The
Honda Prelude is a sports
coupeA coupé or coupe is a closed car body style, the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
produced by Japanese automaker
Hondais a Japanese multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume. Honda surpassed Nissan in 2001 to become...
from 1978 until 2001. The two-door coupe spanned five generations and was discontinued upon the release of the fifth-generation
Honda IntegraThe Honda Integra, a car sold as an Acura in North America and as a Honda elsewhere, is a sporty front-wheel drive vehicle sold both as a sedan and hatchback...
or
Acura RSXThe Honda Integra DC5 is a Japanese vehicle, which was also known as the Acura RSX in North America. It is available in base and "Type-S" trim levels in North America, and a "Integra iS / Integra Type S" and "Type R" version sold in Japan and Oceania...
Type-S in North America in late 2001, due to its decreasing sales and popularity. In the U.S. auto market, the sixth-generation and subsequent Accord Coupes became the
de factoDe facto is a Latin expression that means "by [the] fact". In law, it is meant to mean "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but without being officially established"...
replacement for the Prelude.
The Prelude's perennial competitor has been the
Toyota CelicaThe Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of popular coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....
, another
straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is a four-cylinder internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a...
-powered coupe introduced several years prior to the Prelude. Throughout the 1980s, the Prelude was challenged by the
Nissan SilviaThe Nissan Silvia is the name given to the company's long-running line of sport coupes based on the Nissan S platform. Although recent models have shared this chassis with other vehicles produced by Nissan , the name Silvia is not interchangeable with the...
,
Isuzu ImpulseThe Isuzu Piazza is a small sporty 3-door liftback coupé that was manufactured by Isuzu from 1981 to 1992 in two generations...
,
Mitsubishi FTOThe Mitsubishi FTO, is a front engined, front-wheel drive coupe produced by Mitsubishi Motors between 1994 and 2000. It was originally planned to be exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, although its popularity as a grey market import to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand led to...
,
Mitsubishi CordiaThe Mitsubishi Cordia is a compact hatchback-coupé that was built by Mitsubishi Motors from 1982 to 1990. Its name is supposedly an amalgam of "cordorite" and "diamonds" from Mitsubishi's Three Diamonds logo...
(later the
EclipseThe Mitsubishi Eclipse is a coupe that has been in production since 1989 for left hand drive markets. It was named after an eighteenth century English racehorse which won 26 races, and has also been sold as the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser captive imports through Mitsubishi Motors' close...
),
Ford ProbeThe Ford Probe was a coupe produced by Ford, introduced in 1989 to replace the Ford EXP as the company's sport compact car. The Probe was fully based on the Mazda G-platform using unique sheetmetal and interior. The instrument cluster and pop-up headlight mechanisms are borrowed from the FC RX-7...
and
Mazda MX-6The Mazda MX-6 was a front-wheel drive sporty coupé produced by Mazda between 1987 and 1997. It was called the Mazda Capella in Japan until 2002 before being renamed Mazda Atenza/Mazda6....
. Out of all of these contemporaries, the Eclipse is the only one remaining car in production.
In the UK, the Honda Prelude was never considered an essential purchase by the majority of sports car enthusiasts, who overlooked it for the trendier
Toyota MR2The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat, mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car produced by Toyota from 1984 until July 2007 when production stopped in Japan. Sales in the USA ended in 2005. There are three different generations of the MR2, often referred to as MKI , MKII , and MKIII .Some car historians...
and other well-known rivals. Within the Honda range itself, the Prelude was usually overlooked for the more popular
CivicThe Honda Civic is a line of compact cars developed and manufactured by Honda. In North America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer...
and Integra models. This might be partly due to the Prelude's reportedly cramped interior, though perhaps the Prelude was also overshadowed by more prominent performance Hondas, such as the NSX. However, the Prelude is competitive in terms of style, speed and build quality, and it has achieved something of a cult status in the UK and US where demand is still high for the sportier, manual transmission versions. This demand is partly attributed to the still rising demand for customizable cars. Both the fourth and fifth generations of the Honda Prelude emerged as popular choices for modders. Being relatively inexpensive, they have a decent amount of aftermarket/replacement parts available.
First generation (1979-1982)
On November 24, 1978, the Prelude which used the second generation Civic as a base, was launched. The four wheel independent struts, brakes and floorpans were all borrowed from the second generation Civic. The Civic family resemblance can also be seen in the front facia of the Prelude. Japanese Preludes were sold exclusively through Honda Verno stores in Japan and held the position worldwide as the flagship Honda sports coupe model until the arrival of the Honda/Acura NSX many years later. Though the drivetrain was shared with the Accord, the Prelude found its home as a two-door, FWD specialty vehicle. At 4090mm(length) x 1635mm (width) x 1290mm (height), it had quite a low and wide profile. The wheelbase was 2320mm, and was 60mm shorter than that of the original Accord. The Prelude sold much better abroad than it did at home in Japan, with about 313,000 total units being built during it's four year production run with about 80 percent being slated for export from Japan. The total first-generation production for the U.S. market was 171,829 vehicles.
As the Civic/Accord of the era used a sub-frame chassis structure with a monocoque body (unibody), the Prelude used a one-piece sub-frame chassis with monocoque body that is setup as a two-pillar structure to increase body and torsional rigidity. The front suspension employed a
MacPherson strutThe MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot, widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson who developed the design, based in part on designs created by Guido Fornaca of FIAT in the mid-1920s...
with a conventional coil spring mounted offset of the central axis of the damper which was designed and intended to greatly smooth the travel of the suspension, and rear suspension consisted of the Lotus-designed
Chapman strutA Chapman strut is an automobile suspension device. Being a strut, it is designed to act as both a shock absorber and a wheel location device. That is, it is designed to resist lateral forces. Chapman struts are the term for such a device when used on rear wheels, while the very similar...
. The front mounted anti-roll bar served two functions on this vehicle, number one, to reduce body roll during cornering and number two, to act as the radius rod for the front suspension, this vehicle also featured a rear anti-roll bar as well. This design minimizes the typical front engine front wheel drive understeer while cornering near the limit and also limits the rear sliding behavior of vehicles with this drivetrain layout. Riding on P175/70SR13 Bridgestone radials, the Prelude with it's all-independent suspension provided both good grip and an excellent ride. The Prelude received many compliments on its ability to handle well being very well balanced and rivaling anything put out by the competition. "It is," wrote Brock Yates for Motor Trend, "by any sane measurement, a splendid automobile. The machine, like all Hondas, embodies fabrication that is, in my opinion, surpassed only by the narrowest of margins by Mercedes-Benz. It is a relatively powerful little automobile by anybody's standards."
The engine sourced from the Accord was the EK SOHC 8-valve 1750 cc CVCC inline four rated at 75 hp (56 kW) @ 4500 rpm and 96 ft·lb (130 N·m) @ 3000 rpm. The Accord-shared engine made use of an engine oil cooler and transistor-controlled ignition system. 1981 saw the introduction of the CVCC-II engine which employed the use of a catalytic converter and several other refinements that improved driveability, the Prelude also received a mild facelift in 1981. Transmission choices were either the standard 5-speed manual or initially a two speed "Hondamatic" semi-automatic which by October 1979, had been replaced by a 3-speed automatic that used the final gear as the overdrive. The Prelude was peppy compared to most of it's competition with Motor Trend measuring an early Prelude completing the quarter-mile in a respectable 18.8 seconds at 70 mph. In addition to the standard fabrics offered in most models, an 'Executive' option was offered in some markets which added power steering and
Connolly leatherConnolly Leather was for over 125 years, a British company supplying highly finished leather primarily to car manufacturers. The term is also used to describe the particular brand of leather itself, when fitted in a car interior....
upholstery which is typically only used in high end luxury cars. The Prelude was the first Honda model to offer a power moonroof as standard equipment, which eventually became a Prelude trademark. Honda used a single central gauge cluster design in this car which housed the speedometer and tachometer in one combined unit where both instrument's needles swept along the same arc. They also placed the compact AM/FM radio unit up high next to the gauge cluster intending to enhance the ease of use but consumers found the layout to be confusing so in 1980 Honda moved to a conventional mid dash mounted AM/FM stereo with cassette being offered as a dealer installed option. The Prelude featured a wealth of other standard equipment, including intermittent wipers, tinted glass, and a remote trunk release. Honda added some electronic warning bells for 1982, but otherwise the first-generation Prelude remained very much the same throughout its production life.
Second generation (1983-1987)
The second generation Prelude was released in 1983 and was initially available with an
A18A-History:The Honda A-series engines succeeded the earlier EZ, ES, BS and ET engines in the Honda Accord and Prelude. There were several variations, ranging from the 1.6 liter A16A to the 2.0 liter A20A. All A-series engines have iron blocks with single overhead camshaft aluminum heads and are the...
1.8L 12-valve twin carburetor engine, producing 110 hp (77 kW), with fuel injection introduced in the "Si" models in 1985. In Japan, Asia and Europe, it was available with a 2-liter DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine, although this engine was not released in Europe until 1986. The JDM
B20APartially unrelated to the Honda B-series engines are the B20A and B21A. By some, these are not considered to be part of the B-series group of engines because they are not compatible with most of the other B-series parts and all of the other B series chassis.There were 2 versions of the B20A* The...
produced at 6300 rpm, while the EDM B20A1 produced only . This was the first generation of Prelude to have pop-up headlights, which allowed for a more aerodynamic front clip, reducing drag. Opening the headlights, however, especially at higher speeds, produced significantly more drag. The 1983 model is identifiable by its standard painted steel wheels with bright trim rings (although alloy rims were optional). The 1984-87 base models had Civic-style full wheel covers. In Canada, a "Special Edition" trim was created, which is essentially exactly the same as the USA 2.0Si model.
When the 2-litre 16-valve SOHC engine came out, the hood was slightly modified, since the larger engine could not fit under the original hood. The European version also saw slight modifications to the rear lights and revised front and rear bumpers which were now color-matched. Due to the fairly low weight of the car and high power (the 16-valve engine produced 137 hp (102 kW)), the car was relatively nimble in comparison to its competitors, which most Preludes had not been up to that time.
Third generation (1988-1991)
The third generation Prelude (released in 1987 in
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and a little later in some markets) was very similar in looks to the second generation. It was all-new, however, and gained four wheel steering on some models. In keeping true to the second generation Prelude's ideology, the third generaton received body changes that updated the look. New engines available in the USDM models were: in the 1988-1990 2.0S, the
B20A3Partially unrelated to the Honda B-series engines are the B20A and B21A. By some, these are not considered to be part of the B-series group of engines because they are not compatible with most of the other B-series parts and all of the other B series chassis.There were 2 versions of the B20A* The...
which is a SOHC 12-valve dual-sidedraft carburetor engine displacing 1958 cc that produced up to and ; in the 1988-1991 2.0Si, the B20A5 with DOHC and PGM-FI that increased power to and , or a slightly-larger B21A1 in 1990 and 1991 Si models described below. The B20A6 was the Australian model: a 2.0 DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine, also 1958 cc, producing and .
|
B20A/B20A1 - 2.0L DOHC PGM-FI 143/160 hp (Japan/Europe)
B20A3 - 2.0L SOHC carb(12v) 104 hp Canada/US
B20A4 - 2.0L SOHC carb(12v) Non US
B20A5 - 2.0L DOHC PGM-FI US
B20A6 - 2.0L DOHC PGM-FI Australia/New Zealand
B20A7 - 2.0L DOHC PGM-FI Europe
B20A8 - 2.0L DOHC PGM-FI Europe
B20A9 - 2.0L DOHC PGM-FI Europe
B21A - 2.1L DOHC PGM-FI Japan (SI States)
B21A1 - 2.1L DOHC PGM-FI Canada/US
Four-wheel steering
The four-wheel steering system (4WS) was a major piece of engineering and the third generation Prelude was the first production car to feature it. The less expensive two-wheel-steering version has been criticized for severe
understeerUndersteer is a term for a car handling condition in which during cornering the circular path of the vehicle's motion is of a greater radius than the circle indicated by the direction its wheels are pointed. The effect is opposite to that of oversteer...
. To this day, the 1988-1991 Prelude remains the only production vehicle with true mechanical four-wheel steering. All other vehicles (including later Preludes) used electronic or hydraulic systems.
Design Aspects
The third generation Prelude also had some new external designs. The hood line was designed to be the lowest hood line of any front wheel drive car in the world, allowing for better forward visibility. The drag coefficient was at the very low rating of .34. This gave better fuel economy, lower wind noise, and a greater level of high-speed stability.
Another unique structural element of the third generation Prelude was the high-strength metal used in the six roof pillars. The roof pillars were so slim that all-around visibility was amazingly clear for 326°. Some called this Prelude the "baby
NSXThe Honda NSX, or Acura NSX in North America, was a sports car produced between 1990 and 2005 by the Japanese automaker Honda. It sports a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout and was powered by an all-aluminum V6 gasoline engine featuring Honda's "variable valve timing and lift electronic control" ...
" when the NSX was introduced in 1990, due to some common design cues between the two cars. Excellent forward visibility via a low bonnet line, a front end resemblance, the suspension attributes (great handling with a smooth ride), and the new design of the rear lights could all be likened to the NSX.
In 1987,
Road & TrackRoad & Track is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi Media, and is published monthly. The editorial offices are located in Newport Beach, California.-History:...
published a test summary that shows the 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0Si 4WS outperforming every car of that year on the Slalom, including all
LamborghiniAutomobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian automaker based in the small township of Sant'Agata Bolognese. The company was founded in 1963 by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini...
s,
FerrariFerrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1928 as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari S.p.A....
s, and
PorschePorsche SE is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury high performance automobiles, which is majority-owned by the Piëch and Porsche families. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG , often shortened to Porsche AG, is responsible and manufacturer of the Porsche automobile line...
s. It went through the slalom at , an amazing result for the time. For reference, the 1988 Corvette took the same course at .
The Prelude was
Wheels magazine'sWheels is an Australian automotive magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. The publication is well-renowned by Australian car enthusiasts...
Car of the YearCar of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best automobile...
for 1987.
1990
In 1990, the Honda Prelude was given a facelift from the previous third-generation styling to a newer look, chiefly in terms of the rear tail lights. The top of the rear bumper was also changed to meet up with the smaller lights, and the bumper was smoothed into a rounder shape. Outwardly, the Prelude resembled the Accord Coupe.
The front bumper on the 1990 Prelude was also changed to feature clear indicators and park lamps that no longer wrapped around the corners of the bumper. Many of the interior parts were revised, including the dash bezel, the door handle and window switches, the steering wheel shape contours, etc. The five-speed manual transmission had unique gear ratios that offered easy acceleration at high speeds. The B21A1 engine became available in the "Si" trim level, which offered 4WS or
ABSAn anti-lock braking system, or ABS is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a motor vehicle from locking up while braking....
(called ALB). This engine is a B20A5 engine bored to with a total displacement of 2056 cc producing up to . This version featured a unique cylinder liner that is reported to be extremely tough, but also contributes to additional oil consumption.
Honda released the
Prelude SiStates in 1990. Originally available only in
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, this car was a limited production run and very few were built. It featured four-wheel steering, ABS,
limited slip differentialA limited slip differential is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity...
, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, extra sound deadening on the firewall and hood, rear windscreen wiper and washer, and many more features that were usually options. It also featured a unique
B21AThe B-series Honda Outline DOHC engines are popular automotive engines from the modern series of Honda engines. From the factory they produce between to around , with even some models having a redline over 8,900 rpm. The engine has been made in 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 2.0 liter variants, with and...
engine rated at that was only produced for the SiStates.
A series labeled INX was available on the Japanese domestic market. These models had fixed headlights (similar in nature to the European Accord Sedan from 85-90). It was available in three models: XX, Si and Si SRS.
Fourth generation (1992-1996)
In 1992, the fourth generation Prelude was released, after being released in
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1991. The car had a 58% front and 42% rear weight distribution. The four wheel steering system was changed to an electronic version and the engine was increased in capacity from 2.1 litres to 2.2 litres for the base model "S" (SOHC F22A1 engine, @ 5200 rpm, @ 4000 rpm) and "
VTEC-DOHC VTEC:Honda's system is a simple method of endowing the engine with multiple camshaft profiles optimized for low and high RPM operations. Instead of one cam lobe actuating each valve, there are two: one optimized for low-RPM stability & fuel efficiency; the other designed to maximize high-RPM...
" model (DOHC
VTEC-DOHC VTEC:Honda's system is a simple method of endowing the engine with multiple camshaft profiles optimized for low and high RPM operations. Instead of one cam lobe actuating each valve, there are two: one optimized for low-RPM stability & fuel efficiency; the other designed to maximize high-RPM...
H22A1, @ 6800 rpm, @ 5500 rpm), with a less performance-oriented 2.3-litre for the "Si" (DOHC H23A1, @ 5800 rpm, @ 5300 rpm). The Japanese Si came with the F22B (2.2 L DOHC non-VTEC, ). The VTEC model had an upgraded brake system, going from a 10.3" front rotor to an 11.1" front rotor and utilizing larger brake caliper and pads, similar to those found in the
Acura VigorThe Vigor started out in Japan only in the early 1980s as an upper trim level Accord, with later generations of the Vigor moved upmarket and received a shared platform with the luxury oriented Honda Inspire, and the engine sat longitudinally like the second generation Acura Legend...
. Its styling approach is similar to the Honda Ascot Innova during the same time period.
Additionally, a 2.0i model was released in the Europe, rated at . 1993 was the last year that the "Si-VTEC" (BB4) name was used, and beginning in 1994 it was shortened to just "
VTEC-DOHC VTEC:Honda's system is a simple method of endowing the engine with multiple camshaft profiles optimized for low and high RPM operations. Instead of one cam lobe actuating each valve, there are two: one optimized for low-RPM stability & fuel efficiency; the other designed to maximize high-RPM...
" and stayed that way throughout the rest of the generation. In some countries, the Prelude with 2.2 VTEC engine was called the VTi-R. In
CanadaCanada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Si was called the SR, and the VTEC was called the SR-V.
This model also marked the end for the pop-up headlights. The new headlights featured a stylish, aggressive and slanted appearance. The 1991 Prelude incorporated other design features that had also become the "Prelude standard". The rear end was rounded and fairly high in comparison to the previous square trunk line. The front fascia of the car became wider with fixed headlights. The glass moonroof made way for a steel sliding
sunroofAn automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...
which no longer retracted into the car but extended out and over it. This in effect created a spoiler which reduced air noise at speed.
The dashboard was generally accepted as the extraordinary feature of this model, remaining equal in height over the full width of the vehicle. The light blue back lighting introduced in the third generation was continued. Later models (1994 and on) also featured translucent speedometer and tachometer needles. All VTEC & SE models received leather interior. In Japan, there was also an in-dash
television setA television set is a device used to view television broadcasts.-History:...
available as an option. As a result of this, many enthusiasts have modified the dashboards of their Preludes to fit a small television set. Also featured was an 8-speaker audio system which included a center dash-mounted speaker and rear center subwoofer, while the U.S. version received only 7 speakers (center dash speaker not included). The Japanese version also included a digital climate control system. The Canadian version received some options which were not available in the United States. For instance, the Japanese Prelude had power folding mirrors as well as a rear windscreen wiper, while the Canadian market was the one to have heated mirrors and optional heated seats. The Japanese model came with optional Honda Access accessories such as Typus ski racks, under dash lights, headrest covers, a cabin air filter, and floor mats. Some of the Japanese domestic market fourth generation Prelude VTECs did not come with options such as a sunroof and 4-Wheel Steering, as it was possible to skip these options when buying in Japan. The fourth generation Prelude also shares some suspension components with the fifth generation (1994-97)
Honda AccordThe Honda Accord is the series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in most automotive markets throughout the world. The Accord became the first Japanese car to be produced in the U.S in 1982, when production commenced in Marysville, Ohio at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant...
.
| Model |
Engine |
Steering |
Chassis
code |
Markets |
| Code |
C/R |
Power |
Japan |
USA |
Canada |
Europe |
Australia |
| Si |
F22B |
9.5:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BA8 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BA9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Si VTEC |
H22A |
10.6:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB4 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
F22A1 |
8.8:1 |
133 PS |
2WS |
BA8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Si |
H23A1 |
9.8:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SE (1995) |
H23A1 |
9.8:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| VTEC (93-96) |
H22A1 |
10.0:1 |
190 PS |
2WS |
BB1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Prelude |
F22A1 |
8.8:1 |
133 PS |
2WS |
BA8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SR |
H23A1 |
9.8:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SR-V (93-96) |
H22A1 |
10.0:1 |
190 PS |
2WS |
BB1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2.0i |
F20A4 |
9.5:1 |
133 PS |
2WS |
BB3 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2.3i |
H23A2 |
9.8:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2i VTEC
(93-96) |
H22A2 |
10.0:1 |
185 PS |
2WS |
BB1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| CV/S |
F22A1 |
8.8:1 |
131 PS |
2WS |
BA8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Si |
H23A1 |
9.8:1 |
160 PS |
4WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SRS (91-93) |
H23A1 |
9.8:1 |
160 PS |
4WS |
BB2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| VTi-R (94-96) |
H22A1 |
10.0:1 |
190 PS |
4WS |
BB1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Paint codes
- Phoenix Red R-51
- Milano Red R-81
- Cassis Red Pearl R-82P
- Cobalt Blue Pearl B-54P
- Fresco Blue Pearl B-64P
- Pacific Blue Pearl B-68P
- Brittany Blue Green Metallic BG-23M
- Azure Blue Green Pearl BG-34P
- Geneva Green Pearl G-62P
- Sherwood Green Pearl G-78P
- Granada Black Pearl NH-503P
- Frost White NH-538
- Sebring Silver Metallic NH-552M
- Cashmere Silver Metallic YR-505M
Honda Prelude Generation 4 Image Gallery
Fifth generation (1997-2001)
The fifth generation retained a FF layout with an independent front suspension and 63/37 weight distribution. Most fifth-generation Honda Preludes came with
aluminiumAluminium or aluminum is a silvery white and ductile member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al; its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
alloy wheels with all-season 205/50 R16 87V tires. The 2.0i and JDM Si trims came with 195/60 R15 88H, and the JDM Xi came with 14" steel wheels. Unlike the US market Preludes, JDM Preludes came with rear wind screen wipers, except for the Xi. Most Prelude models now featured the 11.1" front brakes that the '96 VTEC model came with, and most Preludes also received a 5-lug hub, as opposed to the 4-lug wheel hub of older models.
The fifth-generation Prelude marked a return to the more square body style of the late 1980s, or third generation, in an attempt to curb slumping sales of the fourth-generation body style. The fifth-generation was assembled and distributed to many parts of the world, including Japan, the UK, the US, and Germany, among others. All models and
trim packageA trim package is an automotive package composed by a set of cosmetic embellishments to a vehicle. In some cases the trim package may include a specific model or ending name...
s stayed within the BB-chassis code (BB5-BB9) and housed either an
H-seriesThe Honda H engine was Honda's high-performance engine family from the 1990s and early 2000s. It is largely derived from the Honda F engine with which it shares many design features. Like Honda's other 4-cylinder families of the 80s and 90s, it was replaced by the Honda K engine...
or
F-SeriesThe Honda F-Series engine was Honda's "big block" SOHC inline four, though lower production DOHC versions of the F-series were built. It features an aluminum open deck cast iron sleeved block and aluminum/magnesium cylinder head...
engine:
| Model |
Engine |
Steering |
Chassis
code |
Markets |
| Code |
C/R |
Power |
Japan |
USA |
Canada |
Europe |
Australia |
| Xi |
F22B |
8.8:1 |
135 PS |
2WS |
BB5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Si |
F22B |
9.2:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BB5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB7 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SiR |
H22A |
10.6:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SiR S-spec |
H22A |
11.0:1 |
220 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Type S |
H22A |
11.0:1 |
220 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Base |
H22A4 |
10.0:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Type SH |
H22A4 |
10.0:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| SE |
H22A4 |
10.0:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2.0i |
F20A4 |
9.5:1 |
133 PS |
2WS |
BB9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2.2 VTi |
H22A5 (97-98)
H22A8 (99-01) |
10.0:1
11.0:1 |
185 PS
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2.2 VTi-S |
H22A5 (97-98)
H22A8 (99-01) |
10.0:1
11.0:1 |
185 PS
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4WS |
BB8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Si |
F22Z6 |
10.0:1 |
160 PS |
2WS |
BB5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| VTi-R |
H22A4 (97-98)
H22Z1 (99-01) |
10.0:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ATTS |
H22A4 (97-98)
H22Z1 (99-01) |
10.0:1 |
200 PS |
2WS |
BB6 |
|
|
|
|
|
All fifth generation Preludes had a fuel tank capacity of 60 l (15.9 US gal).
Type S
One version of the fifth generation Prelude, a high-performance model called the
Type S, was only available in
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It was equipped with the 2.2L
H22AThe Honda H engine was Honda's high-performance engine family from the 1990s and early 2000s. It is largely derived from the Honda F engine with which it shares many design features. Like Honda's other 4-cylinder families of the 80s and 90s, it was replaced by the Honda K engine...
, featuring
VTEC-DOHC VTEC:Honda's system is a simple method of endowing the engine with multiple camshaft profiles optimized for low and high RPM operations. Instead of one cam lobe actuating each valve, there are two: one optimized for low-RPM stability & fuel efficiency; the other designed to maximize high-RPM...
and producing @ 7200 rpm and 163 lb·ft (221 Nm) @ 6500 rpm. With a compression ratio of 11.0:1, bore x stroke and
VTEC-DOHC VTEC:Honda's system is a simple method of endowing the engine with multiple camshaft profiles optimized for low and high RPM operations. Instead of one cam lobe actuating each valve, there are two: one optimized for low-RPM stability & fuel efficiency; the other designed to maximize high-RPM...
-valve timing, lift and duration were adjusted to intake and exhaust.
Hondais a Japanese multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume. Honda surpassed Nissan in 2001 to become...
also overhauled the air box and replaced it with a more efficient design that is often referred to as
Dynamic Chambering, along with a larger throttle body design bored to 62 mm (as opposed to the previous 60 mm). The exhaust system was also treated to a redesign, with the pipe cross sections becoming more cylindrical rather than oval. The three-way catalytic converter was also increased in size, as well as the exhaust piping from 50.8 mm (2.00 in) to 57 mm (2.25 in) (tToV). In addition to a higher output engine both Type S and USDM Type SH featured an overhauled front suspension layout which offered a more effective camber curve. The fifth generation curb weight was 1310 kg (2882 lb), and ground clearance was 140 mm (5.5 in). Unlike the SiR S-spec that had an LSD, the Type S acquired the Honda technology known as the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS). The gearing on the Type S matches all other fifth-generation Preludes that had a manual transmission except for the five-speed 2.2 VTi VTEC and had a final drive ratio of 4.266:1. The Type S had an Active Control ABS system, different from the others which had the standard ABS systems. The interior featured newly developed Cabron and Excene upholstered seats which most people see it as leather and alcantara laced with red stitching. Manufacturer styling options included seat lettering. The exterior styling of fifth generation Preludes was standardized for most models. All had a sunroof except for the Type S model.
Prelude Motegi
Honda also released a special edition 5th generation Prelude, called
Motegi. The name of this special edition derives from the ‘twin-ring Motegi’ (
Tsuin Rinku Motegi) motor-racing circuit, located in Haga District, Tochigi, Japan. This track was built in 1997 by Honda as part of their effort to bring the IndyCar series to Japan.
The Motegi edition Prelude featured an OEM Honda body kit, 17" Honda alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension and a Motegi badge on the boot lid. All of these items were optional on non-Motegi models with the exception of the boot lid badge.
The MSDM fifth-generation Preludes also saw enhancements in the engine, with the full line now offering VTEC H22A4 engines, an evolution of the H22A1 with higher flowing heads, making @ 7000 rpm and 156 lb·ft (212 Nm) @ 5250 rpm from 1997 to 1999, and the same torque readings with @ 7000 rpm from 1999 to 2001 with a compression ratio of 10.0:1. In some countries, the Prelude was also offered with a base 2.0L engine. The USDM fifth-generation had a
Type SH ("Super-Handling") trim which featured the ATTS, and, along with the five-speed base model, shared the same gearing as the
Type S and
SiR-S spec trims in Japan. This system allowed Honda to overcome the limitations of front-wheel drive somewhat, and in 1997,
Car and DriverCar and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Originally headquartered in New York City, the magazine has been based in Ann Arbor, Michigan since the late 1970s.-History:Car and Driver was founded...
named the Prelude Type SH the "best-handling car under $30,000."
In the fifth generation Prelude, all models with an
automatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
featured
SportShift technology. This 4-speed transmission allowed the driver to manually change gears in a manner similar to the
PorschePorsche SE is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury high performance automobiles, which is majority-owned by the Piëch and Porsche families. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG , often shortened to Porsche AG, is responsible and manufacturer of the Porsche automobile line...
tiptronicTiptronic, is a type of manumatic automatic transmission developed by Porsche, and used in its vehicles, and those of its licensees.- Overview :...
system. Gear selection was enabled by sliding the shifter horizontally from D4, the standard automatic position, to a separate track that allowed the shifter to be pushed forwards or backwards. At the time of the Prelude's release, this type of feature was relatively rare, having been recently introduced in the Porsche 911 in the early 90's, but soon afterwards it became common in many sport coupés and sedans.
Sales
Sales were not strong, particularly due to competition from Honda's other offerings. The Coupe version of the sixth-generation Accord received an exclusive front fascia, rear tail lights, wheels and many other body panels, being now marketed as a somewhat separate model from the family-oriented sedan, though its sedan roots gave it much more utility than the reportedly cramped Prelude. The sixth-generation Civic Coupe Si has also gained a reputation in its own right and was considerably less expensive than the Prelude.
1st Gen (1979-1982): 171,829
2nd Gen (1983-1987): 336,599
3rd Gen (1988-1991): 160,909
4th Gen (1992-1996): 98,627
5th Gen (1997-2001): 58,118
Total Production: 826,082
Australia
In Australia, the safety performance of Honda Preludes manufactured between 1983 and 2002 was assessed in the
Buyers Guide to used Car Safety Ratings 2006, which was published by the
Roads and Traffic AuthorityThe Roads and Traffic Authority is a New South Wales government agency responsible for major road infrastructure, licensing of drivers, and registration of motor vehicles. The RTA directly manages State roads and provides funding to local councils for regional and local roads...
(RTA) (a
New South WalesNew South Wales is Australia's most populous state, located in the south-east of the country, north of Victoria, south of Queensland and east of South Australia...
,
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the continental mainland , the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans...
, government agency). This publication concluded that the level of occupant protection in Preludes from 1983 to 1996 was at an "average" level, while in Preludes from 1997 to 2002 is "significantly better than average."
USA
The
National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(NHTSA) in the USA has determined frontal crash test ratings of Honda Preludes of different model years.
Awards
The Prelude was on
Car and DriverCar and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Originally headquartered in New York City, the magazine has been based in Ann Arbor, Michigan since the late 1970s.-History:Car and Driver was founded...
magazine's annual
Ten BestCar and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:# The vehicle must be on sale by January...
list ten times: three times from 1984 to 1986, and then seven times from 1992 to 1998.
Convertibles
Through the years, several
GermanGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
companies have converted Preludes into convertibles. Currently, there have been convertibles made from the first, second and fourth generation Preludes.
First generation Preludes were modified by a company called Tropic Design, located in Germany. In all, they modified 47 Preludes, most of which were exported to Japan . Very few have remained in Europe, initially all in Germany. Some have been sold over time to nearby countries, at least one to the
NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a country in Northwestern Europe, constituting the major portion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. The Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east...
and one to
BelgiumThe Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO...
.
Second generation Preludes were modified by another German company; some 100 Preludes were modified. No DOHC engine-equipped models have been known to be converted into convertibles, however. Three versions were available: a basic version, one which had more luxurious options, and one which added a body kit.
Of the fourth generation Preludes, only some 15 were modified into a convertible by German company Honda-Autohaus Manfred Ernst. No details are known about the engine types and other specifics. Since only 15 were ever made, they are assumed by many to be custom-built.
External links
- http://preludeuk.forumup.com/ - The UK Honda Prelude Owners Club
- http://www.ludebehaviour.co.uk/ - The (Other) UK Honda Prelude Owners Club
- http://www.midlandshonda.co.uk/ - UK Midlands Based Honda Owners Club - Several members own Preludes
- http://www.preludepower.com/ - US Honda Prelude Owners Club
- http://preludeaustralia.com/ - Australian Prelude Community
- http://www.preludedriver.com/ - Canadian Honda Prelude Community