24/05/2026

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | MAY 24, 2026

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Prelude reborn

Digital instrument cluster changes display according to driving mode.

BY KESHY DHILLON An icon returns with revolutionary spirit

THE Honda Prelude is an icon that was almost relegated to the pages of history, until last year when Honda reincarnated it in its sixth-generation form after it had disappeared for a quarter of a century. There were entire generations that never knew how iconic the Prelude was, until now. First introduced in 1979, the Prelude has long been the go-to car for those wanting something stylish to drive. The second and third generations of the Prelude were icons of the pop-up headlight era, offering a low-slung, sleek silhouette together with technologies that were far ahead of time. While many modern car makers rave about their four-wheel steering innova tions, Honda did it back in the late 80s when it was introduced in the third-gen eration Prelude. This innovation gave the Prelude impressive agility, despite it not being all that powerful. Now, this same innovation and sleek design are seen in the modern-day Prelude which, despite being shown in Malaysia a few times already, is now set

motive media were given a chance to drive the new Prelude around the south track of the Sepang International Circuit. For some of us, the other highlight of the event was being able to talk to the Large Project Leader of the new Honda Prelude, Tomoyuki Yamagami – basi cally, the brains behind the project. Having the man who ideated and built the car is a special opportunity; we don’t always get the chance to pick the brains of those who envisioned a vehicle. During his product brief, there was one thing Yamagami mentioned that stuck with me: he said that Honda created the car first and only later decided on a name. I thought that to be odd, because it means Honda never set off to build a replacement for the Prelude. It just became the Prelude. Yamagami explained that his team wanted to create a car that people enjoyed driving with their partner – a car they could drive every day that looked good at the same time. After conceptualising that, they looked into the Honda naming catalogue and decided that “Prelude” suited the car best. here was no objection from upper man agement, so they went with it. Yamagami also said the car was chal

wheels while the generator starts the engine and powers the car’s systems simultaneously. THE DIFFERENCE Though the overall powertrain is the same as the current-generation Civic hybrid, there are differences in two key areas. First up is the S+ Shift system. This feature is unique to the Prelude for now; it is there to amplify the driving character and add a sportier touch to an otherwise straightforward powertrain. Recall how I mentioned that the Prelude does not have a gearbox. In the Civic hybrid, Honda added augmented sounds of gears shifting to provide audi tory excitement. The Prelude takes it a step further: you don’t just hear it, you feel it, just as you feel gearshifts taking place in a sports car. It is nearly identical to the feeling of shifting gears with Porsche’s PDK dual clutch system, which Honda’s engineers used as a benchmark. When S+ Shift is engaged via the but

lenging to build given today’s expecta tions for sports cars, but they managed to build something so special that he ended up buying one. The President of Honda Motor Co Ltd, Toshihiro Mibe, drives the

new Prelude as well. THE POWERTAIN

The new Prelude uses the same power train found in the Honda Civic e:HEV RS Hybrid. The system comprises a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson-cycle engine, a drive motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. Combined system output is rated at 200hp at 5,000rpm and 315Nm of torque from zero rpm. Just like the system in the Civic hybrid, the engine exists to power the generator which supplies electricity for the electric motor. It also assists in channelling torque to the wheels and recharges the battery. It provides instant torque from a standstill, acceleration is impressive. The electric drive motor directly powers the

to make its official debut. THE BACKGROUND

Honda Malaysia organised a drive event where select members of the auto

The engine is the same as the Civic hybrid.

Sports seats are unique to the Prelude