The Honda Prelude isn’t going to set any speed records among the new sports cars on the block, and for all those that were hoping it would eventually be the donor for a potent Type R version, it looks like that ship has well and truly sailed. The President of Honda Australia has effectively shut down any rumblings or hopes for a Prelude Type R by laying down some hard truths to optimistic fans.
The new Honda Prelude is offered with a hybrid engine which produces a healthy 200 horsepower, paired with a quick-shifting transmission. Those figures are nothing to scoff at, and certainly make the Prelude an enjoyable and capable car to drive, but nowhere near what one would expect of a car bearing the iconic Type R insignia. For those who are yearning for that thrill of unadulterated high performance from Honda, President and CEO of Honda Australia Jay Joseph was clear as to what that car currently is — the Civic Type R.
Mr. Joseph made it clear that turning the Prelude into something deserving of a Type R model would cost too much for Honda to invest, and the Type R badge comes with a number of strict expectations which the Prelude does not currently meet: a performance engine, a racing suspension, aerodynamic tuning, and a world class driving experience are all elements tied to the name, and creating that with the Prelude would be an arduous and financially demanding undertaking.
The Prelude’s platform, although versatile enough to allow for extensive development, would be so thoroughly rebuilt that it would essentially be starting over to create a Type R. According to Mr. Joseph, it would be “a complete ground-up, millions of dollars, multi-year engineering effort.” In essence, that wouldn’t make financial sense to Honda, and as it stands, it is what Honda offers via the extensively lauded Civic Type R.
It’s been said before, but the Honda Prelude holds a special place in the hearts of many automotive enthusiasts. First produced between 1978 and 2001, its revival brought a lot of excitement to the auto industry, and some even believed that the new Prelude could also be used to spawn something spectacular, but at this stage at least, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
While it certainly appears to be a stylish and capable hybrid car to drive, for those who wish for something a little more exhilarating, a Type R is definitely not in the cards for the Prelude, which seems destined to carve out a niche of its own within Honda’s lineup without following the traditional, adrenaline-pumping performance route.
