setting combining bespoke steering, powertrain and acoustic calibration to deliver a unique dynamic experience.
GT: This is the default setting when starting the vehicle, and it offers a blend of comfort and dynamic response that corresponds with a grand touring experience, perfect for long distance drives over a variety of different roads.
Further demonstrating the dynamic focus of the Prelude, a new electric power steering feedback control algorithm has been employed. Tuned to deliver high resolution road feel, this system features fast-acting torque sensors that continually monitor and adjust the assistance depending on the driver mode and steering inputs.
Agile Handling Assist (AHA)
An updated version of Honda’s Agile Handling Assist (AHA) electronic stability system has been specially tuned for the Prelude, offering an even greater operational range for faster steering response and enhanced vehicle stability during cornering.
First seen on the Civic, the system responds to steering inputs with subtle, discreet braking assistance of the inside wheels for added safety and smoother, more predictable vehicle behaviour. This includes stable cornering and lane changes at roundabouts, both at low and high speeds, to provide peace of mind to the driver.
On this model, the system now operates even earlier in the cornering phase, helping the vehicle turn-in to the apex with greater speed and precision. By careful and subtly braking individual wheels it allows the vehicle to more accurately follow the driver’s steering inputs and chosen line into and through the corner, for a faster and more stable handling balance.
6. Safety: Advanced suite of Honda SENSING systems as standard
For the new Prelude, the Honda SENSING system has been carefully tuned to deliver enhanced driver support, while structural modifications around the vehicle maintain a high level of passenger and pedestrian safety. As a result, the Prelude represents another step in Honda’s bold ambition to bring traffic collision fatalities involving Honda automobiles and motorcycles to zero by 2050.
Featuring a high-speed processing chip that has been used to improve the detection, performance, and control of the system, the Prelude features a similar suite of Honda SENSING systems as the current generation Civic. These can detect objects earlier and more accurately, including pedestrians in light and dark environments.
Using a comprehensive array of sensors and radars, these advanced systems include Forward Collision Warning System, Cross Traffic Monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Blind Spot Information System. For the new Prelude, the Post-Collision Mitigation Braking system has been refined to include automatic illumination of the brake lights in the event of frontal or offside impact, helping to warn following drivers of the potential danger and so reduce the risk of further collisions.
In addition, for this model, the Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation System and Lane Keeping Assist System have been carefully recalibrated to suit the more dynamic driving style of a sports coupe.
Using proactive steering, acceleration and braking assist, it closely matches the driver’s style for a more natural and engaging experience that feels less intrusive than other similar systems. The result is smoother and more comfortable progress that adds to the gliding-like exhilaration that is a trademark of the new Prelude.
Enhanced structural safety
In addition to new and improved active safety technologies, the Prelude incorporates a strong crash structure for exceptional front, rear and side collision protection, enhancing overall passive safety and meeting the latest stringent crash impact safety standards.
Featuring Honda’s unique G-CON (g-force control) technology, the Prelude offers 360-degree collision safety performance. Using extensive modelling and real-life impact tests, this system has been designed to control the load paths during front, side and rear collisions to create a strong and stable survival space for occupants.
For frontal impacts in particular, this model has been engineered to efficiently absorb energy in vehicle-to-vehicle collisions and protect pedestrians. For example, the front bumper beam safety plates have been configured to reduce impact energy to lower the risk of leg fractures and knee ligament damage for pedestrians in the event of a collision.
The vehicle also incorporates a total of 10 airbags as standard, including knee airbags for both front seats to reduce the risk of occupant injury during front impacts, plus side airbags for the rear seats.
7. Infotainment: Seamless connectivity and innovative, easy-to-use features
An intuitive HMI with a range of connectivity services that enhance comfort, convenience and user enjoyment all feature on the new Prelude, using state-of-the-art technology and tactile touchpoints that promote accessibility and comfort to make it easier and safer to use on the move.
Accessed through a fast reacting nine-inch touchscreen or via voice activation, the controls and menu layers have been carefully laid out to minimise the amount of time a driver’s eyes leave the road. Honda engineers designed the system so that users scroll through fewer layers of functionality to access desired functions, while standard Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality, and Android Auto allows seamless smartphone connectivity.
An advanced in-car navigation display has been designed with new graphics to minimise driver distraction through the clearer presentation of information. The system now accommodates the introduction of 3D urban modelling with improved image quality, using more vibrant colours to assist with navigation on the move, as well as a one-touch operation for frequently used functions.
10.2-inch Driver Display
The new Prelude features a customisable 10.2-inch full colour digital cluster as standard, which includes instruments that detail power output and regeneration levels within the e:HEV hybrid powertrain. In addition, audio-related information is consolidated on the left side of the screen, while driving-related information such as Honda SENSING and navigation information is positioned to the right. In between the two dials is an exclusive Prelude graphic that lights up according to the driving operation.
Furthermore, the instrument cluster features coloured themes that allow the driver to identify the car’s driving mode at a glance. In GT mode the dials are ringed with a neutral grey colour, while in Comfort and Sport they are blue and red respectively. Finally, when Honda S+ Shift is engaged, the lefthand power meter is transformed into a rev counter housing a prominent gear position indicator.
Jointly developed by Bose, the new Prelude’s audio system ensures realistic acoustics and concert hall quality for every journey. The standard eight-speaker premium sound set-up has been tailored precisely for the vehicle’s interior, delivering a clear and impactful listening experience for all occupants.
Expert Bose audio engineers developed the sound system with advanced components and technologies, working closely with Honda early in the vehicle design process to integrate the system for optimal performance. Crisp sound is delivered through eight high-performance Bose speakers, strategically placed throughout the cabin for exceptional music reproduction across all frequencies.
Exclusive to the new Prelude are Bose’s Super65 wide range speakers that are mounted in the front doors. Despite a relatively modest 17-inch diameter, they deliver crisp and accurate bass sounds across all volumes, which similarly sized units have until now found hard to produce without distortion. Featuring an updated cone, magnet and coil, they can deliver increased amplitude compared to other speakers.