Honda Prelude Prototype First Drives Reveal Paddle Shifters, Civic Interior, Fake Sounds

After finding out that Honda’s new Prelude—yes, the one with simulated gear shifts—is hitting US showrooms late next year, a few lucky folks in Japan got to take the pre-production prototypes for a spin on the track. These early test drives give us a sneak peek at the upgraded hybrid powertrain, its “enhanced” soundtrack, and the tweaked chassis setup. Oh, and they also offer a first look inside the cabin, which Honda had kept under wraps until now.

Unsurprisingly, the camouflaged prototypes used for these test drives look almost identical to those spotted by our spy photographers during development testing. As expected, the exterior changes from the concept are minimal, such as the slightly chunkier mirror caps and a few new ADAS sensors for good measure.

A Fancier Civic Interior

Inside, the Prelude’s dashboard is largely borrowed from its Civic cousin, no surprises there. But Honda has sprinkled in just enough unique touches to remind you this is not just a Civic coupe, thank you very much. The center console is higher, featuring snazzy new controls for the gearbox and a shiny, dedicated button for the new S+ Shift mode (don’t worry, we’ll unpack that bit later).

More: New Honda Prelude Coming To US In Late 2025 With Simulated Gear Shifts

The front seats are a nice touch featuring sporty buckets with integrated headrests, perforated upholstery, and contrast stitching in white and blue for that look, it’s special vibe. As for the rear seats, let’s just say Honda didn’t design them with NBA players—or really, any full-sized adults—in mind, unless you enjoy being cramped. Blame the sloping roofline and shorter wheelbase. Still, there’s a silver lining: Honda promises solid trunk space, thanks to a generously sized tailgate.

New Twin-Motor Hybrid Powertrian

Here’s where things get interesting. The new Prelude will be the first model to debut Honda’s next generation two-motor hybrid system. While the company hasn’t spilled all the details yet, the Prelude is expected to feature a self-charging hybrid powertrain that pairs a newly developed 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with dual electric motors. The electric drive unit itself is also new, boasting a more compact design and improved efficiency.

Honda claims this setup is 10% more efficient than the current e:HEV system, all without sacrificing power. And while there’s still no traditional transmission, Honda’s new S+ Shift mode is here to save the day by simulating gear changes to make the driving experience feel a little more… well, “engaging.”

Honda S+ Shift Drive Mode And Fake Engine Sounds

The new Honda S+ Shift system, set to feature in all future Honda e:HEVs, promises to transform the hybrid coupe’s driving dynamics (at least on paper) by simulating gear changes and amplifying the sound of the four-cylinder engine. This, of course, happens despite the fact that the electric motor does most of the work driving the front wheels, and there’s no mechanical transmission to speak of.

Unlike the Civic, which only simulates gear changes through audio feedback, the Prelude adds a subtle shock during downshifts, courtesy of tweaked torque mapping in the electric drive unit. The system manages engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration and responds to the gear shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. At the same time, Honda’s Active Sound Control pumps a beefier engine tone through the speakers, synchronized with the RPM display on the digital instrument cluster.

Does it work? According to one review, a tester noted that Honda engineers applied the same control method used in the nine-speed dual-clutch transmission from the now-discontinued NSX. However, the simulated shifts in the Prelude’s “fake” gearbox don’t deliver the same level of intensity. That said, it’s still appears to be a noticeable step up from the Linear Shift Control system found in Honda’s e:HEV models since 2020. Beyond the Prelude, the S+ Shift system has been confirmed for all future e:HEV models as well.

Underneath: Civic Bones, Gym Gains

At its core, the Prelude is closely related to the Civic, but Honda’s given it some meaningful upgrades. The wheelbase is shorter, the tracks are wider, and the suspension has been retuned to make the Prelude feel sportier while still delivering smooth, GT-like comfort. Honda also says the platform boasts increased rigidity, improved steering stability, and a 10% weight reduction, because numbers matter.

First Impressions

Early feedback from reviewers is promising. The Japanese media praised the coupe’s ride, saying that it feels sportier than the Civic, while being as smooth and comfortable as a GT. One tester noted that the steering setup and adaptive suspension felt reminiscent of the Civic Type R hot hatch. Others pointed out the Brembo brakes tucked behind the black 19-inch wheels wrapped in Continental Premium Contact 6 tires, claiming the braking system delivered a smooth, linear feel.

We’ll know more when the Prelude takes center stage at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon ahead of its launch next year. Until then, we’ll keep practicing our best “yeah, but it’s not just a Civic” arguments.

Lead GIF via LOVECARS!TV! / YouTube