HONDA

New Honda Prelude acceleration revealed

After almost two decades, the Honda Prelude is back on the scene, but judging by the first tests from Japan, this model is no longer focused on speed.

The new Honda Prelude's 0-62 mph acceleration is reportedly around 9 seconds, slower than many anticipated. Initial tests show a time of 9.08 seconds, with Honda officially stating they do not release acceleration figures but estimate the new Prelude will be similar to the Civic Hybrid. Honda's focus for the new hybrid grand tourer is on refinement and driver-focused engagement, not pure speed. 

According to the footage that appeared in Japan, the new Honda Prelude accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.08 seconds, while in Sport mode it achieved an almost identical 9.10 seconds. For comparison, the Honda Civic Hybrid e:HEV with 180 hp reaches 100 in 7.8 seconds, while the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid with 200 hp in Car and Driver magazine testing reaches 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

In other words, the new Prelude cannot yet boast of sporty performance that would accompany its dynamic appearance.

Honda responds: "No launch control"... After the results spread across the Internet, Honda reacted. Although they did not release official acceleration data, their representative confirmed to Carscoops that the 2026 Prelude is expected to achieve similar results to the Civic Hybrid, adding that the car does not have any launch control. It does not have a special driving mode or a hidden trick with a combination of pedals.

Interestingly, independent tests have shown that the launch control in the Civic Hybrid can shorten acceleration by more than one second, which explains the difference in results, according to Index.hr.

Honda emphasized that the company traditionally does not publish 0-100 km/h values ​​​​because "they can be significantly changed by external conditions such as air temperature, road conditions or battery charge in hybrids".

Handling Over Horsepower...While the Prelude might not be super fast, Honda paid a lot of attention to handling. In particular, the car has adaptive dampers and a dual-axis strut front suspension borrowed from the Civic Type R. They’re joined by four-piston Brembo front brakes that are also shared with the hot hatch.

We can expect to learn more in the coming weeks, but some people are already blaming the lackluster performance on the Prelude’s S+ Shift system.

It’s designed to mimic a traditional eight-speed transmission “through seamless coordination between the engine and high-power motor, including downshift blips, rev matching and gear holding.”

Technique before power...The new Honda Prelude uses a 2.0-liter gasoline engine in combination with a two-motor hybrid system, which gives a total power of 203 hp. Power is transmitted to the front wheels, and the total mass of the vehicle is 1,460 kilograms. This means that it is 28 hp weaker and 185 kilograms heavier than the Toyota GR86 coupe, which is often mentioned as a direct competitor.

On the other hand, the Prelude boasts an impressive consumption of 23.6 km/l according to the Japanese WLTC cycle, which confirms its economy. Translated, the Prelude consumes only about 4.2 l/100 km.

Focus on driving, not acceleration...Although performance is not the main strength of this model, Honda has paid a lot of attention to handling and stability. The Prelude has adaptive shock absorbers and a chassis taken from the Civic Type R, as well as four-piston Brembo brakes on the front wheels.

Honda claims that the Prelude will offer a sporty driving feel, but with an emphasis on precision and enjoyment in corners, rather than raw power. Some drivers, however, criticize the S+ Shift system, which tries to imitate the operation of an eight-speed automatic transmission "through coordination between the engine and electric motor, with rev matching and maintaining speed".

The new Honda Prelude brings the legendary name back into the game, but not in the form that many expected. Instead of a racing car, Honda has decided to offer a hybrid coupe that combines efficiency, precision and elegance, all with a touch of nostalgia for the old days.

Prospects and Criticism...We will learn more in the coming weeks, but some are already blaming the S+ Shift Prelude system for the mediocre dynamics. It is designed to simulate a traditional eight-speed transmission by continuously coordinating between the engine and the high-power motor, including downshifting, rev-matching, and gear holding.

These characteristics may disappoint fans of the original Prelude, which was famous for its agility. However, modern market conditions and environmental requirements force manufacturers to make compromises, and Honda seems to have bet on efficiency and handling instead of pure speed. The success of this strategy will be determined by the buyers’ reaction, especially among those who value driving balance.

It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to win the hearts of drivers who remember the original, faster and more aggressive Prelude from the last century. Let's also say that in Japan the car starts at 6,179,800 yen or about 35,100 euros.

Autonews