Honda (and as a result, Acura) has a long and rich tradition of creating unique high-performance cars which are enjoyable to drive. Its NSX, S2000, Civic Type-R, as well as Integra Type-R, are a few examples.
However, aside from these popular go-fast vehicles produced by Honda, There are several other exciting cars that have been part of Honda’s lineup over the years. Its Prelude sport coupe was just one of the models. It was sold in the United States from 1978 until 2001 and ran through five generations. Although the initial model had moderate performance, the subsequent models of the Prelude offered excellent handling and the highest levels of performance technology including four-wheel steering.
Honda’s lineup currently doesn’t contain a sport coupe and the most dazzling Acura you can purchase comes with a four-door Integra Type S. With this in mind HotCars ‘ Digital Artist Rostislav Prokop has created an amazing image of what a potential 2024 Honda Prelude idea would appear like. It will bring back this era-gone front-wheel drive model with impressive levels of performance in the present. If it becomes the reality of the future, it will be a formidable competitor to sports coupes of today like the Ford Mustang, Toyota Supra as well as Nissan Z.
2024 Honda Prelude Review
The first-generation Prelude was a classic design that was seen in Japanese sports cars of the 1980s. The third and second-generation models shifted to a more streamlined appearance and a modern exterior. Fourth-generation models adopted an elongated design, however, it was the fifth-generation models that had the most impressive visual indications. In our rendering, Prokop is a sleek design that is the 5th-gen Prelude and transforms it into a sleek sports coupe that’s suited to Honda’s latest lineup. The exterior design is a perfect blend of the classic lines you’d find on an automobile in the early 2000s, paired with modern-day design features.
The digital version features an elegant front design with a slender design for the headlights, like the ones you’ll find on the Accord 2023. The grille and design of the hood are in line with the style of the other contemporary Honda vehicles. The front bumper has distinct lines and is adorned with an array of aerodynamic features including wide air-intakes as well as a thin splitter. Retro-styled automobiles are hot this year in the auto sector. Hyundai is seeing a surge of attention with its latest models that incorporate these aesthetic cues, like its Ioniq 5 and its steller N Vision concept.
With this in mind, Prokop keeps the side shape of the Prelude rendering similar to the traditional design of the coupe’s fifth-gen model. The style is sleek and clean and has a solid shoulder line. Doors, front and rear fenders, and the rear quarter panel get modern styling. The big rocker panel matches the lines perfectly. The large fixed wing at the rear could bring back memories of classic JDM sports coupes of more than two decades ago.
The rear of our render has a lot of modern-day features. The taillight is a prominent feature, with the two light bar LEDs that stretch along the length of this trunk. The Honda badge is then placed in the middle of the taillight assembly. The front bumper and the top of the trunk are given an angular shape, and the dual exhausts that are paired with the diffuser’s aggressive design look stunning.
Powertrain
If Honda decides to revive the Prelude to make it a six-gen version and our rendering comes to fruition, it’s likely to get the same engine as in the 2023 Civic Type-R. The fast model of this popular car comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that can produce 315 horsepower, and 302 pounds-feet of torque.
A 2024-based model of the Prelude could also have front-wheel drive, and utilize the same technology as Type-R. It can hit 60 mph in just five minutes. A fresh variant of the Prelude which is based on Type-R’s chassis, and utilizes the same engine, will be able to put up similar impressive numbers in terms of performance, even if they are not, because it has two doors.
Specs
The Prelude was among the most popular automobiles in Honda’s lineup during the 1980s and the 90s. It wasn’t the most ideal sports coupe from the beginning. The first generation version was not exactly impressive and was far from the fast two-door model that Honda claimed it would be. It borrowed parts from the original Accord like brakes and suspension. It also featured its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which produced 72 horsepower, and up to 94 pounds of torque. Performance figures weren’t quite as amazing as the Prelude hitting 60 speed at 11.4 seconds.
The situation changed dramatically with the second generation Prelude. In addition to a brand new look, Honda gave it an entirely new platform, improved the suspension, and added an entirely new set of engines. The base models were equipped with a 100 hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of hitting 60 speed with a time of 9.6 seconds. Then, Honda also came up with the Prelude Si with a bigger 2.0-liter motor that could produce 110 horsepower as well as 114 pounds-feet of torque. The more powerful version of the coupe cut the time to reach 60 mph in 9.1 seconds.
The third-gen models had an updated engine lineup and Honda’s enthralling 4WD steering technology. The motor of the base model was a 109-horsepower 2.0-liter SOHC four-pot, while the Si versions had a 2.0-liter engine with dual overhead camshafts with 135 horsepower. Then, Honda also added a 2.1-liter DOHC four-cylinder with 140 horses.
The fourth-gen Prelude launched in the U.S. in 1991, featured a redesigned engine lineup as well. Its base S trim was equipped with the 2.2-liter four-cylinder that had 135 horsepower and those with the Si along with SE SE (1995 solely) came with a 160 horsepower 2.3-liter four-pot underneath their hoods. The most exciting version of the VTEC (1993 between 1993 and 1996) utilized the variable valve timing technique and increased the output of the naturally aspirated four-cylinder up to an astounding 187 horsepower. These cars could attain 60 mph from standing still within 7.1 seconds.
The fifth-gen Prelude models from the fifth generation Prelude had a single engine choice in North America – a 2.2-liter DOHC VTEC four-cylinder that put out an impressive 195 horsepower. The steering with four wheels was cut out, however, Honda launched its ATTS (Active Torque Transfer System) to address the understeer of Prelude’s front-wheel drive configuration.
2024 Honda Prelude Price & Release Date
The 2024 Honda Prelude was a great car. It was powerful it was reliable and was a stunning sports coupe within Honda’s lineup for mature buyers. Unfortunately, Honda had to pull off the model in 2001 because of the low sales, with buyers choosing other Honda vehicles, including the V6-powered Accord as well as its Civic Si and the S2000.
However, if you’re looking to purchase a used Prelude There is a high chance you will find a clean Prelude, given that Honda produced over 800,000 units of this sporty coupe between 1979, and 2001. According to Classics.com the average selling price for an Honda Prelude in the collector market currently is $13,214. The record-breaking price was $40,086 for the second-generation model.