Honda Prelude: История спортивного купе

The Honda Prelude (ホンダ・プレリュード) is a sports car produced by the Japanese company Honda over five generations from 1978 to 2001. It is a two door coupé that was loosely derived from the Honda Accord and was the first Honda to feature a moonroof, a feature that remained standard equipment throughout its production. The Prelude was used by Honda to introduce the Japanese Honda retail sales chain Honda Verno, with the international release of the model following shortly after. Production of the Prelude concluded in 2001 upon the introduction of the fourth generation Integra. The Prelude name was originally trademarked by Toyota, but was amicably given to Honda for use. The Prelude complied with the series of music themed vehicle names which Honda used at the time, along with the Accord, Quintet, Concerto, Jazz, and Ballade. TOC

On 24 November 1978, the Prelude was launched to the Japanese market. It had its world premiere at the 1979 AutoRAI in Amsterdam, two months later. In Japan it was only available at the newly established dealership sales channel Honda Verno. This dealership chain also introduced the Honda Quint, the Honda Ballade, and the Accord based Honda Vigor as its largest sedan and hatchback. The four wheel independent struts, brakes, and engine were all borrowed from the first generation Accord, but the chassis was all new and developed by chief engineer Hiroshi Kizawa expressly for the sporting Prelude. At 4,090 mm (length) x 1,635 mm (width) x 1,290 mm (height), it had quite a low and wide profile. The wheelbase was 2,320 mm, and was 60 mm shorter than that of the original Accord. Honda appears to have followed the successful introduction of the Toyota Celica example by taking a small car, like the Accord, installing a more powerful engine, and giving the body a short trunk, and a long engine hood. The Prelude (and period Accord) were the first cars under two liters to receive standard power steering. The Prelude also benefited from Honda's experience with sporting cars like the Honda S800 and Coupé 1300. The Prelude was the first Honda model to offer a power moonroof as standard equipment, which eventually became a Prelude trademark. In Japan, the Prelude was available with a sliding metal sunroof, while US versions received a glass top which freed up more headroom. The EK engine made use of an engine oil cooler and transistor controlled ignition system. Transmission choices were either the standard five speed manual or initially a two speed "Hondamatic" semi automatic, which by October 1979 had been replaced by a three speed automatic that used the final gear as the overdrive. In addition to the standard fabrics offered in most models, an 'Executive' option was offered in some markets which added power steering and Connolly leather upholstery. 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. The Prelude featured intermittent wipers, tinted glass, and a remote trunk release. 1980 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. This facelift meant a return to a more traditional dashboard, rather than the much critiqued "Concentrated Target Meter" used before. The 1981 Prelude also received a stainless steel trim strip along the bumpers and side moldings, as well as a new grille. 313,000 units were manufactured by Honda from 1978 to 1982, with 80% being sold outside of Japan. The Prelude was introduced in Europe during 1979, but was not a strong seller, its high asking price not helping its chances of sales success.

ModelEngineSteeringChassiscodeMarketsCodeC/RPowerSiF22B9.5:12WSBA84WSBA9Si VTECH22A10.6:12WSBB44WSBB1SF22A18.8:12WSBA8SiH23A19.8:12WSBB24WSBB2SE (1995)H23A19.8:12WSBB2VTEC (93–96)H22A110.0:14WSBB1PreludeF22A18.8:12WSBA8SRH23A19.8:12WSBB24WSBB2SR V (93–96)H22A110.0:12WSBB12.0iF20A49.5:12WSBB32.3iH23A29.8:12WSBB24WSBB22.2i VTEC(93–96)H22A210.0:12WSBB14WSBB1CV/SF22A18.8:12WSBA8SiH23A19.8:14WSBB2SRS (91–93)H23A19.8:14WSBB2VTi R (94–96)H22A110.0:14WSBB1

The Prelude was used in Formula One as its Safety Car during the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix. It was even used in a Formula one circuit once. Honda's Prelude was also used as a pace car in a race at the Suzuka International Racing Course in 1992

Introduced on 7 November 1996, the fifth generation Prelude retained an FF layout with an independent front suspension and 63/37 weight distribution. The fifth generation Prelude marked a return to the more square bodystyle of the third generation (1987–1991), in an attempt to curb slumping sales of the fourth generation bodystyle. The two door notchback style is retained but the design is less aggressive and more angular than the previous generation. The redesigned sports coupe is slightly larger than its predecessor at longer in wheelbase and overall. Base curb weight increased by and interior dimensions are nearly identical but trunk space expanded by nearly 1 cubic foot. The ATTS model received Honda's Active Torque Transfer System; badged as the Type S in Japan, VTi S in Europe, and Type SH ("Super Handling") in North America. ATTS automatically distributes more of the engine's power to the outside front wheel when accelerating in a turn. This forces the outside front wheel to rotate up to 15 percent faster than the inside wheel directing up to 80 percent of the torque to a single wheel. ATTS was designed to counteract the understeer inherent in a front wheel drive car, but the Prelude's 63.1 percent front weight distribution was too much for the system to successfully mask. and changes to available colours.

Canadian market Preludes were very similar to US models, although all were equipped with heated seats as standard equipment, and received a 4.5 liter washer fluid reservoir in place of the smaller 2.5 liter US spec. In 2001, Canada received a replacement for the Type SH, the SE trim level. The SE was mechanically identical to base models, but it came equipped with perforated, heated leather seats, Type SH Enkei rims, Type SH spoiler, a leather wrapped shift knob, and simulated carbon fiber trim kit on the door panels and audio panel. The SE did not receive body colored side skirts as standard like the Type SH, and also did not feature the active torque transfer system (ATTS). Dealer accessories for Canadian vehicles included: carbon fiber audio panel, sunroof visor, 6 disc in dash CD changer, trunk mounted CD changer, cassette player, roof rack, gold plated emblem kit, gold plated exhaust finisher, leather wrapped shift knob, full and half nose mask, security system, and a cargo mat.

One version of the fifth generation Prelude, a high performance model called the Type S, was only available in Japan. It was equipped with the 2.2 L H22A, featuring VTEC and producing at 7,200 rpm and 163 lbf·ft (221 N·m) at 6,500 rpm. With a compression ratio of 11.0:1, bore x stroke and VTEC valve timing, lift and duration were adjusted to intake and exhaust. Honda 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 (tToV). In addition to a higher output engine Type S and like all ATTS equipped Preludes featured an overhauled front suspension layout which offered a more effective camber curve. The fifth generation curb weight was , and ground clearance was The Type S, has an electronically controlled torque vectoring system attached to the manual transmission dubbed by Honda the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS). The gearing on the Type S matches most other fifth generation Preludes equipped with a manual transmission, excluding the five speed 2.2 VTi VTEC which has a final drive ratio of 4.266:1. The Type S has an Active Control ABS system, different from the others which have the standard ABS systems. The interior featured newly developed synthentic materials called Cabron and Excene to upholster the seats which most people perceive 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 Japanese Type S, Xi trim and some BB9s.

Honda also released a special edition fifth generation Prelude, called Motegi. The name of this special edition derives from the Twin Ring 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 inch Honda alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension and a Motegi badge on the trunk lid. All of these items, with the exception of the trunk lid badge, were optional on non Motegi models.

The "Prelude" nameplate has been revived for a hybrid electric concept car, showcased at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. The new Prelude will serve as a replacement for the discontinued Civic and Accord Coupes and is set for global release around 2025–2026.

In Australia, the safety performance of Honda Preludes manufactured between 1983 and 2001 was assessed in the Buyers Guide to used Car Safety Ratings 2006, which was published by the Roads & Traffic Authority (a New South Wales, Australia, 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 2001 is "significantly better than average."

The Prelude was on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list ten times: three times from 1984 to 1986, and then seven times from 1992 to 1998, although the biggest complaint over much of the Prelude's lifespan was the lack of availability of a V 6 engine option, especially in the US.

Through the years, several German and US companies have converted Preludes into convertibles. There have been convertibles made from the first, second and fourth generation Preludes. First generation Preludes were modified into full convertibles by several companies in the US, Canada and Germany. The
Solaire Corporation, a company in Santa Ana California owned by Al Rowland & Jim Bruemmer, led the idea for mass market sales. He brought in craftsman Bruce Meyers (Known for the famous Meyers Manx Dune Buggy) to help design the tooling and fiberglass work for production. Its believed that between 1980 1982, 250 Preludes were modified into convertibles and sold to US Honda dealerships with full factory warranties. Dealer prices ranged from $14,000 $15,000, while the conversion itself sold for around $5,000. Solaire collaborated with other companies including Classic Touch, Con tec, Silcco, Steas Industries and National Coach. It was marketed as "Honda's 450 SL", drawing aesthetic comparisons to the Mercedes 450SL. Tropic Design, located in Crailsheim, Germany also converted Preludes into convertibles. Company owner Jürgen Weber learned this trade in the United States. In total, they modified 47 Preludes. Very few have remained in Europe, initially all in Germany. Some have been sold over time to nearby countries, at least one to the Netherlands, one to France and one to Belgium. 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. There is believed to be a few third generation Preludes made however it is not confirmed how many were made. There is currently one confirmed Japanese imported third generation convertible Prelude currently in Australia though not much is known of its history. 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.