Maybe Honda Malaysia is prescient – precisely two weeks after the corporate confirmed the Prelude idea on the Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Mobility Present (KLIMS), Honda has launched the primary concrete particulars of its highly-anticipated sports activities coupé.
Initially, the Japanese carmaker has introduced that the automotive – set to be revealed late subsequent yr – might be a worldwide mannequin, with gross sales beginning in Japan and the US earlier than transferring to Europe in early 2026. It has additionally confirmed the Prelude’s worst-kept secret: that it might be a hybrid utilising an e:HEV dual-motor setup.
Particularly, the automotive will include next-generation {hardware}. Honda has outlined some modifications coming to each 1.5 litre and a pair of.0 litre variations of the e:HEV system, together with all-new direct-injected engines designed to realize a essentially the most environment friendly stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in all driving conditions with out compromising energy.
Particularly, the 1.5 litre mill is claimed to be rather more frugal by increasing its optimum rev vary (balancing effectivity with torque) by over 40% in comparison with the prevailing four-pot. As but, it’s unclear which of the 2 powertrain choices the Prelude will really include, however we’d hazard a guess that each might be provided. Additionally new is the entrance drive unit (i.e. the electrical traction motor) that’s smaller, extra environment friendly and cheaper to supply, together with the built-in cooling system.
There are different effectivity enhancements, reminiscent of tweaking how the engine transmits torque to the wheels (through a lock-up clutch) at larger speeds, including electrical help to the engine direct drive mode to broaden the vary of operation, and optimising the conversion of petrol to electrical energy. These assist present a claimed gasoline consumption discount of greater than 10% in comparison with present expertise.
A part of that enchancment additionally comes right down to the brand new midsize platform, which is claimed to be 90 kg lighter than earlier than, with the aim of making the lightest platform within the class. Honda is aiming the general automotive to be 10% lighter than outgoing e:HEV automobiles, because of a simplified physique construction that may be made to flex to regulate the load on every tyre when cornering.
The e:HEV system remains to be basically the identical as earlier than, utilizing the petrol engine extra as a generator to juice the traction motor, with no mechanical connection to the wheels save for the aforementioned lock-up clutch. Because of this sadly, as talked about in earlier stories, there might be no handbook choice provided on the Prelude.
To maintain fanatics considerably comfortable, nonetheless, Honda has added a brand new S+ Shift mode which – because the title suggests – simulates gearshifts similarly to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N‘s N e-shift. It is a growth of the Linear Shift Management function already fitted to e:HEV fashions, beginning with the most recent Jazz in 2020, matching engine revs to the pace of the automotive.
S+ Shift goes one step additional, enabling the driving force to “shift gears” utilizing paddles on the steering wheel; it should additionally “maintain the gear” when cornering. If the S+ moniker sounds acquainted, that’s as a result of it was final used on the first facelift of the CR-Z again in 2013, offering most energy from the hybrid system on the push of a button. The “S” additionally harks again to Honda’s sports activities roadsters such because the S600 and S800, S2000 and S660.
Finishing the vary of enhancements coming to e:HEV fashions is a brand new electrical all-wheel-drive system that provides one other motor to drive the rear wheels, with the torque distribution various relying on the tyre load when accelerating, braking and cornering. Once more, it’s unclear if the Prelude itself will get the expertise.
New pictures present a automotive that’s virtually an identical to the idea (save for it being within the authentic white, fairly than the purple as proven at KLIMS), with one key distinction – the home windows are clear, proof of a correct inside. In any case, provided that the unique present automotive seemed just about production-ready, count on not a lot to be modified when the actual deal goes on sale subsequent yr.
GALLERY: Honda Prelude idea at KLIMS 2024
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