ICYMI: Honda Prelude gets Civic Type R suspension, brake components

I read what they're saying...and fear that it's just a convenient means of dealing with the extra weight in the front.  Still, good on Honda for using the entire parts bin.  Without a drivetrain compatible with a manual transmission, though, I doubt it'll pry my fingers loose from my 4th gen.

In reply to Warlock :

Yeah, I think Honda is playing it smart by labeling it more as a "sporty grand touring car" than an outright sports car.

It's always better to underpromise and overdeliver.

That's a cool development. I hope the prelude is a fun drivers car.

I am a bit concerned it might turn into something like the CR-Z and not be much of a success.

Colin Wood said:

In reply to Warlock :

Yeah, I think Honda is playing it smart by labeling it more as a "sporty grand touring car" than an outright sports car.

Isn't that what the Prelude WAS, at least in the final two generations?  

It was big and heavy and mostly sort of a weird looking two door Accord with sporty pretenses, but never at the expense of civility.

Now I'm going to wonder if they made the V6 Accord before or after the end of Prelude production.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

Colin Wood said:

In reply to Warlock :

Yeah, I think Honda is playing it smart by labeling it more as a "sporty grand touring car" than an outright sports car.

Isn't that what the Prelude WAS, at least in the final two generations?  

It was big and heavy and mostly a weird looking two door Accord with sporty pretenses, but never at the expense of civility.

That's what it was every generation. The only exception was the first gen, which is I recall was Civic based, but sell the rest were Accord based.

In reply to BA5 :

You're not wrong, but my personal take on the 4th generation (? The ones that first had the H-series) were pushing more refinement than sportiness.  And the last generation may as well have had Acura badging.

I see the long tradition of the Prelude not really having a true identity will continue.

I've always liked Preludes, because coupes are cool. But then Civics got bigger and faster and more doors became less of a penalty so there just wasn't as much need on the showroom floor for two cars that were so similar to each other in performance, except one was barely sellable because no one wanted coupes anymore.

Cars like this need to make statements. The statement this one seems to be making is "It's kind of like a Civic, but slightly different, and it will probably cost more but have no discernible benefits or identity." It just seems like the hype machine has been real quiet for a car that's supposed to drop in a few months.

In reply to JG Pasterjak :

You know, you're right. The hype machine does seem pretty quiet for the Prelude, considering how close it is to going on sale.

What I'm expecting from the new Prelude is essentially a Civic Hybrid Type-R-ish–something "powerful," but not necessarily "fast," if that makes sense.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

In reply to BA5 :

You're not wrong, but my personal take on the 4th generation (? The ones that first had the H-series) were pushing more refinement than sportiness.  And the last generation may as well have had Acura badging.

I wouldn't mind having a 5th gen Prelude. Grab the JDM Type S engine (if it will fit, I have no idea I've literally never owned a Honda), seems like it would be pretty cool and rarely seen.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

Colin Wood said:

In reply to Warlock :

Yeah, I think Honda is playing it smart by labeling it more as a "sporty grand touring car" than an outright sports car.

Isn't that what the Prelude WAS, at least in the final two generations?  

It was big and heavy and mostly sort of a weird looking two door Accord with sporty pretenses, but never at the expense of civility.

 

Now I'm going to wonder if they made the V6 Accord before or after the end of Prelude production.

V6 Accord production started in the early 90s. 

Not sure what Honda is aiming for here. No manual and no fun engine, it's like they forgot how much of a snooze the CR-Z was and how well that sold. But hey the CR-Z could utilize similar generation CTR rear suspension components.